The Night's Stars Chapter 25 Preview/Teaser

The tentative release date for The Night's Stars Chapter 25, "Help" is in one week, on 11/21/19, at 5 P.M. E.S.T.

The date is tentative because while I have gone through and edited it several times (and I've had one of my prereaders) go through it, I need to go through it again and make sure I don't spot any errors and do more edits. I don't expect to have to rewrite anything, but I have a slight concern I may. I have also not been sleeping much lately, so I'm quite distracted and unfocused right now, and I have not been able to work on the story as I wanted/intended/expected this month.

Assuming things go well and improve, then I will stick with the previously mentioned release date and time. However, if something comes up, such as running into issues while rereading and editing, then I may postpone the release until December 5th.

It is a more normal length chapter, sitting at just shy of 12,000 words long. Preview/excerpt below!

Crack! The blinding flash of light faded and Twilight opened her eyes.

The next sound she heard was Nightmare letting out a groan. "I," Nightmare declared with an emphasized nod, "have forgotten how pointless diplomacy can be."

Twilight frowned at her teacher as the alicorn walked over to her desk. "How can you call it pointless?"

Nightmare paused and looked back at her with a flat expression. "Diplomacy was always Sister's realm. Not. Mine," was the mumbled answer. Nightmare closed her eyes, inhaled as she turned back to face the desk, then sighed. More happily, if it could be called that, Nightmare quickly added, "Though I do appreciate your company. That was... far more tolerable than last time."

Walking over to her teacher's side, Twilight asked, "Was last time that bad?"

Facing her with a completely serious look, Nightmare flatly answered, "Last time I wanted to kill that zebra by the time it ended."

Twilight stopped. "Oh."

Nightmare shook her head and turned to face Twilight. "Obviously I did not," she muttered before tilting her head. "Though the urge was there," her teacher added thoughtfully.

"Uh, I'm glad you didn't?" Twilight asked, wincing.

Nightmare's head drifted lower, and her eyes fell onto the floor. "It was worse than that but..." was the barely audible mumble. Then looking back up at her, Nightmare continued, "But enough of this. The meeting is over, so we can put that behind us."

Twilight leaned to the right, then walked the rest of the distance to her mentor. Reluctantly, she lifted her right forehoof, then paused. She studied Nightmare where she stood and wondered, 'How is the best way to do this?' Her hesitation, however, resulted in Nightmare sitting down on her haunches and giving a strained smile.

Twilight wrapped her foreleg around Nightmare's back, then pulled herself close so that her chest was pushed up against Nightmare's armor. The cold, hard metal was unpleasant against her body, but Nightmare needed it. Her teacher returned the hug and from it, Nightmare let out a sigh. Her heart fluttered as she felt Nightmare's feathers run down her back in that oh-so-pleasant stroke, then Nightmare's wings wrapped around her body. She smiled; the feeling was pleasant. Pleasant was an understatement: she felt safe in that embrace, like nothing could possibly hurt her. Nightmare Moon wouldn't allow it.

Gradually, Nightmare leaned down, then rested her head on Twilight's shoulder. "I appreciate this," Nightmare mumbled. "It is..."

Seconds passed by in silence. Twilight laid her head down on Nightmare's shoulder and looked at the wall, waiting for her teacher to finish speaking.

"It is... nice to have a friend," Nightmare finally spoke.