//------------------------------// // What lurks in the dark // Story: Nightmare Moon over the Republic // by dramatic_spoon //------------------------------// “And here we are.” Dizzy Twister touched down. The moment her four hooves were in contact with the ground, Time Turner scrambled off her back, landing on his face. “You alright, Mr. Turner?” Big Macintosh trotted over. “Fine, fine,” Time Turner pulled himself out of the dirt, “I’ve had worse.” “Alright…unfortunately, this is as far as I’ve ever been,” Dizzy gave the group a weak smile, “Scootaloo usually doesn’t go this far.” “You’ve still been a fantastic help, Mrs. Twister,” Time Turner nodded, “Does anypony else have an idea where we are going?” “I do,” Lemon Heart’s aura opened her bag and pulled out a book. She quickly flipped through it and stopped on a page, “We still have a ways to go, there’s a river, a chasm, a forest and...Hm.” “What’s ‘Hm’?” Thunderlane touched down with Rarity on his back. “Well according to the map, there’s a cave around the area,” Lemon Hearts shut the book, “according to this there was a troll and some other creatures around it, but this book was made when I was a little filly, so it might not be accurate. That said, I do not believe that the group is…prepared to face that sort of thing.” “We’re going into this blind anyway,” Rarity interjected, “I personally think we’re greatly underprepared to face somepony strong enough to defeat and seal away Discord.” “She’s got a point,” Thunderlane nodded. “Right now, until word gets back to Canterlot, this is the only chance we’ve got,” Time Turner responded, “If you do not feel that you wish to continue, you can turn back. I won’t hold it against anypony.” The stallion blinked, “well, assuming I make it back alive.” “I’m stayin’,” Big Macintosh told the others, “Ain’t goin’ back until I got my friend and Applebloom back.” “I’m not going back,” Lemon Hearts shook her head, “Right now, the map is the best bet we have.” “...” Dizzy looked down, “I’m not leaving them.” The group turned their attention to Thunderlane, who simply shrugged, “I’ve gotten this far, I’m staying.” “…I still feel this is foolish, but I suppose fools like to stay together,” Rarity sighed. “Right then, let’s continue. Miss Lemon Hearts, please lead the way.” --- “Fools,” Nightmare Moon shook her head. “This spell is more than enough to deal with those sorts of ponies.” --- The Darkness. Time Turner felt a sense of uneasiness creep up inside of him. As the feelings of anxiety and dread passed through him, the stallion shook his head in an effort to rid himself of those feelings. “Scared of the dark,” the stallion muttered, “what am I, six?” “What was that?” Big Macintosh inquired, “Didn’t quite hear you.” “Nothing,” Time Turner responded. The group fell silent again, as they uneasily continued. Time Turner gulped as another feeling of dread passed over him. Glancing towards his right, he froze in place; another set of eyes, a piercing yellow, locked onto his. Time Turner continued to stare into the yellow eyes, straining not to blink. “What are you doing?” Thunderlane turned around and gave the Earth pony a confused look, “You’re gonna get left behind.” “There’s something there,” Time Turner whispered. “What?” Thunderlane spun around, “Hey! Wait up!” “What’s wrong?” Rarity called back, “Hold on, everypony.” “Turner says there’s something h-” Something exploded out of the bushes and landed next to Thunderlane. Spinning around, the pegasus came face to face with a skeletal pony; the tattered remains of it’s wings frantically flapping up and down, sending globs of rotting flesh and feathers everywhere. An unearthly yellow light glowed in its eye sockets, as pale smoke flowed from its mouth. “What the hell?!?!?” Thunderlane stumbled backwards, trying to get away from it. Rarity, Big Macintosh, and Dizzy Twister burst into the scene, taking it in. The skeletal pony turned its attention towards the newcomers and broke into a weaving gait, as it charged at them. “What is that thing?” Rarity took a step back, as Big Macintosh braced himself. The farm stallion lunged forwards, bringing his metal hoof hard against its jaw. The bone shattered under the impact, peppering Big Macintosh with shards. The skeleton lost its balance and tumbled to the ground, coming to skidding stop behind Dizzy Twister. “You alright, Thunderlane?” Big Macintosh turned his attention away from the skeletal pony. “Yeah, yeah, it just startled me,” Thunderlane rubbed the back of his head with his hoof, “The hell is that thing?” “Dunno, but I think I took ca-” Big Macintosh was cut off, as a skeletal hoof smashed into his jaw. The stallion stumbled back under the impact, but quickly regained his footing and turned his attention to the attacker. The skeletal pony stood triumphantly, as its head spun around in a complete circle, spewing bone shards in every direction. “That hurt,” Big Macintosh spat out some pink-tinged saliva, and lunged at the pony again. Thunderlane glanced back at Time Turner before doing a double take: the earth pony was still staring into the bushes. “What are you doing Turner? Mac need some help! Whatever you were looking at is out here now.” “The eyes are still in there,” Timer Turner whimpered, “There are more of them.” Thunderlane looked into the bush, as it lit up with more pairs of unearthly glowing yellow eyes. “oh sh-” More skeletal ponies leapt out of the bushes, as Lemon Hearts came back into view. “What’s going o…” the unicorn mare trailed off at the scene of violence in front of her: Time Turner leapt over a fallen branch, while being pursued by two skeletal ponies, as Big Macintosh continued his battle with the jawless pony. Despite having lost its lower jaw, one wing and rear legs, the skeleton continued to pound away at the living stallion’s face. Thunderlane dodged one skeleton’s clumsy charging attack, only for another to knock the pegasus to the ground. Dizzy Twister remained behind Rarity, as the other unicorn used her wrench, hammer and other tools to fend off the skeletal hooves. “…That’s new,” Lemon Hearts frowned, “But it seems so familiar…” In the corner of her eye, Lemon Hearts noticed one of the skeletal ponies charging at her. As it lunged, Lemon Hearts’ magical aura surrounded it and yanked each bone out of its socket. The aura condensed, letting bones drop to the ground, until only the skeleton’s head remained encased in her aura. Lemon Hearts brought the head closer, studying it, as the head snapped at her and the eyes burned brighter. “Ah, I thought so,” Lemon Hearts shook her head and begun to laugh. Rarity dodged a skeleton’s snapping jaws and smashed it across the face with her wrench. The mechanic stopped her attack as Lemon Hearts’ laughter reached her. “Just what is she doing?” Rarity snuck a glance at the unicorn, “We’re in the middle of a fight, and she’s laughing?” “Hey!” Thunderlane finally managed to knock the skeleton off him, “What’s she doing?!?!” “Lemony, what are you doing?!?!” Dizzy Twister yelled at the mare, “We need your help!” “I am giving it,” the librarian smiled, “I feel quite insulted that somepony would use a spell of this caliber to keep us from our goal.” Time Turner skidded to a stop. The skeletal ponies chasing him leapt at where he was and crashed into the ground in a heap of scattered limbs. “Wait, what?” Time Turner looked at the mare, “What are you talking about?!?!” “It’s a simple animation spell,” Lemon Hearts released the skull and turned her attention to the other skeletons, “I know how to dispel it.” Lemon Hearts’ magical aura: a pale blue-green, circled around her horn before exploding outwards in a pulse. As it engulfed the skeletons, the light faded from each of their eye sockets. As the light faded, each of the skeletons collapsed to the ground. Big Macintosh pushed the limp pile of bones off of him and trotted over to the others. “Everypony alright?” “I’m fine,” Rarity waved the stallion away. “I’ll manage,” Dizzy Twister weakly smiled. “How could you tell what spell it was?” Time Turner inquired. “I’ve used it before, for my work,” Lemon Hearts shrugged, “It’s a very basic spell, but novices tend to put too much energy in it.” “But who would have done that?” Thunderlane inquired. “Who else?” Lemon Hearts rolled her eyes, “Nightmare Moon. But if the best she can do is cheap parlor tricks like that, we will have this solved in no time.” The unicorn turned around and prepared to continue on her way. “Just a moment,” Time Turner called out, “you said you know this spell, right Miss Hearts?” “Call me Lemony,” the Unicorn responded, “and yes, I do.” “For what, exactly?” Time Turner trotted up to her, “What does a librarian need a spell like that for?” “I’ll tell you if we survive this,” Lemon Hearts responded, “that, I can promise. Now let’s hurry up.” --- As the group continued through the forest, Time Turner glanced at Lemon Hearts, then to Dizzy Twister, and finally Big Macintosh’s mechanical leg, “Something on your mind?” Big Macintosh inquired. “How did you lose your leg?” The group skidded to a stop. The other ponies turned around, uncertain and concerned looks on their faces. “What?” Time Turner grimaced, “did I say something wron-” “It’s…not something we like to discuss,” Rarity cut him off. “It’s alright,” Big Macintosh sighed, “I can tell him.” “You sure, big guy?” Thunderlane frowned, “I mean…” “If it’s gonna make him focus on what’s goin’ on, I’ll do it.” Big Macintosh sat down, and sighed. “‘Bout six years back, I was still a young fella, working at th’ farm….” --- “Macintosh, you sure about this?” “Granny, Roseluck and I think it’s worth a shot.” The elderly green mare and the stallion trotted out of the house. Other ponies gathered around a bizarre contraption covered in a worn tarp, and seated near a ripe field of wheat; among them, Carrot Top, Roseluck, Applejack, Thunderlane, Dizzy Twister and Lemon Hearts. “Think it’ll actually work?” Roseluck nudged Carrot Top. “I don’t know,” the Orange-maned mare shook her head, “Have you ever heard of these guys before?” “Nnnnope.” The other mare dragged out her response, “I spoke to a couple other farms, but none of them ever heard of any of them.” “Reassuring.” “Hey, Mac trusts them, that’s good enough for me,” Roseluck defensively countered. “I don’t like it,” Applejack cut into the conversation, “I mean look at that thing, Looks more like it’s designed ta tear up trees and clear land, not harvest wheat.” “Applejack, Red Fife was alright with it,” Carrot Top countered. “My brother’ll give any ol’ pony a chance,” Applejack snorted, “This ain’t nothing-” “I think we oughta give them a chance, Applejack.” The mare jumped as the other mares gave each other a mischievous smile. Big Macintosh trotted out of the crowd, and towards the machine. “Flim? Flam? You fellas here?” the stallion called out. A pair of light olive unicorn stallions with nearly identical red and white-striped manes popped out from under the machine, their blue and white pinshirts stained with oil. The mustached unicorn slid over to Big Macintosh. “Indeed we are, Mr. Macintosh.” The unicorn grinned. “Alright, uh, Flam, right?” Big Macintosh paused, as the unicorn nodded in confirmation, “You wanna tell th’ crowd yerself, or leave it ta me?” “I think that would be our job, Mr. Macintosh,” the other unicorn placed a straw hat onto his head as he responded, “Ready, brother?” “Ready, brother.” The two unicorns trotted to the front of the machine and beamed at the crowd. “Ladies and Gentleponys, welcome welcome welcome!” Flim grinned at the crowd, “I’m Flim.” “And I’m Flam,” the other unicorn grinned, “Together we are the Flim Flam Brothers, traveling salesponies nonpareil!” “Now, I’m certain you all must be wondering what we are here for, right brother?” Flim turned his attention to the other unicorn. “Indeed brother.” Flam turned towards the machine, “Harvesting wheat is such a tedious task isn’t it? Why, you can work all day and barely get any work done!” “That’s right!” Flim trotted up to the other side of the machine, “And that’s why we are here to help Miss Red Fife with her troubles.” Flim tilted his hat at a red-brown earth mare with a pale blonde mane. “And if we can help one mare with her problems, why, think of what we can do for the rest of you!” Flam grinned, “Why, the poor carrot farmers wouldn’t have to strain their backs harvesting their crops!” “The grape growers could have an easier time harvesting their produce and turning it into wine!” Flim offered to the crowd. “But don’t just take our word for it,” Flam nodded to Flim. The brother’s magical aura surrounded the tarpaulin, “Behold!” The brothers ripped off the tarp, revealing the machine beneath it. Several ponies gasped and stepped back, away from it: the machine was a nightmarish blend of blades, wheels and chutes. “The Super Easy Wheaty Harvester Three Thousand!” the brothers triumphantly announced to the crowd. The crowd murmured among themselves as Red Fife, Carrot Top and Applejack exchanged uneasy glances. “I see the unease on your faces, but all your doubts will be washed away once you see this in action!” Flam turned to his brother, “Ready brother?” “Ready Brother,” Flim turned his attention to Big Macintosh, “Mr. Macintosh, would you mind stepping back into the crowd?” “I think I’d like ta watch it from here.” The stallion responded. “Well then, let’s get this demonstration on the road!” The two unicorns turned their attention towards an instrument panel on the machine and began to fiddle with the controls. The machine roared to life, as the threshing wheel slowly began to spin. The brothers maneuvered the machine into the field of wheat, where it began to separate the wheat from the chafe, and toss the wheat into a bin. “Seems like its working fine, Mac,” Roseluck chuckled. “Eeyup,” Big Macintosh nodded in agreement, “I think this might be a good investment after all.” “I believe Lutz Green said he needed some help with his beet harvest,” Roseluck added, “If we want to keep these guys around, they should make something for him next.” “…Mac, should it be smoking like that?” Carrot Top jabbed a hoof in the direction of the machine. The stallion turned his attention to the machine; thick, black smoke billowed out of the machine in various places, as the Flim Flam brothers continued to fiddle with the machine. “Rose, AJ, Carrot, get the crowd back,” Big Macintosh jerked his head back, “I don’t like it, and I don’t want anypony to get hurt.” “Right,” the three mares nodded and set off to work. Big Macintosh started off to the machine and the brothers, only for the two unicorns to leap off the machine, and flee. Big Macintosh turned tail, and fled back only to skid to a stop as he realized one pony got left behind. Applebloom. The stallion ran towards Applebloom as the machine exploded… --- “..Next thing I knew, I was in th’ hospital,” Big Macintosh looked down at his mechanical leg, “Missing this leg. Chunk of the machine ripped off my leg at the elbow, and I nearly bled to death in the field. Applebloom was safe, thank Discord.” The stallion sighed before continuing, “They had to amputate ta rest o’ it ta save my life. That’s how I met Miss Rarity; she built my new one for me.” “What happened to the Flim Flam brothers?” Time Turner inquired. “Caught’m both before they could run outta town. Turns out they were a buncha conponies, with plenty o’ charges against’m,” Big Macintosh’s expression turned hard, “Last I heard, they were both rottin’ in a jail cell. I keep kickin’ myself over that. If I didn’t give’m a chance, or maybe if I knew somepony who had dealt with them before…” “There’s no point beating yourself over it,” Thunderlane comforted the stallion, “Ponies make mistakes, and…well, sometimes that happens.” “I know,” Big Macintosh got back onto his hooves, “We oughta keep goin’. None o’ that’s gonna matter if we don’t get th’ elements.” “Right,” the other ponies nodded and got back onto their hooves.