//------------------------------// // Primo Nocte - ''Flabergasted'' // Story: Noxiel's Rêverie // by SaulLaski //------------------------------// Noxiel’s Utopia Chapter 4 : Primo Nocte – ‘’Flabergasted’’ I came to my senses, a sharp pain in my legs. Disoriented, i looked around. The feminine equines were stumbling down the path they found to meet me. Twilight looked worried; she saw from how high i fell. As soon as she touched the ground, she came to me, running. ‘’Noxiel! Are you okay?’’ I smiled, a bit of blood flowing in my mouth. I spat it, before answering, ‘’I’ve seen worse. Thanks for your concern, though. It’ll heal in a few moments, don’t you worry. More importantly, are y’all alright?’’ A common exclamation of ‘yeah’s and ‘mhm-mhm’s answered me. I sighed. At least, i wouldn’t have a bad conscience. I think i already started to feel accepted here. Thanks for the hooves, Jesus! I slowly rose up to my feet, and looked around. ‘’Seems like we’ll have to find another way around. Nox, Animae!’’ The night appeared from the nearby shadows. ‘’It was time for you to introduce me, Noxie.’’ She was refrained in her first-impression-speech by Pinkie, who jolted and tackled her in a hug. ‘’Hey! That’s a good nickname for our new Friend! And welcome to ponyville, huh… ‘’ She cleared her throat, and shook herself from Pinkie, standing up. ‘’I am the night, pleased to make your acquaintance. It seems you-‘’ She was cutted down by a rainbow blur trying to tackle her, but luckily, she dodged. ‘’What is wrong with you? I’ve been summoned to help you, Young Ponies!’’ Rainbow, having rolled on the ground to stop herself from colliding with the nearby trees, jumped to her feet and ran towards the Night. ‘’Stop right there, Nightmare Moon! Surrender, or else!’’ The night tilted her head. ‘’Else, i’ll just leave and get away with it? And who is this Nightmare Moon you’re talking about?’’ Twilight interupted Rainbow’s trampling by holding her tail with her lavender-purple magic hue. Odd, magic was visible here. ‘’Rainbow, calm down! Let her explain herself a bit!’’ She turned to the night, an awkward smile on her face. ‘’Excuse me, Lady… Night? But we were just assaulted by Nightmare Moon, an old foal’s tale about the second princess coming back from the moon after a thousand years of imprisonnement, to paint the sky with her eternal night. We were about to find some old artifacts that could stop her, and bring the day back.’’ The night chuckled. ‘’I understand you need the daytime to survive, but the night sure should have more presence and recognition sometimes. I can feel, and understand, why this ‘Nightmare Moon’ acts like this. Especially if she’s been held captive for such a long time. I’ll help you and my slave, nonetheless. What do you seek?’’ Rarity came up, approaching from the three-dimension shadowy form in front of her, trying to touch her. She was surprised by her hoof meeting tangible flesh, and with an expression of surprise, took her hoof back from the Night’s neck. ‘’Oh, sorry, i was curious as to how a shadow might be… Standing, in front of us. And, about what we seek, i beleive it is something called the ‘Elements Of Harmony’, Twilight?’’ The lavender unicorn held her head a bit higher. ‘’Yes, Rarity, we are looking for those, wich must be kept in the old Princess’s castle, deeper in the Everfree.’’ The night nodded. ‘’Just walk a bit north-north-east from here, and you’ll meet a path leading to a thick forest, wich, once you’ve walked through, will lead to a small river. If you can find a way to cross it, it’ll lead you to a Castle in ruins. I beleive it might be the one you’re looking for.’’ Twilight smiled, and held her hoof to the night. ‘’Thank you, Night, and pleased to meet you, by the way.’’ The shooked hooves, both smiling. Though it was hard to say for the night; she had no face, after all. Twilight turned towards her friends, and pointed them one by one, presenting them. ‘’And might i introduce you to Rarity, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, and Fluttershy.’’ The night nodded. ‘’Pleased to meet you all. I’m sorry to cut this short, but there are several matters requiring my attention post-haste.’’ The five other technicolor-themed ponies nodded, a crowdy exclaimation of ‘’nice to meet you’’ and the like, as the night vanished into thin air without a sound. They all turned to me, Puzzled. Twilight was the first to speak up, ‘’Wait. You said you were the Angel of the Night, right? Why haven’t i thought of this first! Can you reverse the spell Nightmare Moon used to make the night last forever? Maybe lower the moon?’’ I shook my head in a ‘no’ pattern, before clearing my throat. ‘’I’m sorry, but i can’t do that. And if i could, it might cause irreversible consequences to your realm, and change the flow of Destiny. I suppose i could, if i asked for a miracle, but i’ve abused them recently so… No, i’ll just stay with you and make sure your prophecy is accomplished.’’ Twilight tilted her head. I think i rose more questions than answers. ‘’Wait, Prophecy? You knew about Nightmare Moon’s return, like me? What’s supposed to happen, then?’’ I chuckled. ‘’This is no longer my line of work, Miss Twilight. I can only know how to recognize what is a prophecy and what isn’t, though i cannot know who it implies, in what fashion, and how it ends. Though, i have a good feeling for this one. And i know,’’, i leaned closer to her hear to whisper, so only her might hear me, ‘’That you’re a central piece of this prophecy, and many more. Your talent shouldn’t be wasted.’’ With that, i leaned back and started moving towards the direction the night told us, already seeing the head of the path ahead. ‘’Come on, everybody, let’s go! We shouldn’t waste anymore time, unless you really want to-‘’ An amazingly strong Roar echoed in front of me. I gulped, and turned towards the girls. ‘’Unless you want to attract the dangerous creatures of this forest.’’ Instinctively, and kinda swiftly might i add, the girls made an impromtu V formation behind me, Twilight at my left-rear, Applejack at my right-rear, followed by Rarity and Fluttershy. Twilight was closely flanked by Rainbow, as Pinkie took out a circus-themed canon out of nowhere, a bit further behind the Art Project. ‘’Alright, as I was trying to say before we fell off that cliff, keep the formation at all times, and don’t act aggressively if i don’t. Most of all, wait for my signal to attack, and if i say ‘Dispertion’, you all run in a different direction for 300 meters and come back where we separated, and the ones being pursued, well… Wait for me to save you. Is everything clear?’’ All of the girls, synchronized like a gang of metronome in a music store, nodded with a clear ‘’mhm-mhm!’’. I took a deep breath and marched forward, unsheating my sword. ‘’Michael, lend me your light! May it’s Fire Slice the hardest of Metals! Might it’s Justice be brang to my Enemies! Might the heavens sing me Praise as i Vanquish the Enemy!’’ At my little prayer, the sword engulfed itself in a strong, pale-colored fire. I could feel the familiar heat on my face, and it made me smile. I felt the frenzy coming. As we walked towards the path leading in the thick forest, i could feel a presence approaching. ‘’Alright everyone! Ready yourselves!’’ At that, a huge Manticore jumped from behind a patch of trees and roared at us, making itself big to intimidate us. My answer was as feral and primal; I made the fire of my rifle-blade Roar, while puffing my wings to make myself appear bigger. I emanated so much light, i think everyone was blinded by my presence, so i calmed a bit. The light slowly dimmed, though was still pretty ablaze. ‘’Creature of this Forest! Might you surrender, we won’t hurt you! Please step aside and let the Heavens walk this here path, and repent for your sins!’’ The Manticore roared again, placing itself in a fighting stance. I sighed. ‘’Alright, y’all asked for it. Girls, on my command! Charge!’’ We all Charged the Manticore. I quickly sidestepped, and had to dodge again, as the Manticore took me for the main target. It was the plan. Quickly, Rainbow made a little colored cyclone around the Beast. A single strike from the Manticore pushed her back, spinning in the air before tumbling on the ground, visibly shaken but thankfully not too hurt. Rarity took the opening to place a high-flying kick on the Manticore’s nose, and got a loud Roar in reply. Her hair stuck behind her, as she ran away, terrified. I shook my head, before charging again. I could catch Fluttershy, in the corner of my peripherical vision, trying to hold twilight back as she ran towards the Manticore like me. Odd. I tried to place a blow on the Manticore’s left flank, but it dodged easily. I wasn’t that used to handle my sword in my mouth, after all. Applejack saw an opening and threw her lasso (where did she took that from?) at the Beast, catching it. She used the momentum from the Beast’s pull by quickly leaping in the skies, falling on the best. She made a very westernish ‘’Ye-Haw!’’, before riding it like a bull. I almost laughed at the sight, but the frenzy finally got the best of me. As i ran towards the beast, i could see Twilight bucking the Manticore’s Face, forcing AppleJack to fall from her free ride. My eyes took a purple glow as my guns rose from my holsters, and instinctively aimed the Beast’s head. As the instinctive magic was about to fire them both, probably making the Manticore’s head explode, something took me out of my focus. Fluttershy yelled, ‘‘WAIT!’’. We all turned towards her, stopping dead in our tracks. I just happened to realise, all of the other girls were behind me, as fluttershy calmly walked towards the beast. Twilight exclaimed, ‘’Fluttershy, Look out!’’, just as the beast tried to hit her. We all closed her eyes, trying to avoid the impossible by ignoring it. Even i knew that such a Placebo effect wouldn’t save us from that sight. It Roared again, and i waited for the teary sound of Claws against flesh. I was surprised by the sound of silence. Slowly, i cracked an eye open, just to see Flutershy unscathed, petting the Manticore. ‘’Poor boy. Where are you hurt?’’ The Manticore looked at her, casting a weird glance. I think he could understand her. Slowly, he showed her the palm of his enormous paw. Seriously, that paw was as huge as my head, if not bigger! We were all surprised with a painfull-looking spike-looking thorn, deeply planted in it’s paw. No matter why he tried to keep that leg on the ground, and wouldn’t try to hit us with it. Fluttershy cooed, ‘’Ow, this must be painfull. Would you please stay put, it won’t hurt much.’’ I yelled, ‘’Fluttershy, No!’’, but i think nothing came out of my throat. It was dry with worryness. The butter-yellow pegasus took the thorn in her mouth, and yanked her head out, the source of the Manticore’s Anger in her mouth, as the said beast Roared painfully. ‘’No!’’, all of us left exclaimed. She’ll be killed for inflicting such pain on the semi-docile, though still angry looking creature. I tried not to think about the little pony being savagely tore in half by the Mythic beast’s enormous claws and razor-sharp teeth. We were surprised again by the Manticore soft purring, licking Fluttershy’s face off like a fat babby enjoying a lollypop. She laughed, cooing soft words at the beast. Releived, we walked past the beast, Twilight waiting for Fluttershy as i took the lead, and waited for them both at a safe distance. I couldn’t make up what they said, but considering Fluttershy’s hair sticking in the air, smiling, i could almost make up the words of congratulation Twilight told her. It was with high spirits that we went deeper in the forest, droping our formation to fit on the tight forest path. All was fine and nice, as i was enjoying the calm nightly breeze and occasional moonlight caressing my skin, then suddenly we were embraced in the deepest of darkness. By the time my eyes caught up with the sudden change in the environment’s lighting. Applejack almost stumbled on her footing, and exclaimed quietly, ‘’I think i stepped on something.’’ Puzzled, Rarity and I turned towards her (she caught up to the head of the group so we could chit-chat about fashion, one of my embarrassing hobbies), and i couldn’t refrain myself. We both yelled in surprise, and maybe her in terror (i had too much pride to admit i was scared too at the time). The first Face appeared. It was the face of an Angry demon, and if i wasn’t mistaken, it was Corrupted Gaïa’s infants. They were reknown for their corrupting vines, usually taking the form of trees, bushes or taking possession of puny animals. Such as Squirrels. The first time i had to confront one, it was the wickest, most hatefull squirrel i’ve ever seen. Red spots of light Emphased the dark, twisted angry faces appearing around us. We were surrounded. My mind’s eye replayed the memories of the Demon War in my head, and i couldn’t help but shiver. I was all alone here to protect the girls from so much of them. We’ll die for sure. It was the end. Sorry, Michael. I Failed. Sorry, Council. I didn’t deserve that title after all. Being an Angel isn’t for me. I shouldn’t have deserved the trust of my former Master. As i was trapped in my mind’s horrible thoughts, i could hear someone laughing. Twilight exclaimed, fully taking me out of my daydream, ‘’Pinkie, What are you doing? Run!’’ She giggled, bouncing a bit on her strong hooves. ‘’Oh girls, don’t you see?’’ What i saw then was the weirdest thing ever. Never in my life, will i live something as awkward, catchy and sudden like this. The light came back, as Pinkie started to sing. ‘’When i was a lil’ Filly and, the sun was going do-own!’’ Twilight Frowned, a deadpan look fixed on Pinkie. It was as if everyone forgot about the demons surrounding us. Where did they think they were? The Heaven’s virtual formation program? This was real! We were about to get killed right now and then! As i was about to word my thoughts, twilight exclaimed in perfect timing, ‘’Tell me she’s not…’’ Pinkie continued her song, and happy smile on her face. She even hung herself upside down on a nearby tree and craned her neck at us, beaming. ‘’The Darkness and the Shadow-things, would always make me Fro-ow!’’ Rarity answered Twilight with a sing-song voice, just after a quiet sigh. ‘’She is.’’ Pinkie’s exhuberant behavior started to take us all in the rythim, it’s foreign magic cursing us into taking part with her random song while surrounded by one of the greatest dangers i could imagine meeting here, Second on my list after Nightmare Moon, in fact. She giggled a bit while singing, ‘’I hid under my Pillow, From what i thought i saw, But Granny Pie said that wasn’t the way, to deal with fears at Aaaall!’’ Rainbow Dash exclaimed, still perfectly in timing to keep the song going, ‘’Then What is?’’ I was tempted to break the tempo by unsheating my sword and slash the demon’s face in front of me in Half. But my body was paralyzed (In fear?). She took a deep Breath, before erupting again in a joyfull song. ‘’She said, Pinkie, you gotta stand up tall, learn to face your fea-ears, you’ll see, the big i’ve heard you just Laugh to make them Disa-pear!’’ She stared at one of the demons. I was so fuckin’ scared. She’ll get her head bit off, or something. Though, for an unknown reason no one could move or say anything. Nothing moved around us. There was no breeze, no nothing. It was as if God sat on his couch, looking at this realm on a TV, and sat on the remote, accidentaly pressing the Pause Button in the Process. The unaffected Pinkie took her time to throw a metronome-rythmed ‘’Ah-Ah-Ah’’ at the demon’s face she was starring at. I was speechless. How could she cast such a perfect banishment spell, by laughing at the Demon’s face? Yeah. You figured it out by yourself- The face vanished with an audible ‘Poof’. We all Gasped, finally taking a breath we were all holding. God pressed play, i thought. Pinkie turned to us, somehow floating in mid-air. Everyone took exemple of her, and laughed at the faces in front of us. Even I, though i was actually laughing at such an awesome display of foreign magic actually working on the demons. ‘’Sooooo! Giggle at the Ghostly! Guffaw at the Grossly-y! Crack up at the Creepy, Whoop it up with the Weepy! Chortle at the Kooky, Snortle at the Spooky!’’ And then, she flabergasted me. Never in my life have i heard someone singing at such a pace, while keeping the rythim, for so long, in one mere breath. ‘’And tell that big dumb scary face to take a haike and leave you alone and if he things he can scare you then he’s got another thing coming and the very idea of such a thing just makes you wanna Hahahahaha, haha…’’ She caught up her breath like nothing, and in my mind, such lungs would only exist in the ethereal bodies of the bard War-singers of the Heaven’s troops. She took me out of my thoughts with a magnificient Crescendo, ‘’Laaaaaaaauuuuuu-aauuu-aauuuugh!’’ At that, we all fell on the ground, The demon’s faces all vanished, laughing our rump’s off. Never have i laughed like this in my whole life. I think i’ll keep hanging around with theses ponies, after all. They could help me in my job, and such a wonderfull group might only cheer me up. On the other hoof, i’ll prove myself able to protect a whole crew of ponies while sent on an assignement. Two birds with one bullet.