//------------------------------// // Engage // Story: Nightmane // by The Atlantean //------------------------------// Constellation watched Silver Sparklelight come back out of the shadowy bushes in the garden. “How’d it go?” “He proposed to me.” “What did you say?” Constellation’s tail flickered back and forth in excitement. “I said yes.” Silver whisper-screamed. “You’re so lucky, you know that? I wonder how many mares’ dreams to be with Captain Candlelight Sparkle are about to be crushed. He is a pretty hoofsome stallion.” “Yours?” Silver teased. “No. I’m content with remaining single for the time being. Besides, I’m sixteen. You’re nineteen. I am still a dependent. You, on the other hoof, just don’t want to leave home just yet while you get everything settled for a career.” Silver bit her lip. “Yeah, I figured you knew that. You’re not stupid.” Constellation playfully patted her friend on the back. “Don’t worry about me. You have a future ahead that you need to hang on to.” ----------------------- Princess Celestia turned her attention to the city bell tower’s enormous, noisy clock as it banged out the time for all Canterlot to hear. As the final dong faded into the night, she returned to her original thought. Captain Sparkle was late. It had been fifteen minutes since his watch began and he was nowhere in sight. In fact, she was holding his watch right now, with a cup of coffee held delicately in her magic. The white porcelain was perfect for a hot drink, easily contrasting the dark liquid. But the coffee had more or less cooled by now, and steam no longer spiraled up from it. Celestia sighed and heated it up with her magic. Galloping hoofsteps approached. The sudden clanking of armor normally heard during a salute told her that the prodigal son had returned. “Captain Sparkle, I hope you have a good reason for being this late for your shift? As Captain of the Guard, you of all ponies cannot afford mistakes like this.” “I apologize, Princess,” Sparkle said. “I was in the gardens across town.” “In the Midnight District, Captain?” He lowered his head and shuffled slightly. “Yes, ma’am.” His voice was downcast as he realized how big a mistake he’d made being this late. Celestia turned around, still holding the coffee. “What happened?” she asked in her calmest, most motherly voice. Captain Sparkle almost mumbled something, but caught himself. “I got engaged,” he said quietly after a couple seconds. “And this was more important than your position as Captain?” “No, ma’am. I lost track of time, ma’am.” Celestia looked to the sky for a few seconds before looking deep into Captain Sparkle’s eyes as she lifted his head with her hoof. “Captain, I’m happy for you. You’re on the way to marriage, which will be one of the biggest events in your lifetime. You ready to start a family. That is a bond not even the strongest weapon can break, or spell can disrupt. But you must remember your duty to Equestria. Please, in the future, try to be on time. I don’t want to have to court-martial my finest Captain for forgetting his post.” “Yes, ma’am. I understand, ma’am.” “Good.” Celestia stood straight once again and strode past Sparkle. “See you for the morning report, Captain.” ---------------------- Constellation woke to a startling figure on her bedroom balcony. Its eyes were dark - its entire body, in fact, was a pony-shaped black hole. And the weirdest part: she felt its gaze rest on her, its icy glare chilling her bones through her thin blanket. “Wh- what are you?” she questioned it nervously. “It does not matter what I am, Constellation Nightmane,” its rough voice replied. “Nor who I am. What matters is everything you and your mother have done these past few days.” “I’ve done nothing wrong. Neither has Mother.” “That is not the point. The true Queen of the Dreamworld has interest in you. However, she her magic cannot come close. You must go to her.” Its command froze her mind for a minute. The Queen of the Dreamworld was the title held by only one pony: Nightbreaker herself. When Constellation came back to the present, the thing was still waiting for her response. “No.” Although she was scared, her voice was firm. The chill she felt from its presence became literal and her breath came out in clouds. “You dare to resist the orders of your one true Queen? If only you knew the full power of the magic she can wield.” “I will not betray Equestria.” The black eagle-eyes became visible as white lines of rage materialized around them. Its anger eventually subsided, and he spoke once more. “The resolve of the Nightmane family is impressive. Your ancestor was a worthy adversary, Constellation Nightmane, but do not push your luck. You are not Krypton Nightmane.” With that, the figure was gone, leaving no trace except for a single black tendril that snaked away. Twilight Nightmane poked her head into the doorway just as it vanished from view. “Who were you talking to, sweetie?” “It didn’t say, but I think it came from Nightbreaker.” “You know she’s gone, sweetie.” “I know you’re hiding something. The night you came back from the mines, you gave me some of the herbs, saying they’d protect me from Nightbreaker. I know what I heard.” Twilight let out a long, pressure-relieving sigh. “Well then. I hoped you’d forget and think I was just being a paranoid mother. Just… be careful. After the mines, and since your father hasn’t come back, I’ve been a little more on edge than usual.” Constellation got out of bed and placed her hoof on her mother’s shoulder. “I’ll be fine, Mother. I have you."