//------------------------------// // Meeting by chance // Story: Apocalypse: Worlds End or New Beginnings // by Blue dragon 116 //------------------------------// A single day has passed since my near destruction at the hooves of a well meaning pony, but hey you know how the old saying goes "the road to hell is paved with good intentions". Half way through the day as I was trecking through the forest I realized something... I left my bag at the dugout I was sleeping in. With a frustrated sigh I turned back to the direction I came from and began the long hike back to that part of the forest. The day had long since past the afternoon hours settling on dusk waiting for the moon to take its place in the sky. As I drew closer to the clearing I slept in only the night before the forest grew quite and their was the sound of many hooves tromping through the under brush. In a flash I shifted to something small and inconspicuous and darted up the nearest tree and just in time. As I settled myself amongst the branches a large group of ponies adorned in gold and white armor trotted past heading for the clearing. Curious I followed from the trees and watched as the group of ponies made it to the clearing only to find almost double their number already their. And at the head of them all was a large unicorn yelling something with a piece of paper floating in front of him for all to see. It was a rather detailed drawing of the form I was in yesterday it even had the colors, height, and other such important info. I scanned around the little clearing and found that their wasn't any other unicorns aside from the one with the picture. So as long as I avoided him I could sneak in as a guard and ensure they don't find anything they shouldn't. With a smirk I checked to see if the coast was clear and dropped from my tree and walked out a pegasus in white and gold armor, doing my best to mimic the attitudes of those around me. I had just made it to the hole which none of the ponies seemed interested in and peered inside to find my bag right where I left it. As I was trying to think of a way to get it out of here without the guard noticing a loud commanding voice yelled out. "Pegasus form up" Startled I looked up to see all the other pegasus line up in front of the unicorn and then look over at me as if they were waiting for something. With a start and a mental note to pay more attention I bolted over to the line taking place on the end farthest from the unicorn. He simply hung his head and sighed before looking back up and addressing us. "All right you boys are to report back to the princesses in canterlot and tell them we didn't find the creature Twilight reported. But we did find some odd tracks while me and the rest start the hike back and meet you their later this evening any questions?" When no one said anything he then yelled "Dismissed" With a bustle and the sound of many wings we were off. I hung towards the back to try and avoid getting into conversation or having one of them ask me who I was or any other such situation. Thankfully nothing happened since the guards ponies were completely silent the entire flight. Then we reached our destination it was a beautiful city built into the side of a mountain all its towers topped in gold. All its streets clean and pristine it looked for all its worth like a slice of heaven on earth and then I saw the castle. I almost fell from the sky when I say it and to think I thought the city was beautiful. The fading evening sunlight lighting it up painting it a warm orange and reflecting off the golden tops like mirrors. And the closer we got the more I was amazed by the intricate designs and superior craftsmanship along the walls. And then their was the inside, im sure I looked like a complete idiot gawking and staring at everything we passed once inside. In fact I was so engrossed in the beauty of my surroundings I failed to notice we were approaching a massive room. It wasn't until I tried to pass through the doorway only to have my hindquarters stop. And the area inside the door lit up red I only had time mentally kick myself for not paying attention before electric pain shot through my entire body. I screamed bloody murder as I was shocked mercilessly before it finely stopped both to my pleasure and dismay. It was to my pleasure for obvious reasons but to my dismay because when it stopped it sent my paralyzed body flying across the football field length room. Only to slam face first into a stone wall with a sickening crack. When the world finally stopped spinning and my senses went back to normal I did the first thing any sensible person would do... "Whose dumb ass idea was it to put a electric barrier spell on that door." I yelled rubbing my aching head to alleviate the pain. Only to rub harder and groan when I heard the sound of hooves on stone behind me and a voice say sternly. "That would be mine and my sisters dumb ass idea as you put it" When I heard that voice I froze up their was something about it that screamed authority. And upon consideration of the length of the room I was just thrown across I dreaded turning around to face those behind me. I guess I took too long in deciding what to do since their was the sound of someone clearing their throat behind me. Slowly and with one eye closed tightly a look of absolute despair etched on my muzzle I turned around. Their before me were two ponies one was a bit taller than the other with a ever flowing multi colored mane, and a coat as white as newly fallen snow. Her beautiful magenta eyes looking at me scornfully as her and her sister continued to trot towards me. Her sister was just a little bit bigger than the other ponies I encountered. She had a dark blue coat and long flowing mane with white spots that looked like stars scattered through out like the pony from my dreams. They were similar to the other ponies although they were bigger and had both wings and horns. I believe Chrysalis called them alicorn's. As they both drew near they halted and a mixture of emotions flew across their faces almost too quickly to read before a mask of mock interest was placed over their features. Then the white one gave a almost unperceivable nod and a pony disappeared through a door somewhere to my left. "Are you alright my little pony?" The white one asked as she looked down at me and her sister just glared. "What say you we just cut to the chase shall we?" I asked tiredly knowing full well they knew I wasn't one of their ponies. "Very well" The smaller one said " Wouldst you be the beast young twilight reported terrorizing Ponyville?" "First off I wasn't terrorizing that town I was being terrorized myself" I said looking them in the eye earning a scoff from the blue alicorn while her sister was completely un responsive. "I was trying to find out what I could of this place and find somewhere to call home away from anything that lives here. But no that little pegasus had to stumble onto my camp and insist and then stare me into submission and force me to follow her to town. Where she promptly went to get her unicorn friend who only took one look at me and labeled me evil and attacked me. she didn't even give me a chance to properly defend myself. Then their was the chase through town...." When I saw the bored expressions on their faces I knew they already heard all this and said. "Of course you already know that don't you?" They shook their head yes and just continued to watch me until the white one finally broke the silence saying. "What are you and why are you in our castle surely you are not stupid enough to try and attack us here?" "What I am has no relevance" I said tiredly standing causing the two too step backwards a few steps, most likely to keep me at a certain distance. "The fact of the matter is that despite what you think I mean you no harm and just want to live in peace." Again the blue one snorted in annoyance while the white one didn't respond. The white one had a thoughtful look about her and was about to speak until her sister beat her to the punch coming forward and staring me in the face saying. "Enough of your lies and games what are you, how did you get In the castle and what are you planning." As she spoke her temper grew shorter and shorter and then she seamed to flicker in and out. One second she would be the pony before me and then their would be a pony the same size as her sister with a all black coat instead of blue, the rest of the features would remain the same. I was to stunned by what I saw to respond until she absolutely screamed in my face saying. "What are you and what are you planning you monster don't even think of lying to us.' When she screamed I lost it I have done nothing to theses creatures and yet they treat me like a convicted criminal. So I retaliated with a scream of my own saying. "How dare you speak of lies to me when your very appearance is a lie." She seemed stunned by what I said and I took this opportunity to search her for her fears. And I quickly found it just as she was regaining her composure and preparing a retort. "What is it talking about sister?" the white one said looking at her sister with concern. "First off im a he not a it" I growled giving the white alicorn a angry glare. "And secondly your sister has hidden her true appearance behind a spell for fear of rejection.... yours to be exact" "Why would she fear my rejection" The white one asked looking at me like I was a fool and then at her sister with concern. "Well how the hell should I know" I shot back angrily throwing my hooves up in exasperation. "That's a question you should be asking her yourself" Their was a long drawn out silence as the white alicorn watched her sister with concern before finally walking up next to her and placing a wing over her back. "you know you can tell me anything you know that right Luna?" Their was sniffing and a single tear fell from Luna's face hidden behind her mane. "Not this dear sister I fear this problem is something I can not show you. For if I do I fear you will reject me or worse banish me to the moon again that is why I cant show you Celestia." Celestia looked dumbfounded at her sister completely lost for words and Luna just sat their and cried. For the longest time no one said anything only the growing sound of hooves outside every door marking that the world was still turning without us. Finally tired of seeing the little one cry I slowly approached her earning a withering glance from her sister but I ignored it. when I reached her I lifted her face to look me in the eyes with my own and backed off allowing her to regain her composure before I continued. "I'll make you a deal little one you remove your disguise and I will show you the form I wear most deal?" I asked doing my best at a reassuring smile Celestia was still trying to kill me with a glare it would seem as she didn't say a word. "I promise nothing bad will come of this you need to show someone eventually and it might as well be now." I said dropping my head low when she started to sulk again to gain her attention. Finally she agreed and we backed away from each other I with my back against the wall once again, and her with plenty of open space between us and then between her and her sister as well. Her horn lit up and she closed her eyes and faced the floor then their was a blinding flash of light and the little alicorn wasn't so little anymore. Where once her coat was dark blue now it was black, her tail and mane stayed the same as they were. The biggest difference I think was her eyes they were still teal in color but her pupil was a vertical slit like you would see on a snake. She looked at me and I smiled reassuringly at her and then she looked at her sister and all the life left her face. Her sister was staring at her with such anger and scorn it made me shiver. "So Nightmare Moon we meet again how long have you been here this time?" Celestia asked her voice colder than artic winters as she began to circle her sister murder in her eyes.