Princess Luna was still asleep from earlier in the afternoon. Slowly, she opened her eyes and wondered how long she had slept. Her head was still on the pillow that she cried herself asleep on and it had the scent of lavender, which was something she liked. This pillow just like most of the other things in Luna's room was enchanted to give a relaxing atmosphere. Unfortunately, this did nothing for her as she still felt like crap. She slowly got up off the pillow and made her way over to the mirror next to her bed.
She looked at her reflection in the mirror and what she saw did not please her. Her mane was not what it usually looked like. Instead of it being free flowing like the night sky, it was rather stiff and her natural sparkles were dim. Her eyes also had a redness that wasn't there before she fell asleep. She then thought about what she saw,
"You look like a Nightmare…just like her. They think you're like her anyway."
She then opened up her beauty kit to find her custom made brush. After brushing her mane for one minute, it returned back to the free flowing characteristics that are usually present. This didn't cure the sparkles in her mane though, they were still dim. She then looked around in her beauty kit for something to cure the eye redness. Eventually she found some eye drops in a squeeze bottle.
Using her Alicorn magic, the bottle was wrapped around in a night blue haze and was lifted into the air. She leveled it above her left eye and squeezed the bottle with her magic. Two drops came out and made their way into her eye. She repeated the same thing in her right eye and the soothing property of the drops too effect. She then looked back into the mirror and saw that her image was a little bit better, but still not up to her normal standards.
"What standards do you need? You're a Nightmare remember?" she quickly thought.
She then felt the cramping coming back, and then performed a spell she had learned long before her exile to the moon. Its job was to ease pain, and successfully got rid of the pain but it wouldn't last long as its effect span was six hours. She made a mental note to herself to look it back up in the castle archives for a more powerful version. Just then an image of Nightmare Night was staring back at her in the mirror,
"What was the point it will just come back up." as if the image made a thought pop itself up in her mind.
"Be quiet" Luna thought.
"Or else you'll do what? I'm a part of you….don't you remember correctly?"
"I'm not you…I'm Princess Luna, Guardian of the Night."
"Some princess you are, look at yourself. You're ugly…just like the darkness you bring. You'll never be like your sister. She is loved, she is beautiful, and elegant all of the qualities you lack."
"That's not true! I am all of those qualities and you will not make me feel worthless. I am nothing like you."
"Hahahah, just keep telling yourself that, I am and always be will be a part of you. Take me back, and I will help you get what you've always wanted."
"I will not accept you. I am Princess Luna and I will not betray my sister not matter how hard you plea."
"Oh dear Luna, you'll always be second to her, you ugly hag."
Princess Luna just couldn't take it anymore. She was tired of feeling worthless and the past images of Nightmare Moon were getting to her. With all her frustration and anger, she smashed the mirror with her right hoof and all of the pieces shattered on the floor. It was at this point three of her personal guards rushed in to see if she was okay. In the center of the doorway was the Captain of the Night Guards, with his subordinates on his right and left side. Their armor was a bit different from Celestia's, as their bore a dark cobalt finish adorned with a crescent moon in the center.
"My Princess, are you okay?! Are you hurt?!"
"Yes my Captain. I merely had an accident with the mirror. All is fine. Please do not tell me dear sister of this incident. Now, please leave me be."
He could tell there was something wrong with her as she didn't look happy at all, and the fact she had a tired look on her face. He wanted to inquire further, but something told him he should just leave it be. He elegantly bowed as did his subordinates, and they quickly left, closing the door behind. He briefly considered reporting this to the Princess Celestia's guards, but decided against it. It did after all seem like an accident but the look on her face still had him concerned. None the less he returned to his post just down the hall to finish out his own shift.
Princess Luna then looked at the shattered remains of her mirror and saw the reflection of her in each one.
"I am not Nightmare Moon! I am Princess Luna, I am beautiful, elegant, and a Princess of Equestria! I will not let the past dictate that I am!"
That was it for Luna; she just couldn't take it anymore. She had to sever all ties to her past, and to vent her anger as she just couldn't stand to be in the Castle anymore. She remembered that damn statue of her in Everfree Forest that she saw last year. It was the last reminder of her as Nightmare Moon, and she was going to destroy it.
She quickly walked over to her desk and used her magic to write a letter with a quill and scroll. She then quickly wrote a note, should anyone walk in while she was gone. The quill worked really fast as she spoke out the words she wanted written. She then used her magic to float the note onto her bed laying face up, so anypony can easily find it. When the note was left on the bed, she returned the quill to the desk. She then took a quick look around to see if there was anything else she needed to do. There wasn't anything that she could think of, so she proceeded to do what had planned to do.
Making up her mind she walked over to the window to look out to the sky. It was still overcast out but it wasn't close to being late yet. She figured she would have enough time to make it to the forest and back. If her sister would have a problem with her destroying it, and missing out on the Royal Dinner, then so be it. She didn't bother telling her guards at all, they would merely just blab to her sister.
With a final look at the door and to the sky, she jumped out the window and extended her wings and began to fly towards Everfree Forest. The weather wasn't that bad, not yet at least. The breeze was cool, but she didn't expect it to stay that way. Her wings were a bit stiff at first but for the next ten minutes they eased up as the muscle memory kicked in. She then tried her best not to think about what had happened previously in her room. Instead she tried to think about other topics such as what would she do when the night became clear. Then an unexpected topic arose in her mind, Romance.
Needless to say this was a complicated subject for her as there had been other princes in the past that tried to win her affection but in the end they were all short of her heart. None of them were really interested in her though. They either just wanted status, wealth, or just want a nice flank by their side. She thought she had sworn off romance for a while but seeing how she was starting to feel lonely. Plus being on the moon for a long time had a way of changing your mind.
"Is there a stallion out there for me, one that can understand me or even listen to my heart? A Stallion that admires the night sky with a bright moon across the night? Or am I destined to be alone?"
And with that one final thought she decided to pick up her speed to get this task before night fall.
"If there is somepony out there for me, I hope he is brave, strong, and understanding of my heart."
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"Surprise! Buttsecks, buttsecks, bbbbbbu bu buttsecks!" a stoked Konrad sang as he happily bounced in his bronco's driver seat.
He had selected the song "Surprise Buttsecks" that featured Spy singing the rather unique, no, awesome lyrics with the Syrsa Yonk melody. It was just one of his favorite random varied songs loaded in to his IPod. He also had the song made by Kitsune^2 on YouTube called "Avast your ASS!" He also had all of the MLP versions too with the Fluttershy version being one his most favorite.
"Oh you Brony, why don't you just admit it? I know you're a brony."
"Not you again! Get out of my head Ian! I ain't a brony!"
"The evidence speaks otherwise. I mean there's the fact you've seen all of the episodes, read numerous fan fictions, and played the games. What do you have to fear?"
"The fact that I'll be seen as a fag when I'm not."
"Being a brony has nothing to do with sex or anything Konrad. You should know that. Only the weird fans of the show take it like that. And we besides, where is the love and tolerance. Also, you know you don't have to agree with a particular lifestyle. You have to not be a jerk"
"Ok you have a point there. Yeah, makes me wish Creepy Pasta and Rule 34 stuff didn't exist. Wait, why are we even talking about this. You're just a figment representation of my friend! You're not actually here."
"True but I'm your conscious and I'm just trying to help you come to terms with your bronyness."
"Is that so eh?"
"Yes, and I know much about you. I know that if you'd had to cross mate with a species, say an alien for example, it would be a quarian."
"Well…..I mean c'mon….dem hips."
Konrad's mind was immediately being filled with images of Tali'Zorah and Admiral Daro'Xen both on each of his side holding his arms while he was dressed in N7 armor. He was sporting the biggest troll face in the galaxy that just absolutely shouted to the universe, which even the Fonz himself would approve of, "Hey!"
"Yeah, now that you admit you would be with an alien, I know that you would be with a pony if you could."
"What….did….you…say?" though Konrad is a rising anger tone.
"You heard me correctly, you'd be with a pony. Which would, in essence make you a furry lover. Strange, out of all the anthromorphic beings I never guessed you'd have a thing for horses. Well, it explains the Bronco and your attraction to ruggedness and reliability. Which reminds me, what gun is known for that exactly?"
"You son of a b….you know what you are not here. Yep that's it, just some random thought. LALALALA woohoo! Oh HEY! Look at this, it is an IPOD! It has everything I need; now I wonder what the random mode will pick?"
"Don't you ignore me Konrad, wait! Don't press that button!"
At this Point Konrad press the button to continue a new song. It was Kitsune^2's original "Avast your Ass and Konrad put it too max. Konrad's conscious in the form of his old friend Ian, had pretty much given up trying to talk to him. Even though Konrad couldn't hear his conscious (we'll just call him Ian for now), Ian pretty much said,
"You're a real troll you know that!? I'll be back."
Too busy to hear Ian, he continued to bounce around in his seat, paying attention on the highway going full blast on the music. Though not his favorite version of the song, he continued to play it anyway least Ian returns. Because of the high volume, he eventually got pulled over by a cop, not a highway patrolman, but a Raccoon City cop. And it was quite obvious the guy was a rookie as pulling someone over on the highway when it wasn't even his jurisdiction was amateur to say the least.
Konrad had to inform the cop that he was carrying a concealed firearm as required by his state's law. The cop wasn't pleased about this, but Konrad was following the law and the cop could go eat it for all he cared. Generally Konrad had a lot of respect for LEO's as their job was a dangerous profession and not everyone gave them the respect they deserved. Rookie cop or not, Konrad simply acted in polite and courteous manor, saying Yes Officer or No Officer.
It was rather hilarious the cop was tried to give him a ticket for "Disturbing the peace" but retracted his action when he realized he wasn't in his jurisdiction. Also the fact that it was a highway, and no houses were nearby, he simply let Konrad go with a warning. Probably even more embarrassing was that he didn't even know the way to Raccoon City and had asked him for directions to the city limits. Konrad simply gave the Cop directions and wished him the best of luck on his new position in Raccoon City.
When the Cop got back into his Jeep Wrangler he simply said,
"Good luck in Raccoon City Officer Kennedy. You are going to need it."
Konrad simply just shook his head at the previous encounter he had with the cop and continued towards Silent Hill. He walked into this Gas station to buy a few red bulls. It was an empty Gas Station for the most part with exception to the Attendant. Well, there was this guy who was definitely not a resident.
He kept asking everyone in the station if they had seen his daughter Cheryl. The looked pretty distraught, so Konrad simply asked him if he had gone to the Police yet. The man had said no and that he would do so. Konrad was glad he was able to get some sense into the guy. Though he couldn't blame him, his daughter was everything in the world to him, and Konrad was able to get find a police officer nearby. A rather attractive one at that, she was in her early 30's, blonde, had an athletic body, and when he observed her without her making eye contact with him, a nice rack. While he was looking at her umm…name tag, it said Cybil.
Eventually when they got done talking, she walked over to him, motioning to Konrad over to a corner where no one could hear them. She asked him questions that were mostly about who he was, why he was here, and what was he doing in the gas station and all that. Konrad wasn't insulted or offended at the slightest, she was just trying to get all the information she needed to help the poor bastard find this daughter. After he gave her his driver's license, she started to talk to him casually.
"Okay, Mr. Ford, that's all I need from you. Have a good day."
"My pleasure Officer Cybil."
Before he could walk away though she continued,
"By the way thanks for the compliment. Most men don't have the guts."
"Erm, come again? I don't understand."
"I know Mr. Ford. You were looking at my chest. I can't be a good officer without knowing my background and all those near me. Don't worry though, I'm actually quite flattered, most men wouldn't even dare. Have a good day."
And with that she gave Konrad a wink and walked of laughing, escorting the guy to the Precinct. If Konrad's face was ever red as the sun, if was definitely burning red right now. Good thing Konrad knew how to interact with LEO's very well, his friend in the USAF was part of the Security Forces, and was his go to guy if needed or wanted anything about cops. Though he never asked him how to interact with female cops!
Shaking off his embarrassment, he got back into his Bronco, and he thought he swore Ian say,
"Smooth move Stallion."
Ignoring that thought he continued onto his trip towards the Plinking Grounds. The rest of the trip was pretty uneventful but when he got there it was deserted. This was good news, as too many people could ruin the whole trip. Also the clouds hadn't changed at all during the entire trip, which was good for now.
"No one here huh? Well, more room for me."
He drove his trusty vehicle over to a spot that was near the forest. In that spot was a collection of what he described to himself as "Shot up Shit". It was mostly a pile of various things like washer machines, bottles of both plastic and glass material, and more common than others, shot up target stands. Konrad was able to spot one that was still standing, but left behind due to its weakened structural integrity.
"Good enough for me….cool they even left behind a target poster!"
The poster was actually in the image of a zombie, that was reaching out is undead arms towards the imaginary victim.
"Just stand there for a minute buddy, I'll ventilate you soon enough." said Konrad talking to the "Zombie".
He then opened the back of his car and began to get his weapons, gear, and ammunition out. He decided to change first, so he got out his KZS-1 Sniper suit and immediately put it on. Next was to change his shoes to boots. The boots had been former Air Force issue, but they were no longer issued due to swapping to the green suede type. He then changed his olive drab shirt to the Russian Naval shirt, because hey it looked cool and it went with the getup. Next was to put on the vest and attach the gas mask next on it.
After accomplished that, next was the hardest part. He had only put a shemagh on once or twice and still didn't quite have the method down yet. The one he had was his field shemagh (the cloth Arabs use) that was in an olive green and black color. He failed in the first and second attempt to cover his head but was able to do it on the third attempt. He then walked over to his driver side mirror to get a look at himself. All was covered except his eyes and he secured it enough that he could that the face over on and off if he wanted to use the GP-4 at the same time.
"Alright, let's load the vest up."
He walked over to his chem bag that had the emergency radio with beacon locator. He took the beacon out and attached it to his car's radio antenna. Should he get separated from the Bronco, he could use the beacon finder to guide him the car. The rest of the bag had the MRE's and mags, and he took them all out one by one. He then grabbed the ammunition crates and opened them. Luckily, Konrad had opened the cans before he left with a can opener that looked like a wrench. First was the 9 x 18, he loaded all six mags and then secured them in the pistol mag pouch in his leg pockets. He also loaded his IPod in his vest too least he forget it. Although it wasn't needed, there was no way he was going to separate from his music.
Luckily the over suit pouches were capable of holding the mags securely without giving off a swiping noise, as was the whole suit hence the term sniper suit. Next were the AKM mags and he proceeded to load all of the AKM mags with the 7.62 x 39. He left two loaded steel mags in the bag as he could only carry six on the vest at a time. If he had some electrical tape, he would have coupled them together but he did not. With the third being a Bakelite mag he loaded it into his Tula AKM. He then set the rifle aside after making sure it wasn't chambered and the safety on. Next was his favorite, the Chinese SVD
There wasn't really a difference between the Soviet/Russian one versus the Chinese one. They were built the same, and shot the same. Some people theorized that the Soviet helped the Chinese build a few back in the day, but neither the Russians nor the Chinese ever confirmed it. The only real difference was the type of paint they use. The Russians use a more matte type finish, while the Chinese used a glossy black paint. The Chinese paint tended to chip later on but his only had a few chips here and there with no signs of rust. Equipped on the scope was the standard Soviet PSO-1 4 x 24, a decent scope for the Dragunov. Though there were newer versions with increased zoom and aperture size, he felt the standard scope was good enough for his needs.
He then opened another crate that contained the 7.62 x 54r cartridges and loaded the mags to max capacity. He then put all of the six mags into the small pouches in the vest which were four of them. He put on in the other side pocket and the other in the rifle itself. His vest had taken on some weight due to the load out but it wasn't anything he couldn't handle. He then slung the SVD over his shoulders and the rifle was secure on his back. He then grabbed his AKM, pulled down the safety and pulled the charging handle back effectively loading a round in the chamber
"Now I'm ready. Okay zombie! Get ready to meet your greatest challenge."
Before he started to blast holes in the paper target he make a quick check around to make sure there wasn't anyone nearby. Being unsafe around firearms was not a good recipe for success, or as he liked to put it….win. Satisfied no one was around walked over to the target roughly 50 meters away. But he felt he was forgetting something, some so vital something so essential. He needed ass kicking music, and when that was realized he decided to pull out his IPod.
"God I love this thing!" a quick thought popped up.
"And ponies…"
"Shut it!"
Cycling through the screen, he found a song that he could shoot to. It was none other than the Pendulum's "Tempest". Playing it full blast, he immediately opened fire on the target pulling the semiautomatic trigger as fast as he could. The recoil, sound and muzzle flash of the rifle was getting his blood pumping so fast that only running could match its ability to do so. During the opening of the lead flying at the target he shouted,
"Allah Akbar!"
The music was playing full blast that the lyrics could be heard from over 200 yards away.
"While you are letting your guard down,
I will be letting myself go,
While you keep running your ship aground,
I will be setting myself alight."
A Muslim he was not, but the phrase sounded cool whether you were Muslim or not. Well, at least it sounded cool to him. When all rounds were dispensed, he attached his Type 2 Bakelite Bulgarian Bayonet to the Tula AKM and charged the well ventilated target. He stabbed the paper target as hard as he could and the paper merely ripped apart from the force of his attack.
After it was obliterated, he then swung his akm holding the butt stock, and then swinging the muzzle front, with the bayonet attached, on the target stand and then proceeded to stab the paper zombie with so much anger and energy. If the climax from sex didn't exist, this would be the next best thing in line to replace it. Pure adrenaline, pure energy, and pure FUCKING FUN!
Yeah, war was never fun when you were in it and especially for the civilians, regardless of what nation you were part of, but men all around still had it in their blood. It was almost as if it was natural, pure human adrenaline that was capable of making you do things you thought was not possible. The strength, the rush, and just well…..everything. This was something Konrad enjoyed every once in a while. Unbeknownst to him and even Ian, was a pair of ghostly yellow eyes watching his every move.
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She saw how this strange being acted and it caught her attention indeed. He was brave, had shown no fear towards the undead, and his strange weapons were quite devastating. Even the odd looking red-orange blade he had was very capable of great damage. The incredible part was that it could turn his other weapons, with exception of the small black one, into makeshift spears. She saw how fast he moved, how fierce he was, and unwavering he was. Why if she was alive she might have even asked him out, despite him not being a pony. She then thought to herself,
"Could he help me? I wonder."
Then she heard a voice in the distance, something she dreaded and was all too familiar with.
"We know you here somewhere…we can't let you ruin any pony's party now can we….." said the voice that was dripping with so much venom, cruelness, and evil.
"I have to act now or else I'll never have a chance again. Not at least for another year." she thought to herself.
And with that she used her special talent, which she discovered so long ago. The talent that got her murdered and forever had her soul wandering for a way to rest. The talent that had her entire village cursed forever in punishment. Using all of her focus, she concentrated real hard on this being whatever he was, and then there was a big boom.
It rippled the sky above, causing the clouds to ripple as if it were water. And then a bright flash appeared over the being, so intense however brief.
"There she is….don't let her ruin the party!" said another evil voice.
"Oh no! They've found me I need to leave." she quickly thought, then realized that the creature she was spying on was looking right at her, with the weapon aiming at her!
Even though she was already dead, her after body could still be disrupted and when it did happen, however rare, it hurt just as much as if she were alive. With that in mind, and the ones coming for her she bolted as fast as she bucking could in the opposite direction of her followers.
The effect of her talent would not go unnoticed across Equestria however, its effect already being felt by everypony.
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Pinkie Pie was working a little bit longer for the Cake's today as they were busy getting their young foals ready for bed. She was down in the kitchen getting most of the Nightmare Night cupcakes ready for tomorrow evening. She already accomplished baking and finishing the Moon Cake that everyone was so fond of last year that this time around, there a demand for a second one. This merely meant more work for Pinkie Pie but she loved working for the Cakes. They were almost like her second parents, and even though she tended to drive their patience once in a while, they absolutely loved her. Just as she was putting the last of the Crescent Moon tarts on the cupcakes with their cobalt colored frosting.
"MMM…so delicious I can't wait….well maybe a little…..no! I Pinkie Promised the Mr. & Mrs. Cake I would swear off my old habits! I never break a Pinkie Promise! NEVER!" said Pinkie Pie. Setting down the Cupcakes on the table next to all of the completed treats, including the two moon cakes, Pinkie Pie felt something she hadn't felt in a long time. Her Pinkie Sense!
"OOAHHAHOAHAH NOOEESS! I don't know what this one means!" exclaimed Pinkie Pie.
She was doing every Pinkie Sense Possible, her hooves were shaking she was moving side to side, eyelids were twitching, and she was doing backflips and the same time. The all of a sudden there was a loud crack in the air outside, just like thunder, and then nothing. Pinkie jumped at this and then her Pinkie Sense stopped all of a sudden as quickly as it had come.
After three seconds of silence, she could hear the young cakes upstairs starting to cry, much to the dismay of Mr. & Mrs. Cake.
"Pinkie Pie! Could you help us out here please!?"
It was Mrs. Cake and she sounded desperate. However much she loved helping out the little foals, but same routine got old.
"Yes Mrs. Cake I will be there in a minute."
With that said, she grabbed a spare sack of flour nearby, grabbed it with her teeth and then promptly dragged it upstairs.
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Rarity had been working all day trying to get these costumes for Ponyville's resident's ready. She was working on Sweetie Belle's new and improved costume ready for tomorrow night's Nightmare Night celebration. Her old costume was nearly ruined from last year's celebration as she had been very careless of its durability. This year however Rarity was very happy for Sweetie Belle. She had spent all day with her older sister, helping Rarity keeping track of materials, orders, and even learned a thing or two about being a seamstress.
Rarity doubted Sweetie Belle would follow in her hoofsteps, but she knew whatever she would do, would be very graceful, elegant, and lady like. With Sweetie Belle's surprisingly effective help, they had got all the orders done and Sweetie Belle had fallen asleep in a corner covered in yarn and used rags, ever so blissfully asleep. Rarity simply looked at her and was ever so happy that she had a great little sister. Over the past year they had grown much closer than they had ever been before. She continued to work on her sister's costume when the most strange and unwelcome interruption occurred.
She was finally about to cut the final part of excess material fabric from the outfit, when all of a sudden there was a thunder like boom, then accompanied by a flash.
"OH MY!"
"Ah zombies! I'm scarred! Rarity!"
"Darn! Sweetie Belle is up. I was hoping to surprise her tomorrow of her new costume!"
Rarity then waked over to her little sister and then hugged her. Sweetie Belle, upon feeling her sister hug her, calmed down almost immediately, just like when Miss Cheerilee had earlier in school today.
"There little sister, everything is fine. I think it is time to tuck you into bed. Come along now."
Sweetie Belle simply didn't respond at all, as she was busy following her sister. Rarity lead Sweetie belle into her room and promptly tucked her in.
"Remember Sweetie Belle, there are no zombies. Only your big sister okay?"
"Yes Rarity. I love you!" Sweetie Belle then gave Rarity a big hug and then fell asleep as quick as she woke up.
Rarity simply whispered,
"I love you too little sister."
If there ever was a more sappy moment, it is now. Rarity slightly tears form in eyes.
"Now, you'll ruin your make up dear" Rarity quickly thought and was able to suppress her tears.
She then walked back into the design room and then looked upon Sweetie Belle's costume. During the unwelcome interruption, she had inadvertently cut too much fabric from her sister's costume. She would have to start all over again, and the most unpleasant, un-elegant, and un-lady like word immediately popped into her head.
"Buck".
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Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo were on top of a cloud that was big enough to hold both of them. Rainbow Dash was trying to show Scootaloo how to shot a lightning bolt on an unsuspecting pony, just like she did last year on Nightmare Night.
"Now this time jump just a little bit harder, put all of the force into your hooves, and…" said Rainbow Dash.
With all of her effort Scootaloo followed Rainbow Dash's instruction as hard as she could, word for word, and then was promptly rewarded with a lightning bolt that hit the tree she was aiming at.
BOOM!
"YES! I did it Rainbow Dash! I did it!"
"Yeah! And you did it 20% cooler too! Hi hoof!"
Both of them raised their hoof and a strong clop sound reverberated in the air. After a successful demonstration, they both fell on their back and started giggling like young fillies. Even though Scootaloo wasn't her sister, Rainbow Dash felt like she was.
"She is going to go far. I just know it." thought Rainbow Dash.
Then all of a sudden the clouds rippled out of nowhere and a bright flash from afar suddenly appeared.
BOOOOM!
This startled both of them, but Scootaloo was more scared than Rainbow Dash. Even though it scared her, Rainbow Dash knew she couldn't show fear in front of her number one fan. She then got up on the cloud and then stood on her hind legs, swinging her front hooves back and forth looking like she was boxing. She then shouted into no particular direction,
"Alright! Who is the ugly bozo that did that?! Come out and show yourself and put em' up!"
She looked around but couldn't see anypony nearby.
"Yeah that's what I thought!" she said shaking her right hoof in the air, as if she was victorious.
"Rainbow Dash, I know you can beat anypony up, but I think I want to go home." Said Scootaloo fear still in her voice.
"Okay Scootaloo. I guess that is enough lessons for today. Just remember what I taught you today you hear? You'll do fine tomorrow. I just know you will."
Scootaloo's fear immediately melted away and she gave Rainbow Dash a salute that looked a lot like the Wonderbolt's salute.
"Alright you filly let's get you home."
They immediately began flapping their wings and flew off in the direction of Scootaloo's home in Cloudsdale. As they made their ascent, Rainbow Dash looked into the direction of where the flash came from.
"What the hay was that? It wasn't a lightning bolt and clouds don't move like water." With that last thought she guided Scootaloo home, and delivered her all safe and sound.
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Things were very surprising this evening. Fluttershy was able to get Angels to eat his new food that she had gotten for him. It was a new recipe that came straight from the outskirts of Fillydeplhia. It was made especially for Rabbits like him and she was sure he'd throw a fit. Apparently ever since she'd learned to be more assertive, he was more inclined to obey her commands. The learning assertion was a hard one, but in the end it was valuable lesson and it made for a good letter to Princess Celestia. She just wished she didn't behave as rotten as she did, because the pain of making her friends feel horrible was something she didn't quite forgive herself for.
She was walking towards her quaint little house to retire for the evening after checking on the chickens in the coop. She was humming a nice soft tune that she had taught the birds earlier in the day when all of a sudden something strange and scary happened. The sky started to ripple like water, there was a sudden flash, and a loud and quick noise.
BOOM!
"EEEAAKK!"
Immediately she ran inside and locked the door and headed to her bedroom. She locked the bedroom door, and hid underneath her bed covers. After two minutes of nothing happening, she took a quick peek out from the covers, and said to herself,
"Oh my! It must have just been lightning. I guess it is okay now." She then unlocked the door and walked to the living room. She found Angels hiding underneath a small towel that was on the couch earlier. He was shaking from fear and jumped when Fluttershy touch his head slightly with her left hoof.
"Oh, it is okay now Angel. The thunder is all gone, there's no need to hid anymore."
He slightly peeked his head out with his rabbit ears still concealed. He did the same thing Fluttershy did when she was scared earlier.
"It's okay Angel, just the weather. Now why don't we go into the kitchen and get a little snack shall we?"
He immediately threw the towel away and eagerly followed Fluttershy into the Kitchen.
"I certainly hope that was just a storm, because that felt oh so scary." Fluttershy thought to herself.
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Apple Jack finally got Big Mac into the barn, where he promptly passed out. He did a whole lot of work today, more so than usual. The Apple family was busy getting ready for the Nightmare Night Celebration in Ponyville tomorrow on top of their daily work. Big Mac had certainly been pushed to his limit, and even though he was tough, he just couldn't take it anymore. Apple Jack was able to spot a clean table cloth nearby hanging on the wall.
She walked over to it and grabbed it with her teeth and gently put it over her brother.
"Sleep sound Big Mac, sleep sound."
Just then a flash came out of nowhere and a big boom followed after words.
BOOM!
"What in tarnation!"
Apple Jack immediately ran outside to see where the disturbance came from. The clouds were having a ripple effect as if it were water and there wasn't a single storm cloud nearby, just and overcast ripply sky.
"Now that's a strange thing if ah ever seen one."
The clouds stopped rippling after five seconds and everything was back to normal, as if nothing ever happen.
"Ah hope, Apple Bloom and Twilight are alright. Ah don't got a good feeling about this."
"Nyyope!" she heard Big Mac shout from the barn. She walked back toward the barn the check up on her brother, but stopped before walking inside. Taking one last good look at the sky.
"Please y'all both come back home safe ya here?" Apple Jack silently thought to herself. She had a bad feeling and just couldn't shake it off. She couldn't bear to lose her sister Apple Bloom and good friend Twilight. With that final thought she walked into the barn the check on her brother and to see if there was any damage at all.
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Apple Bloom and Twilight Sparkle were walking along the main path of Everfree Forest towards Zecora's hut the conversation about humans had finally died off, much to Apple Blooms relief. They were now talking about common girl things such as hooficures, and hairstyling. It was actually starting to be a more pleasant trip for the both of them, as they were genuinely enjoying each other's company.
They were about halfway to Zecora's hut when all of a sudden the sky (what little that could be seen above the forest canopy) had started to ripple. This caught both the mare's and filly's attention. Then there was a sudden flash, followed by loud boom.
BOOM!
This cause a very uncharacteristic squeal from Apple Bloom to escape, and Twilight Sparkle had her horn glowing with purple magic, ready to defend Apple Bloom. Instead there were no aggressors, just emptiness of the Everfree Forest. Satisfied there wasn't threat nearby, Twilight eased the magic and her horn stopped glowing purple. Apple Bloom calmed down after seeing Twilight ease up.
"It's okay Apple Bloom, it was just a lightning flash."
"Are ya sure? That sounded awfully strange to me."
"Yes I'm sure Apple Bloom, we really should finish getting the books to Zecora's though. It will get a little bit late if we go anymore slow."
And with that statement, the both started to trot a little more faster towards Zecora's hut. It was just in sight about 200 hooves away.
"Thank goodness, I thought we would never get here. What was that flash and sound? It didn't sound normal to me." thought Twilight Sparkle.
She then took a quick look to make sure Apple Bloom was still behind her. She was promptly given a greeting with a cute smile from Apple Bloom that just shouted to Twilight, "Everything is just peachy, don't worry". Even though she didn't detect any fear from Apple Bloom, Twilight Sparkle simply thought it would be better to just have Apple Bloom ahead of her, so she could keep a closer eye on her. Apple Bloom simply obeyed and they continue towards Zecora's hut.
"Ah hope everything is okay, because ah got a bad feeling about this night." thought Apple Bloom as she and Twilight Sparkle finally reached Zecora's hut.
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Princess Celestia was in her chamber room reading the latest Daring Do. Reading the series had become her one of her favorite hobbies, ever since Rainbow Dash had sent her a report on friendship a few months ago. It was out of curiosity that she decided to take a look at the book, much in the same manner her loyal subject Rainbow Dash had. And she was enjoying every minute of it.
Just then she felt a slight boom rattle her room. It was very subtle, unlike an earthquake, and there was a faint flash outside the window. Curious, she decided to take a quick look outside, when there was knock on the door. She recognized it as the voice of her Captain of the Guard Shining Armor.
"Your Majesty! We are getting reports of a disturbance coming from Everfree Forest."
"What do you mean my Captain? Please explain."
"Just a few minutes ago our dispatches have report a strange light coming from an area near Ponyville. The sightings have included, a flash of light, the overcast sky acting like water, and a loud but strange thunder boom. We have no casualties reported so far but.."
"You are afraid for your sister."
"I ahh….yes your Majesty I am."
"I understand Shining Armor, I too would be concerned if it were my sister. Twilight is my best pupil, and I think she'll be fine. Which reminds me of Princess Luna. Shining Armor would you do me the honor of escorting me to my sister's chamber?"
"I would be honored your majesty."
Despite living in separate towers, the walk to Luna's chamber was relatively short. Princess Celestia was still thinking about their little fight from earlier and though she was still a bit ticked, she wanted to make sure that she was at least okay. They eventually made it to the chamber door and Celestia knocked on the Moon Crescent decorated door.
"Luna, I know you probably don't want to see me right now but I need to know that you're alright."
NO RESPONSE.
"Luna, are you awake? If so I need to see you."
NO RESPONSE.
"Don't make this hard Luna. I just want to check on you."
NO RESPONSE.
"Night Guards, has Luna left her chamber recently?" asked Shining Armor.
"No sir! She has not left at all sense Princess Celestia's earlier visit."
"I see is there anything else?" Shining Armor inquired earlier.
"Well, there was a mirror that she accidentally broke.."
"What?! Why wasn't I notified?" asked Celestia.
"Your majesty, Princess Luna ordered us not to pass word of the earlier incident." Replied the Guard who was starting to get nervous that he might have screwed up.
"That seems like something she would do. Guard, please open my sister's door." Ordered Celestia with her face showing that her patience was being tested.
"Yes your Majesty." The guard then knocked three times in a specific rhythm that only Luna would now the meaning of. I was a know that she and her guards made together so Luna would know who was coming in and under what circumstances the visitor was there for.
After the knocking was completed, the door was opened to reveal a rather untidy chamber. The covers weren't made, the desk had scrolls scattered across it with a wet quill laying on a piece of paper, and of course the mirror was shattered on the floor near her bed just like what was described by the Guard. Celestia was not only mad, but was starting to get worried for her sister's wellbeing.
"Guards, search the room! Find any trace of her."
The guards didn't even bother responding, they just did as they were ordered. One of them immediately found the letter that Princess Luna wrote and handed it to Princess Celestia. The note was address to her and she read it in her head as the rest of the guards continued searching for clues.
"Dear Sister,
I'm still not happy about Nightmare Night. I hate the meaning of it, and I can't stand it, I don't like being portrayed as a villain, and even though I once was, I no longer wish to be known as one. I am heading off to destroy the last image of my past. If you have a problem with it then so be it. I don't expect you to agree or even care, but this is something I must do for myself. I will be back later.
Your sister and Guardian of the Night Sky,
Princess Luna.
"Luna, what have you done? And where have you gone off too."
She then handed the note to Shining Armor who quietly read it to himself.
"Shining Armor, I want you to order the Royal Guards to search all of Equestria for Princess Luna. She is out on her own and is vulnerable. I will consider it a personal request that you bring her back safe and sound. You may start your search in Ponyville if you choose to do so, but leave if you don't find any clues there. I will be searching the archives for any additional clues. Should I find anything useful for the search I will forward them to you. Do you understand?"
"Yes your Majesty!" and with that said Shining Armor started to sprint of but Celestia stopped him real quick to add,
"Say hello to Twilight for me."
Shining Armor just simply nodded and then sprinted off to catch the next train to Ponyville.
After all the guards finished searching the room, they quickly left to join the others in the search for Princess Luna. Princess Celestia then walked towards the window, and looked outwards to the sky. She now felt very worried for her sister. It was obvious to her now that Luna was suffering from a very bad self-esteem issue. She should have seen this coming as the signs were there; the anger of a holiday based off of her for form of Nightmare Moon, her desire to be seen as a Princess of Night and beauty, and to be equally loved by the citizens of Equestria just as much as she has been.
Sending her away for a thousand years, was one of the toughest things she had ever done. Though it was necessary, it wasn't easy for her at all to do and it definitely wasn't easy for Luna. Could she have prevented Nightmare Moon from taking over her sister if she had paid more attention? She would never know, but she knew what was now and she was going to be there for her. She was her sister and she had a self-esteem problem which is never good for mare, no matter what age. She then said out loud,
"Luna, I'm going to strangle you when you get back...after I hug you forever!"
It was at that point she started to weep for her sister, who she was afraid that she might have lost her again.
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Princess Luna had finally made it the Statue of Nightmare Moon. The statue was built while she was on the moon serving her exile. She looked at it for a good five minutes, reflecting on her former image. It had all of the things she hated about herself, tyranny, cruelty, and evil. She then spoke up as if talking down her former shadow,
"This is what had become when I let her infest my soul, what I let her take from me, and what I so deserved when I was exiled. Not now, not any longer, this ends here. I am Princess Luna, Guardian of the Night Sky, and a beautiful and worthy mare. The shadow you are Nightmare Moon, is finally over!"
She then charged up all of her energy in her horn. It started to glow a violent blue, and then just kept glowing and glowing. Then when Luna just couldn't build up anymore magic she shot it out in a violent magic missile. Just as it was about to hit something unexpected happened. A bright flash out of nowhere appeared and somehow had caused the magic missile to split in half. The first half struck the statue and caused it to completely shatter with the head blowing up into tiny pieces. The second half, due to that strange light flash, shot right back at Princess Luna.
The look of shock and terror on her face was plain as black and white. She didn't even have a chance to dodge after her brain had finally got done processing what had just happened. She was immediately knocked back, and a sharp pain ensued over her body. She cried out in lady like shriek, and then landed on her back,
"OOHH!...Ahhh!"
She then laid there for about three minutes or so before trying to get up. The pain had significantly gone down but was still there. She successfully got up and then began to check herself. Her mane had be slightly singed and her sparkles were still dim.
"Great my mane looks worse than before. What else has happened?"
She looked at her wings, and angered that they too were singed. Although it was not as bad as her mane, but bad enough to the point where she wouldn't be able to fly back on her own.
"Ugh, now I have to walk back to town and send for a dispatch! And worse the entire town of Ponyville will see my disarray!"
Princess Luna looked like anything but royalty. She had never looked this bad in her whole life. But then again she did come do what she wanted to do, and that was get rid of the last physical memory of Nightmare Moon. She succeeded although at the cost of looks, temporarily flightlessness, and maybe some embarrassment. The first two she could live with but the embarrassment was a bit high. Her self-esteem was already feeling like shit and she might just have to suck it up too.
"Well I could just pass it off as my new Nightmare Moon act. Yeah, that will scare the little foals if that is what they want."
It wasn't what she wanted but if that's the price for a new start on her self-image then she could deal with it.
And she could definitely deal with her sister's stern talking to. She was already starting to guess what rant Princess Celestia would pull. With a slight chuckle, she took one last look at the shattered statue. She then uttered to herself a curse to vile for a princess, let alone any self-respecting mare would say and in fact it was the first time she ever swore in he life.
"Good riddance…bitch." thought Princess Luna.
She then turned towards what she believed was the main path way towards Ponyville. Her hellish day however was just beginning.
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To say that Konrad was having fun was an understatement. He was blasting hole after hole in the pile after destroying the "Zombie". He went through three clips of his AKM ammo and one clip of his SVD after he walked 300 yards away from the pile. He spotted a left over beer bottle on the washer that he somehow missed. Going into the kneeling position, he aimed the top chevron at the bottle and fired. The bottle shattered as the round ripped through it, scoring a dead hit. After pulling a successful shot, he walked back toward the Bronco and reloaded the clips he shot. He also took the time to remove the bayonet and put it back in the Orange Red Bakelite sheath attached to the vest.
Grabbing a red bull from the plastic bag, he opened the can and drank his favorite energy drink.
"Yeah now that is what I like."
"And Horses, you brony pony lover."
"Ian, for the last time will you let me have my own piece of mind for once? Geez you've been at it all day, give it a break."
"Fine, but I'm watching."
"Pst…yeah…right."
Finishing the can's contents he threw the can towards the pile which was 20 yards away. The can somehow landed in the upright position and Konrad just couldn't resist the challenge that had presented itself. He pulled out his Bulgarian Makarov, and aimed the sights right down at the can. He slowly pulled the trigger and then a flash from the muzzle appeared with the nice
PLOP!
The Makarov had hit its mark, dead center. Due to the Makarov's fixed barrel, it was one of the most accurate side arms, right up there with the 1911 .45 (yeah, those big boys are accurate alright if you got a superiorly made one), and the CZ 75 9 x 19. Not bad for a little sidearm meant for officers of the former Soviet Union. He then put his Makarov away after de-cocking the pistol and activating the safety. After letting both the AKM and SVD cool for a few minutes, he re-slung the SVD on his back and grabbed the AKM attaching a new mag from the vest.
It was one of the Bakelite mags and he took one of the steel spares from the car in the slot where the Bakelite one had just been. After loading the mag, pulling the safety handle, and charging another round with the bolt, Konrad was immediately scanning around for another target to aim at. While this was happening he got a feeling something was watching him. Then all of a sudden the sky above started to ripple, as if it was water.
"Huh? What the fu-"
A big flash of light appeared from behind him, followed by a loud noise that was similar to a thunder crack but more sharp.
BOOM!
"AAHH!" shouted Konrad at the same time the boom occurred. He then turned around see what was behind him. He was expecting to see tree all charred up from lightning, but what he saw almost caused him to shit is pants (that is if he had any in his system). What he saw was something he couldn't fucking believe.
"OH….MY…..FUCKING…GOD!" thought Konrad.
It was a pony! A pony from MLP: FiM, but this one had ghost like eyes and the only one he knew that had ghost like eyes were…..
"Shit! Story of the Blanks!" he immediately thought.
It all hit him now, that pony in question was Ruby. Specifically she was the one that got murdered by the others in her town. And if she was here then…..
"FUCK!" thought Konrad.
To say this was all freaky was an understatement. He had seen and played the SotB and the SFA, and above all he hated creepy pasta. But what was Ruby doing here, more importantly what is he doing here? It his even America anymore. Not taking any chances, since he had no idea if this was the exact same Ruby, he raised his AKM, fully expecting for a fight to break out.
As he was aiming at Ruby, she then turned her head in another direction as if she thought someone or somepony was nearby. She then returned to look at him, only to realize that he had spotted her. Konrad was surprised at her reaction, as he didn't think ghosts feared anything mortal. Ruby's head immediately straightened up into what he guessed was shock. She then immediately bolted off into a different direction her completely out of Konrad's sight.
He didn't know if he had scarred or if it was something else, but he wasn't going to take any chances. Keeping his rifle aimed in the direction of where she had been, he quickly backed up into his bronco and got the fuck in it. He set the SVD in the passenger's seat along with his AKM and searched for his keys. Finding them he turned the Bronco and then quickly looked around to see if there was anyone or anypony nearby, especially blood hooves.
Satisfied, there wasn't anything nearby he then lock all doors and then tried to figure out the best course of action he thought it would be better to head to town just to confirm that he wasn't indeed dreaming and that this was still America. He then decided to put his GP-4 on because of just how fearsome it looked. Should he come across a pony they would most likely be terrified and flee, thus saving him the trouble of having to fight the ponies, since he didn't want to hurt any of them. With his mind made up and not know exactly where in the SotB continuity he was in, it was pointless to go to Everfree forest that is if it was even EverFree forest.
Just when he was about to drive off towards the town that he hoped would be Silent Hill, he spotted two pairs of red eyes in his rear view mirror.
" SSSHHHIIIIITTTTTTT! What da fuk has happened here!"
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OH NOES! He is in Equestria! This chapter took forever to completed I have worked on it for 13 hours (with naps).
Anyway, a lot of video game references just for the lulz. The references are quite obvious with one not so obvious. Can you spot it? The next chapter will have some fighting, will feature the Bad guys and first contact between humans and ponies! Dun Dun Dun! Next chapter should be up in a day or two. As always, please review!
Also, to the big fans of MLP, you are probly wondering why Lyra Heartstrings is in school and why she is a filly. This was primarily just a reference to some other fics that portray her as a humanphile. It didn't actually occur to me until now that she isn't a filly, but I pulled a Quentin Tarentino and left her like that anyway.