> Noxiel's Rêverie
>  by SaulLaski
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Primo Nocte
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Noxiel’s Utopia, Chapter one :  Primo Nocte
Author : Antoine-Thomas Guay (AKA Noxiel, Loki, Saul Laski.)


Tik, tok. Tik, tok.


Never have i felt so lonely in my life. Never have i felt the lack of company so… Present. I needed love. Again.


My thoughts ran back to her sunny-red hairs. Her posture. Her sweet-looking black glasses.
And her eyes. Shining beacons of lights in the suffocating darkness. My darkness.


The night crept in my brain, making her presence known to me only. ‘’Something is of the matter, Noxie? Wanna talk about it?’’
Her voice felt so empty, just like me. The empty shells could only vibe in aquiestance. 
‘’Yeah, night. I feel it. Again. Do you think it’s time for me to go yet?’’
She shook her head. Her mind-imaged face shown no emotion, if not an hint of sadness could be felt in her voice. ‘’No, Noxie. Wait for a bit, the council’s busy with Sophiana. You know she’s picky about her title, yes?’’
‘’Yeah.’’ My voice felt harsh, as my dry throat tried to mouth the words. Tried, to no avail.


I took the courage to say again, ‘’I feel like a mistake. Even if i’m a real soul right now, and that your presence and god’s light are within me, i still feel… Empty. As your void. No, worse’’, i shook my head, ‘’As the abysses themselves. But do not worry for me, i’ll cope with it. As i’ve always done. Thanks for beeing here though, even if it’s just your job.’’


She didn’t have the time to reply, as the doors swung open without a sound. 
‘’Noxiel. May you proceed with your request.’’, almost sing-songed the voice inside. Gathering what little courage remained, i walked in.
The lights were bright. My dark-used eyes took time to adjust. But i didn’t need my eyes- as i was just a conscience walking around, after all. Perk of being what i am.


As i arrived in front of them coucil members, i spoke up. ‘’Noxiel, Angel of the night, ready to receive orders.’’
Mikael spoke in his usual bright barrytone. ‘’Noxiel, bearer of my flame. I hope you are complete now?’’
It wasn’t much of a question, more like an answer in itself. After all, we spoke through emotions and images in this plane. ‘’Yes, dear friend. My mentor has asked me to make my vows, and the destruction of the synthetic soul that was me isn’t anymore.’’ I felt the shade 


of a tear running on my cheek- my body must be crying. 
‘’I have come to you with a request. I think there is nothing more i can do to protect and serve the humans anymore. And i feel… Empty, inside, since i do not deserve love from anyone. Especially her, the arcane-born like me.’’
It was Raziel’s time to speak up. His light voice filled me with joy- i was kind of fond of him, being the former angel of knowledge. ‘’Each thing at it’s time. We convocked you here for a reason. The book. Has it been destroyed along with your former… Mistake for a soul?’’
I nodded as i swallowed. ‘’No, friend. It’s magic must be still working in other bodies than mine.’’
He shook his head disapprovingly. ‘’Oh, well. I had been prepared for this. God itself seeks it’s destruction, knowing it’s secrets. Congratulations, by the way, for it’s redaction. Your former life did a great job- sorry if it sounds sarcastic, but it’s true. A real masterwork. Should you ever pursue theses studies, we’d have no choice but to destroy every other synthetic souls, before giving you your prize as new god. Anyways, back on topic- i shouldn’t be cheering you to keep working on it, since we want it destroyed. Your master will be given the job to destroy it- but there is another plane in wich you could have affected it’s balance, by creating such a thing. Please hear our plea.’’


Another member spoke up. I didn’t know who he was. ‘’Would you like to hit two birds with one stone, young Seraphin?’’
‘’Yes, friend.’’. I recognized his voice. It was Thomas’s, the former bringer of hope. A human. 
‘’Then, we will send you to another realm. Equestria, i think it was called? Do you know any of it?’’
I felt worried. Leaving my master? But if the council asked… ‘’No, dear hopebringer. I do not know what is such a place.’’


‘’Then, we leave you the surprise. Your body will be sent there in a few. Is there anything you’d like to tell us before you go on your mission?’’
The night exited through my shadow. ‘’Yes. We would like to know, will we follow Noxiel to his journey?’’
Gabriel smiled. ‘’Of course you will, milady Night. You are his assistant, after all.’’
I mumbled under my breath, ‘’Associate, yes. Her, my… Assistant? I’m more like her slave.’’
The night nudged me playfully. ‘’Don’t be so sore. After all, you’ll be leaving with me!’’
My face remained as dark as ever under my hood. ‘’Yeah, well… I can’t be too positive about it. But i’ll try, Night.’’
I turned to the Council. ‘’Thank you for hearing me. Non Nobis Domine, Sed nomine, Tuo da Gloriam, Friends.’’
At that, i fell back in my body, being completely numb. That’s as far as i remember.


∆


I woke up in a dark forest. My eyes slit open, and i dazzilly looked around me. Everything looked so… Cartoonish. The voice of the council still echoed in my heart.
‘’Please, be carefull. Must you use the night, remember the rules. And save them, as they’re saving us.’’


I looked around. Was my neck ever so… Long? And my hair too? 
I tried to stand. My body felt wrong. I had to keep my arms on the ground to keep my balance. My mind adapted quickly, letting me stand as a quadruped specie pretty easily. 
I tried to look at my body, with no avail. But i could see a tail. Sighing, i closed my eyes. 
‘’Night? What kind of prank have you done again? Why am i so stuck in this illusion?’’
‘’It ain’t no illusion. I am struck with the same problem, dearie.’’
‘’Okay, WHAT IN THE-‘’


My eyes emaned enough light to let me see, and i casted a mirror. The shining, light blue symbols assembled into a proper glyph, and the mirror rose up quite quickly. Looking down at my body in shock, i realised… ‘’i’m a… Horse?’’
The night’s smile could be heard as she appeared from behind a tree. ‘’And a cute one at that. Look at those hooves, and your long tail.’’


I blinked hard, and facepal-… Face-hoofed? Yeah. Facehoofed. 
‘’I can see it clear as day- or night, thank you very much. Why is it that we’re horses?’’
She cleared her throat, putting a forehoof over her throat for emphasis. Drama-queen. ‘’It is the plane’s main form of sentient species. It is normal for us to be given a proper disguise, no?’’
I almost moaned, ‘’I guess you’re right, Night.’’ It rhymed.
She looked at me with pleading eyes. ‘’My, can you tell me how do i look? You know that i can’t see myself in mirrors, magical or not.’’
I used my analyzation technique, to gaze at her and take in her forms in every details. ‘’Yeah. You look just like my shadow, but more feminine. Your hai-mane and tail seems a little shorter than mine, and you are consisted of shadows, as usual. And you still lack a face, though your features suggest a small, stubby nose and not-so-wide mouth, with huge eyes.’’ It was my eyes’s time to stop glowing. ‘


'’And… You’re cute, for a horse. Might i add, without any narcissim, that i find you kinda… Awesome. Not saying that you’re cool or anything, but-''
‘’You want me to keep self-esteem by sweet-talking me? It’ll get you nowhere, Noxie.’’
‘’I ain't no sweet-talkin', alright. Then it’s your time to describe me. The mirror was so foggy i could only make out  my main features. But what about that… Tatoo, on my hip?’’
‘’Well… It’s a… Huh. How odd. Is it a theatrical neutral white mask, with a moon on it’s forehead, with wings coming out in the ears’s places, the overall in a kind of weird-looking glyph?’’
‘’I guess it is if you’re telling me that.’’
‘’Well, it is. Good luck looking at it, though, it’s kinda dark even for me. Shall we move? I can feel a large number of presences north-west-west.’’


I smiled. I surprised myself at how wide was that toothy grin. I think i’ll like this new assignement, after all, thinking more deeply about it. I wasn't home where everything was always the same. here, i'll be surprised. With 'changes'. i cleared my throat, letting go a few words:
‘’Let’s get to it, Night.’’
I walked my first step. The first step of many. A new world to explore. New lives to change. New people to help. And, first of all, new demons to punish. It'll be an exciting- no, Thrilling new life, full of sensations i've never felt before. Heck, i was used to my new body already! Just a quick wave of the tail, then...


Then i faceplanted. 
It seems that my body wasn’t ready for this. An entangled mass of whooves and tail, with my rump sticking in the air was all that the night could see before erupting in some joyfull laughter. She liked to mock me once in a while, but now, without having to say or do anything, no effort whatsoever, it was clearly the best day in her life.


I mumbled, still staying in my awkward position. ‘’Stop laughing already.’’
‘’Are you hurt?’’, she said, after catching her breath. Before throwing herself back in her moment of extasefull laughing. At MY expanse.
‘’No. But i’ll soon be. Stop laughing right now and help me get up. It seems that my tail was way longer than i though.’’, i added to myself, ‘stupid horse-body.’
After a moment, she collected herself enough to help me get up. I could almost see that smile on her face. If she had a face, that is.
Maybe it’s time to clear everything up. I’m Noxiel, Angel of the night, former Angel of Knowledge. And that kind of weird 3D shadow  standing next to me (still chuckling) is the Night. Well, her embodyment. Her avatar, if you will. Given to me as a miracle from the council. 
I'm also the former apprentice of Lelahel, the seventh Archangel. I’m a war-typed Angel, always seeking to expand my wings in the midst of Battle. The Frenzy, as i liked to call it. 


I used to be a regular-looking human, with a tall body and confiant posture. Medium-long wavy blond hair, wich used to turn platinum-white in the midday sun. A short three-days beard, and a thick shaggy resting on my chest. On wich stuck my wooden cross, symbol of my faith and familly, as well as my council's member proof. 


I liked to consider myself classy, but lazy-looking. In short, i wore awesome clothes, a suit-looking parka, a sleeveless jacket underneath, with massive pockets, and a hoodie. I wouldn’t go anywhere without it. It was my armor, after all.
Then, some harsh looking patched and holed baggy pants, resting neatly on my medieval-looking army boots. With steeltoe caps. I also was wearing a codpiece. (Don't judge me. Demons have no honor.)


It seems as my clothes kept up with my transformation, but the tail of the coat was shorter, sadly, than my old one. Completely leather made, except the furr colar, with hidden pockets. It contained everything i needed. Ammo, books, spell materials, runic chalks, magic cards (i know, i’m a massive geek. But my black populate-deathtouch deck was undeniably the best deck ever seen, and won many competions. Back on topic.) It also contained tarot cards.
My pants contained my cellphone, wallet, pipe (i smoked only tabacco, thank you) and the in-parenthesis said tabacco pouch. Keys and lighters inluded.
My sleeveless jacked contained important runic stones, majorly those that balanced my third-vision, a special case of cigarettes wich always seemed full (and restocked itself every twelve hours), and magical artifacts.


On my hips, hidden under my coat, rested my babies. Guns. Two of them. Luger parabellums, wich fired spell-enhanced bullets at a devastating speed. The cartridges rested in a pouch sewn to the holsters, all made in kevlar. And my hunting knife rested in my back, fixed on my thick snakeskin black belt.
Then, my sword. A rifle-rapier, as it was called. It included an in-built lens in the one-piece metallic weapon, wich, once unsheated, bathed in an etheral flame. Mikael’s flame.


And then, my face. I used to be what others called a gentleman. My hat rested on my head, covering my eyes. Beautifull, ever-changing in color. The base was grey, instead of the other humans white's, swallowing gently the irises. Wich were, based on my emotions, either blue, fade-green, pale teal, sometimes purple (when i was popping my frenzy), and at the border of the pupil, my mana meter. The pupil was encircled in a runic-inspired full circle, golden yellow in color as i was manafull, turned plain gold when in a mana surge. But as i became empty, they turned a pale shade of distinct blue.
But now, they were almost grey. I needed to rest or meditate a bit. That could wait.
I reached for my gun. With hooves.
Hooves.


DAMN HORSES!
‘’Night! HOW in the ******* HELL am i supposed to hold onto theses things?!’’
She waved at me and vanished. ‘’Figure it all. Use telepathy or something. Stay on the path and you’ll get to what seems to be a small comunity soon.’’
‘’Thanks, smartass! BUT HOW WILL I AIM WITHOUT HANDS! I just can’t press the trigger with those hooves!’’
At least i had my sword. Wich couldn’t fire either, but wich said fire would be my salvation. I'll figure a way to strap it on my hooves when needed.
I continued my peacefull walk towards a now lighted path. The moon shone brightly upon me.


∆


‘’At last. Another Wanderer comes to our realm.’’
The voice turned towards an orb, showing a particular horse with an horn and wings, white in coat’s color, and etheral dusk-themed sun shining in her mane.
‘’I hope they’ll accept them as i accept him. Might he find me soon- we have much to discuss.’’
It’s eyes shone in the darkness around it. 
‘’Princess. I’m counting on you, Dear.’’
In what seemed like a dying’s last breath, she added to herself,
‘’Make your mother proud.’’


∆


I arrived at the village, as the moon stopped her journey in her midnight position. I could feel it stopping, stopping to stay. 
‘Night? What’s… Going on?’
She responded at my telepathical question. 
‘Don’t know. Move around and find by yourself, ‘’master’’.’
With a grunt, i walked towards an house. It was filled to the brimm with critters, and they all seemed asleep. Upon seeing my (visible only to them and young children) wings.
Ever-so-pale blue with a dark hue, they shone like the only light in a sea of darkness. Their feathers perfectly preened, they looked like ready to burst with energy any second.


Never have i heard animals so loud in my entire life. They ran around and screeched incomprehensible words, flying or running around aimlessely at the pure horror they witnessed. Me.


A tear rolled down my cheek. I loved animals. But they couldn’t love me.
Only fear the unknown.


I hid myself in the shadows, becoming almost invisible, considering my bright colors. A pale grey coat, and darker grey messy long hair that shone slightly. Being the Night’s friend had it’s perks.
I ran down the path, trying to be as hidden as i could in the shadows, and using my magic to expulse the attention from me- in short, you would feel like there’s nothing of interest in my direction, enough to make you look elsewhere. Trees and grass were more interesting than my presence- to the extent as of when your brain doesn’t even acknowledges my presence. 
But for those who could feel magic, they could feel a faint aura of sadness.


The path soon led to a bridge. I felt the night attracting me towards her own heaven : a huge tree sitting in the middle of the town. It’s leaves could be seen over the houses.
‘’Please, Noxie, i wanna go see it! It looks like… Like the hugest Tree in the WOLRD!’’
I sighed. ‘’We’re on a mission, Night. Why should we bother?’’
She sniffled. ‘’’Cause it’s Beautiful? And huge? And… I’ll pout and annoy you as long as i don’t see it.’’
She was still, and will always be, an eternal child. I could really feel her pout at that.
‘’Okay. We'll pass in front of it, then look for someone of authority. Then we help her in helping us, until we find the rulers of this country- and hopefully in the meantime we’ll be thrown into something that will lead us to our mission. Is that a good plan?’’
She smiled. A genuine one. I couldn’t hear her voice- it was too high pitched. As soon as my eardrums healed enough, she had already took my right fronthoof and pulled me over the vilage, trying to get closer to the huge tree.
Indeed. It was huge. And, most of all, it had windows. And a door.


The night looked at me with pleading eyes. Without a word, i knocked. She’d harass me to go inside anyways.
I could hear voices inside. Instinctively, a conscience left my body and went inside. 
How odd. I couldn’t see anything. Too much magical interferences, perhaps?
The door opened just a bit. Big lavender eyes could be seen through the crack.
‘’Sorry, we’re closed at the mome-‘’
The door busted open, and i was greeted by a pink ball of furr.
And it gasped pretty hard, too. Was i that scary? Oh, and by the way, THEY COULD TALK?
‘’Ohmygoshthere’sanewponyinponyvilleican’tbeleiveittwointhesameday?’’
My eyes gazed, surprised-no, double-surprised at the ball of energy jumping around.
‘’Ehh… Only when you blend it with ketchup? I dunno. What was the question again?’’
It erupted in a cristaline laugh, then cooed. ‘’Ooh. And he’s funny too! Sorry, i can’t throw you a welcome party, we must go in the everfree so-‘’
A cyan horse came flying by, and stopped the pink one’s babbering. With her rainbow hair, she looked like an ‘’Art project?’’ I instinctively mumbled in my thoughts. Well, they haven't seem to have heard me.
‘’Waitwaitwait, don’t tell him where we’re going! He could be a SPY too!’’
The lavender-eyed (and  purple coated) horse came around again, rolling her eyes. She then shifted her balance, and casted a worried look at her horse-friends.


‘’Girls, i think we should go now. Sorry sir, would you please come back tomorrow, we’re closed and there’s that nightmare moon problem-‘’
I cutted her off. ‘’Problem? Say no more, i’m your guy. I’ll get rid of it all.’’
I presented her my forehoof. ‘’Noxiel. Pleased to make your acquaintence.’’
She looked at it, then bumped it with hers. Odd. Was fis-hoof bumping? Yeah. Hoofbumping a formal han- hoof... Shake? Arh! Let's forget about these grammar collection formalities. Grammar Nazi, get out of my brain for once! Now, back to that purple horse's smile.
‘’And i’m Twilight Sparkle, nice to meet you.'' she had an annoyed tone. Why were they all so crappy-mooded today? ''Look, i really don’t have time, maybe we could meet again tomorrow-‘’
I cutted her ranting off by nudging her shoulder with an hoof, wich she almost looked at in disgust. Almost. ‘’Oooor, you tell me what’s your problem, i solve it, and then you lead me to this village’s figure of authority, so i’ll be able to go back home to serve my master.’’ 
It was then that other horses came around. How many were there inside? Was this tree the town hall, the refuge, a popular historical monument or what?


An orange one, with long blonde hair, came to me first. ‘’Aye sir, Dunno How you think you could help us, but i must warn y’all : Stay out of it. Get some sleep. Y’a must have hit your head or Somethin’.’’ I liked her southern accent. Reminded me of a former friend, and theses spaghetti westerns.
‘’Or, you can help me, a lone wanderer, help you. I’m a master at solving problems. Either with the sword, the magic or the mind.’’
The purple one snorted, trying to hold her laughter. She as joined with the others (There now was a cream coated one, and an alabaster one too.) They soon erupted in lauhter. At MY expanse again! What was i? A laughing stop, a comedian?
‘’Magic? How can you do magic without a horn?’’, she said as soon as she calmed herself. It was then that i noticed an appendage on her forehead. Some kind of spike. And the alabaster horse had one too, for that matter. 
I smiled. ‘’Me? I prefer staying a horse, thanks. Becoming a 'unicorn' would take what pride i have left with my eyes between her teeth. And, i don’t need a… Horn, to use inner light and energy.’’
The purple one’s eyes narrowed to slits. ‘’It's scientifically impossible. Prove it.’’


My eyes widened. Not in shock, but in pleasure. The wind rose around us, and the moonlight shone brighter.
Until the invisible wings in my back became visible. The light spectrum opened itself, and in a flash of gold, there they were. 
Her mouth fell almost as fast as her eyes widened. Not in pleasure, but in shock.
I chuckled. ‘’I do have that effect on ladies. Now, what is it you needed help with?’’
As i said those words, i unsheated my rifle-rapier, it’s fire catching up instantly and shielded us from the cold nice breeze.
‘’how… How can you DO this?’’


I showed her a toothy grin. ‘’Well, i told you already. I’m Noxiel, Angel of the Night. And i am here to serve you all, and save your world by destroying a corrupted, synthetic soul- for it is my former mistake and, in itself, is against god’s creation rule.’’
The purple horse tried to say something, but her mouth could only move without producing sounds.
The cream-coated, long pink-haired winged horse could only hide behind the one who reassembled the courage to speak up. ‘’God? Angels? MAGIC?’’
It was the alabaster one. Her purple curls excuses for hair bounced as her head moved dramatically. ‘Not another one of ‘em Dramaqueens!’. i thought, as i hoped they couldn't hear my own thinking (unless i mumbled it).
‘’It would be too long to explain. You said you needed some problem to be solved? Please, tell me, and i’ll get-‘’
I blacked out, feeling sharp pain on the back of my head, as the last thing i heard was a loud thud.
And the last thing i saw was the cyan one, floating over me with a metalic object in-between her forehooves.


I surprised myself, as i fell to the ground, with some weird last thoughts.
About pink, fluffy unicorns, dancing on rainbows. Eating skittles as their hooves skidded on the floating dancefloor.

> Awake... Or not?
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Noxiel’s Utopia
Chapter two : Awake… Or not?


I awoke in my bed, back in my dark room. 

I gazed at my alarm clock. 3  Pm. Why was it so… Dark? 
I got up on my feet, my knees cracking with a content sound. I smiled, then cracked my fingers, elbows, shoulders, back, and then my toes. As i walked to the bathroom, i cracked my wrists.


I made a beeline for the mirror, and looked at my eyes. The dark pupil, surrounded by that familiar shade of dark-blue hue… But one thing was missing.


The yellow runic circle. My mana meter. 	


Panicked, i tried to conjure something. Anything. Nothing happened. Even my third vision was gone! 
‘’No, no, no... Think, Noxie, Think!’’
Then,i remembered where my body should be. In Equus. 
This should be a dream. This MUST be a dream. I couldn’t have became a regular human! 


What happeneed back there? I tried to remember. The colorfull (and slightly annoying) ponies, my narcissism. The metalic pound on my head.


They couldn’t have killed me, no?


They can’t. I wasn’t going to be as weak as to get killed by a mere blow to the head. Or had i? The only other option would be… The council. They must’ve found my behavior not fitting for an angel. 


‘’Nox Animae!’’


The night didn’t show herself. I should’ve known that.


‘’Damnit! Why is it always me? Why not Lelahel for a change!’’
Shitty god, was i so stupid. Lelahel! He must know something! 


I took my cellphone out of my pocket. Have i slept with my clothes on? I took one of my guns, resting on my hips, while passing my call. I tried to shoot at the wall, but nothing came off from the barrel. Not even smoke.



Finally, he picked the line. 

‘’Master! Why am i… Like this! I don’t have my wings anymore!’’


He cleared his throat. ‘’Good afternoon, Thomas. What the heck are you talking about? Wings?’’


My mind went blank. All that we shared. He was the one to get me out of drugs when i was young. The one that always supported me. I even created a tulpae, separated myself from her, only to give her to him, for they were in love. All of the pain i went through, all of the things i gave him. Money, love, attention, psychoanalyis, everything. He was my best friend. The equal of my father. He was the one i looked up to. The strong man in my life. All of it… Wasted. Gone.


The spell that made me human again, if it was a spell, also cleared his mind. It was the worst nightmare. It was hell.


‘’Thomas? Hello?’’


I gasped, taking back a breath i wasn’t taking. I almost suffocated in shock there. ‘’Mast- Lelah- Dave? How are ya, buddy? Wanna hang out?’’


I heard him sigh. ‘’Thomas. Have you taken drugs again? You know how hard it was to get you out of ‘em. I’m in the middle of something right now, but i’ll give it up. You seem to be… Sick, i dunno. Are you alright?’’


‘’Me? Oh yeah, i’m fine. Listen, stay where you are, don’t worry about me, i’m all good. I think i just got a way-to-realistic dream, that’s all.’’


He chuckled softly. ‘’You and your dreams. They always have the best of your mind. I’ll call you back this evening. Wanna go to our regular pub?’’


I smiled. At least, we’ll have some mead tonight. I’ll have the opportunity to understand what was going on then. ‘’Yeah. Let’s meet up at the bedondaine et bedon ronds at ten tonight. I’ll try to see if the sorcer- Kloé is available today, we need to chat a bit. See ya, friend.’’


‘’Yeah, see ya later. Don’t you take drugs again, asshole.’’ He laughed before hanging up.


I walked in my basement, unsure what to do. Everything was so dark. All of the windows were  opened, the curtains too. Was it 3 AM or 3 PM? I went upstairs, and looked through the front door.


The sight was horrible. All of  my neighbor’s houses were destroyed. Everything was in ruins. Only my house subsisted, as far as i could see. I walked silently outside, and took out my sword.


‘’Michael, bring me your flame.’’, i whispered. The sword remained in cold steel, the flame ignoring my call. I knew it wouldn’t work, but trying never killed anyone? Or it did. I don’t know.


Dark clouds hunged in the air, like pure sadness flowing from the heavens. St-Peter’s gate must be in havoc, too, it shouldn’t be so dark. As the wind blew, the moon revealed herself.


Pure dark. It was as if it took the light around it, to make herself visible. I swallowed a ball of sadness. The night was in a rampage. I never had her as an ally in this world-dimension-dream thingy. I coudn’t feel any energies around. 


My shaking hands took out a cigarette, and the runny fingers reached to take out my zippo. All of my stones didn’t vibe, nothing happened as i tried to ignite the smoke. I took a regular lighter out and consumed the edge of the rolled tabacco, and inhaled.


The worst taste ever entered my mouth. Pure bliss came out as my dirty lungs exhaled themselves in a symphony.


‘’Thomas!’’



That voice. It was the night. 



I shaked around, before stumbling on my knees. I felt as if poison just entered my body, and was destroying me.



‘’Thomas! Wake up!’’


Her delicious red hair flew in front of my face. I tried to feel them, but i couldn’t reach them, just like the images in a 3d movie. I saw her quivering lips approaching mine, and closed my eyes.


Death had the best of tastes. Especially when….


I woke up.


*


Everything was so blurry. The lights in my eyes didn’t vanish after blinking a few times.
I shutted them hard, only to focus on my third vision. I felt it coming back.
I let out a content sigh as i opened my eyes again. The familiar currents and flows of the Arcana, ever present, were a beautifull sight.


‘’A dream. Thank god, it was only a dream.’’


My cellphone rang loudly, forcing me to look around. It was resting on top of my clothes, minus my underwear and pants, though everything that were in the pockets were on top of the pile. That included my cellphone.


The soothing cello music that was my ringer oblidged my arm to take the damn loudy machine and pick the line up. I could only make a few noises, though a voice rose from their echo.


‘’thomas? Where are you? It’s been three days since we said we’d hang around at the pub! Fuck you man, you always choke on me when we’re supposed to meet up! At least Jay came around, or i would’ve looked like a complete retard! Now tell me, Where in the Fucking Fuck have you been?’’


I smiled. ‘’Good to hear you again, Former Master. I’ve been sent to another realm, to fix the synthetic souls mistake. Should not take long before i’m back.’’


The noises became dull, as the line broke. ‘’What… About? So-… Drugs?’’


Then, the cellphone died out. I knew i should’ve charged it before leaving Earth.
Though, something didn’t felt quite like Dave. He seemed… Odd. Maybe i was still dreaming.
Only one way to find out. I rose up to my feet, and noticed the glasses sitting on my nose. I kept them as i was sleeping? How unnatural. 


I fell on my back. Damn Tail. 
Wait, Tail?


I took a better look at myself. I was still so sleepy, i hadn’t noticed the hooves instead of my hands. And i’ve used my phone with theses? Weird. This is a dream, there’s no other options.


As soon as i spun towards my clothes to get dressed, a pale, dead-looking, tall pony hovered in front of me. It’s heavy, low voice seemed like an infinite echo reverbating in my head.


‘’Finally, you came back. I’m sorry for the pony’s behavior, hitting you like that.’’


I tried to smiled at hi-her? It. Let’s say it. My smile must’ve been the most horrible, creepy toothy grin, for it looked a bit disgusted. I shrugged. ‘’Yeah. Your realm could’ve been more… Welcoming, to the members of the council. I’m here to take care of a small, quick job, then i’m out. Might i please ask why i’m still in a dream? I would’ve liked to talk to you in person.’’


It backed a bit, somehow looking full of confidence and scared at the same time. More like suprised, i’d say. Hard to tell when the hood covers it’s whole head. ‘’Why, you’re a clever outsider. You were waiting for me to appear, though you rushed right in before i could get to you. Though, i would’ve been surprised to see you waiting : Old, forgotten spirits such as i aren’t usually expected.’’


‘’Aren’t you the representative, coming to brief me on the situation here?’’


It smiled. I could feel it’s horrible grin forming on it’s lips. ‘’No. I’m The Pale Pony. You must’ve heard of me in folklore myths and legends, no?’’


I shrugged again. ‘’No. Are you the equal of Death or something? You sure don’t look as Scary as Grim. He sure gives me the shivers. You, on the other han-Hoof, look like you could use a hug and a mug of coffee. And a better place to sleep.’’


It laughed. It wasn’t like anything i’ve ever heard. Try to picture a hyena with lung/throat cancer. Must be sounding like this. ‘’I am but the one that will wait for your countdown to end, young Noxiel. In the meantime, try to enjoy yourself, make some friends, but whatever you do : Don’t expect to go back. The bridge as fallen long ago, and the clockwork tower has crushed on the Moonlit river.’’


It backed away, making a long reverance, just like those bad magicians after a show back home.


‘’I’ll be waiting for your company when you pass through my evergreen fields. Until then, farewell.’’


I fell unconscious, my body went numb, and i felt like sleeping for a few decades might be a good idea again.


> Forte Crescendo
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Noxiel’s Utopia
Chapter 3 : Forte Crescendo



I came to my senses again, surrounded by the same greyish-green walls of a sick hospital.
That’s it. They found me rambling around in the streets again, and they’ll intern me for sure this time. No more ‘’i work for the church’’ joker cards available. They had the queen and king in hand, as i had only a foolish ace. What was that cards reference just now? Another point on their side. Fuck.


‘’Hon, you awake yet?’’


That familiar southern accent. Those brilliant red hairs already came to my mind, their sweet cider aroma flying to my nose. Those vibrant green eyes already over-taking my mind. 


‘’Hon? Girls, i think it’s time for us to strike him again. It might fix him.’’


‘’Make way for the lead pipe!’’


My eyes shot open, even wider. ‘’No! I’m all right! See, i speak! I must be fine! Please, no more azylum, no more psychoward! I’m all right! Just another human living peacefully! A therapy will be enou-‘’


I was cutted down in my speech by a purple hoof. ‘’Girls, calm down. And you too, young colt. You seem like you’ve been through one heck of a nightmare.’’


I smiled up as she removed the hoof from my wide mouth. Too wide. Please god, have i showed that toothy grin again? Judging by their faces, yes. They must be afraid. 


‘’Hum… Yeah. Nightmare. That’s the case. I’ve been through a nightmare. Sorry. Hum… I don’t think we’ve been properly introduced.’’ I presented her my hoof. ‘’Noxiel, Angel of the night, bearer of Michael’s flame.’’


She looked at me with such puzzled eyes, even i couldn’t put the peices in her eyes together. 
She coughed a bit.


‘’I’m huh… Twilight Sparkle, Town librarian, and student of Princess Celestia.’’


A pink one jumped between us. With such tight space, she must’ve shoved her friend aside. ‘’Hi! I’m Pinkie Pie! I love parties and making ponies laugh!’’ At that, a jet of streamers and confetti just bursted from her hair. ‘’Let’s be friends!’’ 


I chuckled. She sure was a laughstop, though a respectable one. ‘’Yeah.’’ I craned my neck a bit to see the others. Four other colorfull ponies. I was sick already.


‘’Pleased to meet you all. You can come closer, i don’t bite. At least, not since i changed my fighting stance.’’ They sure were far across the room, seeing such a random, yet magically powerfull from their standards, with ethereal, light-made wings. 


The first one to gather enough courage to approach was the art project, with her rainbow-themed hair and light cyan coat. 
‘’You Spy! What were you doing out there? And even i, a pegasus, know that earth ponies the likes of you, wings or not, ain’t able to perform such magic! Show your true self, Asshole!’’


I laughed. ‘’If you think that I am a Spy, then you never seen one from where i'm from. Else, i’d be pretty much an Archdemon playing with your lives, a jar of milk, and fire. No, little horse, i am from the other side : and technically, since i am here, and that you haven’t killed me yet, it must mean that i shall protect and serve you during my stay in your realm.’’


The purple one tried to mouth something, with a lot of surprise on her face. The only metaphor I could give would be, ‘there was that jar of suprise jam and she dropped the contents on her whole face, then cried for it was pretty sticky.’, and that would be innacurate. Anyways, another one beated her at ‘’the first one to say something game’. 


‘’Well, they ain’t nothin’ like that here, sugarcube. I’m Applejack, By the way. Worker and owner at Sweet Apple Acres.’’


It was the southern-looking one. Her green eyes were the exact same color of Alex’s. And her hair at the same shine, too. But her rodeo/cowgirl attitude killed it all off.


‘’Enchanted. May i say, Applejack, you remember me someone i held dear, but never really had the chance to express my feelings to her. I’m not saying this with any back thoughts or anything, though, but if i call you Alexanne sometimes, don’t be surprised. Just make me snap out of my daydream if it happens.’’


She blushed a bit. What, was i remembering her someone too? The ivory coated, curly purple haired one approached a bit. She was blushing a bit too, though more at her Friend’s expense than by romance-influenced thoughts. I could feel it it her aura; it was as clear and pristine as her coat. 


‘’Well well, Applejack, it seems you’ve got yourself another admirer!’’ She turned to me. ‘’Take a number and make the line, Noxiel, just like everyone else. Though, you’re the first one that’s obvious enough for her to understand it. It might give you a few extra points on her side, being honest like that.’’ She made a few steps towards me. ‘’You may call me Lady Rarity Thibetha Belle, fashionista extraordinaire! Mon cher, i must say, your ensemble sure isn’t lacking in style.’’


I presented her my hoof. ‘’Enchantée, mademoiselle Rarity. And yes, though theses mere combat garments are stylish, they’re nothing like my undercover suit. That is what i call haute couture back in my realm. I must show you someday, i’m sure you’ll get inspired by the cut of the coat; it was pretty avant-gardiste, as well as keeping enough classic in it to fit everywhere, giving enough presence, as well as fiting with the high-society without turning to many heads or taking someone else’s place. My only creation, though stitched by the expert hands of Dubuc, renowned coat tailor.’’



She looked at me with a weird look. Almost desiring, though… Anyways. It was positivve, so i didn’t complain. Seeing a wide, though reserved smile was her only answer as she shook my hoof, i turned towards the last one horse. A butter-yellow one with long, pink hair that flowed like a cascade, hiding half of her face. I swear i used to have a cut looking like that, though straighter, when i was undergoing my ‘dark phase in life’, back a few years ago. Though, she had this haircut with less shame than i used to have. 


‘’And you, little one? Don’t be shy.’’ I took a low barritone voice, slightly enhancing it with a soothing light. ‘’You don’t need to fear me. You’re not the one i’m looking to confront here; with that cute face of yours, i just want to give you a hug, and- it sounded wrong, right? Sorry. I still am lacking manners, sometimes. Come closer, so i can see you clearly- no, that was wrong again. Shoot!’’ I exclaimed, throwing my hooves over me. 


The only thing i saw was that kind, honest, generous smile emaning from under the hair curtain. It melted my icy heart a bit, and made me wish i wasn’t such a killing machine, just so that i could mouth a silent ‘’D’aww…’’ Shit. I think i really did say it. And judging by her ears perking up, she  sure heard it.


‘’Thank you, Noxiel.’’


It was so quiet, i had luck hearing it. But it sure did warm my heart a bit. 


Art poject flew over me. ‘’Hey you, don’t you get silly ideas about Fluttershy! If you ever do anything that upsets her, I’ll present you the lead pipe again.’’


I showed her a cocky grin. ‘’Don’t you worry, love isn’t for us, celestial creatures of the night. Our only interest is to bring joy and protect the higher races. We are nothing but tools here.’’


She smiled a bit, but refrained herself from showing it too much. Pride. ‘’Yeah, well, don’t you think you’ll ever be better than me, modest as you are. I’m sure i could beat you to anything with both my eyes closed.’’


Damn, had i much pride too. I couldn’t help but reply, ‘’Well, we shall see about that later, Art Project. If you beat me, i’ll grant you a miracle.’’


Her hears perked up a bit. ‘’Art Project? My Name is Rainbow Dash, greatest flyer in all of Equestria! We’ll race first thing in the morning, or are you still too sore from my awesome, fiercefull blow to the head?’’


I showed her the spot on my head where she hit me. ‘’Well, see for yourself. I was already fully healed before waking up earlier. You shouldn’t underestimate the first race, created to protect yours. I’d be surprised to see if you could keep up with my speed- though it isn’t my forte. Aim, Accuracy and agility are my kind of thing.’’


Twilight finally had the space to come up, almost screaming, ‘’What do you mean, ‘Other Realm’? What are you talking about? How can you use such advanced magic without breaking a sweat? And, more especially, get all of us warmed up to you when, two hours ago, we were so afraid? How is all of that even POSSIBLE?’’


I craned my neck again, raising myself a bit (taking a more seated-like position), and locked our eyes together as i said, ‘’As i just said to Art Project, don’t underestimate us. Though i am here alone with the night, we still are powerfull beings sent to get rid of the synthetic soul that might easilly change your home into a dead realm in a matter of years, if not months.’’ I added under my breath, slightly breaking eye contact, ‘’In other words, killing what i used to be. My own kin.’’


I shifted a bit, and descended from the bed from the opposite side of where Twilight was standing. ‘’Anyways. Must you want to follow me, i won’t complain, but i have an investigation to do.’’ I turned to see Twilight’s face, a sad expression of semi-anger. 


I swallowed. Was i really going to leave them at that? I did promise a few things to two of them. I couldn’t simply go away, do my stuff and leave without racing Art Project, showing our fashion to Rarity, and explaining our magic to Twilight. I sighed. ‘’You know what? You seemed rushed to do something earlier, almost trampling me when i wanted to present myself. Maybe i should help you with that, fullfill my wanna-be promises and stick around a bit before doing my job and leaving?’’


The ivory white one took a step towards me, and turned herself to face me and her friends at the same time. ‘’Well, it would be nice to have a strong, handsome stallion with us as we venture into the everfree. I think i speak for all of us when i say that your company would be appreciated, for the least.’’


I hung my head a bit low at that statement. ‘’Gee, Strong and handsome? Others think my ways to fight are of a coward. First, being a ranged war-singer isn’t seen usually with the same class and pride as a melee one, but i am one that acts in subtelty, pulling the strings in the shadows. Litterally. I might be strong and handsome for a horse, but i was pretty slim and of a weak composure as a human. Anyways, you’ll get to see it yourselves if it really comes to that.’’


Twilight smiled. ‘’And, i- i mean we will have the chance to witness some foreign magic! Tell me, how does it work? Do you conjure it the same way we do with our horns? Are your spells made on a Jayna frame, or do you simply cast them as you’d throw a burst of magic, with directions? What abou-‘’ I cutted her off, quickly dashing to her using my wings. To their eye, i must’ve teleported or something, for they all looked at me almost in awe. I sighed.


‘’Listen, we’ll get to it later. If i have to, i’ll neglect my job tonight, and we could spend it together, talking about our different forms of magic. I have to confess, i’m a bit curious about your magic too. It might even help me to know how the telluric lines are coded here.’’


She looked at me, questions popping in her mind. I could tell by her widening eyes. She refrained herself from asking them promptly, and nodded. I then retired my hoof from her mouth. A shade of a smile made it’s way to her lips, and she added, ‘’I look forward to it.’’


‘’Alright then, it’s settled. We go do whatever you need to do in the everfree, then i go to fluttershy’s for a bit before meeting you back at that huge tree-house. Seems like a plan?’’


Both concerned ponies ascquiesced. Twilight then took the natural lead of the group with a cheerfull ‘’Let’s go!’’, and we followed suit. 


*


We arrived in front of the only path leading into the forest. The same one i walked to get to this village. The dark, dead-looking trees made a natural arch over our heads as we went inside, Me and twilight leading the others. 


‘’So, girls, is it your first time going in this forest? Or, should i say, first time having to fight for your lives?’’, i asked, looking behind to get their attention.


A crowded expression of simultaneous ‘no’s was my answer. ‘’Okay. Do you know how to defend yourselves?’’


Applejack nodded. ‘’With all my applebuckin’, i reckon my hind legs have more power than a bull’s headbutt.’’


Rainbow Dash leaped into the air, somehow doing a backflip. ‘’And i’m pretty fast, so my blows are hard enough to get through anything!’’


Twilight nodded. ‘’I know a few offensive spells, though i can’t cast them very swiftly.’’


Rarity surprised me by adding, ‘’I know a few moves of Karate that might get usefull, if confronted without the option to flee.’’


Pinkie bounced around and giggled. ‘’And I never leave home without my Party Cannon!’’


Fluttershy remained silent. Taking in the new info, i tried to come up with a new, more effective formation, as well as some kind of strategy when the ground shook a little. How Odd, it now held a familiar energy…


‘’What’s wrong, ‘Shy? Afraid of the Everfree? Wasn’t that like ya backyard or somethin’?’’, Applejack said, moving closer to her butter-yellow friend.


‘’I don’t know, i just feel… Unneasy. And yes, Afraid!’’, she exclaimed, hiding her face with her hooves. We all stopped and turned towards her, trying to calm her a bit.


Though, Rainbow Dash didn’t understand the ‘calm her a bit’ part of the impromptu, universally understood, never mentionned plan. ‘’Well, i understand, Flutters. You know, everypony who entered the Everfree…’’, she started, leaning forward while walking towards her friend, ‘’Has never… Came… OUT!’’, she almost yelled the last part of her sentence.


At the same time, the grass and rocky floor gave up under all of us.
I fell. Again. I looked around me, at the frightened faces of four  ponies. Rainbow and fluttershy were still in the air, hovoering. I whistled to get their attention, still calm as the wind before a sudden tornado. 


‘’Rainbow! Get Pinkie! Fluttershy, go to Rarity! I’ll take care of the othe-e-e-ers!’’

I slipped past Applejack and twilight, and felt the empty air giving up under me. Then, purple hindlegs stopping their course, instead of falling like me. Applejack must’ve catched her.


As for me, well, i was still falling. And no one came to help me.


Oh, for your information, wings made of Light weren’t really usefull when it came to flying. Without the appropriate preparation (wich took an hour at least), they were only there to keep the excess of energy flowing out of my body, while using it to feed my armor with new energy constantly. Bright, huh?


What was i doing again, before spacing out? Ah. I remember now. I was yelling.

> Primo Nocte - ''Flabergasted''
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.

> Aquae Quae Sub Ponte
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Noxiel’s Utopia
Chapter 5 : Aquaw Quae Sub Ponte


My thoughts drifted back to my former life. Not my life in the Purgatory, known as Earth; well, yes, but not quite. I meant my life as Tyarel. I had little to no memory of that time- all of them were about my job and the experience i got as a demon hunter, and later as a War-Singer. 


You see, i used to be a Synthetic soul. One that shouldn’t have existed. Let me explain all of it for you : Back in 1655 (or 1656, i can’t really remember), i used to be a normal, plain looking human. Wich found out how to use Magic, laterly known as Psycho-cerebral waves, and turn it into a lethal, traceless weapon. It was then that i forged the RifleBlade, wich’s ammo is the Psycho-cerebral waves solidified into bullets by the sheer willpower of the user. A fatal doomsday device that would later be offered to me as a promotion gift, once i’ll join the ranks of the War-Singers. Anyways, back on topic. Along with the knowledge of Psycho-cerebral waves came my own field of study : to turn somebody immortal through memory-keeping resurection. The concept was simple, though hard to make : You needed to make yourself a Tulpae (as i came to name them), by forcing your thoughts into something living in your own psyche. 


For those who don’t know about their existence, you can consider them as schizophrenias, controled schyzophrenias, wich will have a physical respresentation in your mind. They affected all of your senses; even the touch, so you could do whatever you wanted with them. When the information on how to make them was leaked with my first death, some used them as sexual slaves, and others as excuses for friends (for the lonely ones). The point is, when you create one, you can’t get rid of it. It’ll follow you for the rest of your life.


So, you’d better make one when you were young. Why, you ask? For it was a ‘’save’’ button of your being. Directly plugged in your subconscious. They were beings that collected all the data about you : the deepest corners of your Psyche, your personatlity, your emotions, who you are inside and outside, but most of all : it also remembered all of your memories. 


Along with a tulpae comes a wonderland. A place in your mind for your soul to retire. Eventually, a Tulpae learns how to take control of your body when you do so : the perfect place to make your studies, while you still gathered knowledge of your world, and all of the energy reading one needs to slightly understand and comprehend the world in wich they lived, through the eyes of spiritual (or Ethereal) beings. I was the first of them, and discovered all of it.


Then, when i died, i asked my tulpae to take control of another body and continue my researches, and have an even greater goal : to know everything, from the roots to the advanced theories about Psycho-cerebral weaving. With that knowledge, ever extending, and ever understanding, a part of me will become god.


Yes. It almost did. And the first motivation, of all, wasn’t seeking knowledge. It used to be finding my soulmate, wich i’ve never found in my first life. I asked my first tulpae to accomplish this as a last will, and my work as, well, work. I never intended (well, i did hope) that the tulpae might repeat the process. The only flaw in all of this was, the Tulpae, as a former (synthetic) human must have some kind of contact about Psycho-Cerebral studies to get his former life’s memories back. 


Against all odds, they succeeded. I was the sixth. The fourth had been Albert Einstein, the fifth a brilliant Nazi War strategist.


As of me, well, i was born with a gift : the third eye. Humans might come to life with certain spiritual sensibility, usually a human on a few thousands, as a ratio.


I was one of them.


And a quite powerfull one at that; i was the strongest Black mage to have ever lived in my Era. You might consider me as the Lich King, if you know about World of Warcraft. You might associate all of the feats of magic performed by Vlad Dracula as mine; i succeeded in spellcasting on his level when i was 12 years old.


Then, one day, i met a guy that would change my world forever. His name was David. He was an Angel, more specifically a Seraphin. He teached me everything i know today (well, i did learnt things he didn’t, and our fields of research and the like were pretty opposed in the end).


I don’t remember much about all of the things we did. Though i remember, when i made my collaboration to the chain (by creating a Tulpae, named Sophiana Silence White), that i went against the first rule of God’s commands to the Humans :


‘’Any human, might he be as powerfull as me, or stronger, remains one of my creations. And creations can’t create. This is the first commandement : no one should create life in my place, neither seek it’s destruction. Such abomination will be considered cruelty against mankind, and punished in the rule broker’s blood.’’

You see, i was safe from that rule. I didn’t create anything. I wasn’t human. And the ‘rule broker’ wasn’t alive anymore (in flesh, at the very least).


Since my first life, i wrote a book. An Ethereal one that any practioner of the Arcanes (A certain type of Psycho-cerebral waves) might do with little to no understanding of conjuration.


I was one of the most brilliant minds around. Migth i remember you that i formerly was Albert Einstein? Though, my motivation were always dark. They always had to do something with war, destruction, and death. That’s why i wasn’t a hundred percent immune from the first command : i seeked destruction. The main reason why, is that i never found my soulmate. For one particular reason : when one soul was synthetic, it wouldn’t be  paired with another soul, the concept of Soulmates. 


I lost my chance at Love. They were no others. Solitude and psychological problems made me the world’s most brilliant psychopath, always working in the shadows. A grand manipulator, and a fine engineer. I could create things that were beyond reason, conceive the most impossible plans and always got away with it.


Until then. I had been spotted; trapped, even. 


So, i willingly broke the chain, and separated myself from Sophiana. She was in deep love with David afterwards : he did cut the link between us with his Atame, a weapon containing a fragment of his soul. Such as me presently, with the RifleBlade, my first-life creation, created with the noble goal of finding true love and protect it. As a consolation for breaking the Chain, and as a mean to get strong enough to stand a chance against any demon, Michael himself gave me his Flame to bear, and to bring justice where i went. What a good gift for a guy that just got his mind broken.


Anyways. Shortly before, to thank me for my loyalty and the studies i did side-by-side with him, he had named me Tyarel, Angel of Knowledge. 


It was another dark phase in my life, then. My shattered mind kept beign sane, only because of the Frenzy. That’s when they gave me a title of War-Singer, even if it didn’t work very well with my main domain of expertise and Title. I remember almost nothing of that time, if not going crazy once in a while and turning psycho. I was dangerous. The only thing that could soothe me was her.


Beautifull red hair, ever shining in my darkness. Her smooth skin was my abode; her Green eyes, windows to the most beautifull of panoramas. An eternal Sunset that would appease me when i became violent. Discret curves that would make my dreams surreal. And, most of all, that charming, contagious smile. She was the most gorgeous of womens to me, and she only thought of me as a Friend. She was the only thing on my mind, when i wasn’t in frenzy. She was my only remedy to my madness, as well as the one who would torment me when i was alone.


Anyways. I won’t talk too much about her. It’s all in the past now, and i’ll never see her again. Our paths will never cross in the future. All i could do, as a sign of respect, was to remember her. And how much my heart fluttered when she was around. 


There was nothing good after that. But nothing bad either; i kept living, and i had a motivation to keep going. After a while, i stabilized myself and my shattered my found a way to glue itself together, kind of. At least, i was somehow sane again, as long as i stayed far from Corruption.


Until the heavens decided to give me a poisonnus gift : The night.


They were a few rules for the adepts of the night, as i was back then. Stay Humble, don’t try to take advantage from the Night, and always be loyal to her. I had broken one of them once; when i had to fight Zoriel, Angel of Death. I took advantage of her, and without her permission, summoned my first Gun : Nox. That’s why my name is Noxiel now : the  gun is a part of me now. Along with the RifleBlade and Diem, my other pistol. Anyways, back on topic. 


I took advantage of her, and her corruption took hold of me. It couldn’t be healed by anyway whatsoever. I was trapped with my left arm and left eye no longuer under my control. 


I’ll spare you the details of this story- I might one day tell you everything about it. But for now, let’s focus on my vows. You see, an Angel isn’t officialy one until he makes his vows. I have had a few contacts with the council already, at that time of my life, so they encouraged me to make my vows. 


Along with them, my request : The destruction of my synthetic soul, and coming back to end my job as an Angel on earth with a new, officially true one. My request was answered positively.


For, you see, when i discovered that book we (as former lives) wrote, we had discovered how to take advantage in all of God’s commands, and how to become god. Yes, you heard me, how to be God. 


God is only a concept; that is why he is omnipresent and omnipotent. If you were to become something like him, you’d be flagged as god. And with people worshipping you, your power would increase. A lot. Letting you enough power to create life, without being judged or stopped in your tracks by anything. Nothing would be in your way. 


A beautifull Utopia, made possible by that book.


I had such a thing within me, as a Synthetic soul. Luckily, it was destroyed along with my soul. At least, that’s what i thought :  others had understood and followed the guide to ‘immortality’ i’ve created.


So, it was up to me to fix my mistakes. That i did, wich made me come to Equestria.


If such a thing could exist, anywhere else, then it needed to be destroyed completely. As an Angel, and as the one responsible, i couldn’t take the chance to let something like this exist in any way, ever again.

And then, i’ve been told there was one of them here. One that could be more dangerous then i used to be. More Brilliant, more Psycho. And, most of everything, it was one directly created by me : it was the second tulpae of my second life, in wich i was an unknown artist, but managed to make a lot of money, for the art ‘spoke a lot, was filled with hatred and vengeance, and was like a cry by the soul itself, painted up or sculpted in the common argile, or on the worst of canvas’. 


The worst in all of that, was that this target might very well be one of the last of my old kin. And Familly, nonetheless. I’ve killed a lot of demons, spirits and the like; but never had i killed something… Living. With a real body. And a part of me, the human one, restlessly screamed at such a crime against god. But it was a direct order. And the council choose me, for i wanted this assignement.


The only good point in that, was that i finally had to leave the dark, ever grey and gloomy world i used to call home. That spock of sadness in the multiverse. Though, i just realised, i was breaking another of God’s command right now. One that wouldn’t save me if i died here.


‘’One shouldn’t have knowledge of the Multiverse. If it does, it is under the Council of Archangels and Hopebringers (CAH) that no one travels between plans or realms, so the balance of life won’t be affected, as well as the numerous Prophecies and every beign’s own destiny.’’


I broke the rule. Twice. I had to make up for my mistakes. I had to act as an Angel, and no more as an egocentric, evil mind. This was my last chance, in my last life. No more Save button. If i died, chances were that i’d return to the Heavens. Chances. Slight. Though, a negativist side of my mind keeps telling me that i’ll just vanish in thin air, and disappear forever. I was a real soul, but a temporary one. My title will go to someone else, and i’ll disapear from everyone’s memory. No one will sing in praise at my actions that will save life, and the heavens themselves. A newborn, with the very existance’s weight on his back. 


Mother, i hope you’re proud, even if you hated me. I’ve never said goodbye; but i hope you’ll stay healthy and die without pain. Non Nobis Domine, Sed Nomine, tuo da Gloriam.


Ω


Shortly after the Manticore encounter, we arrived at the River. The water was so chaotic, nothing in the world could hope to swim through. 


I sighed. ‘’This is it, girls. Unless we find some kind of bridge, we’ll never be able to cross that river. Maybe the strong one, Applejack and Rainbow, could help me break down trees to make a makeshift bridge solid enough for us to pass one by one?’’


No one answered me. I turned to them, only to see all of their ears perked up, and looking confused. ‘’Hello? If you’ve got any better idea, now’s the time!’’


My own ear perked up too. I could ear some crying in the distance. 


After a few moments, Twilight asked the question that was on everybody’ mind. ‘’Where is that… Crying… Coming from?’’


Rarity walked through some bushed (somehow avoiding to get any leaves stuck on her coat), and we followed suit. In the distance, we could make out a huge Lagoon seas serpent crying like a little baby.


Twilight approached from the coast, and cleared her throat to get his attention. The dragon stopped crying for a few moments, his curiosity having the best of him. I ran to twilight, and unsheated my sword, just in case that dragon would’ve tried to lure us with his crying, then trying anything funny.

Before any of us could speak, he resumed to his crying, and bashed in the water with his weird-looking arms. ‘’What a world! What a world!’’


Twilight spoke up, visibly the less shaken of us all by a sentient creature crying his eyes out. 
‘’Excuse me, sir, why are you crying?’’


And for the Sea serpent to answer, ‘’Well, i don’t know. I was just sitting here, minding my own business, when this tacky little cloud of purple smoke just whizzed past me, cutting my delightfull moustache clean off!’’ His voice was of an annoying bad french actor, trying his best to hide his accent by putting a potato in his mouth. It was disgusting.


He continued his rant nonetheless, yelling ‘’And now, i look simply Horrid!’’, before jumpping back into the water, splashing us all in the process.


My face just then simply screamed ‘Are you Kidding me?’, as Twilight simply sighed. 


Rainbow exclaimed underr her breath, ‘’huh, Gimme a break!’’, and Applejack simply stated, ‘’That’s what all the fuss is about?’’


Rarity, shocked by the lack of ‘comprehension’ of her friends, dashed up between the two. 
‘’Why, of course it is!’’ She held her head high, her soaked mane falling straight under her throat. As much as it hurts to admit, it was kind of a nice sight. Though, don’t think i was having any funny ideas! It just suited her more than her curled up haircut.


Indifferent about my thoughts, she went on, ‘’How can you be so insensitive?’’


She approached the aquatic reptile, wich’s head rested on the shore in front of us. 


Rarity, still in her rant, turned herself from us. I think she was a bit mad at that point, her friends’s remarks must’ve have hurt her in a way or another.
‘’Poor thing! Just look at him. Such lovely, luminescent scales!’’


She had the tone of someone talking to a cute baby. You know, the high pitched, annoying cooing voice you take when complimenting your dog when he succeeds at doing something you just took a few hours to make him learn? Yeah. That. Horrible. Tone.


The Sea serpent, however, seemed to appreciate it. He sniffed, instantly soothed. ‘’I know’’, he simply stated quietly.


Rarity, seeing the nice result at her compliment, kept going. ‘’And your Expertly coiffed Mane!’’


The sea serpent rose up, holding himself on the shore with his elbows, while passing a hand in his hair. ‘’Oh, I know, I know!’’


Rarity then insulted him (without her knowing) by stating ‘’And your magnificient Manucure!’’


I was about to tell her that she slipped up, when the Dragon happilly put an hand to his chin, the other in front of his face in a girly way, cooing ‘’I Know! It’s so True!’’


And Rarity tried to look apologizing when she remarked, ‘’All of it Ruined without your beautifull mustache!’’


The Serpent hid his face under his arms, ‘’It’s True! I look Hidious!’’, and almost resumed his awfull crying, if not for Rarity next actions.


First, let me state that anybody with a clear mind wouldn’t tear a scale of from a sea serpent. Nobody can blame this on the behalf of a fashion monstrosity  or something. And finally, infliging auto-mutilation in any sort isn’t for sensible eyes. The Serpent almost fell in the apples when she cut her tail off. 


Though, she surprised me when she twirled the cutted tail in her magic, and attached it to the Serpen’t face to replace his mustache. And, oddly, her tail was already dry and curled up. How was that possible?


Anyways. The serpent looked quite content. He happily chuckled before exclaiming, ‘’My mustache! How Wonderfull!’’


Rarity didn’t look hurt or anything. I thought the tail was a sensible part of a horse’s body. Well, i can’t always be right. ‘’You Look Smashing!’’ 


I added under my breath, ‘’more like ready to smash us into pieces…’’


Everybody ignored my remark, and i think it was for the better.  Twilight was too busy approaching the ivory-coated mare, almost teary-eyed, ‘’Oh, Rarity! Your beautifull Tail!’’


She dismissed the remark with a smile, turning towards the rest of our group. ‘’It’s fine dear, Short tails are in this season! And, besides, it’ll grow back.’’, she added, with a sad look on her face. Rainbow leaned her head near Twilight’s ear, and annoyingly stated, ‘’So with the mustache!’’


I cutted their wonderfull get-together on the coast, going forward where the Sea Serpent had collapsed. ‘’Hey, look, we can Cross now! Let’s go!’’


The others mumbled a general ‘mhm-mhm’, as water gave way to a scaly tail under me, lifting my body over the water. It was the annoying Sea Serpent, Wich waved towards the other shore. ‘’Allow me.’’


We all crossed by hopping on his back, until we were on the other shore. We all said our good-byes to him, and continued on our path towards the Castle.


The path soon opened to give view to an amazing castle, in ruins here and there, though two main towers remained intact. The beautifull castle was wonderfully crafted, and it’s architecture was as nice as solid- it kinda was a thousand years old, wich was remarkable for such a huge construction.

> Tyar
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

I was taken out of the beautifull sightseeing by Twilight, wich clearly didn’t take time to look around before making a beeline for the castle.


‘’Woah!’’ She almost fell down a high distance from the ground. Everybody could’ve clearly noticed the two broken pikes that used to hold a wooden bridge. Thankfully, AppleJack dashed to Twilight and bit her tail before she could fall, pulling her back on the safe ground.


‘’What’s with you falling down cliffs today?’’, the southern horse asked with a tint of irony in her voice. Twilight gave her a sheepish smile in answer.


I looked down, trying to find some way to cross. Maye we could slide down and hitch-hike the other side? But we didn’t have any hitches.


Twilight voiced my concerns. Rainbow looked at her and shuffled her wings. ‘’I can fly, duh!’’


She went off without wasting any time, and we could see the fog closing her from view and earshot. Earshot? My mind raced. Please don’t let it be another demon…


I tried to throw a spell at the fog, and it blocked it somehow. The energy dissipated in a cascade of bluish light. The perfect lighting to express the look of pure terror on my face. 


You see, there were a few creatures that used fog to separate it’s enemies into smaller group, easing the job of killing them subtely. The fog they produced blocked light, sound, and was as thick as red bean soup. All of theses characteristics could be demonstrated by the fog in front of us. And, most of all, such demons couldn’t be fought alone; and only some powerfull third vision could break it’s wall of fog illusion. The only shot we had at this was to regroup ASAP.


And no one, except the scared-of-her-ass pegasus, could cross the bridge-lacking gap. Note that she wasn’t afraid, like be, by the demoniac fog. No, she was scared of the creepy silence around of us. No one dared to talk, as we looked at our surroundings.


It was way too silent. The eerie moonlight made it all worst. As i walked to place myself in the middle of the group, my hooves could be heard from miles away.


I tried to look down the path we came from, but nothing could be seen. The overgrowing uneasy feeling that took me then almost made me throw up.


Until, all of a sudden- ‘’Hey guys!’’


I jumped a mile in the air, almost having an heart attack, my blade shining as i leaped towards the source of the sound- and wished i haven’t done so. A familiar Cyan pegasus was there, flshing the rope holding a bridge. 


I swiftly spat my blade, and barrel-rolled to the left in my leap. Leading me to a long fall.



Yup. I dodged the bridge.


A whizzing sound approached. As the ground. Was it me, or it was growing pretty close?
And was it me, or the world seemed to have stopped right now? Adrenaline went away, and i felt a gentle pull on my tail. 


I craned my neck. Even though i almost killed her- thanks to my lightning fast reflexes, Rainbow Dash came to save me. Though, i must’ve been heavy, for her face wasn’t a pale shade of cyan, wich perfectly accentuated her magenta eyes, but beet red. 


‘’You can drop me, Rainbow. I’ll find a way to meet y’all up there by myself, don’t overwork yourself.’’ I said that not only for her, but also because she wasn’t doing a lot of progress. The ground was still inches from my face.



‘’No way, Featherweight! I’ll get you up there in a jiffy! I never leave my friends hanging! Just you see!’’


I shook my head, craning my head so our eyes could meet. ‘’Rainbow. Don’t strain yourself. I appreciate the gesture, but you’ll only hurt yourself. I’m pretty heavy with all of my weapons and armor. The weight of my mail shirt is almost yours, let alone my muscle mass. Trust me, i’ll meet you all in front of the castle in ten miinutes.’’


With a grunt, she let me fall on my back, the solid ground welcomed with a sigh. ‘’No. I’ll stick with you, thanks. We still haven’t raced, and I want you to fulfill your promise.’’


I sighed again. ‘’Alright. But you’ll drop the idea of the race if you try to keep up with me. See the angle of that hedge, here? I’ll bet you ten dollars i can run on the wall and hold onto it.’’


The hedge was in fact a small plateau, about an hundred meters above. She looked at it, and laughed. ‘’And i bet you Ten bits you’ll just hurt yourself and fall again. Alright, y’a got a deal.’’


I smirked. ‘’First to lend a hoof on the hedge wins. Three, two, one-‘’ I Dashed on the rocky wall, and shifted my intern gravity to hold on the wall without having to actually hold myself on it. The look on her face was priceless. She lifted herself off the ground as runes started to glow on my hooves. She was about to drop on the plateau as i seemed to appear from thin air on it. The speed spell i used could let me create tornadoes if i tried to run in circles, though it only permitted me to run forward. 


She looked at me with such eyes, i couldn’t keep a hold of myself anymore. I laughed my ass off. 


She sushed me with a shake of her tail. ‘’No biggie. I was going slowly to give you a chance, and i didn’t expect you to use your weird magic. You clearly cheated.’’


I calmed myself enough to answer, between breaths, ‘’Yeah, i cheated. I started a bit before you- so here’s your winning money, Art Project.’’ I threw her a ten dollars bill, wich she caught with her teeth, before spitting it in her hooves.


‘’What’s that? It ain’t even money. Where are my bits?’’


I threw her a puzzled look. ‘’Are you blind or what? It’s a canadian ten dollars bill. It equals something like 9’30$ american dollars, or a bit less. It’s in bills so it’s easier to carry around.’’


She forwned at it, and lifted her eyes, letting her magenta irises shine in the moonlight. ‘’It ain’t valuable here. Keep your money. We’ll do a rematch later, and we’ll bet REAL money then.’’


I chuckled. ‘’As you wish. I’ll be fair on the next race, then. And i’ll get you something nive for my loss today. Deal?’’


Her face eased into a little smirk. ‘’We’ll get smoothies later. Your treat. That is, if you can’t win the next race.’’ 


I shook my head. ‘’Nevertheless, can’t i treat i cute girl once in a while?’’


She blushed a bit, visibly silently agreeing. I didn’t leave her time to answer, as my dashing spell was ready again. I went to the rocky wall and went higher, reaching the others in a few moments.


They all appeared as happy as worried to see me. Twilight tackled me in an awkward hug, ‘’Why di dit took you so long? I thought you died out there!’’ She took a few steps backwards. ‘’Though, you clearly aren’t as kind as i thought. You almost killed Rainbow when she came back! What’s your problem!?’’


I lowered my head at her remark. My expression darkened. Of course i was dangerous to them! I couldn’t blend in with humans, how could i with a people as soft and peacefull as technicolor ponies? ‘’She surprised me a bit, that’s all. I’m afraid i’ve grew a bit softer since i arrived her. My mistake, sorry. ‘Won’t happen again, just don’t jumpscare me, and it’ll be fine.’’


Pinkie tackled me in a hug, ‘’You’re excused if you turn that frownie upside-downie! And happy to see you alive again!’’


I couldn’t help but smile. ‘’Thanks, Pinkie. I promise I’ll keep you all safe from now on. Don’t you get afraid of me anymore.’’


The group silently agreed to Pinkie’s statement, and they were all smiles again. Rainbow appeared behind me, hovering over the cliff.


‘’See girls? I never leave my friends hangin’.’’


We all nodded at that. And the others, seeing Rainbow unscathed, instantly heated up towards me. It’s as if they thought i’d have hurt her or something. At least, from now on, i seemed to have gained their confience. 


I perked my head up, smiling widely. ‘’Come one girls, don’t you have some artifacts to find? Let’s go already!’’


They all cheered, and we went running towards the castle.


*


The castle was kind of impressive once you looked at it this close. Really, it’s splendor must’ve been renowned, in it’s former glory. 


Though, now, it just looked like old, dusty, decrepit ruins. It’s unfamiliar magic seemed dark, though, so it had the merit of being slightly scary. Maybe was it Haunted? Yay, spirit hunt time!


Twilight and the others went in, and we were greeted with a huge pedestral holding five volley-ball sized stones with gem inscriptions on it. 


‘’The elements! We made it, Girls!’’ Twilight ran towards the stone-made altar.


I stopped her, shoving myself in front of her. ‘’Wait! This must be a trap! Never in history ha dit been so easy! Just think about it! Something as powerfull as this must be protected by some guarians, and at least deeper in the castle!’’


Pinkie bounced to the first stone sphere, oblivious to my warning. Twilight moved past me like nothing ever came out of my mouth, and instructed the others to take the other spheres down.


Rarity, not having been instructed to do anything, walked to me. ‘’Trust me, they ain’t going to listen to you. They’ve found their thing, and Twilight is as stubborn as a mule. And it seems safe, see?’’


Twilight counted them down. ‘’One, two, three, four, five… Where the sixth?’’


Fluttershy shrugged, ‘’I don’t know Twilight. But you did said earlier that the sixth was unknow, and only a spark would reveal it…’’


Twilight seemed to be filled with confidence, ‘’You’re right. I think i know just what to do, then. Stand back.’’


Applejack had a better idea coming. ‘’Come on y’all, let’s leave her alone. She needs to concentrate.’’


The others all went outside, but i stayed in. I looked at Twilight, having kneeled to the stones and focusing on a revealing spell on all of them. I could feel it in the energies she used. 



Our magic wasn’t that different, after all. Though, the ponies needed their horn as a catalyzor, while us Angels were ‘made’ in very Arcana. So, you could consider our whole bodies catalizors. 


A spark emanated from her horn, as some dark smoke appeared between them. She gasped, and i ran to her. ‘’Something the matter, Twili-‘’ I was stopped by an evil Laugh. A good one at that, might i add. 

The stones rose from the ground, and were thrown into a small portal. Twilight ran after the stones, while I focused my magic on the said portal. I could feel the presence of something on the other side, wich was way more powerfull as a mage, and as a night’s user, than me. Wich only meant one thing.


‘’Twilight, don’t you dare-‘’


It was too late, she was already on the other side. And the portal just vanished. Great.


I looked through a broken window, trying to see the other ponies. I couldn’t help but see the light coming from the east tower of the castle. I ran to the stairs, and threw a magic missile In the room. Hopefully, the others will be alarmed enough to  come in, and they’ll hopefully see the lights above. I simply didn’t have the time to tell them, explain everything and make a plan. It was time to fight.


*


I finally arrived at the top of the stairs, and I could hear a cacophony of hooves at the base of the staircase. Good. Taking a second to catch my breath, I kicked open the doors, and trampled inside. 


‘’Stop all of this, Night’s apprentice! As Angel of the Night, I commend you to release your hold on your power, and to stay humble towards our eternal master!’’


Twilight simply turned her head towards me, and half-smiled, half-frowned. Did she have the situation under control? Did I just messed up some kind of plan she had? Anyways. It was my job now. It just got personal. 


Then I saw her. A grand, slender, and ephereal pony. Her hair wasn’t anymore; passing through her silver regalia and helmet, it was made of the pure shadows of the night itself. And her coat, it could’ve been darkness itself for all I knew. 


The tall pony’s voice was as loud as thunder, heard from the clouds, and could shake mountains. Though, it was really definite, just like a precise footstep from a thief who tries to stay silent, while being somehow gracefull. If it wasn’t evil, I would’ve followed it’s commands merrily unil the end of times. ‘’You’re way too late, puny night servant. For I am the Night! And I command you to stay still while I butcher your little friend here!’’


I shook my head. ‘’No. You are but someone who dared to take it’s power without the Night’s consent. You are the evil, and I shall burn you for your crimes. Nocte, Necat!’’


The night appeared besides me, rising from the ground. She was clearly pissed- it could be felt through the entire castle, I’m sure. She rose a forehoof towards the dark pony, ‘’Kneel before me, Traitor. You do not deserve to taste the coldness of my shadows anymore; the moon wasn’t to be used for your pleasure. Repent, and I will spare you. Fight, and I’ll never forgive you for your crimes.’’


The girls arrived behind me. I could feel their presence at the edge of the staircase- we didn’t have any second to waste.


Twilight jumped in front of the night. ‘’No! We can still save her, no need to fight! Please!’’ She then turned to the dark pony. ‘’Nightmare Moon, please, reason yourself! You can’t just-‘’


Oh, she was called nightmare? Just like the mythical horse? Funny. I shoved Twilight aside gently. ‘’No need, Twilight. Find the elements. I’ll keep her busy.’’



The girls re-opened the doors behind me, All of them yelling Twilight’s name. And… mine?


Twilight stood up, and once again turned towards Nightmare. She looked pretyy confident- maybe she had some bluff prepared? ‘’No need, Noxiel, for I now found the elements. Nightmare Moon! You might have destroyed the stones representing the elements, though they’re still right here! I thought I was looking for some weapons. But I was missing them all along. Theses ponies are the elements of Harmony.’’


They all stood behind us, and Pinkie somehow shoved the night away, only to lean on my side while making a pose. I didn’t care. 


‘’Applejack, who reassured me when I was in doubt, represents the element of Honesty!’’


Wait, I could feel some magic around us. What the hell? I looked at Applejack with my cornered vision, to see her slightly floating with a golden necklace now at the base of her neck. I still couldn’t understand.


‘’Fluttershy, who tamed the Manticore with her compassion, represents the element of Kindness!’’


The same with Fluttershy. And I guess…


‘’Pinkie Pie, who banished fear by giggling in the face of danger, represents the element of Laughter!’’


I knew it. Pinkie floated from my side, her hooves millimeters from the ground. Will she name us all?


‘’Rarity, who calmed a sorrowfull serpent with a meaningfull gift represents the element of Generosity!’’


‘’Rainbow Dash, who couldn’t abandon her friends for her own heart’s desire represents the element of Loyalty!’’


‘’The spirits of these five ponies got us through every challenge you threw at us.’’ 


‘’You still don't have the sixth Element! The spark didn't work!’’, said a now pretty nervous Nightmare Moon Horsie.


She turned towards us. ‘’But it did! A different kind of spark. I felt it the very moment I realized how happy I was to hear you, to see you, how much I cared about you.’’ She locked eyes with me. ‘’And you, Noxiel. Nothing could’ve been possible without your help.’’ She turned towards Nightmare again. ‘’The spark ignited inside me when I realized that you all... are my friends! You see, Nightmare Moon, when those Elements are ignited by the... the spark, that resides in the heart of us all, it creates the sixth element: the element of... magic!’’


The ponies surrounding me all rose in the air, and glowed in an heartwarming light. My heart literally melted, and I softened a bit. Twilight, eyes now ablazed in a pure white light, slightly nodded her head, and a colorfull ray of light was launched at Nightmare moon. It was a fuckin’ rainbow. A Rainbow! The dark pony squirmed and yelled under the powerfull light, until it blinded all of us. I almost fell, but found support next to me- some kind of helmet. 


I looked at the former Nightmare, now one of the cutest ponies in the world, and smiled. The light that filled the room right now was from the sun. They did it.


I turned tail and walked to the stairs. My job was done here. I’d just have to go and wait at the library- and hopefully get an hour or two of sleep. Until… 


‘’Wait. Please, don’t leave. They will be looking for you once they come to their senses again.’’


That voice. It was almost as soothing as Michael’s, almost as understanding as my former master. And… As loving as hers. I turned around to see what an Angel should’ve looked like here. Tall, pure white in coat, and her hair ethereal forms that float in an non-existant reeze, the colors of a sunset. Or dawn. ‘’You… Are you from the council?’’


She tilted her head. ‘’No, young colt. I am but the ruler of this land. I suppose you’re not from here, then?’’


I shook my head. ‘’You won, ma’am. I’m from the purgatory. Sent here by the council about your syntethic soul problem. Name’s Noxiel, title Is the Night. Ready to receive orders.’’


Her look got more and more puzzled. ‘’Wait, what are you talking about? Are you well?’’


I smiled. ‘’More than I used to be. Maybe we should discuss it later, in private. But one of this land’s ruler’s prayers have reached God, and he sent me. That’s all you need to know at the moment- I am but your servant, your tool, here.’’

She nodded, as the others woke up. I invoked the night while they were all talking, about girly stuff I presume. I could catch the words ‘tail’, ‘necklace’, and ‘friendship’. That was enough for now.


‘’Nox Quaerentes Te Modo Appearat. What will happen with that one who took control over you?’’ 


She  shook her head. ‘’I will personally make sure that the night of this realm does it’s job next time. Or I’ll kill it and name another one. Our rules are strict.’’


I put an hoof on her back. ‘’What if she wasn’t lying? What if that pony indeed was the night?’’


She locked eyes with me. ‘’Then, I’ll make sure no one will ever be able to take control of theses powers again. The shadows are too dangerous for living creatures. You do know what happens to one who takes control, right?’’


I nodded. ‘’Let’s go back to the others. I leave you with that job, and I’ll take care of the synthetic soul. Come back when you’re done.’’


She nodded and vanished. I sighed and turned around. The tall white pony was kneeling to the leaning dark pony, enveloping her in a tight embrace. The dark one was choking tears away. ‘’I'm so sorry! I missed you so much, big sister!’’


All of the other ponies where either shocked, or cried along with the ex-nightmare. Does that mean her name was now Good Dreams Moon? I would laugh at that, even if she would be royalty.


Pinkie pie blew her nose and cried like a literal fountain, loud enough to take me out of my daydream. Until she suddenly stopped and smiled. ‘’Hey, d’you know what this calls for? A Party!’’


*


In the matter of a few minutes, thanks for the magic users, we were in the town square, and the entire village was there to party.  I was sick of it already- while it’s true they just saved the day, pun non-intended, we still had much work to do. To avoid another such mistake, mesures must be took. The tall white horse, wich introduced herself later on as Princess Celestia, resumed the problem to me a bit earlier- the spell wasn’t a hundred percent efficient. Was she really relying on something that fail-bound from the start? I’ll have to show her how our magic worked. It was way better than theirs. Though, it was more combat-centered than anything… Anyways. It would be better for them to know them spells, must something happen. Like a dark princess coming back to take control of the land. 


Anyways. Twilight was looking a bit gloomy. Disappointement; the sentiment is disappointing itself. 

Celestia walked to her, ignoring the cheers of the crowd behind her. ‘’Why so glum, my faithful student? Are you not happy that your quest is complete and you can return to your studies in Canterlot?


Twilight shook her head, and looked at the five other ponies surrounding her. ‘’That's just it. Just when I learned how wonderful it is to have friends, I have to leave them.’’


Cellestia smiled, and gestured to a small, purple lizard. ‘’Spike, take a note, please.’’

The small lizard took a note and a quill, and looked at her expectantly. ‘’I, Princess Celestia, hereby decree that the unicorn Twilight Sparkle shall take on a new mission for Equestria. She must continue to study the magic of friendship. She must report to me her findings from her new home in Ponyville.’’


The crowd cheered. Why cheer? It doesn’t even evolve you? Why is every pony so happy and fangirling the princess? Was she that famous? Back in our world, ponies hated nobles. I just had to understand how they ruled now, it could change our whole perception of history to change just a few things in the early 1175, back on purgato- earth.


Anyways. Twilight was crying happily, the day was saved, and I had a job to do. And a promise to fulfill, as I just remembered. That freaking race with Art Project.


I looked around, slightly pissed. But then I remembered the land whence I came, and I couldn’t help but let out a smile. ‘’It sure is warmer than earth, though…’’