//------------------------------// // Nightwatch: Prologue - On that Day Eight Years Ago // Story: Sigil of Souls, Stream of Memories // by Piccolo Sky //------------------------------// It was only an hour and three quarters to twelve by the time the steam-powered carriage reached the streets of Hoofheim. Being above the arctic circle and in the land of the "midnight sun", the sun was still out although low on the horizon. Most of the residents had turned in regardless, leaving only a few still finishing up their extended day's business. Many stopped and marveled to see an honest-to-goodness, top-of-the-line steam-powered motored carriage pulled without the aide of a single horse or any other beast of burden. Only the very rich possessed such luxuries--and that wasn't merely speaking about the very rich in Hoofheim but in all of Greater Everfree. For Hoofheim, a city state whose geographic isolation had kept it free from the wars of the continent at the price of stunting its economy and trade to where only a single paved road ran through the middle of it, it was like seeing a foreign dignitary. A stiff wind blew through the town and seized a bit of newspaper that had been discarded on the street. It drove it right into and through the one open window on the side of the carriage before depositing it in the lap of the one seated there. A ten year old girl, dressed neatly and elegantly in a uniform of a fine boarding school, hands and nails washed, shoes polished, and not one hair out of place, reached took it up. It wasn't to read it, but rather to keep it from disturbing a vividly purple and green puppy whose head was currently resting on her lap as he dozed from the rhythm of the steam engine. Once that was done, she looked back out the window and smiled. "Are you enjoying being home, Twilight?" The girl turned her head back into the carriage. It was built for a long, comfortable journey. The seats were arranged around the center and were deep and cushioned. The windows were trimmed with elegant filigree and the walls etched with beautiful designs. Special systems kept it sealed from any of the coal vapor so that the air in it remained clean and fresh, and there were even compartments for holding food and drink. All around her, asleep in various positions, were others dressed just like her aside from some variation for boys and girls. Including her there were seven in all. However, one other individual was still awake. It was hard to make her out with the curtains pulled, but it was an adult woman. Her own outfit was the same style as that of the children, only for a headmistress. Her long hair stretched over her shoulders and flowed down over her garment. Even in the dim light the girl marveled at how it seemed to glow with iridescence. Only in the deepest darkness did its true hue, a pink shade, come out. I've never seen hair like that! That had been her first thought on meeting her six years ago. Yet the greatest part of her that stood out even now was her smile. That warm, inviting smile... The same one that dispelled all her doubt and nervousness ever since her first day. Twilight smiled back and nodded. "I really do love Canterlot, but it feels so nice to be back! Look! There's the lightpole I used to tie ribbons around in May! And over there's Big Joe who ran the sweet shop where I got my favorite peppermint sticks! And right there! That's the grating where I found a five krone piece one day and I made a sticky string to fish it out with! Oh!" She turned to the window excitedly. "There's Sea Swirl's dog! She's gotten so big! And there’s the library!" "You have a lot of happy memories here, don't you, Twilight?" She nodded back eagerly. However, her enthusiasm soon faded into a frown. “But…it’s so far out of the way, Princ-” The woman held up a finger to silence her. Twilight blushed. “Sorry…Headmistress Celestia.” “And it’s no bother, Twilight. I told you the whole reason for this summer trip was so that I could give every student a nice visit home. That includes you. And look.” She gestured outside. “We’re here right at the Summer Solstice. Even when we came in late, you can still see everything.” Her face sank. “But all the others are from Manehattan, Cloudsdale, and Fillydelphia. You can get there in just a couple days from Canterlot. You had to go so far northwest for me…” “It wouldn’t be fair to ignore taking you to your hometown when everyone else gets to visit theirs. Besides, Twilight, you’ve been gone the longest.” Twilight stayed unhappy looking as she slumped back into her seat. Her hand gripped the newspaper a bit tighter. “That’s not the only thing.” Celestia glanced down over the newspaper in her grip. While it was a bit battered, it was from that morning. And by now the wonder of telegraphs had sent the news throughout the entire continent of Greater Everfree to where it was a front page story not only on the papers of a backwoods nation like Hoofheim but everywhere. CONTINENTAL SUMMIT OPENS TODAY Celestia’s smile ebbed a little. “Twilight, I’ve told you before that I wish you would devote yourself completely to your studies. Don’t worry about things like this.” “If you hadn’t had to come all the way to Hoofheim, you could be there right now.” She waved a hand and smiled again. “Oh, there’s no need for anyone from Canterlot to go there anymore. We’re such a tiny nation that Equestria almost doesn’t even know we exist anymore; let alone any other nation. There’s nothing I can do there either. Don’t you fret about it.” She reached out one of her hands, wrapped with a simple white dressing, and clasped it over the one holding onto the newspaper. It made the girl turn and look up to her. Her smile was so gentle and comforting the girl couldn’t help but feel better just at the sight of it. “You just worry about taking the next few days off and relaxing with your family.” “What about you and the others?” “We’ll be in Hoofheim proper.” “There aren’t many nice places to stay up here…” She laughed. “We’ll manage. This country is plenty beautiful to make up for it, and I want to show them around to everything in them. Besides, I’ve stayed in these lands before, remember?” She smiled a little. “Yeah, I guess I do,” she chuckled. Again, however, the smile faded. Her opposite hand, this one also wrapped with a simple white dressing, flexed slightly. “But…before I do…I was wondering…” She trailed off as Celestia lightly pressed a finger to her lips. “I already told you, Twilight. The trip first. As soon as it’s over, I’ll answer anything you want to know about it and more. All you need to know right now is this is important.” Twilight nearly opened her mouth to speak again but rapidly closed it, having long since learned not to mention anything about that to anyone else within earshot. That had been one of Celestia’s earliest lessons. The two suddenly leaned forward; the tell-tale sign that the carriage was slowing to a stop. It halted soon after and Twilight looked out the window. They were right on the corner of her street. Even from here, the girl only needed to look down the street and up the hill to make out the roof of her house. Stopping awakened the puppy, who shook his head and yawned. “Here we are. Are you ready?” Twilight had been ready for hours. She rose now, taking her puppy with her and laying him on top of her bag before pulling up the straps to hold him in. The driver opened the carriage door, letting the midnight sun of Hoofheim spill in. One student stirred a little, but nothing else. “Now I’ll be by tomorrow,” Celestia spoke as she started to walk to the door, “but we leave in four days. Don’t forget. We’ll be taking a boat all the way back to Mount Eris so we have to make sure to get there on time.” “I won’t.” She took another step toward the door, but paused, causing Celestia to look up a little. “Is something wrong?” “It’s just…well, nothing.” “No, what is it?” The girl bowed her head and swallowed. “I…wish you were coming, headmistress. I’m alright with dad and mom and older brother, but…” She winced a little in embarrassment. “Ever since I got to the school…ever since I’ve been there on my own…I…I just…kind of felt like, well…like I…I had a…another…” She trailed off. “I mean to say how you used to…to…you’ve kind of felt like my...my…” Finally, she sighed and shook her head, looking back up. “It’s-” She cut herself off. Celestia’s smile was gone. She was staring at Twilight with wide eyes and her mouth hanging slightly ajar. The girl blanched. She winced and shook her head. “I…I didn’t mean it! S-Sorry! Forget I…” She trailed off again, for in that next moment Celestia smiled again. It was far more wan this time. Fainter with an air of bitterness in it. Did she see a twinkle in her eye? “Twilight.” The girl straightened. This was the first time she had ever heard Celestia speak in that voice outside of the inner rooms. And it was the first time she had spoken it while smiling. “Thank you. When this vacation is over, I will tell you everything.” Now it was Twilight’s turn to let out a gasp, knowing what that meant. “Now go on. I’ll see you tomorrow.” The girl paused. She almost wanted to press, but the headmistress’ voice indicated the subject was closed for now. With that in mind, she gave a respectful bow, barely restraining from going to one knee even in the confines of the carriage, then turned. Soon she was passing out of the door and setting foot on the cobblestone street. She stopped only to take a deep breath and then began to the sidewalk. She could see lights in her home's windows. She had been exchanging letters for weeks to prepare for her arrival. She told them she couldn’t wait to show them all what she had learned, to see how much taller her brother had gotten, and, of course, to prepare the house for a puppy. A puppy… She slowed to a halt at the realization. Spike’s dog treats. She had made some but they were too gooey so Celestia had them stored near the boiler to hopefully dry them out, and she had forgotten to get them. She quickly turned around, hoping to stop the carriage before it took off again. “Headm-” For a brief moment, she saw the carriage in all of its glory stretched out on the road. A heartbeat later, it was consumed by a fiery explosion. The force of the blast struck her; throwing her, her bag, and her dog into the dirt-packed side street. Spike landed in a patch of grass while her bag burst open and scattered items everywhere. She noticed none of that roughly skid to a halt on the street. Her eyes were still wide with the image of the fire and eruption. She immediately snapped up again as soon as she could. All that was left of the carriage was a bit of the metal frame and a smoldering wheel slowly rolling off to the opposite side of the street. Everything else was a pillar of flame and smoke. Gone. The treats…the carriage…her classmates… The headmistress… All gone. She was unable to move even as the locals turned the lights on in their own houses. She was deaf to the calls for water and numb to the heat, ash, and the scrapes her body sustained. She only stared in apoplectic, abject horror. Her mind couldn’t grasp what she was seeing. She had been talking to the headmistress less than a minute ago… Less than thirty seconds ago… She saw her in her mind’s eye; not just here but all of the times over the past six years, especially in the inner rooms and whenever she tucked her in or read to her—just like her real mother would. Tears started to gush from her eyes. Her throat tightened and she began to cry. She tore to her feet. Her puppy was forgotten as she wheeling around and dashed the rest of the way down the road. She didn't stop until she was charging up the front steps of her own house, and she made her hands into fists and pounded on it for all she was worth. It didn’t take long for the door to open. The residents were already awake and the explosion only alerted them further. A middle-aged woman stepped into the frame and looked down, giving a start on seeing Twilight there; her cheeks streaming with tears and sobbing. “Mom! She’s gone!” Even as she cried this she dove forward and wrapped her arms around her dress tightly. Before long she heard the sounds of an older man get up and walk over to her as well, but she didn’t care. She kept clutching her and crying for all she was worth. She tried to talk but bitter, choked-up sobs were all that came out. “What…what happened…?” Twilight was too distraught to realize that the voice sounded disconnected. “We…we had just…just gotten to Hoofheim…and…and she let me off…and…I tried to go back for t-t-treats and…and…!” Even explaining it was too painful as she winced and began to sob again, once more clutching her mother’s dress and crying into it. Yet in the middle of all of her sadness she began to realize something. Her mother wasn’t hugging her in support. She merely stood there, as immobile as a statue. Her crying ceased momentarily. Her tear-streaked face grew confused as she leaned back and looked up. Her mother was looking at her in total bewilderment and just a hint of unease. As for her father, he seemed to be uncomfortable as well. “I think she was in that carriage…” he mused aloud. “She must have just gotten out…” The woman smiled slightly, although it was uncertain and weak, before she lightly put her hands on her shoulders. “Um…there, there, dear. It’ll be alright. Just take it easy.” That didn’t comfort Twilight. “M…mom? Dad?” Both looked even more uncomfortable. “Um…sweetie, why don’t you come in for a bit? My son is away right now. You can stay in his room and just lie down until-” “No…” Twilight cut off, now taking a step back and pulling from her touch. “Mom, what are you doing? It’s me! It’s Twilight Sparkle!” The man sighed. “Young lady, I think you’re confused… Please, just listen to what she says and lie down…” The girl's eyes widened in horror a second time. She looked into the eyes of her parents and she could finally see what was running through their heads as they looked at her. A stranger. They don’t know who I am. Her father looked up and behind her. “Over here. She was in that carriage. Somehow she got free. Maybe she was let out right before it happened.” The girl spun around. A number of townsfolk were now approaching her; ones that had been awakened by the explosion. She recognized each and every one of them. Neighbors. Temple goers. Grocers. Gardeners. People she had shared times and memories with. People who she knew by name. They looked at her and saw the soot and scratches she had endured. Their faces filled with concern or pity or even gratefulness that she was alright. Not one of them looked at her with recognition. “That poor girl…she’s the only survivor.” “Her mother might have been on that carriage.” “Where did she come from? What is that uniform?” That broke her. Suddenly she stepped forward and slapped a hand against her chest. “Everyone!” Her first word, frantic and desperate, made the crowd go silent. “It’s me! It’s Twilight! I live here!” She pointed behind her. “This is my home! These are my parents!” She held her arms wide. “This is my town! What’s gotten into all of you? Why don’t you remember me?” A few seconds of silence passed and everyone stared at her without looking away. Finally, two people turned to each other and began to murmur more quietly while staring at her. Others soon followed. Some shook their heads sadly while others nodded. She overheard a few voices saying things like “confused” and “poor girl”. Yet none of them ever recognized her. Twilight's heart began to pound with fear. A sick, cold feeling was in her gut. She turned back but the man and woman there, the parents she knew, only recoiled from her slightly. It was too much. She began to shake all over as she started to gasp. Her tiny hands, one clean and the other bandaged, grasped the sides of her head. She turned her head to the midnight sky in confusion and horror. What’s happening to me?! “Lord Torch of the Dragonlands.” Torch walked into the inner chamber with his usual countenance: frowning and glaring at everyone. By now, everyone knew to ignore it except when trying not to give offense. Glare and glower as he might, it would take more than “saber rattling” to get his way here. Especially since there was more than enough of that to go around. There had been multiple reasons for setting the Continental Summit not only within Equestria but far in the mountain regions in the proverbial “Castle of the Two Sisters”; one of the country’s most ancient and iconic landmarks. Equestria made up the central and greatest portion of Greater Everfree, so it gave no importance to any of its surrounding nations above another. The castle itself was geographically isolated even with recent advances in steam power and technology. Most of all, it was still the most powerful and yet peaceful of the nations about it; allowing it to retain its historical position of power broker. And the inner room of the castle, warmly lit with a fireplace and a resplendent chandelier, now served as host to all of the continent’s major powers in what could have been its darkest hour. At the moment, with all nations contributing equally to the guard throughout the castle, and all equally contributing to the palace guard in what was temporarily declared an apolitical zone, relations were warm and cordial. Even Commander Hurricane was smiling and sharing a laugh with Princess Platinum. Everyone there knew, underneath the surface, nothing was further from the truth. Even when the only squabbles and conflicts were between neighboring nations Greater Everfree had been an increasingly violent continent over the past 400 years. Many nations could outline their history of being nothing more than never-ending feuds between families for certain regions that changed ownership from one king to the next. Times were changing, though. Steam power was everywhere. Rail lines ran freely across many international borders. The pursuit of land was now being supplanted by the pursuit of wealth. Gunpowder and its associated devices were growing more efficient all the time and the fires of industry were now burning in every corner of Greater Everfree. The “Industrial Revolution”. That was what they had named the past century and it was changing everything. The only thing that hadn’t changed was historical tensions, and with new means available it wouldn’t be long before something boiled over. And everyone knew it would be catastrophic. That was why mere representatives wouldn’t suffice. It had to be stopped quickly before the next major war broke out. Lord Torch wasted little time on greetings but rapidly moved to the large circular table in the center of the room. All other national leaders were already seated, letting the light of the large and conspicuous chandelier over their heads bathe each equally. As soon as he joined them, Queen Megara looked up with a pleasant smile from her beautiful countenance. As always, she treated these circumstances as far more happy and cordial than they truly were. “And now that we’re all here, we may finally begin. I’d like to start by thanking you all for accepting my invitation to have this summit, and I hope that we may all remain-” “I believe we exchanged sufficient pleasantries at dinner, your majesty. I prefer to go straight to the point,” King Grover interjected. He immediately looked further down the table. “Queen Novo, Griffonstone immediately requests that if we are to go to war with the neighboring nations that Mount Eris refuses to allow any shipments from Appleloosa to go any farther west than Griffonstone.” Several members of the delegation went wide-eyed at the outlandish suggestion, and so early in talks. Commander Hurricane and General Firefly alike both grit their teeth in anger while King Platinum himself was slack-jawed. Chancellor Puddinghead nearly fell out of his chair. “Wh…why King Grover, surely you’re not trying to dictate who we ship our land’s produce to, are you?” “I don’t recall asking anything of you on the subject, chancellor. Mount Eris’ territory is the only land route to the west that doesn’t run through Equestria, and we’re tired of having to rely on them as an intermediary. Give us a deal on tariffs and we’ll be more than happy to rely on you exclusively for foodstuffs from now on.” “Completely outrageous,” Platinum snorted. “You’re just trying to control the main agricultural supply routes. That would help you quite a bit in an armed conflict, would it not? Seal off the west from receiving sustenance when you invade.” “Protecting our interests is all. Besides, if you converted so much of your pasture and cropland into factories to where you can’t even feed yourselves, that’s short-sightedness on your part.” “Make a move to isolate the trade of Mount Eris, and you can consider that an affront to Cloudsdale,” Commander Hurricane interjected. “We’ll halt any attempt you make to try.” “Is that a threat for military action, commander?” “I merely said we’ll halt any attempt you make. If you feel sufficiently strong to see firsthand what that will entail…” “And I most certainly would never stand for any attempt to restrict our overland trade,” Puddinghead spoke up. “We sell to whom we wish. We would join against any attempt by Mount Eris to construct a blockade.” “I don’t mean to break up what seems to be a conversation between you men,” the queen spoke up with an edge on her voice, “but I don’t believe I ever consented to King Grover’s desire or refused it.” She turned to Puddinghead. “And I don’t appreciate you threatening me before I have had a chance to say yes or no. On our part, we ask Appleloosa to remain neutral in any and all events.” He scoffed. “Are you suggesting that we just allow all of you to decide what we do with our land’s own produce, as if we were not entitled to our own fields?” “You may do whatever you like, so long as you have a sufficiently strong army to assert your dominion. Ours is strong enough to take some of that land for ourselves, if necessary.” “I’ve noticed,” Platinum spoke up, “which is precisely the reason I am asking Trottingham to cease shipyard lumber shipping to Mount Eris.” Now it was Novo’s turn to look shocked, while Prime Minister Cobblestone rose in alarm. “What…?” “We’re a bit concerned of the size of your navy. As King Grover has suggested, all overland routes need to move through you or Equestria to reach the west. There are some concerns a naval blockade might not be far in the future.” He looked up to Cobblestone. “In exchange, we are fully prepared to start supplying you with the latest in firearms. We understand in that capacity you are a bit, shall we say, ‘backward’.” Novo’s teeth clenched. “How dare you…” Cobblestone didn’t get a chance to respond as Torch slammed a fist against the table. “Exchange of arms was stated at our last conference to constitute formation of a military treaty, Princess. Does your statement mean you intent to form an intercontinental alliance?” “And what if it does?” “Then the Dragonlands might as well declare war on Trottingham right now. We won’t allow a potentially hostile party to take root on our doorstep. Certainly not one that will give Manehattan easy access to a land invasion.” By now, Queen Megara’s face had sunk. While she had successfully organized the conference, it had only been the first of many. And they were growing progressively less fruitful and more uncivil. The talks had barely begun and all modicums of civility and decorum had already been thrown out the window. She held a hand to the bridge of her nose. This isn’t going- Her thoughts were cut off as the ceiling imploded. A sound like a thunderclap rang from the center of the chamber and the grand chandelier was hurtled down into their midst. It wasn’t alone. The ceiling of the grand castle broke free and was cast down with it, smashing the table under a deluge of debris. Everyone immediately shot out of their chairs, even Puddinghead, and backed away as quickly as they could. What they saw next was even more shocking. Instead of crashing in with a pile of rubble and dust, the wood, stone, paneling, and décor, to say nothing of the grand chandelier, was smashed completely flat over the ruins of the table. It was like a great invisible piston suddenly ground it into dirt and all in the span of an instant. All that survived was a few broken fragments and flat space around it. The air gave a second noise. It sounded, strangely enough, almost like an inverted thunderclap. Like the air was expanding where it previously had a void rather than rushing into a newly made one. A ray of blackness slammed down on the flat space that had just been made. Rapidly, it expanded outward into a black sphere, and radiated a moment before collapsing back in on itself. The thunderous noise crackled one last time and vanished. The entire room was silent and still. Delegates and guards alike were frozen in a mixture of shock and genuine fear. No one had noticed that the blackness had caused both fires to snuff out. There was no light in the chamber anymore save through the new opening. The full moon shone down a pale, silvery light over the flattened area and its new arrival. It slowly rose to its feet. The sound of interlocking plates of armor rang through the silence of the chamber. At first, it seemed to have a great black cape made of feathers so dark that they looked like a unified mass. On standing, the people let out a unified gasp on seeing it shift of its own accord; revealing itself to be giant ebony wings. The figure itself was clad in armor from head to toe: sharp, gleaming, beautiful, and cold. The shape was distinctly feminine. The helmet was ridged and cruel with a single spire rising up from the middle like a horn. The face was visible, though. Her skin was as black as her wings and her long hair spilled out behind her headpiece. It had points of light within it that gleamed in the wan moonlight, as if it was nothing but a sky of stars. The figure took in three breaths through her nostrils; each one long, deep, and audible. She opened her eyes and caused those gathered to give another start, for they were not only serpentine but vivid, green, and shone like lights in the darkness. Her expression was emotionless as she looked about the chamber. Her eyes slowly moved over every representative and guard. Only now did Queen Megara finally find the strength to swallow. “Ex…excuse me…?” The eyes of the woman flicked to her like a viper that saw the warmth of a mouse. She cringed but somehow she found her voice. “Who…who are you?” The dark lady smiled. “My name is Nightmare Moon. However…” The wings extended. Without even flapping them, the dark lady rose into the air as if suspended by invisible ropes. Everyone gasped at that, but more so when the shadow she left behind turned blacker yet and began to etch lines and patterns into the floor beneath her. In moments, it was complete--a black sigil. She extended one of her hands and each armored digit on them over it. Black flames, like “negative” fires, erupted from the mark. Nightmare Moon grinned; revealing long, sharp teeth. “You may call me ‘god’.” The entire Castle of the Two Sisters, in a single instant, exploded. A pillar of black, shadowy fire erupted from within the innermost part of the structure; annihilating the room, the surrounding rooms, and all floors up and down. Only the outer walls weren’t instantly eradicated, but they were still blasted apart. Chunks of masonry tore into the outer guard, smashing them into jelly as it rolled over them or ripping them asunder like cannonball fire. Only the ones on the outskirts set to patrol the woodlands were spared; left to gape at the ghastly horror that was the spire of black flame—knowing their own leaders and comrades had been devoured by it. A shockwave ripped over the mountainside and a deafening boom echoed for dozens of miles. And when all died down, the pillar of black fire continued to burn rising like a furnace from the abyss. The survivors were left to stare at the warmthless, lightless flame. After some time, one of them, captivated by a mixture of fear but also puzzlement and wonder, felt bold enough to look out from the forest for a closer look. He watched the black flames dance without dying for a moment, but saw no more. Tentatively, he moistened his lips and stepped closer yet, fully out onto the grass. An instant later, a creature looking like a twisted shadow of a great wildcat, deformed to the point where it no longer resembled any animal of the world, erupted from the flames. It sailed through the air, straight toward the man, and on landing promptly tore his head off. The other guards had little chance to be shocked over that death as dozens of similar beasts burst out of the same blackness. Hundreds followed afterward, and thousands after that. Each one sought its mark and killed with one strike. Some were clustered enough together and were able to stop screaming long enough to raise their weapons to defend themselves, but shooting the monsters was like shooting shadows. Bullets and blades alike sailed harmlessly through them before they tore into the survivors. In moments, it was over. All remaining members of the delegations were gone. The abominations kept pouring out of the fire. The black flames slowly diminished at the price of giving rise to more of them. They spread out and filled the field about the ruins of the castle. At last, the black flames died enough to expose the dark lady again; still hovering exactly where she had stood when she unleashed her death. Her armored hand extended to the surrounding land. “Go forth. Kill. Bathe the world in my fires of darkness. Let all be turned to a beautiful, wondrous, complete night. Form the womb for the new world that it may begin to grow.” The beasts of blackness set out to a one; looking for more prey. There is a world where a princess and her friends create a land of everlasting friendship and harmony. There is a world where this same girl and her friends laugh and play as they attend a common high school. There are other worlds than these, and this is one that has now changed forever.