> Night Mares Book 2: Children of the Night
>  by Stormbringer
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> CHAPTER ONE: A Joined Destiny
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The dinner/reception was marvelous.  The food as to die for, the music first rate.  Twilight and Luna were in Elysium.  It was all Celestia could do to drag them away long enough to raise the moon and stars.  
Twilight’s mother was in a constant state of joyful tears.  She was comfortable around Cadence, but she was still a little awed because Luna showed her so much attention and was calling her mom.
Eventually the party ended and Luna and Twilight finally got the chance to be alone.  They were in such a hurry that after they said goodnight to their friends and fellow princesses they teleported to their suite.

The two collapsed onto the bed cushion and just laughed.
“I’m yours Moon!”
“And I’m yours Star!”
The two kissed deeply and then just held each other. 
“I want to take a shower and then I want to make love to the most special pony in the world,” said Twilight, “my wife.”
“I’ll join you in that, my wife.” Said Luna, “let me help you with that dress first.”
“I’ll help with yours,” said Twilight with a smile.
They used their magic to remove the other’s dress.  When Twilight’s was over her head, it stopped and Luna gasped.
“What’s wrong Moon?” asked Twilight, struggling to get the dress the rest of the way off.
“Your cutie mark!” said Luna pointing at Twilight’s flank.
“What wrong with my cutie mark?” asked Twilight.
“Nothing wrong,” said Luna who with her magic produced a mirror so Twilight could see her flank.
There was the six pointed pink star over the white six pointed star and the five smaller stars at the points of the larger white star.  But now at the blank point was a crescent moon.  Twilight looked at Luna and said;
“Look at yours!”
Twilight turned the mirror with her magic and Luna saw that between the ‘horns’ of her crescent moon cutie mark was now a six pointed star.
The two lovers looked at each other.
“It’s like when I completed your old coltfriend’s spell,” said Twilight in awe, “With the marks of our destinies made one, there is magic without end!”
“My old coltfriend?” asked Luna.
“Star Swirl the Bearded,” said Twilight with a grin, “when I studied history so I could make my Nightmare Night outfit, I found that you and he were an item.  I just didn’t say anything because I thought if it were important, you’d have told me.
I think it’s so special I’m now the wife of a pony that knew such an important Unicorn.”
Luna looked at Twilight with love.
“Star, I’m the one that has the special wife and pony to love,” said Luna kissing Twilight, “let’s take that shower.”


The sun shone through the grand glassless windows.  Neither princess were sleeping.  Twilight was getting used to being able to skip sleeping.  She and Luna had made love all night.  Because of the ‘special occasion’, Celestia had offered to handle the moon stars and sun for this morning.
“The first day of our union starts, my Star,” said Luna.
Twilight pulled her partner close.  Luna could feel tears on her coat.
“Why do you weep My Love?” asked Luna.
“I can’t believe the happiness in my heart.” Said Twilight, “I never expected I’d ever have a pony to love.  Now I’m the wife of the greatest pony ever.”
“And I’ve never expected to marry and have my fondest dream to come true either,” said Luna with a smile. “But you’ve made it possible.”
The two kissed long.
“As hungry as I am for you My Love,” said Luna. “ I think we could use a break to our fast.”
“I agree Moon,” said Twilight, “we need to keep up out strength, especially since I plan on making you scream later.”
“You can try,” said Luna with a wink.
“And try I will!” said Twilight kissing Luna passionately.
After breaking the kiss, the two giggled and went shower then walked to the castle’s dining room.

“I wondered if I’d see you two today,” said Celestia smiling as she entered the dining room and seeing her sister and sister-in-law already eating.
“Just having to refuel,” said Luna.
“I just bet,” said Celestia with a smirk.
The three princesses laughed at this.  They ate and talked, Celestia would kid the newlywed  couple.  Twilight felt as if all her deepest dreams had come true and she was in the Fields of Elysium. 
After about an hour of this, the couple decided to walk in the castle gardens.  Applejack was tending some rare silver apple trees.  On seeing the two she bowed.
“Please fair Applejack,” said Luna, “you are closer than a sister to my beloved.  Therefore to me as well, because of this, you and your friends are not required to bow to me or address me formally unless it’s a formal occasion.”
Applejack stood and hugged Twilight as well as Luna.
“Thank you,” said Applejack.  “I didn’t expect to see either of you today.”
“Everypony needs to take a break to catch their breath sometimes,” said Twilight with a wink.
The three mares giggled.
As the three were talking, one of Princess Celestia’s guards came up to the group and bowed.
“A moment, Your Highnesses,” said the guard.
“Yes,” replied Luna.
“Princess Celestia asks your pardon and if you’ll meet with her in the throne room.”
“Let her know that we come.”
The guard departed at a quick trot.
“Sorry AJ,” said Twilight, “duty calls, it appears.”
“That’s ‘kay,” said Applejack, “life of a princess.  We’ll see you soon.”
Twilight and AJ hugged and Luna hugged AJ as well.

As the two approached the throne room doors, the guard bowed and opened the doors for the princesses.
“Good, you’re here.  Please join me,” said Celestia as she motioned to the empty thrones.  “I’m sorry to interrupt your celebration.”
“What’s going on, my sister,” asked Luna.
“We’ll wait,” said Celestia, then addressing the guard, “send the pony in and seal the doors.”
Twilight worried that such precautions were being taken.
A pony entered the room, they were wearing a dark cloak and hood keeping the pony’s face in darkness.  The doors closed behind them and the sounds of the bolts falling into place was heard.
The pony approached the dais and bowed.
Celestia nodded to Luna, implying she wanted the junior princess handle this. 
“How may we help you,” asked Luna.
The pony stood and pulled back their hood.  It was a mare with a dark coat, almost black.  The eyes were a brilliant blue, but the pupils surprised Twilight, they were very narrow slits instead of the regular round ones.  She looked at the princesses and her eyes rested on Luna.
Luna’s horn glowed and the drapes closed on the magnificent windows as well as the lighting in the room dimmed to a late twilight level.
“Thank you…  Mother.”

Twilight was shocked.  Luna looked at her wife who knew that Twilight would be confused.  She only nodded her head and then she looked back at the strange pony.
“Speak… My daughter.”
“Great mother,” said the pony, “I am Andromeda, descended from Night Flyer.”
“Yes,” said Luna, “you have the same noble bearing.”
Luna descended the dais and embraced the pony with a very warm hug.  The pony was crying.
“It must be very important for you to make such an arduous journey.”
“Yes mother,” responded Andromeda, “I know that there’s an agreement to limit the contact with the ponies of light.  And that you would allow our people to develop on our own.  But there is a matter that we can’t handle on our own.  A demon of light has invaded and is trying to take over our quiet and peaceful existence.  So I was sent to ask for guidance from our beloved mother.
Forgive my weeping, but it is a great blessing to be in the embrace of the mother of us all.”
“Make her comfortable,” said Celestia, sounding very serious, “and then we must talk.”
Luna nodded and led the pony to the doors.  Twilight started to follow but Celestia spoke up.
“No Twilight,” said Celestia, “not yet.  Luna has something to talk to you about.  But you must wait here first.  She needs to do this alone.”
“I’ll be back soon, My Love,” said Luna over her shoulder to Twilight.
The strange pony looked back at whom Luna was speaking and smiled.

Luna led the pony to Twilight’s suite, she was met by Spike.  Luna told Spike that the pony was not to be disturbed by anypony save one of the princesses.
When alone in Twilight’s bedroom and with the curtains pulled and lights dimmed, Luna and Andromeda sat and talked.  Andromeda removed her cloak and stretched her wings.
“Thank you for seeing me,” said Andromeda, “I know I’m not worthy to come before you.”
“Nonsense,” said Luna, “I told your forefathers and mothers that I’d always be a mother to them.  My children do not need to treat me as anything else other than a loving mother.  The only difference now is that I’ve taken a wife and your people now have two mothers.”
“That is joyous news mother,” said Andromeda embracing Luna.  “Because we are going to need all the help we can get.”
“So tell me about this demon of light,” said Luna.
“It came to us about a year ago,” said the dark pony, “it shown as bright as the sun.  Nopony could look on it.  It told us that it had come to be our king and to ‘liberate us from the oppression of the darkness’.
Our leaders politely let it know that we are Children of the Night, we rule ourselves and it is the darkness which liberates us.  But it wouldn’t hear of it.  It has come back several times and has been more insistent each time.  The last time, it told us that it would give us three months to change our minds.  If not, it would come with an army and ‘liberate’ us whether we wanted it to or not.
That was a month ago, I‘ve been traveling all that time.  I fear I may not return in time to aid my people.” 
“Worry not my daughter,” said Luna sounding very concerned.  “I will come and fulfill my pledge to my children.  Myself, my wife and our best troops.”
“Thank you mother,” said the pony yawning.  
“It is day,” said Luna, “rest here and we will talk tonight.”
The pony hugged Luna who kissed the pony on the cheek.


The throne room doors opened and Luna entered.  Celestia had lightened the room again.  She flew up to the platform, not to her throne but to Twilight and then embraced her and giving a deep kiss.
“Beloved, I need to talk to you about something, something from the past that once divided sister from sister and was the start of something that lead to me being imprisoned in the moon for a thousand years.”
“Let’s all go to my quarters,” said Celestia, “so we can talk.”
> CHAPTER TWO: Angel Of Darkness
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The three princesses were seated in Celestia’s private quarters.  Celestia had arranged to have some good wine delivered and now they sat in one of the most private parts of the castle.  
“My beloved Star,” said Luna, reaching out and taking Twilight’s hoof. “You need to know what very few know.  And that’s the whole history of this chapter in Equestria’s past.  It’s something that caused great strife between my sister and me.  
I know the history books record that the division that resulted in Nightmare Moon began with my resenting ponies sleeping through my beautiful night and missing all it has to offer. 
Through my stubbornness and immaturity, yes I was thousands of years old and not mature yet, I rebelled and let the darker part of myself out.  The rest you know, you had a part in that history being you freed me from my darker self.  The only positive side is that it led to the greatest thing to happen to me ever.  That is you My Love.
But that is actually only the last part of the story.  It goes back further to when two immortal princesses arrived in this land.  We met with the factions that ruled the lands, they had just agreed to put differences aside and live under one banner.  We were made the rulers because the three races could agree that Alicorns wouldn’t favor any one of the races. 
We built our original castle and all appeared to be going well.  We studied everything we could about the new lands of Equestria.  That is when we learned of the legend of the Tree of Harmony.  But before we could seek it out, word came that a land to the north was under the tyranny of Sombra, a self-professed king.  So at the advisement of Star Swirl the Bearded, we went north and was able to defeat the despot.  We thought we’d won, but he was able to make the Crystal Empire disappear.  Nopony knew how long it would last.
So even our victory was hollow and we went back home feeling that we’d lost.
You could imagine our horror to find that in our absence Star Swirl had fought off an attack of sirens.  But he was no match for the next attack.  Discord had come without anypony noticing and was intent on turning all of Equestria into a land of chaos.
Celestia and I started searching for the only thing we had read that could possibly defeat him.  The Tree of Harmony which contained the Elements of Harmony.
After we found that we’d built our castle almost on top of the cave of the tree, we went to face the menace.  It wasn’t as easy as just walking up to him and saying; ‘Hey Discord! Look what we have,’ zap!  
Discord isn’t a murderous fiend like Sombra, but he’s never been concerned if what he does causes harm to anypony or even death.
I won’t go through what Celestia and I had to face and what his chaos did to innocent ponies.  His jokes can be horrible given time for him to do his worst.  I know you faced some of that, but he was only getting warmed up.
After we defeated Discord, we took stock of the kingdom.  And what we found wasn’t good.  Crops destroyed, lands changed, deserts where once lush fields were.  The whole of the ecosystem was on the verge of collapse.  There were displaced families and orphans everywhere.
This is where the friction between my sister and me started.”
Luna took a moment to collect her thoughts.  This was hard on her to remember the problems that she went through and even caused.
Twilight, sensing her mate’s distress, gave Luna a hug which Luna gladly received.
“Thank you My Star.  But to continue;
Celestia and I had differing opinions on how to best handle the crises.  I proposed that I take ponies that were displaced or orphaned and removed from family and set up a colony elsewhere.  That way there would be less stress on the already depleted resources.  We had passed through a land of mostly shadow and darkness on our way to here.  I knew if done correctly, it would be a perfect place for a new population to take root.
But Celestia disagreed, she said that there was enough stress on the population.  That to lessen it, even a little could cause a total collapse of what we had.  Instead of chaos, anarchy would reign.
But night after night, I’d see the homeless and dispossessed wandering the streets and country, scavenging and stealing what was needed to survive.
So I decided that I would disguise myself and bring to these ponies what I could liberate from the castle kitchens.  If you’d have seen me then, you’d have thought it was Nightmare Moon.  My coat was darker, I made myself taller and because I was making myself more adjusted to the night than I was, my pupils became like a cat’s eye.  I also put on dark battle armor with a moon on it.
The ponies started to call me The Angel of Darkness.  And I did what I could, but it wasn’t enough.  I went back to Celestia and begged her to reconsider he stance on the new colony, but she refused.
That night, as I thought about it, I decided that I’d do it without my sister’s permission.  So I found a spell that would levitate ponies to follow me.  I made sure that the spell was for the orphan and dispossessed, and only ones that would be willing to go.
I flew through the night calling out to the ponies below with the spell.  After I got to the edge of Equestria, I had hundreds following me.
When we made it to the shadow land, I gathered the ponies around me.  I explained that this would be their new home.  I put the older ponies in charge and promised that I would visit, but they were free to live their own lives.
I went back from time to time and was pleased to see that they were thriving.  But nothing can be hidden forever.
Celestia asked to meet with me and behind closed doors, she asked me why I went against her wishes.
I told her that I disagreed with her line of reasoning and I did what I thought was best.  It was the first time I ever saw my sister that angry.  After a good hour of screaming back and forth, I stormed out and from that point until my return from being Nightmare Moon, we were never on as good of terms as before.
Unfortunately, I’ve not been back since my return from the moon.  And I’m ashamed that it has taken something bad to happen for me to return.”
Luna looked at her sister;
“Oh Tia!” said Luna, tears were streaming down her cheeks.
“Luna,” said Celestia, “you were forgiven ages ago.  I suffered probably as much as you did when you were in the moon.  You with your forced isolation and me with the isolation I forced on myself.”
The two sisters embraced and cried for several minutes.  Twilight looked on with tears as well.  Twilight was feeling the pain of her wife and sister-in-law.  She joined the hug and cried with both sisters who embraced their new family member.
After the three got control of themselves, they sat back, had a drink of the wine and Luna continued.
“The rest you know, I was justifiably exiled to the moon.  You saw the signs and knew of my returning.  My sister did as well and knew your potential.  Your studies gave you the knowledge and power to defeat me.  But you didn’t have the abilities yet because the Elements of Harmony are also the Elements of Friendship.  Once you let true friendship into your heart, you were able to overcome the darkness that had gripped me.  Freeing me to become loved by the pony that liberated me.
That is the history.  
But now a pony from the Land of Shadows, as they’ve named it, has come to ask help as per my pledge.”
Luna looked at her sister.
“Luna,” said Celestia, “what was done in the past was done.  Now there is a land of free ponies who, whether they know it or not, are a part of Equestria and as such, all treaties and promises will be fulfilled.”
“Thank you, my sister,” said Luna.  Then looking at her new wife, “I’m sorry that I’m going to have to call on you, your guard and your friends.  I fear that the Elements of Harmony will be needed.  And because the entity threatened to come back with an army, I fear your new solders will be put to the test.”
“I’m sure my friends will come,” said Twilight, “and knowing Rainbow Dash, she’ll probably get a rush knowing that there may be a fight.  I only hope that she realizes that this is serious.” 
“Then tonight we’ll meet with Andromeda and find out the particulars,” said Luna to her sister finally smiling.  “Until then, I think my wife and I have some unfinished business to take care of.”
“I just bet,” said Celestia smiling. 

Later in Luna and Twilight rooms…

“Before we get back to what needs done,” said Luna with a wink, “let me retrieve a spell that you’ll need.”
It only took moments and Luna was back making love with Twilight like there was no tomorrow, which she secretly feared.

The two lover princesses were catching their breath and enjoying the afterglow when Twilight turned over held Luna as she lay on her back.
“Moon,” said Twilight, “I know I’ve not been doing this for very long.  But this time felt different.  I could feel your passion and love, but there was something more.  Am I just imagining or do you need to tell me something?”
Luna thought about it for a second.  In the past she would’ve kept deep things to herself, even from Celestia.  But now she realized that with her now being wed to Twilight and pledging herself body, mind and soul, she needed to reveal all.  Luna pulled Twilight close and kissed her with all her soul.
“Star, my only love.” Said Luna, “I’m afraid.”
“Of what?”
“Remember when I spoke of past mortal lovers, how grieved I was with the passing of each?  How I had sworn to never take another mortal lover?  My fondest dreams have been answered with you at my side.  A love for the ages.  
Now, just as our wedded lives just starts, there comes a situation that could threaten that.”
“How so?”
“We might have to go into battle.  We are immortal, but as I had said, we are susceptible to violence and accidents.  I have been in battle many times, I have seen comrades fall.  Immortal ones who perished like any other pony.
Now I fear because if I were to lose you, I couldn’t live.  Of all I have done in my centuries, you are the crowning glory.  I want for us to be together when we tire of ruling and hand the kingdom to a younger generation.  Then you and I would find our own paradise and enjoy the ‘Eternal Now’ of our existence.”
“Moon,” said Twilight, “although I haven’t lived as long as you, you’re the crowning achievement of my life as well.  You’ve taught me what life and living are all about.
I may not have been in such world shaping battles as you have.  But the minions of Queen Chrysalis weren’t just playing tag.  And I also faced that terrible demon of darkness who was trying to cover the world in eternal darkness.
Who was that again?”
Twilight giggled and kissed Luna.  Luna smiled at her wife.
“You said ‘the world could throw itself at us and we would stand without fear’.
We now may have to face that possibility.  And oddly enough, thinking of such a threat, I’m not afraid knowing that I’ll have you at my side.  If I fall, then it’s with the knowledge that there could’ve been nothing else in life that could have been better than to have had your love and to have been your wife, however short the time.”
“Oh Star!” Said Luna, tears flowing, “never has anypony spoke such words of love to me before.  I was right in choosing you.  And you give me both strength and hope.”   
The two held each other close, laughing and crying and just feeling the love of the other until they were forced to have to go do the duties of the moon and stars.
> CHAPTER THREE: The Demon of Light
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Despite the suite being Twilight’s, she’d spent very little time there.  Luna led her love to Twilight’s bed room.  At the door she knocked.
Andromeda opened the door, her face lit up at the sight of the two Alicorns.
“Mother,” said the dark pony, “you didn’t say that your wife was so beautiful.  She truly looks to be a pony of the night.”
Twilight blushed, Luna smiled.  Andromeda hugged Luna and then Twilight. 
“Thank you,” said Twilight.
“Sit, and we’ll talk,” said Luna.
At first it was just ‘small talk’.  But it wasn’t long before there was another knock at the door.  A kitchen staff member brought a meal for the pony and some wine and glasses.  The pony must have been famished from her long journey and ate like it was the only meal she’d ever had.  Twilight and Luna sat quiet as the dark Pegasus ate.  When done, the pony smiled and spoke:
“Thank you, my mothers,” said the pony, “I’ve not had a meal like that for over a moon.”
“Don’t mention it, my child,” said Luna.  “Please tell us your story when you feel ready.”





Moons earlier…
 

Andromeda was walking to the café to get some breakfast[1].  It had been a fitful day’s sleep, something was bothering her.  Today was the day He was to return.  Her mother and little sisters were still sleeping.
There were a lot of ponies gathered in the town square.  Andromeda decided to check this out before getting something to eat. There was Mayor Shooting Star trying to calm everypony.

“Ponies please!” said the mayor, “we have this all in hoof.  I can assure you that everything will be fine.”
“But Lucifer said he’d be back today!” said a voice in the crowd.
“He frightens all the foals,” said a mother in the crowd.
“What are you gonna do about this!” demanded an older pony.
“The counsel and I have decided to hear the demon out and offer to consider the demands.” Said the mayor, “hopefully it will buy us a little time to figure what we’re going to do.”
“You have no plan?” said a pony, “you’ve had a year to figure this out.”

There was angry shouts from the crowd.  Some were demanding the mayor to step down and let somepony with a backbone handle this.

“If any pony here has a better idea, this is the time to say something.” Demanded the mayor.

The crowd became quiet.  It is easier to demand something like that rather than stepping up and doing something they themselves didn’t know how to handle.

Suddenly, there was a bright light on the edge of town, as if the sun had come to earth and visiting the little hamlet.  Then the sound of marching feet.
All looked in the direction, but had to shield their eyes.  The shining one approached where the mayor was addressing the crowd.  They moved aside and let him approach the mayor.
It was bipedal as were his minions.  When you could look on him, he was as beautiful as his horde was ugly.  But the beauty was obviously hiding something.  A pony could tell that the heart of this thing was as ugly as his followers.


“My loving subjects,” said the being with a voice as smooth as velvet and sweet as honey.  But a pony could tell that there was something else behind it, something that made a pony know that there wasn’t the goodwill that was being expressed.  “I’m so touched you’re here to welcome me.”

As he talked, his troops of ghastly beings started to surround the crowd.  Parents and adults did their best to shield the foals and infirmed.  

“Can I assume that you’ve come to your senses and decided to welcome me as your ruler.  I will help you throw off the shackles of this darkness you believe you need to exist in. 
Then together we will build a kingdom that will threaten the Kingdom of Equestria.  The land that abandoned and shunned you.  We will bring them to their knees and we will rule!”

This was the first time that he had mentioned that they would threaten Equestria.

“We’re humbled that you think we’re such ponies,” said the mayor, trying to choose words that would not upset this being more than he was about to be upset. “but as we’ve answered before; the darkness is what liberates us.  We are children of the night.  And why would we raise a hoof against Equestria?  It is from there our Great Mother rules and loves us.  We are Equestria as well.”

The brightness of the being intensified, all the ponies eyes hurt.

“Listen to me you bunch of dull witted dolts!” said Lucifer, showing his true colors.  “I’ve been patient long enough, this will be the last chance I’ll give you!  You have three months, what you idiots call moons to submit to me.  Because I’ll return at that time with the full strength of my army.  

I’ll have you submit to me or…” 

A flame shot out from his eyes, it hit a nearby house.  A pony and two foals came screaming out, they were engulfed in flame. Several ponies ran to try to extinguish them but it was a magic fire and wouldn’t go out.  The ponies watching were horrified as the mare and her two foals died screaming in agony.

“Momma!  You fiend!” shouted  Andromeda lunging at the being but ponies held her back.

It looked at her smiling and spoke.

“Would you like to join them?” he laughed.
“They were my mother and sisters,” cried Andromeda. “How could you?  They did nothing to you.”
“They, like the rest of your worthless lot, defied their rightful ruler!” said the monster angered. “It’ll be the fate of all if I return and you don’t proclaim me king!”
He started to leave but he stopped and in a loud voice.

“You have three months to decided.  Follow me or the rest of you will wish you’d have gone so easily!”

After they were gone, the crowd shouted angrily at the mayor.  They were holding him responsible for the deaths.

“I’m afraid there’s nothing we can do but prepare ourselves to be under his rule.” Said the mayor.  “We might as well go after him and let him know this.”

There was murmuring from the crowd, some of the ponies believed that it would be the only way to survive.

“Buck that horse-apples!” shouted a pony from the crowd.  

It was Andromeda, kneeling by the bodies of her stricken family.

All ponies looked at her, her face was a grim mask of both sorrow and anger, tears were pouring.

“If you sniveling cowards are going to turn your backs on all we hold dear and let my family have die in vain…

Fine!” shouted Andromeda.  

“But I’m going to do what you should’ve been done in the first place!  
As soon as I put my family to rest, I’m going to fly to Canterlot and see our Great Mother!”

There were gasps and sounds of approval.  The town ponies helped to bury the poor struck down ponies.  She packed a minimal about of things as to travel lightly and with the town’s ponies cheering,  took to the sky.





The present in Canterlot…
 

Andromeda wept hard after telling this.  Twilight held the mare and let her cry.

“I’m so sorry to show such weakness in front of your great selves,” sobbed Andromeda. “It’s just I never got to say goodbye to my momma and sisters!”
“Nonsense,” said Luna, joining the comforting hug.  “My daughter, you have shown the same strength and spirit as your great ancestor, Night Flyer.  He’d be most proud of you.”
“Thank you mother, that means a lot to me.” said Andromeda. “But now I have more departed family to please.  And I’m sure that they’d want me to make right.  I’ll not let that vile monster get away with the murder of my family!”
“We’ll be with you in that,” said Twilight.
“My daughter,” said Luna.  “Make yourself comfortable, the castle and the city of Canterlot is free to you. We’ll meet in the morning.  Good night.”
Luna and Twilight kissed and hugged Andromeda, then they left.


Later, Twilight and Luna had joined Celestia in a conference room.  There they let Celestia know all that Andromeda had told them.

“Lucifer,” said Celestia.  “A name I’d hoped never to hear again.”
“I’m sorry, Celestia,” said Twilight, “I think I’ve heard the name before but I’m not familiar.”
“Star, my love,” said Luna, “it’s the name of a very ancient evil, older than Celestia and myself, possibly older than Discord.  Over the centuries it has been referred to by many names.  Satan, Anubis, Loki, Lamashtu, Cthulhu, The Evil One, The Fallen Angel, The Devil.”

Twilight was shocked.

“I always assumed that those were just legends.  Storied to keep little foals in line.”
“He’s real, and the legends probably please him.  They help to spread fear and dread where he’s concerned.  Facing an enemy you fear is harder than facing and enemy you don’t.”
“But I was of the understanding that he on the same footing as a god.” said Twilight becoming concerned.  “How can we fight that?”
“No,” said Celestia, “he’s no more a god than you, Luna or myself.  He’s very powerful and immortal but not deathless.  Like us, there are faults and shortcomings that can be exploited.  In his case, vanity most of all”
“I think our advantage will be the two of us, Twilight.  And our troops.  I’m sure he won’t be expecting that.  He always sees those he tries to dominate as week and ignorant, that is part of the vanity issue.”
“Wouldn’t it be better if Celestia was with us?”
“Twilight,” said Celestia, “some princess needs to stay here in reserve.  Or at worst, to man the home front, in case the two of you fail.”






[1] Breakfast for the nocturnal ponies is just after sunset, lunch is at midnight and dinner is at about 4:00 am.
> CHAPTER FOUR: The Mobilizing Of Canterlot
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Twilight entered Rainbow’s quarters.  Spitfire was in the kitchen and heard somepony enter, as she came into the front room, she saw Twilight and came to attention.

“Princess Twilight!” said Spitfire shocked, “sorry about not being in uniform, I just got up.”
“Don’t worry about it,” said Twilight, “where’s Rainbow?”
“She’s still in bed, Princess.”
“Alone like this, Twilight is good enough.”
“Thank you, Twilight.  Would you like me to get Rainbow up?”
“No,” said Twilight, she had a wicked smile, “I’ll handle this.  But you may want to watch.”
Spitfire snickered. Rainbow had told her the things the two friends had pulled on each other in the past.


Rainbow was warm and snug under the covers.  She was awake but hadn’t opened her eyes yet.  She knew Spitfire was cooking breakfast.  But after last night’s love making, Rainbow was surprised that Spitfire could be up that early.  
But soon she felt a pony getting back under the covers.  It was dark in her room so she didn’t see clearly the pony that had joined her.  Rainbow smiled and reached out and embraced the pony.  Rainbow’s hoof was sliding down and caressing her breasts, then was rubbing her marehood.
“Ready for more, Fire my love?” asked Rainbow.
“As fun as that might be, I don’t think it’d be appropriate,” said a familiar voice, “Spitfire is watching and I’m a married pony after all.  
And I don’t think you’d want Luna to be upset with you.”

Rainbow’s eyes shot open, as Spitfire turned on the light.  There, very close to her, embraced in Rainbow’s forelegs was Twilight with a smirk as she gave Rainbow a small kiss on the muzzle.  Rainbow almost fainted from embarrassment after fondling Twilight.

Rainbow panicked, backed off and fell out of the bed.

Twilight and Spitfire were laughing.

“That’s not funny!” said Rainbow trying to get her composure.
“Actually it was,” said Spitfire.
“What if I had tried to do something?” said Rainbow.
By now Twilight had got out of the bed.
“You mean more than fondling my goodies like you were?” said Twilight, “Rainbow, after Luna, you couldn’t handle it!”
“Is there a problem?” said Rainbow, “or are you bored and just here to harass me?”
“Rainbow,” said Twilight, “you and ‘Fire’ have two hours to gather all your troops.  If there are any on leave in Canterlot, recall them, this is important.”

Then looking at Spitfire.

“Two hours,” said Twilight still smirking, “make sure your commanding officer and marefriend is on time and properly dressed.”
“Yes ma’am,” said Spitfire with a smile.

As Twilight was leaving, she heard Spitfire having fun with Rainbow.

“Why did I find you in bed with and feeling up another pony?”
“Fire!” said Rainbow, “I didn’t…”

Twilight chuckled as the door closed behind herself.  She was sure that Spitfire would have plenty of ammunition to tease Rainbow with for a long time to come.


It was two hours later.  There was a large flat field outside the city,  it was Canterlot’s mustering grounds.  On a platform at one end of the field stood Princesses Celestia, Luna and Twilight.  Luna and Twilight were in battle armor.  This was a first for Twilight and she felt uncomfortable.  Andromeda was on the platform as well, feeling very out of place as well.  Rainbow had loaned a pair of her sunglasses to Twilight for the nocturnal mare.

Before them was standing, rank on rank the armies of Equestria.  In front of each formation were the commanding and executive officers along with a standard bearer.  There was the banner of the Sun, the banner of the Moon with a Six Pointed Star and the banner of a Six Pointed Star with a Moon.

Celestia’s horn glowed in an amplification spell.  She called out to the troops.

“Guard!”
 
“Of the Sun!” called out Colonel Strong Hoof.
“Of the Moon!” called Lt Col Night Wind.
“Of the Stars!” called Major Rainbow Dash.
 
“Attention!” called out Celestia.

There was an almost thunderous sound of troops stomping their hooves to attention.

Luna walked forward and with her amplification spell called out;

“Report!”
 
“All troops of the Sun are present or accounted for, Your Highness!” called out Colonel Strong Hoof.
“All troops of the Moon are present or accounted for, Your Highness!”  called Lt Col Night Wind.
“All troops of the Stars are present or accounted for, Your Highness!” called Major Rainbow Dash.
 
“Stand at ease!”
 
It was visible that all the troops relaxed, but attention was on the princesses.  Luna addressed the troops again.

“Armies of Equestria,” said Luna, “thanks to you, Equestria has been at peace for decades. Yes there have been some issues like the Changeling attack and others.  But you have always stood firm.  Your training is perhaps the finest in the world.

Now comes perhaps the greatest challenge you may ever face.  Before we go into what is to happen, we have a representative from a small colony on the outskirts of our great land.  Their existence, families and way of life is threatened by a great evil that, alone, would have no chance of defense.  If they fall, it would be a foothold in our land that would be a stepping stone to the  invasion of Equestria.

Andromeda?”

The dark pony stepped forward, Twilight’s aura struck out to the pony’s throat and her voice rang out loud and clear, which startled her at first.

Andromeda addressed the gathered troops.  She told the history of the Demon of Light.  How he’d come and try to coerce the ponies of The Shadow Land to proclaim him their ruler.  How he wanted to change their peaceful nocturnal lifestyle to an alien one of diurnal toil and servitude.
She told about the final visit a little over a moon ago and the forewarning of his next coming. Then with tears, she spoke of the murder of her innocent mother and sisters who were doing nothing more than sleeping in their own house.
This last part enraged a great number of the gathered.  The Commanding officers not the least.

Celestia came forward again as Twilight and Luna comforted Andromeda

“This is the warning and the issue before us.  Don’t think this enemy to be stupid but it is very possible that they wouldn’t expect them to call out to us.  

And their call we will answer!”

There were cheers from the troops, Andromeda smiled at this.

“My sister?” said Celestia.

Luna came forward and addressed the troops.

“As you would be aware, we cannot empty our kingdom of the full might of our armies.  There’s a slight chance that this could be a diversion and we should be ready.  Being these are nocturnal ponies our nocturnal troops will answer.  That is the Guard of the Moon and of the Stars.
The larger contingent, the Guard of the Sun will be in reserve and at high alert while we are away, There is a detachment of Chrystal Guard already on the way here led by Shining Armor to help shore up your depleted numbers.  Being they are at the opposite end of Equestria, the Crystal Empire can almost be sure of being secure from any attack that would come from there.

We’ll be leaving on the troop trains in the morning.  

Commanders, make sure your troops have a full kit and are equipped for battle.  This is not a drill!

My sister?”

“Orders will be given to the commanders,” said Celestia. Then she called out again:

“Guard!”
 
“Of the Sun!” called out Colonel Strong Hoof.
“Of the Moon!” called Lt Col Night Wind.
“Of the Stars!” called Major Rainbow Dash.
 
“Attention!” called out Celestia. “Commanders, Take Over!”
 
The company commanders bowed and the banners dipped.  Then the troops were marched off the field, back to their barracks.  Ponies in Canterlot cheered and were impressed with the military ranks that marched through the streets.  They were thinking it was some kind of parade.  They would soon become aware of the reason for this.