~~~~~~Ponyville, Dawn of the Next Day~~~~~~
~~~~~~24 hours remain until the arrival of the H.M.S Commander Hurricane~~~~~~~
Morning in Ponyville shimmered as the dawn slowly rose over the horizon, and the citizens of Ponyville awoke to just another day. The Mayor trotted down the streets, accompanied by workponies and carpenters who were discussing the repairs to city hall. Mr. and Ms. Cake opened up the communal soup kitchen, which was providing meals for the workers and those ponies that had lost their homes to the fires and chaos. A small crowd of foals poured out of the Inn and scattered all over the city, some going to see their parents while others simply ran off to play in the glorious morning sun.
Three fillies however, were going to do neither. They were on a mission to help their sisters, and so the intrepid trio stealthed their way past the watchful eyes of Cheerilee towards the outskirts of town. Once there, they donned their now infamous crimson cloaks and set off towards the Everfree Forest.
Across town, a handsome gray stallion and a gorgeous looking pale blue mare sat down to take breakfast at a small cafe, while curious onlookers watched them. The two of them only seemed amused by all the attention, and chatted with one another like an old married couple. Still quietly in love after all of these years was the thought, though the citizens of Ponyville wondered where they had come from.
Not far from that same cafe, the Golden Oaks Library slowly came to life. Much of it thanks to the heady aroma of morning oatmeal, filled with the smell of fresh apples and cinnamon. Noses perked up from under sheets and from atop couches, and slowly seven ponies began to rouse themselves from sleep and other nocturnal activities.
Applejack was the second pony in the kitchen, bright eyed and remarkably awake despite how late she had been up last night. Luna sat in front of the stove, gently stirring a set of pots and pans with a soft glow of blue magic. "Good morning, Miss." Luna piped up, her voice on the naughty side of saucy. "Breakfast will be ready momentarily."
Applejack blinked, and then rubbed hard at her eyes for moment. "Whut." She said, flatly. After another moment, she sighed gustily. "Yanno what? I ain't even surprised anymore." and trotted over to the dinner table, noting that it was suspiciously clean of everything but napkins and spoons.
Pinkie Pie trotted in a moment later, her wet mane all wrapped up in a bath towel and a bounce in her step. "Morning Loony!" Pinkie grinned cheekily. "I was wondering when you'd finally fess up. I mean that whole pink unicorn thing was silly!" She hopped up to give Luna a big smooch on the cheek before trotting over to the table, humming a bright song. "Mmm, that oatmeal smells good!"
Luna laughed softly. There was just no explaining Pinkie Pie. Twilight was the next pony into the room, and a soft blush crept up onto Luna's cheek as she entered. There was something subtly different about Twilight this morning. Especially in the way she carried herself. She looked stronger, more confident. Her eyes had finally shifted entirely over to the vibrant green of Dissonance, surrounding a bright violet iris.
Twilight strode into the room with a smile for the two girls and a much sexier smile for Luna. A spoon Luna was using to stir the oatmeal clunked into the pot as Twilight stopped her with a hard, deep kiss right on the lips. Pinkie Pie giggled brightly at the sight, with Applejack's head hitting the table with an audible thump.
Twilight pulled away a moment later, a little trail of saliva connecting them for just a second before vanishing. Luna's face was bright red and Twilight giggled softly, nuzzling her cheek against the moon princesses. "Good morning Acolyte. Morning Pinkie, AJ." She chuckled richly and lifted a bite of the Oatmeal out of the pot, savoring it as she took her seat at the breakfast table.
Luna went back to stirring breakfast, her cheeks still a bright red. Pinkie giggled brightly, her voice sing-songing "Luna and Twily kissin in the tree!" Pinkie dissolved back into laughter, followed shortly by Twilight and even Applejack. Luna rolled her eyes and checked the food.
Satisfied, she began dosing out the chunky breakfast into bowls as Dash slowly wandered in, wincing a little with her steps."Geeze, that healing potion stuff doesn't do a thing of sore muscles." She muttered as she carefully picked her steps across the floor. She stopped in mid step at the sight of Luna, her jaw slowly falling. "Um. Does anypony else notice the royalty making breakfast?"
Twilight rolled her eyes a little, Pinkie just grinned as she dug her spoon into the oats. "Dash." replied Applejack Wearily, mouth half full of oats and apples. "After th' last two days, ya might as well jes' roll with it."
Dash shook her head and slipped up onto one of the chairs next to the table next to Applejack. "Yeah I suppose yer right, AJ." Dash smiled across the table at Twilight, who smiled warmly right back at her. "You look good, Twi. Even if those eyes are a little weird."
Fluttershy slipped in a moment later, as the girls began to chatter at the table about the small things. Nothing world shaking this morning, just the funny moments and little bits of gossip that accumulated between close friends. Luna quietly served Fluttershy a bowl of the cereal and the two of them hugged each other tightly, murmuring to one another.
Luna gave herself breakfast and joined Fluttershy on the floor next to Twilight's chair, kneeling together. Dash stared at the little interplay, then facehoofed. "Just go with it, Dash. Just go with it." She muttered to herself, eliciting a laugh and a sly grin from Pinkie.
Pinkie's voice was gently teasing, "What'sa matter Dashie? Never wanted to kneel at the hooves of a sexy mare or stallion before?" Dash shook her head vigorously, looking away with pink cheeks. Pinkie leaned in, whispering just loud enough for the table to hear. "Not even Twiiilight's?" Dash took a halfhearted swipe at Pinkie, who ducked it expertly while the table of friends laughed together.
Rarity was the last one awake as usual, slinking into the room fifteen minutes later wrapped up in a fluffy white robe and her mane done up in curlers and an expertly wrapped towel. "Morning, darlings." She perkily proclaimed, fetching bowl and still hot oatmeal from the stove. "So, what are our plans for the day?" She hopped up onto the last remaining chair as Applejack trotted out of the room for her turn at the shower.
Twilight smiled faintly. "I’m afraid I've got a lot of things that need to be handled today." She sighed softly. "Some of them I'd rather not drag any of you into." Solemn faces looked back at her, and Twilight gave a soft smile. "Nothing dangerous. I'm just going to be... negotiating with a few creatures." That got a wide-eyed look from nearly everyone, and Twilight laughed softly. "I don't have anything to fear from them anymore, girls. Quite the contrary."
Dash chuckled softly. "That's our Twi." She softly proclaimed to the air, getting nods of assent from the rest of the ponies in the kitchen.
Luna coughed softly. "Will you have need of me today, Mistress?" She hardly needed to look up at Twilight, and her eyes shone with pride at her. " Or is there some other task you would set me to?"
Twilight nodded. "Actually, I do have something I need you to do." She pointed her hoof at dash. "Get her in flying shape by tomorrow. Do whatever you have to. We're going to need her." Luna nodded deeply in acquiescence, and Dash blinked rapidly at Twilight.
Twilight's eyes gazed across all the ponies sitting at the table. "I do have a plan." She proclaimed to the table, and seven sets of ears swiveled towards her at once. "It's crazy of course. Then, this entire affair is crazy. That's why this just might work." She smiled gently. "Rarity, that dress you had prepared for me is quite lovely for private affairs..." That got a bright blush from Rarity, and a grin from Luna. "But I need something a touch more appropriate for tomorrow. Think you can work your magic by then?"
Rarity tossed her mane and tilted her head up with a grin. "Why Twilight, that almost sounded like a challenge! How could I possibly resist?" She smirked, hopping off her chair. "I shall get to work straight away, darling!" And without another word, she trotted out of the room still in the towel and hair curlers. Rainbow Dash stifled a grin and Applejack just shook her head.
Twilight turned to the rest of them. "Pinkie Pie, Applejack - I need you to work with Mayor Mare. Come up with whatever excuse you have to get the townsfolk out of the way tomorrow. I don't want anypony getting hurt if we can avoid it." Applejack nodded slowly in approval at that comment.
Pinkie Pie blinked and clapped her hooves together. "Oooh! I have an Idea! We'll have a big "We're Still Alive!' Party!" She grinned brightly. "Parties, this pony can do. Cmon AJ!" Pinkie was out the door moments later, followed by sighing Applejack. "Hooboy, this is gonna be a long day."
Fluttershy had not moved or spoken since Twilight began to give orders. Twilight eyed Fluttershy, then Luna. Luna nodded slightly. "I shall ensure she is well cared for, Mistress. She has much to learn about serving." Fluttershy looked startled, and Luna smiled kindly. "Though she certainly has the right attitude."
Twilight smiled and kissed Luna on the cheek before hopping down from her own chair to cross the kitchen, confident that all else would be handled. She did stop next to Rainbow Dash, who was licking her bowl clean. Twilight reached up and touched Dash's cheek. "Get better quickly, Rainbow." She whispers softly, huskily. "I'd love to enjoy a nice long... talk with you."
She trotted out a moment later, leaving Dash staring at Twilight's retreating flank. Dash turned around slowly, licking her suddenly dry lips. "So. How fast can you get me back on the wing, Prin - er, Luna?" Dash asked, a wild look in her eye.
Shining Armor stood outside the door to the library, his fierce gaze sweeping across the town but always returning to the distant horizon. Twilight slowly walked out to stand next to her brother in spirit, looking to where he was on the horizon. His voice was soft and firm. "They're bringing the Hurricane." His voice was distinctly worried, but his face showed no such emotion. "That means she's bringing the First Air Wing, and probably most of the Royal Guard."
Twilight blinked a little. "How can you tell what that is?" She asked, her eyes straining to see the far away tuft of clouds. It was moving, certainly but not at any speed, Twilight could detect. "And what do those things mean, Shiny? Keep it simple for me."
Shining Armor puffed out his cheeks. "If she's stripped Canterlot bare of everything but the Night Watch, which means about thirty thousand troops. Elite troops too, with full pegasus air support and trained battle unicorns. There is no fiercer fighting force in all of Equestria. They will be well equipped and ready for anything" Shining turned his head towards Twilight. "I hope you've got some serious aces up your sleeve, Twily - or this fight is going to be very short on our side."
Twilight smiled slightly. "Well then, let's go see what sort of aces we can scrounge up, shall we?"
~~~~~~~
Deep within the Everfree Forest, three fillies careened down a dirt path in panic as a chitinous black form buzzed after them. "Faster Scoots!" yelled Sweetie Belle, as Scootaloo turned on the speed with her own buzzing wings. Slowly they began to pull away from the pursuer, though the effort was clearly exhausting Scootaloo very quickly.
Applebloom grabbed a rock from the back of the wagon and tried hurling it at the changeling, who simply dodged to one side. "How much farther?" She yelled at Sweetie, whose face screwed up into concentration as the cart began to slow dramatically, Scootaloo's young wings unable to keep up the concerted effort.
The two fillies in the cart turned with fearful eyes upon the advancing changeling, whose eyes lit up in triumph - only to go dark a moment later as a wooden staff smashed into the side of his head. His body crashed into a tree a moment later and slumped to the ground unmoving as a striped form dropped to the ground, wielding a long hafted spear and a murderous look on her face.
She advanced on the changeling cautiously, poking it with the tip of the weapon for a moment before sighing in relief. "Thank goodness for that tree. He might've gotten away from me!" Zecora muttered before turning on the three Crusaders, all of whom suddenly felt very nervous. Well, Scootaloo mostly felt exhausted, but she was nervous too. Zecora sighed. "What brings you to this place of Strife? Coming here risks your life!"
Scootaloo was panting as she tried to catch her breath, so it fell to Applebloom to be the spokespony. "We need t'talk to you Zecora! Somethin's wrong with our sisters!" Her voice quavered a little, but she was not afraid of Zecora - she was scared of those darn changelings!
Zecora frowned a little, slowly walking over to stand in front of them and lean against her spear. "Speak quickly, little filly. I have no time for something silly."
Applebloom launched into her explanation, with Scootaloo joining them in the cart. "We were gettin some stuff to help make the stay in the inn more comfortable and we ran into alla' our sisters! They was packin stuff up to go somewhere, and wouldn't tell us."
Scootaloo piped in. "Dash wanted me to hold on to some weird envelope and told me to open it if something bad happened to her!"
Sweetie was the next to speak, the words leaving her mouth in a rush "And all of them had these weird glowing purple eyes! Well, only for a little while but they had em!"
Zecora frowned softly at these reports, and Applebloom spoke up again. "We ain't lyin to you Zecora! We really did see their eyes glowing some weird purple color! You gotta believe us!"
Zecora sighed softly, tapping the ground with her spear. She closed her eyes for a moment in thought then opened them. "Believe you I do. Your sisters may be caught in a dangerous brew." She shouldered the length of wood and began to trot into the forest. "This mystery's certainly a twister. We shall find out what ails your sister!"
~~~~~
Shining Armor glanced around him as they passed under the ancient stone arch towards the Haven, Twilight leading the way. "Incredible. How have they kept this place hidden for all of these years?" Shiny wondered aloud as they traversed the flagstone path.
Twilight shook her head slightly. "I think they've only just uncovered it very recently." She smiled a little. "You'd be surprised how industrious these creatures can be, Shiny. You might even be impressed." She giggled softly as Shining fixed her with a flat stare.
"I've cleaned out Dissonance cults before, Twily. I'm aware of the crazy things they can build in secret." His gaze swept around the fog filled clearing around the hill, eyes narrowing. "We're not alone," he warned, his hooves setting into the ground and his horn faintly glowing.
Twilight placed a hoof on his shoulder and walked past him. "No, we're not." she whispered, as creatures began to emerge from the thick fog. Amongst them were several small groups of changelings who buzzed up closer to Twilight, their eyes full of awe. "Well met, creatures of the shadows. I have come to call you to my service."
The crowd around them was growing by the minute, and a murmur of excitement swept through the ranks. A familiar looking changeling warrior landed in front of them, and Shining Armor's eyes went very wide. The changeling warrior bared his fangs in a grin at them before he spoke. "Mistresss... Have you come to call the hives to your banner?"
Another figure spoke up - His coat was pale white, and his eyes blood red in color. He had the look of a pony, but when he spoke, he exposed the sharp fangs inside of his mouth. "Perchance..." He began in a smooth, cultured tone that would have even wooed Rarity. "You have come to call the Clans as well?"
A third figure stepped forward, one familiar to Twilight and Shining alike. Leathery bat wings adorned the pony's back, and a fierce look in his slitted pupils. "It seems that many are eager to flock to your call, Nightmare Twilight." The batpony grinned fiercely, his sharpened teeth shining in the dim light. "It has been many centuries since a true Nightmare stepped forward to lead us. Are you to be the next?"
Twilight swept her gaze across the three figures that stood before most of the others. "To each of you, I answer thus - Yes." A startled murmur rushed through the crowd, and each of the three foremost creatures eyed each other for a moment. "Listen to me, one and all." Twilight called out to the crowd, stepping forward amongst them.
Twilight walked amongst these dark creatures, and saw the good in each of them. They are not evil. They are simply different. here, standing amidst those the world had discarded and forgotten, Twilight felt her resolve harden. "The Princess Celestia is coming to my city. She comes bearing soldiers and the pitiless sun of Harmony. For years, I believed her cause to be righteous and her justice strong."
Twilight felt her voice grow heated, as the gaze of unknown creatures followed her. "But I have had the veil stripped from my eyes. I can now see, where before the sun had blinded my gaze. There is no justice in murdering of those who are simply different. There is no righteousness in her cause."
Twilight held her head high as the crowd began to murmur in agreement, her voice reaching like a clarion call, "She is coming to my city, intending to make me her sword and silence those who have opened my eyes to the truth. She will learn I shall no longer tolerate the lies, no longer tolerate deception. I will no longer be her ignorant pawn. So yes, I call each of you to my banner. That she might know that all creatures of this world have a right to live, and a right to know FREEDOM!"
The crowd burst into cheers, hooves stomping and changelings buzzing and hissing. Twilight lifted an imperious hoof and the crowd fell silent. "So, who amongst you will be the first to swear?"
The changeling warrior was at her hooves in a flash, bowing to her deeply. "Klik'kkt hive swears its allegiance to you, Nightmare Twilight. Others will follow. in our wake. May your enemies flee before our swarms!" The changeling bared its fangs in a grin, as Twilight gestured for him to rise.
The pale pony with the fangs of his own swept forward, taking the lifted hoof in his own and kissing it reverently. "The Sanguine Clan pledges itself to thee, dread Nightmare. Many other vampony clans will follow our lead. May you taste the sweet blood of your enemies." His eyes seemed to glow a baleful gold. "And perhaps more."
The batpony marched up last, his eyes gazing defiantly into hers as the vampony count knelt before Twilight. "Once, long ago, my people swore our allegiance to Nightmare Moon. So tell me, Queen Twilight. Where does the Princess Luna fall in all of this?" Gasps of shock ran through the crowd, and silence fell upon the foggy plain.
Twilight could not help but smile. "Acolyte." She whispered on the wind, grasping at the thick magical connection that bound them together with her mind. A moment later a flash of blue appeared at her side, and Luna appeared before the crowd. Within a moment, she had sunk to her knees next to Twilight, who placed her hoof on Luna's head. "The Princess of the Night swore allegiance to me, Night Guard. Do you?"
The batpony took a stumbling step back, as all the figures around them stared in shock. A look crossed the batpony's face, his eyes widening and mouth moving soundlessly up and down. A moment later, words whispered from his lips, which seemed to carry along the winds. "Our time has come again. The moon will rise, and the sun will give way." The pony sank to the ground, prostrating himself before Twilight, his voice a mere whisper. "We swear to you, Nightmare Twilight. We all so swear."
One by one, the figures of the clearing sank to a knee, or bowed deeply to her. Twilight turned her gaze on each one of them, then nodding to the kneeling Luna. "You may go, Acolyte." Luna vanished in a flash of magic, and Twilight lifted her hoof. "Arise, my subjects." She smiled faintly as they began to do so - hunger and predatory instinct replaced by fear, respect, and admiration.
Twilight smiled. "General Shining Armor." She spoke, clearly enough for those nearby to hear. The name rushed through the crowd like wildfire, and Shining looked at her in surprise. "Think that's enough aces, Brother?”
Shining Armor eyed the three foremost figures and smiled just a little bit. "They'll do."
~~~~~~
Zecora's cottage deep within the woods had changed since last Applebloom had been there. All around it, strange looking totems and masks hung from the tree branches. The place looked more menacing than it had before, yet all of them could feel the warmth of welcome within. Zecora gestured for the three fillies to enter her home, as she began a soft chant in a language none of them understood.
The fillies hurried inside, and then peeked out of the window at Zecora. Zecora lifted up her hooves, still holding the spear and all of the strange totems on the branches seemed to come alive, twisting and writhing to an unseen beat. Zecora slumped in what looked like exhaustion, before slowly pulling herself inside the cabin. "So many threats, my dears. These days danger is always near."
Zecora recovered quickly though, trotting over to her shelf of books and drawing one that had been bound in some strange black materiel. This she opened with a certain amount of reverence and began to turn the pages slowly. "Come closer little fillies and tell me no lies. Show me how looked your sisters eyes."
The three Crusaders hopped up onto the stumps as Zecora slowly turned through the pages, showing eyes in all manner of forms and colors, until finally Applebloom cried out. "That's it!" She jabbed her hoof towards one set of eyes, which the other two looked at and nodded slowly.
"Yeah, that's definitely it. I was looking right into Dash's eyes when it was happening. That's exactly the look, color and all." Said Scootaloo, proudly sticking out her chest. Sweetie Belle nodded in agreement, much more vigorously.
Zecora frowned mightily as she looked upon the entry, her eyes widening slightly. "Great danger is this, little ones. It seems you were correct to run!" She snapped the book shut and dashed over to the shelf, carefully replacing it. "You all must remain safely here. Thanks to my wards, no danger will come near." Her hooves were already filling a large leather saddlebag with bottles, phials and potions. "I must go and speak to them, if a tide of shadow I mean to stem!"
Sweetie Belle spoke softly. "But...what is it, Zecora? What's it mean?" her voice was tremulous, filled with growing worry for the one she loved.
Zecora stopped, still grasping a vial filled with a silvery liquid. She spoke a moment later, slowly and carefully... "Purple eyes and tiny pupils, this is the mark of Shadow's Lens. The corruption of Dissonance that is changing them. I know not what I may yet do, but be wary - for they may come to change you."