//------------------------------//
// An Unwanted Guest 
// Story: The Dark Of The Night 
// by Nobodyslament 
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Twilight Sparkle kept her notebook ready as she walked through the Everfree with Roseluck. As much as she wanted to believe everything the mare said, the tall tale she had returned with last week was difficult to swallow. "Are you sure about what happened? I mean, there's no mention in any text I've read of an embodiment of the night besides Princess Luna. Even if they made mention of several strange things they could have been lying."

Roseluck nodded, stopping to pick up a few plants beside her. "Yes princess, and watch your voice. We're out of Ponyville, so nopony will hear us even if we scream. But that doesn't mean the forest isn't listening."

Twilight paused, looking between the darkened trees. "R-right. I guess it's just confusing. Neither Celestia nor Luna have ever mentioned anything like the creature you described, and if she threatened you she could be dangerous."

Roseluck snorted. "Just like a unicorn. Princess, Tell me you've at least read about spirits, please?"

Twilight stumbled, trying to tease out what Roseluck meant. "Yes, old pony legends to describe phenomena that they couldn't explain with magic theory or science."

Roseluck rolled her eyes, placing the plants in her bag. "Now you're just like the Canterlot ponies that forget their roots. Spirits might be strange and rare, but a lot of us farming ponies still believe in them. I think she's the spirit of the night, and she might be listening in."

Twilight froze, looking over her shoulder. "What makes you say that?"

Roseluck looked up at the branches above her, noticing the flickering orange light dancing from somewhere ahead of her. "Just a feeling right now, but if she's anything like last night I have a feeling we'll hear her soon."


***


I looked at my first meal of the night. My snares had been empty, leaving me with the various recognizable fruits I had snagged from some of the local flora. I smiled as I remembered the silent trek back to town last week. Meeting another thinking creature had given me a boost to my mood that I thought I'd never feel again. I began sorting out which fruits would be for eating now, and which I would save for later. It took very little time, deciding the wild carrots and apples would be a fine feast. I tossed the non-meal related fruit into my trusty canvas bag, leaving the others to rest on the floor while I cleaned the apple on my jacket sleeve. I tapped my foot with a beat in my head before feeling of music seemed to take over as I started to dance. "In the dark of the night I was twisting and turning" 

I began to dance with the music in my head and the song on my lips. The forest itself seemed to bend at my song, with the nighttime creatures providing the instruments as I began a morbid recreation of Rasputin's triumphant song. I felt a sixth sense pull me towards a small outcropping of my clearing, and I rose a hand to it, singing about my minions. To my surprise, the mare from last week appeared, her small mouth in an O-shape as I turned my back to her. It was important to keep up the facade, and the night stops for no one. 

I heard a second set of steps, but I refused to bow to simple curiosity. I raised my hands, shouting of victory and revenge as the fire flared up. I smiled as I plopped back down onto the floor, taking another bite of my apple. "Well Roseluck, did you enjoy your little concert?"

She trotted up. "Of course lady Night, though I think you scared the princess."

I paused, refusing to turn around. I'll admit, the forest rolling with my own flight of fancy might add some weight to my claim. But if the actual princess of the night had decided to crash my little soiree I might be in trouble. I shook my head, getting into character with an amused chuckle that I didn't think sounded too forced. "Of course she did, sit her down by the fire. I care not for how she fares, but if she were to collapse in the darkness it might attract trouble and I do not wish to deal with it."

Roseluck began moving slowly behind me as I stoked the fire that kept me from freezing in the cool fall air. I was spending the brief moment of quiet provided to come up with a plan. If everything went to pot, I did have four solid shots of insurance tucked away under my jacket. But that was a last resort measure, and one I didn't feel comfortable bringing out. I decided to feign indifference to her was the best starting plan, with the hope that I could dig for information while acting as minorly annoying as possible.

I stared at a light purple unicorn was slowly ushered to the other side of the fire. I took note of the feathery wings gracing her side, before shrugging it off. I had seen a freaking manticore yesterday. This world was now officially too weird for me to hope to figure out. I opted to focus on the known element instead. "It seems our paths cross again young Roseluck. I will say, I enjoyed our little walk last week," I nodded at her as I moved a carrot closer, wiping it off on my sleeve. "And now you seem less flighty. Have you decided I won't eat you?"

Roseluck nodded. "Yes lady, I sought out a friend much more versed in the way of spirits, and I apologize for any offense I may have caused with our first meeting." She let out a short bow, and waited for me to respond.

I took in this news as quickly as I could. She thought I was a spirit, and acted like the old tales my grandmother would spin about the fae courts. I let out a laugh, seeming to spark a twitch from whatever princess Roseluck brought with her. If she expected King Oberon, I would surprise her as the Puck in this little tale I was weaving. "Rise little pony, the night cares not for the pageantry and pomp of the courts of others. The only way to truly offend me would be to claim the night a time for only sleep and boredom. I would respectfully disagree..." I let her stare in curiosity before I flashed her my teeth with a nearly feral grin. "Before showing them it can be oh so much more. The fear of a lost rabbit as the owl closes in is as much part of the night as the bed's such creatures reside in. And I am not so far removed from my native home to not show them such a basic thing before they passed."

Roseluck paled a small amount while the princess's wings fluttered in place. I turned to look at her. "And you, it is very rude to sit in one's camp without word or introduction. Either speak or leave, I have no qualms with either."

The princess straightened up, raising a hoof to her chest. "Er, right. I am Princess Twilight Sparkle. I came to seek an audience with you." 

After she spoke a few notebooks and quills flew from her pack. I looked at the glow that seemed to surround them, before seeing the exact same glow around her horn. Magic, and obvious magic at that. I could play it safe and try to stay on her good side, keep her strange voodoo as far away from as possible. But this was a con, and the higher the stakes meant I could get even higher rewards. I scoffed, deciding to hedge my bets that she was a bookworm that studied religously. With the small book opening in front of her eyes I didn't believe it was a bad guess. "Oh bah, begone! I know exactly your type." I jumped up, pacing back and forth. "You spend nights studying and writing, trading the time for adventure and fear for a time to study and learn of things you haven't done. I don't care for scholars and saints, bring me, my people!" I smiled and turned to Roseluck. "Bring me the adventurous, the cut-throats." I spread my arms wide, and shouted to the heavens. "Bring me your sinners and your reckless. Those are the people of the night!" I leaned down in front of the princess, closing her book with my hands. "But the scholar's like you can go hunt down my brother. I do not waste time researching what might be, I go and find what is!"

Twilight stared at me and stomped her hoof in adorable outrage. "But ponies need to research things before they go on adventures! Even criminals need to know the basics of the guards, research is important!"

I leaned around the fire, stage-whispering in Roseluck's ear. "I think the fair princess missed the point." I walked away as Roseluck's face slowly drained of color. "Princess, dear." I wrapped an arm around her, making sure she got a solid glance at my pointed canines. "I am the night. Does a cat plan its hunts? Or perhaps a poor beggar plans to steal some bread from the trash with the detail of a bank heist?" I slightly pushed her to the side as I clenched my fists to my chest. "NO! The night is the time for passion! It cares not if you are just or criminal! I don't give it a second thought if a wolf chases down a deer, but taking the time to plan and worry, that is for the day." I grabbed a fruit I found last a few nights ago, with a strange red pattern. This was a bad idea, but it further the persona I had made. 

With an underhand toss, it landed in the fire and within seconds the fruit split. Tendrils of flame crashed out of my fire, sending lances of heat in all directions as I let out a cackle. "Princess, I AM THE NIGHT! I do not plan or worry, I take what is mine, I do what I will, and I shall look death in the eye and spit if he ever dares tread my path." I spun in a slow circle. "That is how the night works, and if you find it appalling then you may return to your books." I gestured to Roseluck. "Meanwhile I will stay in the company of my own people."

Roseluck looked between me and Twilight as if she had made a fatal error, which I decided to appease with the first action I could think of. I patted her on the head, before ruffling her hair. I snapped my free hand as I remembered something. "Oh yes, speaking of my people I have a small gift for you young Roseluck." She stared as I reached into my pack, and her face regained some color as I brought out my bounty of various plants I had scavenged in my nightly travels. "I have no clue what any of these are, but perhaps some might be useful."

Roseluck smiled, a bashful little thing with a short nod following it. "Of course Lady, should I have brought my own gift?" She appeared to worry for a moment. "I-I can bring one next time if that's the case. I was warned I should bring an offering, but I didn't have a clue what would appease-" 

I closed my hand around her muzzle. "Calm yourself Rosey, I did not mention a gift before, did I?" I gave her a slight smile as I took a bite of my carrot. "It was simple enough to collect some plants I rarely saw to see if they would help you." I paused, tapping my carrot against my chin. "Though if you are offering, I wouldn't mind some salt and pepper next time. I know we aren't sure when our meetings will occur, but even one as wild and free as myself occasionally wishes for some spice in their food."

Roseluck smiled, and I didn't have to fake the smile as I rubbed her head. "You're far to nice to this old fool little pony." I looked at the princess, who seemed to be judging me and Roseluck both severely for our little chat. "And what is the scholar still doing here? Has she grown a backbone tonight, or is she simply frozen with fear?" I crouched low, stalking towards her. It was here where my gambit buckled under its own weight. Twilight jumped back at my approach, sending a lance of purple energy arcing through the air straight at my chest. It impacted with the force of an NFL lineman, sending me flying back. 

I arced through the air like an expertly thrown ball, before my back impacted a tree, sending me rolling across the ground. I heard shouted voices for a moment but ignored them as I tried to focus through the veneer of pain clouding my vision. This wasn't an endgame moment. I've taken plenty of hits on a con, and this wasn't even the worst one. I rolled myself into a sitting position and forced put a pained chuckle. "Oh dear, I was so wrong about you," I stumbled up, cupping my ribs as I limped up to the princess, who was now staring at me in horror. "You aren't just some soft and boring scholar. You have a spine, and one that lashes out whenever fear grips that delicate little heart." I sat back down in front of the fire, and bit the inside of my lip hard enough to start bleeding. A faux-cough racked my body and sent a small splatter of red to the dirt. I needed to get something from that hit, no fae would allow herself to be struck without some form of payment. "So little princess, before this spirals out of control, what are we fighting over? Is it my personality? Am I so monstrous I must be put down?"

Roseluck seemed to be moving between us, but I was staring down the princess, my left hand holding injured ribs as I kept my free hand in front of me. No need to look scary when walking up to her while hurt would do so much more for my fright-factor. Twilight seemed to barely notice me, instead staring at the blood staining the forest floor. "I didn't mean to-"

I cut her off with a soft voice. "Meaning means nothing princess. I could mean to make a time of peace and joy, but if it ends in death then death is all I shall be remembered for. In the same way whatever meaning you wanted when you started a fight with the night is useless compared to what happened."

She looked to me, and her eyes hardened. "You aren't the night." I rose an eyebrow but didn't flinch at the accusation. I much preferred the subtle option, and let out a half-grin. Twilight faltered a moment but continued on. "If you were the night, that wouldn't have hurt you. It only makes sense since the night can't exactly be hurt."

I let out a cackle, ignoring the blood that mixed with my spittle. "The night can't be hurt? Princess, the night dies more often than any creature on this planet. Every dawn I watch my lovely home writhe and die with the suns first light, and then I watch it born again with the fall of that cursed ball. Why should I be any different?" I pawed at the ground, finding another morsel of food and taking a blind bite. "I can die easier than any mortal, and if you want to than you can test it," I swallowed, letting that statement stand for a moment as Twilight began to fidget. I could nearly taste her uncertainty, which was exactly what I wanted. "But if you do, I'll remember your pretty little face. And maybe on your deathbed, you'll see me as I taunt over your grave. Maybe in the darkness of the grave, your soul will be forever locked, forever surrounded by the artificial night I cloak you in during your final moment. Or maybe I'll laugh about it and leave, never to return to the lands which hold no respect for spirits." I tapped my chin with the carrot. "I wonder how many guardian spirits would follow me, through wolf and wood I doubt your pretty little town would last long if the whole forest charged through the streets."

I shrugged and leaned back. "Of course, I don't do the whole subject thing like my little brother, so it's not like I'd tell them to do anything." I smiled up at the night sky. "So speak up young fool, I need to know if I'm getting in a fight or laughing at hasty actions made by a scared little child."

I didn't bother looking down as I heard a rushed set of whispers from Roseluck to Twilight. There was a shuffle of hooves on dirt as the two made small movements, and Twilight's voice sounded over the crackling fire. "I'm sorry, you frightened me and I acted on reflex. In recompense, I offer a safe place to rest from your wounds and safety from the forest until you're healed." 

I heard some angry whispers from over there, but I decided that the offer could easily be spun for something I actually wanted. "Safety from the forest? Gosh, you can truly be dull. The forest is my home, and the danger of it's life are as much a part of me as a warriors reflex appears to be part of you." I pointed at Roseluck. "Look at what I actually asked for from a friend, I need not safety or healing. I need practical tools for life. Bandages, salt, even another knife." I waved a hand, gesturing them away from the fire."Get out, both of you. My nightly duties will have to be postponed because a child got scared, so I would like to spread the word before I find a place to rest. Roseluck, you are more than welcome back." I leveled my eyes at the princess. "But if I hear mention of you, little child, you will have earned the ire of the night. No light shall shelter you from my wrath, and your final thoughts will be of the suffocating darkness that surrounds you." I stood slowly, limping to check on some of my more distant traps. But even though the pain, I couldn't stop chuckling. I could read them like a book, and they were too sweet to let hurting an innocent creature lie without some form of recompense. The threat that came with it was just icing on the proverbial cake. I looked around. "Huh, it sure got quiet around here, where'd the bugs and birds go off to?"


***


As soon as lady night exited the clearing Roseluck turned to Twilight with fire in her eyes. "WHAT THE BUCK PRINCESS! ARE YOU TRYING TO GET US KILLED!?!"

Twilight shook her head. "No, but she was threatening us, or me at least. I didn't mean to hurt her..."

Roseluck rolled her eyes. "Yeah, attacking something was stupid, but I meant the part after that, saying she wasn't the night. Were you paying attention to the forest when she hit that tree?" Twilight shook her head, and Roseluck slapped a hoof to her head. "The whole forest seemed to surge like the shadows tried to reach towards the freaking campfire. That and the whole forest went silent." Roseluck spent a moment looking around the forest. "And it still is."

Twilight shuddered as she looked around. "Right, and I made her mad." She began looking at every corner of the forest she could, trying to tease out whatever monster or plant would come and take them away in the silence of the night. "I think I need to ask Princess Luna some questions and work on an apology gift. Mind if I teleport us out?"

Roseluck shook her head. "No, that's a good idea. I don't like the idea of walking through a dark forest after pissing off the spirit of the night." With a flash of light, both ponies disappeared, but neither noticed the shadows shift in their final moments in the forest. A face formed from the darkness surrounding the campsite, coalescing into a shrouded figure of darkness. It let out a quick giggle and drew a small sigil in the dirt before fading into nothing. Within a few minutes sound began to filter back into the forest. By the time the lone human returned to her camp, everything seemed back to normal.