Here we stand. I was honestly a bit surprised to see three different individuals after only expecting to summon one, but I was willing to take what I could get, and the being certainly had enough levels to probably do the job.
Though I had to recognize that my line wasn’t the most polite one to start with, but I like to get straight to the point. Still, I decided to correct myself by starting an introduction.
“My name is Fenrich, right hand of Princess Luna. I have summoned you to assist us with a task of greatest importance. But introductions first, who do I have the honor with?” I asked eying the three beings.
The man gazed down at me, curiously. “I’m Jason Hughes, Equestrian Prince of Valor. This is Bartz.” He gestures at the hybrid. “And that's Morpheus.” He motioned at the colt.
I nodded, “It certainly is a nice surprise to meet another humanoid being like you. You are the first in a long time. And before you ask, normally I do have a more humanoid look, but the Elements of Harmony are a fickle thing, and robbed me of my levels, reverting me to this rather degrading state of a small wolf for now.”
Jason snickered, shaking his head. “Then, you only have yourself to blame for getting hit with the friendship laser.”
I of course huffed at his rude remark, “I didn’t have much of a choice. The Princess was about to be hit, so I tried to intervene. Sadly it didn’t work and she got reverted into a more degrading form too,” I said while gesturing to the teenage form of Princess Luna, who nodded respectfully at the three, as she eyed our interaction with interest.
Bartz and Morpheous gazed at Luna, looking rather shocked. Jason however, nodded. “Right, so, you guys are way behind me in the timeline. Anyway, I’m not going to help you put the sun out. That's an incredibly stupid idea. Everything else though, within reason, is fine.”
“As if anyone would need the sun and its wretched mover the Sun Witch,” I commented with disdain, before shaking my head, “But sadly Luna wouldn’t approve of this anyway, since she conciliated with her sister much to my chagrin. The plan at the moment doesn’t have anything to do with this though. It is more about a proper accommodation. The Princess needs safety, and since the nobles currently protest to let her into Canterlot,” I made sure to put a lot of venom into that one word, “we know are faced with a problem. The solution would be to move the Castle of the Two Sisters from the Everfree, to here, the edge of the Everfree. Do you think, you are able to do that?”
Jason shrugged. “Yeah, I can do that. Omnitrix, Alien X.” The device on his arm let out a flash, and he was transformed into a black skinned humanoid, who looked like the night sky come alive. An awkward silence filled the air, where Jason just stood there for a few minutes.
“So,” I started, “Are you going to move the castle now?”
“Give him a few minutes,” Bartz spoke, shifting on his hooves. “He’s debating.”
“Debating?” I mused with a paw on my chin as I cocked my head.
Bartz nodded. “Alien X is a Celestial Sapian. In order for them to make any action, their various personalities have to reach a consensus.”
“Sounds rather bothersome to me. But then again, my Overload is something I can only use in combination with moonlight.”
“Motion carried!” Jason shouted, extending his arms. A strange pulse went through the air, the world itself rippling.
All the Night Guards around were tensing, as they looked uneasily around themselves and were ready to jump into action should anything harmful happen, while Luna and I stared at our surroundings intently.
Jason changed back, rubbing his head. “Your castles moved.” He turned towards the guards, giving them an unimpressed look. “I know you're doing your job, but, relax.”
Aurora took that as her signal to step in front of Jason, Punching Bag trailing behind her and much to my chagrin even hiding a bit behind her.
“No offense dude, but you are an unknown around here, so we were a bit cautious. Especially after finally getting our Princess back after a thousand years. But since you did your work like promised, I think we can return some trust. Isn’t that right boys and girls?”
As if in answer the guards let out a collective “Yes, Ma’am!”
It made me nod approvingly, seeing at how disciplined they are.
I then stepped over to Aurora, “It seems the Night Guard won’t be needed any longer. You should go ahead and let them move into the castle. A lot of work has to be done. From repairs to establishing the different sections.”
The Guard Captain grinned, “Sure thing! You heard it! Let’s move on!”
With that the guard moved over to the castle, starting their work. They were fast workers, so I think this should be done quickly. Even more so once they made a portal to bring in supplies. I say, in ten minutes things might already be in a good condition. Give them an hour and everything will be completely established, minus the repairs. Those would probably take about a week.
I turned back around to Jason and the...children.
A frown crossed my muzzle.
Why do I have to think about this now?
I shook my head free and then wanted to address them. Princess Luna had meanwhile stepped beside me, laying a comforting hand on my back, probably already sensing my mood.
This was also I assume the reason she started talking, “We thank thee, Jason Hughes. For thou didst offer us a great service. How about we invite thee and thine foals to lunch?”
Bartz grumbled, putting his hands in his pockets. “I’m seventeen.”
Luna blinked, “Well, we heard once that parents always see their foals as foals. So since thou are Jason’s foals we assumed this to be a proper term to describe both of thee at once instead of addressing thee separately. Were we wrong?”
Morpheus giggled, gazing up at her. “We’re not Uncle Jay’s foals.”
That made me quirk an inquisitive brow. “Not his foals? This is rather peculiar and makes me wonder what kind of uncaring mother would let their foals move through dimensions with their uncle. Certainly the Princess would react much more appropriate for example if she had foals.”
Jason smirked. “Actually, funny you should mention that.” He put a hand on Bartz’s shoulder. “Bartz here is the son of my adopted father Gilgamesh, and Luna. Morpheus is the love child of Nightmare Moon and Discord.”
This made me, as well as the Princess sputter as we reeled to actually take in what was said.
Not necessary to say that it didn’t work.
“M-M-My foals?!” Luna exclaimed in shock, while my response was...more displeased.
“What did you say?! Some undeserving scoundrels I didn’t even approve worthy of the Princess were giving foals to her?!” I fumed, not liking the idea of some unknown beings spending time with the Princess I served my entire life.
It was also rather confusing as I didn’t know how these beings got on the moon past the seal towards her.
Morpheus whined, clearly upset by the outburst. He dove back into Jason’s shadow, vanishing from sight.
Jason, did not look pleased with this. “I’m going to avoid getting mad, because it seems you don’t understand how things work. We are not from your universe, we’re from another one. A very different Equestria from yours. In mine, Luna and Nightmare Moon became two separate people. Now, apologize.”
My mind came to a halt at this explanation and I sighed visibly in relief. For a mere moment I thought I failed in my task to serve the Princess again. Just to be a complete failure in the one true ambition, the one goal I yearn for. It was truly a horrifying thought. But this. I could deal with this. True, it still didn’t feel right for other Princesses of the Night to just up and marry some beings I’m not aware of, but it was manageable. And besides, if I would concentrate on the other Luna’s out there, and how Jason talked there seemed to be quite a lot of them, then I would never help the Luna I have served so fervently to reach the top.
I also then noticed the quivering shadow, making me realize that I must have frightened this Morpheus being. Normally I wouldn’t care much for the comfort of a foal, but this was the foal of another Luna in a way. Another being worthy of my respect.
With that I started to stand on my hindlegs and bowed with what could only be described as the classical Fenrich bow. Or at least that was the way I always called it back then I was in my human form. In that time I didn’t really understand the meaning of the gesture quite as well as I do now. It is not only a sign of my unyielding loyalty to her, but also of my respect for the Mistress of the Night. But now it will serve as a sign of apology.
...Not to mention that it actually looked quite silly for a wolf to bow like that. But I did so regardless with a flourish of my furry paw.
“My deepest apologies, Prince Morpheus. I was simply overwhelmed by this information and didn’t know how to handle it. Just tell me with what I can make it up to you and I will. After all: All is for my Princess. Or Prince now as you are a foal of the glorious Night Princess.”
Morpheus cautiously stepped out, eyeing me closely. “It’s okay but... mama isn’t a princess.”
That actually made me stumble back on my paws in shock. “H-How?” I asked tentatively, before I had an epiphany and understood the situation, “It is Celestia, isn’t it? She stripped her sister of her title and now rules over the lands in your dimension on her own. This has to be rectified! Just give me the signal Prince, and I will gather my best troops for a coup to let your mother sit on her rightful throne once more in all of her glory!”
Jason face palmed, an aggravated sigh escaping his lips. “Were you not paying attention when I said that Luna and Nightmare are two separate people now? Luna still rules alongside Celestia in Canterlot, and is one of our Equestria’s heptarchy. Nightmare has the disposition of Fluttershy, and lives quietly in Ponyville.”
“That is… A world with two glorious Night Princesses? I honestly wish I could live in such a simply divine place! Nightmare Moon in this dimension is Princess Luna’s Overload. It is her stronger form she can activate after the drinking of blood, like my own Overload with moonlight. Sadly the Sun Witch forbid her from drinking blood, limiting her strength to what is now before you.”
Jason gazed at the princess, scratching his cheek. “Yeah... I’d be careful with that kinda thing. In most universes, Nightmare Moon is a horrible tyrant.”
I couldn’t help but scoff, “A horrible tyrant? I can understand that her strict nature in that chapter of her life might not be seen all that positive, but her reign did never even come to fruition in the end. We...I failed as Celestia simply used her Elements of Harmony to deprive the ponies of Eternal Night and cheat her way to victory.”
Jason pinched the bridge of his nose. “You’re being too narrow minded here. Your Nightmare Moon was obviously an exception, not the rule.” He fixed me a look. “That, or, you're being blinded by faith.”
“The Princess saved my life. Maybe I have faith in her, but I can most certainly say that her form hasn’t altered her way of thinking back then. We had our reasons for our decisions back then, believe me. And I am well aware that our actions are seen as pretty villainous in this time. But Celestia’s actions from that time are seen as equally villainous to the neighbouring country we fled to. It’s all a question of perspective sometimes. The winner dictates history after all.”
“Look, I’m not getting into this debate.” Jason put his hands up. “Let's just drop it and move on.”
“I can agree on that. It were dark times. Times I don’t like to think back on, I said with a small shiver as the Princess laid a comforting hand on my back.
“So,” Bartz spoke up, fluffing his wings. “Can we get some food?” Jason rolled his eyes, slapping the smaller man upside his head.
“If the young Prince wants some, who are we to deny a guest?” I said and Luna agreed with a nod of her head as her eyes lit up.
“We hath planned to invite thee all for a most delightful lunch!”
Morpheus smiled up at her. “We would like that, aunt Luna.”
The Princess clapped her hands together in a delighted gesture, “I think Sugarcube Corner might be the best choic-”
But I interrupted her as I stepped forward and stood on my hindpaws.
“Allow me Princess, but I have a better idea.” She nodded and signaled me to go on, “If you would all allow then I would propose we dine in the newly transported castle. The kitchen is probably already ready.”
The Princesses face paled instantly as she hesitantly asked, “T-Thou doth not mean…”
I nodded as I sat down and stuck my chest out proudly, “I most certainly do! It is time for this old dog to pamper all the young Princes, the Princess, and even you Jason with my culinary abilities in the demon cuisine! I take it you are surely interested in tasting this for you completely new culinary direction? It will be a real feast!”
I started to look at the three of them expectantly, while I still could see Luna mouthing ‘No’, out of the corner of my eyes while shaking her head furiously. This deeply unprincesslike and childish behaviour of hers made me roll my eyes. Especially considering that I was an expert in the demon cuisine.
Jason as well as his two companions looked between me and Luna with what ranged from a perplexed to an uncertain look at the prospect of eating a meal prepared by me.
“I think we pass,” Jason finally said. But I was of course having none of it!
“Oh, I insist! See it as a reward for a job well done. Not to mention that it is healthy. Surely the most appropriate meal to nurture two young Prince’s on their way to rule a kingdom! Or maybe even their entire universe!” I said before offering them an escort to the newly placed castle.
Bartz simply shrugged. “That's more of Jason’s thing. He rules three of the realms any way.”
“May that as it be, but Princes still do need a healthy diet. And with your parents absent I feel the obligation to take over that part. I was serving Luna for quite some time after all.”
Bartz frowned. “Please don’t treat me like a child. I may be young, but I’m only a year away from being an adult.”
“Don’t worry, young Prince. I most certainly am not treating you in such a degrading way. I’m merely worried about your sustenance. It is something I even worry over Princess Luna, and she is quite mature...most of the time.”
The Princess shot me a pouty look as she crossed her arms, “I’m always mature.”
A hearty giggle alerted us to another presence and I noticed Aurora approaching us.
“Good to see you guys are joking around and having a good time while I’m working my flank off.”
“Is there a reason you are here, Captain?” I asked with an annoyed raised brow.
“I just wanted to inform you that we have set up the core departments and are making marvelous progress here on the front. Maybe you and the Princess want to inspect our work? Just in case you have any ideas or want something changed.”
I mulled this over for but a moment before I nodded and turned to my guests.
“What do you say? Are you fine with an inspection and tour through the castle first before I cook up some delicious demon cuisine for you?”
“Ooh! Sounds fun! I’m in!” Pinkie said suddenly popping in between us. Fluttershy also poked her head out behind Pinkie’s back.
I had already completely forgotten about these two in the heat of the argument.
A sigh escaped my lips. “Fine. So it seems like our tour group just grew. We better get on with the program before anything else unexpected happens.”
After receiving a row of nods, some more enthusiastic than others (I’m looking at you Pinkie Pie), I escorted them forwards towards the castle.