Viktor woke up to the sun shining through the window the next morning. He yawned and then proceeded stretch his arms before the memories of what had happened yesterday slammed into him with the force of a freight train. So we truly are in a world where sentient horses, or in this case “ponies” are the dominant species here. Add to that Carlos, Alexa, Kate and I are now actual big cats, this is definitely one of the weirdest experiences I've had in my life… he thought wryly as he stood up. He then heard Carlos groan, “Five more minutes….” from where he was curled up on the bed with Alexandra. He chuckled before letting out a low growl. Carlos leapt about a foot in the air, banging his head on the overhang above the bed before crashing back down and ejecting Alexa, who yelped in surprise. Both Tigers glared at Viktor, who was managing to keep a straight face.
“Very funny…” Carlos growled with a deadpan look just as Katelyn sat up yawning.
“Uuugh, that was the worst sleep I’ve had for a while…. Those dreams didn't make any sense….” she muttered, blinking the sleep out of her eyes. “Getting woken up by a “pop” sound in the middle of the night didn't help…”
Viktor glanced sharply at his sister. “You had weird dreams also?” He asked, Carlos and Alexandra also giving Katelyn a surprised look.
The Panther nodded. “Yeah, us in the Stuffed Animal Kingdom, fighting Beasties, chatting with the other animals, but the weird thing was that both Joey and Courtney were in there also...”
Viktor frowned. What she had described was exactly what he had seen in his dreams also. “Is it possible that they were memories?” He asked.
Carlos snorted. “Memories? Please, they were just weird dreams, probably brought on by what happened last night.” He said, flicking his ear.
“Probably…” the lion said. “But somehow, I'm not convinced.”
“How about we worry about it later, right now, we need to go and make sure those Beasties don't get their claws, paws, or whatever they use for hands on the kids here.” Katelyn said.
As the four cats headed for the door, they heard the voices of Luna and Celestia yelling from the window. “You always get the praise, all I seem to be is a joke to everyone else!”
The Princess of the night’s voice was close to tears, “I just want to be as important as you!”
The rest was indistinguishable as Shield Breaker opened the door. “You’re needed at the throne room.” She said, her voice shaking.
“Everything okay? Sounded like a ruckus was going on…” Carlos asked.
“It's none of your concern.” The mare answered sharply. Carlos raised an eyebrow in disbelief.
“Okay, sheesh…” the tiger muttered.
Besides the guards the four had met, Alexa noticed that there were a lot more guards escorting them with weapons at the ready. Okay, something is up…. There weren't as many guards escorting us last time, so what's going on?
As they reached the throne room doors, they burst open and Luna walked out, a look of anger on her face as she stormed past the group. “Geez, someone's not a morning person…” Carlos muttered before getting whacked on the back of the head by Alexandra. “Ow!”
Hmm… wonder if it has something to do with all that yelling earlier… Viktor thought as he and the others were escorted inside. Celestia was at her throne, rubbing her temples as if she was getting a headache.
“Your highness.” Viktor said, nodding his head in greeting. “You wanted us?”
Celestia looked up to see the four standing in front of the throne and nodded. “Yes, I had recently gotten a report that three fillies, two unicorns and one Pegasus and a earth pony colt had been taken last night. We don't know where they've been taken, but we hope that thou will be able to find them and bring them back safely.” Unseen by the four, Shield Breaker choked back a sob.
“If they haven't been eaten already….” Katelyn muttered.
Viktor gave her a warning glance before saying, “We’ll see what we can do. Incidentally, what was with the shouting earlier? We could hear it from our room.”
An embarrassed blush tinted Celestia's cheeks. “It was nothing, just Luna complaining about something.” All four cats raised their eyebrows in unison.
“If that was complaining, I'm a sheep.” Carlos said, “It sounded like she wanted some recognition from your subjects and she's not getting it.”
Celestia's eyes narrowed. “What happens between my sister and I is of no concern to thee. You need not worry about our problems when we have a bigger problem on our hooves.” She said stiffly.
“Very well. But a word of warning Princess, it may not be our problem but I’ve seen enough fighting in families to know that if you don't give at least some recognition to Luna, it will come back to haunt you in the worst way possible…” Viktor said.
“Noted. Captain Shield Breaker will lead you to where you need to go, but after that, you’re on your own.” Celestia said, an annoyed look on her face. Viktor nodded before he and the others left the throne room. I don't need some cat to tell me what to do! I'm not one of my subjects! She thought in anger, unaware that in Luna's room, her sister was sobbing on her bed.
It's not fair! Why does Celestia get all the praise while I sit in the sidelines unnoticed?! I'm tired of being in her shadow! The midnight blue Alicorn thought angrily.
“Then why not remove her from her throne and take over?” A voice said next to her. She looked up in shock to see a midnight black Alicorn in battle armor next to her, with teal draconic eyes and pointed teeth.
“Wh...who are you?” Luna asked in shock, earning a demented chuckle from it.
“Isn’t it obvious? I am… you…” it said, “Together, we can make Celestia pay for how she's treated you and bring an eternal night! You’ll be worshipped even more than Celestia!”
Luna looked away for a few seconds before saying, “I may be angry at my sister, but I will not take her life or her child’s!”
The Alicorn snarled, “You will! I don't care about the brat or Celestia, they are only obstacles to you ruling Equestria!” She then leapt at Luna, who charged up her horn in response, before vanishing completely.
Luna looked around in confusion before a massive spike of pain forced her to her knees. YOU WILL SUBMIT! Her double yelled inside her head.
“No! I will not harm my sister or my future niece or nephew!” Luna yelled. But years of anger and sadness had taken its toll on her, and she could feel herself weakening.
But the thought of her sister gave her strength, and she managed to fight off the attack. But the effort had left her very weak, and she collapsed on her bed, her vision darkening as sleep overtook her. She never heard her double whisper, 'You will be mine…’ before cackling insanely.
Meanwhile, in the Everfree Forest near Ponyville…
“Geez, finding those kids is proving to be harder than I thought!” Carlos panted as the four ran through the forest.
The four had left Shield Breaker after they had arrived at their destination, Katelyn having managed to catch the scent before they had even reached the site. But after following it for 100 yards, the scent was lost and the four were now scouring the forest for any sign of the four kids.
“Gee, and I thought this was gonna be easy!” the Panther snarked.
They stopped at a small grove of trees, panting for breath. “Okay… so what do we do now?” Alexa asked.
Viktor opened his mouth to answer when he heard something nearby. He looked around to see what it was and froze when he saw a cage holding the four kids in question. The three fillies, two of which looked like they were in their teens were huddled together while the colt watched the four with a scared look in his eyes. The lion then gave out orders to the others, using their character names. “Minerva, Ares, keep an eye out for any Beasties. Venus, you’re with me.”
“You’ve got it.” Carlos said before he and Katelyn took up sentry positions.
Both Viktor and Alexandra walked over to the cage, and while the tigress watched for any signs of Beasties or Everfree creatures, Viktor smashed the lock off with a single blow. “Don't worry little ones, we’re here to make sure you get back to your parents safely.” He said gently to the four captives. As he looked closely at them, he saw that the two unicorn fillies looked almost exactly like Shield Breaker, but the pegasus and earth pony were strangers to him.
The fillies squeaked in fear, while the colt gave the lion a suspicious look before saying, “Who are you? You don't look like those monsters…”
“I'm Pallo of the Night Pride, my team and I were sent by the Princesses to rescue you three.” Viktor said. The three fillies looked up when he mentioned the Princesses, the two unicorns fillies stood up but the pegasus filly struggled to get up before she fell back down onto the floor of the cage. Viktor could see several bruises on her and one of her wings along with her left back leg were held out awkwardly, as if they were broken, and a flash of anger went through him at the sight of it. “Can you two help her ?” He asked the two unicorns. They nodded before one of them levitated the pegasus onto the other's back.
Just as the four kids were about to walk out of the cage, Carlos yelled, “LOOK OUT!” Viktor quickly spun around to see a Beastie charge at him and Alexa, six others following it. All of them were howling for the Night Pride’s heads.
“Kids, get out of the cage and get behind that tree! We’ll take care of these guys!” Viktor yelled before charging towards the Beasties with a roar.
“C’mon!” The colt said, leading the three fillies to a nearby tree. The four then hunkered down and watched the ensuing battle unfold.
“You’re not getting those kids, Beastie!” Katelyn snarled, landing a powerful overhead blow to the one she was fighting.The creature staggered, allowing her to deliver a finishing blow that put it out of action for good, only for a second Beastie to slap her out of the way. “Ooof!” She grunted as she slammed into the ground, winded. The Beastie then started to approach the tree where the four kids were hiding, only for Carlos to slam into it.
“Where do you think you’re going, Beastie?” He growled, before delivering a multitude of powerful paw strikes to the creature, his claws dealing massive amounts of damage.
“ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGH!” The Beastie roared in pain and anger before he backed off and ran. “You haven't stopped anything! We’ll get those kids yet!” It yelled as it retreated.
Carlos then turned to see two more Beasties run off, two others having fallen in battle.
“Tell your master Equestria is under our protection!” He heard Viktor roar to them. “If he wants the children of this world, he’ll have to go through us!”
The tiger then turned to where the kids were hiding. “You guys can come out now, it’s safe.” The colt and the three fillies, the pegasus laying on the colt's back, cautiously walked out from where they had hid during the fight.
“Let's take you back home. Your parents must be worried sick by now.” Alexandra said with a gentle smile. The kids nodded earnestly before the Pride arranged themselves so that the children were in the middle and they were on the outside, that way, they could defend the kids if anything tried to attack.
Within a few hours, they had returned to the castle. Shield Breaker, who was on duty that moment, gave a cry of relief and ran to the two unicorn fillies, who with a squeal of “Mom!”, met her half way. The fillies held their mother, who was sobbing with happiness and relief, tightly.
Shield Breaker then looked up with tears in her eyes at the four cats and said, “Thank you so much for saving my girls… I… I don't know what I would have done if I had lost them to those creatures….”
Viktor scuffed the ground with his paws, embarrassed. “It was nothing… but we need to get the other two inside, one of them is badly injured.” Shield Breaker nodded before the group went inside.
Later in the throne room….
“We cannot thank thee enough for saving these four.” Celestia said, “Thou hast proven that you truly are protectors.”
After the four had returned with the kids, the pegasus filly was taken to the local doctor, and was afterwards was taken home with both her leg and wing in a cast. The earth pony colt had also been taken home to his parents.
The four cats bowed their heads in respect. “It is what we were made to be.” Carlos said, before he realized what he had said. The others looked at him in either surprise (in the case of the rest of the Night Pride) or shock (in Celestia's case).
“Err…. Excuse us for a moment?” He asked. Celestia nodded and the four left the throne room.
“Guys…” Viktor said, his tone showing how shaken he was, “I think… I think we're slowly turning into the actual characters…”
“Weren't we already turned into them?” Carlos asked in surprise.
“In body, but not in mind.” Viktor pointed out. “But our minds are now changing to the characters we became, Carlos just proved it when he spoke to Celestia.”
“How…. How long until we fully become the actual Night Pride?” Katelyn asked, her voice shaking.
“Hopefully not for at least five or ten years. But that's just a guess…” Viktor said, shrugging his shoulders.
“I hope so…” Carlos muttered, his tail twitching nervously.
The other two murmured agreement before the four then returned to the throne room.
“Is everything okay?” Celestia asked, concern in her voice.
“Yes, your highness. It wasn't anything too important.” Viktor said, giving the others a warning look.
Other than a puzzled look, Celestia gave the matter no further thought. The four then headed to their room, but when they opened the door, they got a surprise in the form of a small bear in a red vest, with a single scar on one eye and a bandage over his right paw, and wielding a double-edged sword.
Four voices spoke together in shock. “Orson!?”
The four cats stared at the small bear in front of them, looks of utter surprise on their faces. “Okay… anyone else find it weird that Orson, Courtney's bear is here in the flesh?!” Carlos asked.
Orson gave the tiger a confused look. “Ares, what are you talking about? You do realize Joey is worried sick about the four of you?”
“Wait, Joey? As in Joey Price?” Alexandra asked, her blood running cold.
Orson’s confused look deepened. “Yes, that Joey. Did you guys hit your heads or something when you vanished?”
“When we van-” Katelyn suddenly winced as a voice suddenly rang in her head. Orson? How… how are you here?The Panther’s eyes widened as she heard Minerva's voice. Judging from the reactions of the others, they were also hearing the voices of the actual Night Pride. Well, at least we know that we aren't turning into the characters in our minds, they’re somehow part of us! She thought.
The four then shimmered before spectral versions of themselves seperated from their bodies and stood next to them. “Orson, it’s good to see you again.” Ares said with a grin.
Orson's eyes widened in shock. “Ares? If that's you, then who are these four?” He asked, pointing his sword at the human turned cats.
“We… used to be humans, but after buying masks of these guys at a convention,” Viktor nodded to the spectral forms of the Night Pride, “We found ourselves here in Equestria.”
“What's a convention?” Ares asked with a confused look on his face.
“And what's Equestria?” Minerva asked.
Carlos facepawed. “You four should know about Equestria by now, you’re part of us!” He said, giving the four a deadpan look.
Just as Ares was about to retort, Shield Breaker entered the room only to stop and look in shock at the group gathered in the room. Oh… crap…. Alexandra thought.
“W….who are you?” The mare asked, her voice shaking.
“Orson… Pallo, Ares, Minerva and Venus… this is Captain Shield Breaker, Shield Breaker, this is Orson and the original Night Pride.”
Orson gave Shield Breaker a guarded look. “Huh, and I thought I only saw unicorns in the Stuffed Animal Kingdom…” he muttered.
“It’s not just unicorns here. There's also Pegasi and Earth Ponies and two Alicorns.” Carlos said, earning a confused look from Orson.
“What's an Alicorn?” he asked.
“They’re the rulers here.” Pallo said. “While we couldn't interact, we could still watch through the eyes of these four.”
Orson cocked an eyebrow before saying, “If that's all, the reason I'm here is because the Beasties had vanished from our universe completely. We didn't know where they were until I found this world by accident. And I heard the fight between these four and those monsters, so we now know that they're here, by why is the question…”
Carlos growled, “Same thing as always, to kidnap the kids here. We just rescued four earlier today.”
Orson's eyes narrowed. “And you four stopped the Beasties from taking them from Valthraax? I'm impressed, for four humans, you did exactly what the Pride would have done.”
“Well, we pretty much are the Pride.” Viktor chuckled.
“That begs the question though, how did you turn into us?” Venus asked. “The last thing I remember was talking to Joey then… nothing.”
Katelyn sighed, “Honestly, I have no idea. Whatever that Merchant did, he made it so that we were turned into who we were dressed up as.” She said before turning to Shield Breaker and asking, “Was there something you needed to ask us?”
Shield Breaker shook herself out of her shock and replied, “ Princess Luna would like to speak with you four. I'm to escort you to her room.”
Viktor nodded, “We’ll be with you in a minute.” He turned to the five stuffed animals. “If you’ll excuse us, we’re needed for something.”
Orson smirked, “I’ll keep in touch.” He said before he pulled out a scroll and chanted “Eene Meene Myne Mo!” A portal then opened up and just as he started to walk through to his universe, he turned and said, “I’ll let King Bear know about what's going on here.” With that, he vanished through the portal, which closed with a pop.
The Night Pride then walked towards their doubles before shimmering and vanishing as they got close to the four. Let's get this over with… Katelyn heard Minerva mutter.
Somehow, this is something I'm never gonna get used to…. Katelyn thought as the four followed Shield Breaker out of their room to a torch lit corridor. After a few minutes of walking, they stopped at a set of dark blue doors overlaid with silver with the symbol of a moon etched on the front.
For a princess, she goes all out with the interior design!Ares remarked. Carlos rolled his eyes.
Of course she does, she’s royalty! I didn't see you commenting that to Joey when you were showing him the castle! Carlos retorted.
How… how did you know about that?!Ares asked in surprise
Memories, duh…
Ares chuckled as Shield Breaker knocked on the door.
“Enter…” Luna's voice rang out from her room, but it sounded tired.
The four entered the room to see Luna lying on her bed, her usually flowing blue mane now hanging down limp by her side of her neck. Geez, what happened to her? Carlos thought in shock.
“Your highness, you wanted to speak with us?” Viktor asked, concern in his eyes.
Luna nodded tiredly. “Indeed, I heard that your mission earlier was a success.”
The four nodded before Carlos asked, “What.. what made you so exhausted, if I may ask?”
Luna sighed. “I… I was fighting my own personal demons… and nearly succumbed to them...”
The four gave the Alicorn sympathetic looks. “We all know what it's like to fight our personal demons…” Viktor said. “And the best way we do that is to either comfort each other or find some way to cheer us up.”
Carlos then remembered a song from a band back on Earth called Black Veil Brides, and as the song played in his head, he began to sing the lyrics, the other three joining in as they heard the song.
(Bold - All four \ Italics - Carlos)
Huh, In the end as you fade into the night…(Whoa…)
Who will tell the story of your life?
In the end, as my soul's laid to rest, what is left of my body?
Or am I just a shell?....
And I have fought, and with flesh and blood I commanded an army!
Through it all, I have given my heart for a moment of glory! (I gave it all…)
In the end as you fade into the night…(Whoa!)
Who will tell the story of your life? (Whoa!)
And who will remember your last goodbye? (Whoa!)
'Cause it’s the end and I'm not afraid, not afraid to die!
I'm not afraid, not afraid to die!
Born a saint, but with every sin I still want to be holy….
I will live again…
Who we are, isn't how we live, we are more than our bodies!
If I fall, I will rise back up and relive my glory!
Luna sat on her bed, her eyes wide as she heard the four sing.
In the end as you fade into the night (Whoa!)
Who will tell the story of your life? (Whoa!)
And who will remember your last goodbye? (Whoa!)
'Cause it’s the end and I'm not afraid, not afraid to die!
In the end as you fade into the night (Whoa!)
Who will tell the story of your life? (Whoa!)
And who will remember your last goodbye? (Whoa!)
'Cause it’s the end and I'm not afraid, not afraid to die!
Who will remember this last goodbye? (Whoa!)
'Cause it’s the end and I'm not afraid, not afraid to die!
I'm not afraid, not afraid to die!
Not afraid, I'm not afraid to die!
As they finished the song, Luna shakily got off her bed and trotted over to the four, looking at them in amazement all the while. “In all my years ruling Equestria, I have never heard a song like the one you hath sung…” she said. “And I have sung only once or twice!”
Carlos flattened his ears in embarrassment. “It's just a song from back on Earth… there was another song that would have been more appropriate, but this song ended up popping in my head.” he said.
“Nonetheless, it… very well describes my struggles.” Luna said.
“Was there another reason you wanted us?” Viktor asked.
“Yes. I need you four to stop these creatures from taking the foals of Equestria, both filly and colt. From what you have told us, they strike at night. Therefore, we need to make sure that they are stopped before they take anypony.”
“The problem is that we can't guard the entirety of Equestria's children.” Alexandra said, frowning. “We would be too spread out.”
Luna gently smiled. “You wouldn't be working alone, I have a private unit of Thestrals that can help you, they're led by Lieutenant Night Slicer.”
What is it with the names here? Ares asked, Seriously, Shield Breaker? Night Slicer? They sound like names from one of those cartoons Joey watches!
Not the time to talk it about right now…. Carlos said.
Luna noticed the annoyed look on the tiger’s face before she suddenly sensed four other presences inside the Night Pride.
Her horn glowed as she glared at the four. “You may have tried to take me over once, but I will not fall to you again!” She growled angrily.
The four cats tensed as Luna went into attack mode. “Luna, what are you talking about?! We never even attacked you once!” Carlos said.
Oh no… she must have sensed me and the others!Ares said, Whatever happened to her, something must've tried to possess her! She thinks we're back to finish the job!
Carlos's eyes widened as Ares said this. “Luna, wait!” He shouted, but was too late as the Alicorn unleashed a powerful blast that sent the four flying out of the room.
“Oy…. Anyone get the license plate of that truck?” Katelyn groaned, putting a paw over her head. She then yelped as another bolt of magic flew past her and impacted the wall behind her.
Shield Breaker was hunkered nearby under a suit of armor, watching with wide eyes at what was happening.
Okay, enough is enough! I'm not letting you be used as target practice!Ares growled.
The four then shimmered before the spectral versions of themselves seperated and walked over to Luna, who looked on in shock.
“What in Faust's name…?!” She whispered.
Carlos then spoke up, “Luna, meet the original Night Pride: Pallo, Ares, Minerva and Venus.”
The four cats bowed their heads in respect. “It's… an honor meeting you, your highness.” Pallo said. “I'm sorry if we caused you some distress.”
“It's… not your fault.” Luna sighed. “I thought you were the manifestation of my anger and hatred trying to take me over again… please forgive me for making such a error…”
The four cats chuckled. “No hard feelings held.” Ares said.
Luna then looked at Minerva, a curious look on her face. “How… how are you part of these four?” She asked.
Minerva rolled her eyes. “I don't really know, I’m just a passenger.” she said.
Katelyn facepawed at that.
Venus chuckled, “Don't mind Minerva, she thinks sarcasm is a sporting event.”
Whoa, deja vu… Carlos thought.
Luna blinked then gave a small smile. “So I see.” She said.
“As for your offer, we’ll think it over but rest assured we will do our best to try and protect the children here.” Viktor said.
“You also have our support. We’ll try and show these young ones how it's done.” Pallo said with a smirk.
“Oh can it grandpa!” Carlos joked, making the others laugh.
“We’ll let you know tomorrow morning what our answer is.” Viktor continued.
Luna nodded. “Very well, I bid thee goodnight…” For a brief second, pain and anger flashed through her eyes.
Both prides nodded before the original pride vanished back into the four human turned cats.
As Luna walked back to her room, she felt her face start to get wet. Blinking, she rushed back into her room and slammed the doors shut.
Damn… she must be really upset about being in her sister's shadow… Carlos thought as the four headed to their room. I just really hope things don't come to a head….
'I wouldn't worry about it right now…'Ares said, but his tone sounded worried. 'It's probably nothing…'
I hope so… Carlos replied.
Unbeknownst to him, he and the other three were about to be involved in one of the most deadliest fights Equestria had ever seen, and things… would never be the same for them...