When I arrived at the throne room there was no longer a line of nobles. I smiled at the thought of not having to see those stuck up ponies again today. I slowly pushed the door to the room open only to see Celestia looking at a book with a tear in her eye. I slowly made my way towards her not saying anything. I reached her side and managed to get a glimpse of a human in what appeared to be armor. Sadly I did not have enough time to study it before Celestia shut the book and looked at me. I gave her a smile not knowing what to do, "Who was that?" I asked, hoping for a bit of human history on this world.
"That was Michael. The leader of the humans that were known as angels and brother to the leader of the humans called demons, Lucifer. On your world they are just parts of religions. Stories that many no longer believe to be true, but they are. Every story in that book called the bible is true to some extent. They became over exaggerated over the years. Those two who some of the few who never lost their magic. The angels and demons were never enemies, because they operated as a big family. They squabbled as all families do, but they never broke apart." Celestia took a deep breathe, "When the fall of humanity started they began working on a means of reconstruction for after. Many angels and demons volunteered to be placed in an ageless sleep. Only to be awakened when the next king of humanity returns. When that happens the king only needs to make himself known for them to come. Sadly I know nothing of the location that the angelic and demonic armies are slumbering."
"It is alright Celestia. I know I am special but I am no king so you don't have to worry about it. I had actually come to tell you that I am about to leave for the forest, but there is something I just thought of. How do I use my wings?" I asked.
"I think that it might be best if you hold off on flying right now. I don't have time to teach you to fly, so that would have to wait until somepony who can knows. I can teleport you to the forest and then bring you back in the morning if you would like?" Celestia asked.
"Sounds good to me. Anything I should know about the forest before you send me there?"
"Other than to stay away from the deeper sections of the forest and anything that seems off in any manor." Celestia responded.
"Alright send me when you are ready." I told her before she charged her horn. With a bright flash my surroundings changed from the clean, calm, orderly throne room, and was replaced with the wild, dangerous, dark forest that is the Everfree. I scanned my surroundings to look for any immediate dangers to myself and Zalphite who clung to my shoulder.
*****
Fluttershy was finishing up feeding her animal friends for the night, when Angel Bunny hops over to her and pulls on her tail, "What is it Angel?" Angel started to chatter on about something and pointed to the forest, "Something is happening in the forest?" she asked and got a confirming nod. Angel motioned for her to follow, "Lets go and see what is happening Angel." Fluttershy said as she followed her pet.
*****
As I moved through the forest I couldn't help but feel I was being watched, but I tried my best to ignore it as I followed some animal tracks to what seems to be and abandoned castle. The castle was surrounded by a ravine with a single wood and rope bridge connecting it to the forest. I continued to follow the tracks until they stopped at the bridge. Cursing I slowly made my way across the rickety bridge. Once across I stepped through a collapsed gate and saw my prey. A chimera was moving through the area scanning for something until it saw me and charged. I jumped to the side at the last moment causing it to slam into the low-sitting wall from the gate. It slowly stood back up and charged at me, but when I went to dodge this time the chimera's snake tail bit my arm. I cursed myself for not asking about what animals could poison me. Not long after the bite I started to wish that I was not alone, because I was starting to get dizzy and light headed. The chimera knew the poison was working so it slowly moved towards me.
"STOP! YOU BAD CHIMERA LEAVE HIM ALONE!" I heard a slightly familiar voice call out. As everything faded I heard an angry roar that I presumed belonged to the chimera.
*****
Fluttershy screamed when the chimera started after her. She tried to stare it down like she does with other unruly animals but this one is resisting her, "BEGONE FOUL BEAST!" a feminine voice yelled, "LEAVE MY SUBJECT ALONE!" a cloud of dark purple mist slipped out the castle and raced towards the chimera. When the chimera saw the cloud it ran towards the bridge and left, "Sleep now little one." the cloud said before Fluttershy began to sleep. The cloud grabbed Fluttershy and John then headed towards Ponyville. The cloud dropped Fluttershy off at her cabin and then flew to Canterlot Castle's medical wing. The cloud laid John in one of the medical beds and used the room buzzer to call a doctor to the room. Then it hid.
*****
After a few hours of work the doctors managed to pull all the poison from John but he was still asleep. When the doctors left the room to leave him to rest the cloud came back out into the open. The cloud condensed itself and slowly became a tall ebony alicorn and looked down at John and smiled, "I have missed your kind. The loss of the humans was a horrible blow to the world far worse than the war with them was causing." before she could react the door opened and Celestia walked in.
"I will say this once and only once, get out." Celestia growled.
"Please, I come in peace. I have returned him to you, and save one of your precious element bearers. If not for me they would both be chimera food." the ebony alicorn stated.
"I don't believe you. John is a very capable warrior even with his lack of training. A single chimera shouldn't have been able to do this." she pointed at John, "Nightmare Moon, leave before I personally remove you from this world."
"Celestia, I will not ask for forgiveness from you, all I ask is for a chance to prove that I have changed. He would have died and you wouldn't have known about it if I hadn't brought him here." Nightmare Moon responded with a hurt tone.
*****
I slowly awoke to the sound of arguing mares, "Never mind what you say you are a creature of jealousy and hat. You are incapable of showing compassion for others." I heard Celestia state.
"Well at least I don't think it is impossible for ponies to change." a new voice said.
I slowly opened my eyes, which neither of them noticed, and looked at the new alicorn, "Some of us are trying to sleep you two." I groaned sarcastically as I sat up, "You two are very loud you know that right."
"John!" Celestia exclaimed as she rushed over to me and gave me a hug.
"So that is the proud warriors name." the ebony alicorn said.
"Nightmare Moon. Leave now. You are not wanted here. I don't want you twisting John's kind soul." Celestia snapped.
"Celestia, calm the fuck down. I don't know her but I am guessing that she brought me here. I owe her my life, because you did not warn me about what animals had poison and which don't." I said drawing stares from the two alicorns.
"So it was your fault that he got poisoned from that chimera." Nightmare Moon growled, "You need to go deal with your citizens. Leave us to convers and return when you cool off."
"You don’t command me in my castle you harlequin." Celestia snapped.
"She is right Celestia. I'll be fine, go take care of your ponies." I said as I through my legs over the side of my bed, "Plus it seems that there is two sides of the story and you refuse to listen to hers. So let us be and I will listen for you and then decide the verdict then." Celestia huffed and stomped out the room, "Now tell me what happened to make her hate you so much Nightmare Moon." Nightmare started on her story going back to when she turned Luna against Celestia up until the Element Bearers pulled her from Luna 'Cleansing' her, "That explains why she hates you. Now how did you find me?"
"Well after I was pulled from Luna's mind I was stuck in that old castle. Over time I slowly gained enough strength to create my body, but while I was bidding my time I reflected on what I did and realized just what I was doing. I began working on becoming a better pony. When I saw you passed out on the ground and the chimera attacking the bearer of kindness I knew what I had to do. I chased the beast off and returned the mare to her cottage and brought you here." Nightmare explained.
"Then I don't see why you can't stay." I said.
"How can you make that decision so easily?"
"Because it is better for someone who has no involvement in something to settle the problem than someone who is in the middle of it." I responded, "Back on my world we have a system, not a perfect one, that when someone goes on trial a jury or a council if you will is selected by the government to listen to both sides of one thing or another. After all that needs to be said is said they go to another room and decide on a verdict of guilty or innocent." I explained.
"Really?"
"Yeah. Lets just hope that Celestia will listen to me, because she is the only one telling me about the good side of humanity. Luna has told me nothing but negative things about them." I said as I finally began to stand up, "Have you seen a small blue and black dragon by any chance?"
"She is hunting mice through the castle. That dragonling is smart. It also seems like you will be giving her the food she requires other than just gems, unlike what the student of Celestia does. All it seems that one eats is gems and sweets. He will never grow right if he don't get any meat." Nightmare said.
"Let's get out of here then. I think it is time that Celestia learns to except that you changed." I stated receiving a nod from Nightmare. I lead Nightmare from the medical wing to the throne room receiving nothing but fearful stares as we walked by. When we got to the throne room the line of nobles was back and the one who called me out yesterday was at the front. Me and Nightmare walked to the door and opened it.
"Don't you know that Nightmare Night was last month?" the stallion said causing Nightmare to stop and glare at him.
"Tis not a costume peasant. For we are the real Nightmare Moon." she responded and continued to follow me while the stallion looked at us with his jaw touching the floor.
Celestia looked up and frowned when she saw Nightmare, "John I was wondering when you would show up, but you Nightmare Moon I did not want to see."
"Celestia stop now. Stop before you turn your city into a battle ground. I will not tolerate you berating someone who has saw the error of their ways and is trying to get better, and I say so far she is doing a wonderful job." I said causing Celestia's glare to shift to me.
"It would not end in a battle, because she is to weak to defend herself. That is the only reason she is still solid is it not?" Celestia retorted.
I looked at Nightmare Moon whom held her head low, "You wouldn't be fighting her. You would have been fighting me, and if I am not mistaking I am not an Equestrian citizen which would mean that I am a diplomat from the human kingdom, right?" Celestia nodded, "The from this moment forth Nightmare Moon is under my protection, so to attack her is to start a war with me and the Angelic and Demonic armies." I finished watching Celestia closely.
"Very well." Celestia started, "If you want to protect her so much give me the name that will represent your country." Celestia said with a smirk.
"The human kingdom shall be called Purgatory. A place of unity and peace. A place of redemption." I responded causing Celestia's smirk to become a frown.
"Now how will the kingdom of Purgatory repay Equestria for fighting this war for your people?" Celestia asked.
"We will help rebuild and guard your nation till you are once again a prosperous place." I responded watching as Celestia started to laugh at me.
"This is funny." she laughed, "You cant make any demands of me, because there is no human kingdom. There will be no kingdom till the human king appears. You are alone and scared. There is nothing stopping me from just throwing you into the dungeons on the account of rebellion. Guards. Take them out of my sight."
The six guards in the throne room surrounded me and Nightmare. Nightmare lowered herself and looked at me, "Run!" she yelled as she threw her body into the guards in front of her making me a path. I ran and jumped over her and the two guards that she pulled to the ground. Once I was away from the group I planted my left foot and changed directions.
I ran straight at Celestia, "I am done running. Nothing will change if we run from our problems." my wings extended and started to flap pulling me into the air as the were coated in white fire making them look like a cloak. A white flaming crown appeared on my head as two humans appeared in between me and Celestia causing me to stop. I looked at the two as they bowed and vanished. I then looked at a terrified Celestia, "You look like you saw a ghost." the flaming crown vanished and my wings returned to normal.
Celestia stared at me after what just transpired, "It can't be. Your queen was supposed to appear when you took your place as the human king." she said in disbelief, "Guards release Nightmare. We cannot afford to start another war. Return to your post."
"It seems the world has a new ruler to add to the council of nations." Nightmare Moon said in a sing-song way as she moved to my side, "And he has quite the impressive wingspan." she looked behind us and laughed quietly, "And it seems I'm not the only one who thinks so."
I look at the mare guard standing by the door and saw that she was fighting to force her wings down with a blush covering her face, "Back to the problem at hand." I said turning back to Celestia, "Nightmare is not to be harmed by an Equestrian citizen or another individual with any ties to the government. Is that understood?"
"Yes, crystal. Now tell me how are you going to watch over her to ensure her safety?" Celestia asked with a slight smirk.
"Easy, I am requesting permission to lead a team to the last known human town to try and locate the two slumbering armies. Nightmare shall come with me." I stated.
"How would you even think to do that? We are at war fighting your battle. Those monsters have already destroyed ten towns on the boarder." Celestia said.
"Then why have you and your sister not taken the field of battle with your subjects as good rulers should?" I asked.
"Because we are scared that our subjects will fear us if we do that."
"How can you ask me or anyone to fight if you yourself won't? At least Luna is training them. You are just sitting here. So I would like to go and retrieve the army that will follow me and lead them, fight with them, and possibly die with them. You need the help of the two armies, but I am the only one who can wake them. So let me leave. I promise I won't let your country burn if you let me claim mine." I stated firmly.
"I guess that you can go. I don't like it, but even if I try to stop you will go anyway. I permit you the use of the airship Eclipse. It is top of the line. The crew shall be brought to the ship and an exploration crew will be formed by tomorrow. The smithy should be done with your armor now. I shall send for it to be brought to the captain's quarters on the Eclipse. Weapons designed for minators shall be placed in the armory for you to use."
"Would it be possible to bring me to the ship now so that I can get acquainted with it?" I asked.
"Right this way." Celestia stood and lead us through the castle and down some stairs that lead inside the mountain.
When we enter a large cavern inside the mountain I head Nightmare whistle causing me to look towards to back of the cavern. I saw a large ship with no gas bag but it appeared to have four large propellers attached to its hull. The ship was held aloft by two stands that cradled the hull snugly, "That’s is quite a ship Celestia." I said.
"That’s she is. It is the only one of its kind known to still be airborne. While it is an ancient ship it is still more advanced than any we produce today, that is one of the main things your ancestors used to their advantage."
"So your saying this was a human ship?" I asked.
"Yes. Before the humans of old fell the Angelic and Demonic generals gave this ship to me for safe keeping until the king arrived. So technically it is your ship. She has not seen battle in over 2000 years, but every generation we trained a crew to pilot her for this moment." Celestia answered, "Sadly there is some things on that ship that only a human of equal angel and demon blood can access."
"Let's get to work then, and I am changing the name. While I like Eclipse it does not fit this ship." I said before starting my way to the ship. I looked at its sleek, black hull and said, "How about Shadow Wolf." as the words left my mouth the ship started to shake as the propellers began spinning.
"So they did give it a name." Celestia said as she watched, "John your ancestors managed to implement a system on all of their ships making it so that way when the captain of said ship says it's name the ship's systems come online."
"So that means I am its captain. Well lets get aboard and get her back into the sun. The old girl needs to be free and see the open sky again." as soon as I finished my sentence there was a flash of light and we were all on the Shadow Wolf's deck, "Now how do we get her out of the cave?"
"Simple. It flies out." Celestia said as the ship slowly shifted its propellers forward. The Shadow Wolf moved slowly, but it did not take long to get out the cave.
Once the Shadow Wolf was out the cave I saw just how much of a toll sitting in that cave for so long did to it, "Celestia is there anyway that we can get all this stuff cleaned off the ship?" after I asked that question the two alicorns looked at each other and smiled as there horns lit up and a storm formed over us, "Yeah, well have fun with your rain I'm going check out bellow deck and seeing what we have to work with." I walked towards the trap door that covered the stairs and went inside. To my surprise the inside of the ship was much cleaner than the outside almost as if someone cleaned it on a regular basis. I walked through the halls of the ship looking at the different rooms. There is three rooms of bunks for the crew, a large storage room, a kitchen and mess hall, armory, a small smithy, a vehicle bay, the engine room, the captain's quarters, and a room that don't know how to open. I decided to go to the bridge and wait for Celestia and Nightmare to finish up outside. When I walked into the bridge is was surprised to see that it looked and lot like the bridge of the Enterprise from Star Trek just less high tech. I sat in the captain's chair in the center and waited. The door to the bridge opened after a few more minutes and the two tall alicorns walked in, "How does she look now?"
"Really good. The black pulls the light around it in causing a very weird effect when you look at it directly." Celestia stated.
"Your just mad because it gets rid of some light when it is clean." Nightmare said, "I think it is marvelous. This ship is absolutely beautiful, and really organized."
"How long will it take the crew to be ready to deport for what will be my capital?" I asked.
"By sunrise. I would recommend that you take one who has known the world since those times." Celestia said, "I have a friend who refused to fall to nature itself. He wanted a death fighting with his brothers who are also frozen in time. Zeltas refused to be sealed with his brothers in the Heavenly city. He requested to be put to sleep inside of this ship so that when the king arrives, he can lead him home. The door that blocks the rest of the ship from us is the one that he resides behind. The only way to open it is the blood of the king that he follows."
"Why did you say that in such a weird way Celestia?" I asked.
"Why not? It was funny to see the confusion on your face, that’s why." Celestia responded, "But what I said is true. He waits behind that locked door for his king to awaken him. All you would have to do is let a few droplets of your blood fall into the lock. I was told that he was guarding something for you but not what."
"Then lets open that door." I said as I stood and started my way towards the door, "Lets go awaken Zeltas, and see what he has." we walked towards the locked door. Celestia seemed nervous, while Nightmare Moon was giddy for some reason. When we reached the door I bit my finger to cause it to bleed, and placed it against the lock. I pulled my finger away and looked at the door. Nothing happened at first, but after a few moments the lock clicked and the door opened. I walked into the hall, "How much of the ship was blocked by this door?"
"About half of it. Why?" Celestia asked.
"So all of that is just the back half the ship? That is great. So you have no idea what to expect from here on." I said, "You two just stay here and don't kill each other. I'll be back." I walked down the hall looking for anything that would signify a sleeping human. All the doors in the hall had locks similar to the first one, all except a door at the very end which was bigger. I reopened the cut on my finger and let my blood go into the lock. Several clicks could be heard from the door as different locks undid themselves. The door suddenly went quiet and slowly opened. Before the door could open all the way a body fell out. A human body with white angel wings. The human started to cough as he started to move, "I take it that you are Zeltas?" I asked.
"Who is asking?" he asked before coughing again as he stood to his full height.
"The name is John. Princess Celestia told me about you." I said.
"So Sunbutt is still around. Speaking of still around, how long have I been asleep?" he asked.
"Over 2 thousand years I think. Celestia would be able to tell you a closer number saying that she lived through it all. I have woke you so you can lead me to our city and your brethren. The two armies are needed to stop the genocide of the ponies. A genocide that is being done by an enemy that should have died long ago by the mad human armies." I explained.
"I shall lead you to the city of old, but I request that you let me have control of the ship till we arrive." he said.
"Not to be rude but why do you need control of the ship?" I asked.
"The city is hidden so that no raiders of any type could locate and loot it. I am the only conscious sentient being who can gain access to it. I only ask that you let me pilot the ship. You are still in command my king." he responded as he kneeled before me.
"I am not your king. I am your equal. While on this ship all are equal none are treated better than others." I said as I pulled him to his feet, "I need friends. Brothers and sisters in arms, not subjects that I command like pawns."
"As you say." Zeltas said, "Let us go to the bridge. I need to check the ship's systems for faults caused by age."
"Let us get moving then. The sooner we get to the city the better." I said as I started to walk back down the hallway. Zeltas followed me, "Zeltas, what happened to cause humanity to become so violent towards the inhabitants of this world?"
"It all started when a very old human sage started seeking a path to immortality. As all would expect he had followers, and being a sage gave him great amounts of influence over the populace. He started a rebellion that went unnoticed to any of humanity's allies. Sadly the sage was successful in taking over. The Angelic and Demonic armies never followed the human government. We were more like international peace keepers. The sage moved his army against us when Michael and Lucifer refused to join him. When we proved to much for him he turned his forces against the nations we once called friends. It was a slaughter, nation after nation fell to his madness. We tried to stop him but every nation other than Equestria saw us as just more of his soldiers. With our help Celestia and Luna managed to push the sage's forces back to his capital. Once we were sure that they were no longer going to try and push us back we crafted the spell that would send them to the world you grew up on. After that you should know what happened." Zeltas explained.
We arrived at the bridge not long after he finished the story, "Celestia. Nightmare, Im surprised that you didn't wait at the end of the hall for me to return." I said too the two large alicorns who did not notice us enter the room.
"John." Nightmare said, "We grew bored and decided to come and investigate this wondrous ship. Celestia just followed to watch me." Nightmare trotted over to me and moved closer to my ear, "I think she likes to watch my plot." she said with a slight giggle.
I shook my head, "Nightmare what am I going to do with you?"
"I don't know, but I hope that it is fun!" she responded excitedly.
Zeltas cleared his throat, "If you three don't mind I need to start the system scan. I have to be certain the ship is fully functioning before we leave."
"Sir Zeltas we have kept the ship in fine shape over these many years." Celestia said, "But if you so wish to check over everything you may."
"I was not asking permission." Zeltas said as he walked over to the ships main console.
"He seems fun." Nightmare said.
"He is ready to get moving. I don't blame him either." I said, "We need to get to the city as soon as possible."
"Shadow Wolf, initiate full system start up." Zeltas stated before a whirling sound echoed through the ship, "Celestia if you plan on staying in Canterlot it is time for you to leave the ship. We are about to start our journey."
"But the crew is not here." Celestia said.
"We don't need a crew. This ship was designed to be a warship that only needed it's captain. It is fully automated." Zeltas responded, "Shadow Wolf plot course for 'The Den'. It is time for you to go Celestia."
"Celestia I promise that we will return with help. Just let us leave." I said to the alabaster alicorn, who promptly teleported away.
"John the Shadow Wolf can only leave when you give the order. She is your ship after all." Zeltas said.
I looked at the man and nodded, "Shadow Wolf begin raising altitude, and start for 'The Den'." the Shadow Wolf lurched as it started moving, "Zeltas, how long will this trip be?"
"It will probably be close to four or five days depending on if we run into any problems." he explained.
"So John, where would I be sleeping for this journey of ours?" Nightmare asked.
"You can sleep in my room. I don't know how often I will actually be there." I responded.
"What do you mean?"
"I will be staying on the bridge to watch our progress, but I will sleep occasionally."
"Very well. I shall let you be John, but should I be told that you are not sleeping I will drag you to the bed and use a sleep spell on you." Nightmare said in a commanding voice.
Zeltas chuckled a little, "Don't worry about him. The ship will forcibly teleport him to his room and make him sleep. Don't need a tired captain piloting a warship."
*****
The three travelers have been gone for almost five days. The war has moved from the boarder and more towards the larger cities.
Celestia was pacing in the throne room as she tried to find an outcome that would result in victory for Equestria, but she can think of none that would involve Luna and herself only leading. Luna walked in to the throne room and stared at her sister, "Sister," Luna started pulling Celestia's attention to her, "Clouds Dale has fallen. The remaining Pegasi are assisting the guard in delaying them."
"Luna," Celestia said in a depressed tone, "I am afraid that we will not win this war. The only way we can come close is if me and you take the field of battle, but even then it is a slim chance. We need the help that only John can bring us but it don't seem that he will make it in time to save us."
"Sister, I will join the fighting if I must, but only if that is what gives us the highest chance of success."
"Sadly it is. I will have the fleet of airships prepared. We will go with them and lead our troops." Celestia said as a piece of parchment appeared along with a quill. She quickly wrote down a message and sent it, "Sister let us get ready." she said before the two teleported out of the throne room.
The two alicorns appeared in a room with two mannequins with armor on them. One set was a rose gold set of plate armor that covered much more than the guards. The other was a set of jet black set of light armor, "It has been a long time since we have worn these armors." Luna said as she approached the set of black armor.
"That it has sister." Celestia responded as she moved to the rose gold armor, "But it is needed." she said as she pulled her regalia off, and puts the front of her armor in its place.
After a few moments the two sisters both pulled the helmets over their heads causing their mane and tails to change. Celestia's became flames, and Luna's also becomes flames, but hers still shows the night sky, "Tia I am scared." Luna said drawing a look from her sister, "Not for myself, but for our subjects. It has been so long since the last war if the history books are right."
"Yes it has but that also means that all have forgotten the power that is inside us. We may sit and watch but we are not weak like many think we are." Celestia responded, "Our little ponies can surprise us. They have done it many times since you were sent to the moon, my dear sister. Now let us meet our fellow ponies on the battlefield and show these monsters why you don't attack Equestria." Celestia finished before the two teleported out of the room and onto the deck of an airship. She lifted her hoof and motioned for the fleet to move.
*****
I watched the land pass by and sighed, "I thought that we would be at the city by now." I complained.
Nightmare walked up to me and placed a hoof on my shoulder, "Zeltas said we should be there before the end of the day." I smiled, "So do you have any plans for after all of this?" she asked.
"No not really. I mean yeah I am going to have to lead a nation, but I still want to do things. I just don't know how to do it alone." Nightmare slapped the back of my head, "What was that for?"
"For saying that you are alone. You will never be alone so long as you have friends. That is a lesson that I wish I would have learned sooner, but I guess that it all worked out in the end right." she said with a slight smile.
"I just don't know. My queen was supposed to appear when I got here, but the girl I was with got killed by a fucking assassin. Now I don't have anyone to call family." once I finished a tear slowly slid down my face.
"You can call me family." Nightmare responded quietly, "I don't have anyone either, so we can be family."
"As adopted siblings?" I asked not noticing the slight blush on Nightmare's face.
"No." she responded, "I want to be your queen." she mumbled just loud enough for me to hear, "You are the only one to ever stand up for me. Even the most loyal of my guards ran from Celestia."
"Nightmare…." I started, "I don't know how the Angels and Demons would respond to a pony queen."
"There is spells for changing one's race. Granted they are permanent and require a lot of magic, but they do exist. Normally they are used when a pony falls in love with a race to large for them to have children, but I will gladly change to be with you. I do not know what I will look like but I will do it if you wish." Nightmare said with a small smile.
I looked at her in disbelief, "Nightmare, I can't ask you to do that. If you wish to do so then I wont stop you but I can not ask you to do that."
"I want to do it. I just wanted to know what you thought of the idea." her horn glowed before her form was hidden behind a bright light. After a few moments the light died down and a tall slim woman stood in her place. She wore a deep midnight blue dress that touched the ground, her skin was fair, her hair was long and black, and her eyes were cyan, "How do I look John?" she asked.
"You look amazing Nightmare." I responded, "But what about your magic and all?" I asked.
She looked over her shoulder as a pair of black feathered wings stretched out, "At least I can still fly. I don't need magic." she responded as she looked back at me with a smile, "So about me being your Queen?"
"I would be honored." I said with a smile as I lead Nightmare to the bridge, "So how much longer do you think we have until Equestria is begging for them to spare them?"
"Depends on if they paid attention to what you told Celestia. You are right. A good ruler does not ask their subjects to do something they would not do themselves. That includes fight in a war." Nightmare said as she stumbled a little trying to get used to her new body, "How do you walk like this? It is impossible to keep your balance?"
"Not impossible just different from what you are used to, but you can use me for support until you figure it out completely." I responded before she grabbed my left arm, "Better?" she nodded, "Good because we are almost to the bridge."
"John," Zeltas said as he bowed. He looked at Nightmare and he drew he ornate gold sword and pointed it at her, "How is there a fallen angel here?"
"Relax Zeltas, it is Nightmare. She used a spell to make her human. She will be the Queen." I stated.
"Come on Zeltas. It is still me you big buffoon. I just thought that a human appearance would be taken better than a pony one." Nightmare said as she left my side and stumbled towards a chair, "Besides, I would hate to disappoint John. He is kind of the only one that stood up for me when I needed help. Even if I told him to run."
I rubbed the back of my head and grinned sheepishly before speaking, "So Zeltas how long till we arrive at the city?"
He smiled, "We have just arrived." he motioned out the window on the bridge. When I looked I saw a large city being held in the air by a series of propellers, "Welcome to the city of Eden. The place where all of human civilizations originated from." he chucked at my awestruck expression, "I will dock the ship my Liege. Go prepare your belongings to be brought to your room in the palace."
*****
Hissing could be heard all around the lowest district of the flying city as many humans awake from their long slumber. The sky was quickly filled with angels and demons alike as they left to tend to their duties. At the center of all the commotion, two humans watched as the two armies once again flowed through the great city. One had large white feathered wings and the other had dark red leathery wings. Both wore ornate armor that displayed the emblems of both armies on each shoulder. The two spread their wings and took flight towards the palace airship dock as a large black ship was being latched into place.
*****
Me and Nightmare walked towards where the ship was touching the dock. I watched the sky in amazement as angels and demons alike flew around, "Nightmare," she looked at me, "Do you think that we will be accepted?"
"They are the ones who wanted to have a king of both angelic and demonic decent so they better. You chose me as your queen so they can deal with that also." she responded before she pulled me into a hug. I looked at the dock and saw two men. Both of them bowed when I approached.
"My King we have been waiting for you." the one with the feathered wings said.
"There is many things that require your attention. One being the formal declaration of Humanity's return to Equus." the one with leathery wings continued.
"I am Michael." the first said.
"And I am Lucifer. We will be your Generals and advisors." the second finished.
"Rise my Generals. We have work to do." I ordered uneasily, "There is a very high chance that Princess Celestia and Princess Luna of Equestria will not be able to keep their nation together much longer. They are currently fighting a race that we have no name for that was thought to be destroyed by the mad King before humanity was banished from Equus."
"Sir why are they attacking Equestria?" Michael asked.
"They are attacking because Celestia refused to allow them to take me. They wanted to torture me for the actions of the mad King." I responded. Lucifer motioned for us to follow.
"It will be sometime before our fleet is ready for battle. Currently the only functioning ship is yours." Lucifer said as he motioned to the shipyard that sat next to the docks, "At one time we had a few hundred ships, but that was before the mad King tried to corrupt us."
"Would it be possible to move the city to Equestrian airspace while we work on the ships?" I asked.
"It would be possible but not recommended. Eden, while it can fly has no defenses other than us. That is why we had so many ships." Michael responded.
"If it can be done do it." I snapped at them causing them to jump, "I will not have a nation that I do not belong to fight my war. They have lost enough as it is. By the time we got those ships in the air it might be to late to save them. I would rather risk moving the city and slowly restore the armada than sit and do nothing."
Lucifer chuckled, "He definitely has promise." he said to Michael. He looked at me, "If that is what you wish then so be it." his hands glowed and suddenly the city shifted as it started to move, "It will take us approximately a week to arrive. Until then we will show you what you need to know."
"I guess that will work." I mentally slapped myself in the face, "Before I forget, my name is John. This is Nightmare Moon. She will be your Queen."
"Your Highnesses." they both said mockingly.
"Alright. I will give you a break on that one, but next time I wont be so nice." I responded causing them to laugh me following suit shortly.
Nightmare shook her head, "What will I do with you three?" she sighed as we continued walking towards the palace.
The walk did not take to long. Several jokes were told and Nightmare began to ignore us. The Palace was surprisingly humble. It would be better to just call it a large mansion. It looked to be about four stories tall. The walls were a crystal white with a golden roof. I looked at all the other buildings and then back at the 'Palace'. Every building looked like it other than the size. We walked into the building. The first room we were in was a long hallway that opened up to a large room at the end, "King John," Michael said, "All of your belongings have already been brought to your chambers." he motioned us forward, "Before you can be formally introduced as our King you will need a crown."
"No." I said firmly, "I will not have a crown. My status will be shown by my armor. I will have an insignia placed on it to mark my title."
"As you wish. Would you like to have a word with your people before you begin your training as king?" Lucifer asked.
"No. I would like to get what ever you need to teach me out the way before we get to Equestria." I responded, "Lucifer would you mind teaching your Queen how to properly fight with her body. I have a feeling that she will want to be by my side on the field of battle."
Lucifer bowed, "It would be my honor." he motioned for Nightmare to follow, "This way." Lucifer led Nightmare away leaving me with Michael.
"King John," Michael started, "May I ask why you have made your Queen a fallen angel of all things?"
"She was not always one. Not long before we got here she was actually an alicorn. She wanted to stay with me as my Queen and I didn’t think a pony would be a good choice. So she used magic to become human." I explained, "Now can we start with the 'training'."
"Yes we may," he responded, "First it you will have to learn of your predecessor and the laws that we have."
"This will be fun." I said sarcastically.