//------------------------------// // Chapter 34: Deal with the devil // Story: Shield and Shadow Part 1: Rise and Fall // by LucidReverie //------------------------------// Rage. Spring Mist awoke to a bright light. He looked around the room he was in, his head buzzing and fogged. He felt as though he had had the worst nightmare of his life. Images of Celestia and Luna – not Luna, a warped and twisted malformation of her – battling each other, Luna disappearing, Celestia – oh dear. Not a dream. Mist stood rapidly, head rushing. He shook wildly and looked around: he was in Celestia’s study. The mare herself sat looking out of a window into the night sky. Mist stood, anger welling within again. The Princess turned to Mist, revealing a tear-stained face, eyes red, empty. She silenced him before he could speak. “Spring Mist, beg you listen,” her voice was thick, heavy, laden with pain and guilt. “You have slept through the day, it is a new night.” “What happened?” Mist asked, barely containing his anger. “Luna was consumed by a great evil. We begged her to see reason, but she was unrelenting.” “So you killed her. Just cut off the wounded limb.” “Is that what you think I did?” Celestia sounded gravely offended. “Look.” She motioned outward, and Mist approached the window. The moon was full in the sky, but there was something different. A dark pattern had forms on the surface, the rough silhouette of a horned pony’s head. “What is that?” Mist asked. “Luna.” “What?” “I did not kill my sister. I could not do such a thing, and the Elements of Harmony are not a force for destruction, merely one of balance.” “So… banishment?” “Indeed. But it seems that it would not be permanent. You yourself were the speaker of prophecy. Do you not recall?” “No. I do not.” “The longest day of the thousandth year, the stars will aid in her escape. Or so you said, it seems, influenced by the Nightmare. So it appears that there may be hope for her. In one thousand years she will return, and I hope that by then there will be a way to truly save her.” Mist hung his head, dread beginning to consume him. “So I will never see her again.” “I am afraid not, Mist. I am so sorry. I know how you cared for her.” “I loved her, Celestia. I still love her. Now she is gone, and I must live with that. She was so afraid of losing me, I never thought of the possibility of losing her.” “Mist, you have not lost her. You never truly lose those you love.” “And you have lost one you loved?” “Mist, I am older than I care to think about – I have lost more than you can understand.” “But you are… you.” “I am just a pony. I would have thought you would learn this by now. Luna and I are just ponies, prone to the same trials and tribulations, the same feelings. We are powerful, but not infallible.” Mist felt empty, but that was soon filled with anger, remembrance of the betrayal. “Send me there with her! Use the Elements again! Banish me alongside her!” “I cannot do that Mist. The only reason it worked on her was because she is so powerful. A pony like you could not survive. And even if you could, and I could bring myself to carry out such an act on another pony of my own choice, the Elements would not allow it. They will only function when truly needed. I cannot merely use them upon my own whims.” “Then what must I do? You have robbed me of Luna, do you expect me to return unscathed?” “I expect you to live. Continue doing what you love. The astronomy tower still wants you – you were a valuable asset, even before Luna worked with you. Go, be with your friends. Live life. Dwell not on the past.” “How cold are you that you would suggest I just forget?” “No, never forget. But do move on. Of course, your position as liaison is still open for you, and the castle is always your home.” Fresh tears poured from her face. Mist turned away from Celestia. He trotted to the door, opening it with his magic. “Save your wisdom. Save your charity.” He walked through the door, ignoring the sympathetic Princess. Mist walked slowly through the dark streets of Everfree, following the same path he had for years. The same dim lights, the same little houses, the same cobblestone paving. But those things that had been so familiar and safe to Mist in the past were now foreign and dangerous. The houses looked warped and evil, the buzzing lights glowed angrily, and the street seemed to want to swallow up anypony who dared to walk it. Everything was twisted when seen through the eyes of a pony who had faced a dark happening and left not entirely unscarred. He knew he should see his friends, that they would help him, but he could not bring himself to do so. He wandered aimlessly, though somehow found himself back in this old home. He had never taken a tenant, and the house had remained empty. He stood in the main room, cobwebs hanging in corners, a thick layer of dust caking the surfaces. Mist looked forlornly at his home. His family had lived here for years, he had grown up here. So many memories, such significance, and he had been so ready to give it up. Mist fell to his knees, drained. He became aware of a familiar presence. He looked up, seeing very little in the dark room. He focused, pushing back the shadows. As he remembered from weeks ago, the writhing shadows that marked the Nightmare. Mist grew curious, and approached the mass, determined to discover its purpose, and to challenge its owner. His vision darkened and once again he was thrown into an empty void. This time however, Mist was confident, brimming with anger. “Nightmare! Show yourself!” Mist yelled into the void. “Nightmare!” A soft chuckling began, and the voice emerged. Ah, so here comes the gallant hero, who so bravely tried to defend his beloved, whom I have so wonderfully taken under my thrall. Tell me, Mist: how does it feel, knowing that you knew this was coming and yet did nothing to stop it? How does it feel to have a friend betray you? A lover lose all hope and descend into madness? To be guilty and responsible? “Enough! I want Luna back.” Why of course you do. And it may be in my power to do something about that… “First – how are you here? I thought you were banished to the moon with Luna.” Yes, the largest part of me was banished. But I am far-reaching. I am wherever there is anger, hatred, sadness. And you, my little pony, are a reservoir of such wonderful emotions. “Fine. What can you do? And why should I trust you?” I can guarantee that you will see Luna again. And have I ever actually mislead you? No. I told you of what was coming, I gave you fair warning. “You prevented me from remembering.” Something I also warned you of. I also returned your memory. “Technically, you are not wrong. But you are a clear manipulator.” Perhaps. But I still offer you a chance to have back what you want. I can give you Luna. “How? I doubt even you are powerful enough to break the spell of the Elements of Harmony. What can you do?” Not yet. In one thousand years, yes. But now? No. What I can do, however, is something far more complicated, but can give you a chance. Within a marginal space of error. “A chance for what?” A chance to be with Luna again when she returns. Well, more accurately, when we return. See, in roughly one thousand years, I will break through the enchantments binding me and Luna to the moon, and reemerge as Nightmare Moon once again. Bring about night eternal, control Equestria, remove Celestia. Such wonderful things. “Why Nightmare Moon? Why night eternal? What do you care of the passing of night and day, if you only feed on misery and aggression?” I don’t really care about it at all. Luna just happened to be the more powerful source of things I love most. The takeover of Equestria and the eternal night were her agendas. I just enable and feed. "Luna would never do that!" Some part of her wanted to, but that's not the point. I just help ponies. Then enjoy the suffering that comes from my 'help'. “So, if you ‘help me’ what is the price?” I would only need to use you. I need another vessel. Just as a precaution. “So you would use me to your own ends, to bring harm to the ponies of Equestria.” Not just the ponies, but yes. However, think of the possibility: You will be joined both with me and Luna. She is still there, and once connected, you two will be closer than any other two ponies can be. Would you not like to be reunited with your beloved? “You can extend my life that far?” Further. And was that not one of Luna’s greatest fears? Losing you? I can make that a nonissue. “Why spare her that fear if you feed on it? Why weaken yourself?” She has many other insecurities, other sources of fear and anger. I think I can give her that. But the real question remains: would you give her that? What would you sacrifice to give her something she so desperately needs? “No manipulation? No tricks?” I am being very candid. You will have what you want, Luna gets her desire, and I achieve my goal. Most ponies would be happy with an outcome like that. Rarely does everypony win. “Everypony? It seems we are to be the instrument of pain for countless ponies across the kingdom. Why would I give you that chance? Even for such a reward.” Can I bargain, then? You and Luna will have a fair chance to overpower me, given time. You succumb now, and you may have the opportunity to break free. Should basic pony goodness win, you will be free to live together for – if you’ll excuse the phrase – Celestia-knows how long. “We can break free? And you are not afraid of that?” Never. I have complete faith in the bitterness of ponies. While they can be filled with joy and happiness and love, they have no bound to just how malicious and terrible they can be. I seriously doubt that you could overcome me once I am powered by the collective enmity of an entire kingdom. “Nightmare. I… I think I will… accept.” How wonderful. “I wish to define the parameters of the deal.” Very well. “First, you will bond to me. Then, you will extend my life and allow me to reunite with Luna when she – you – returns in precisely one thousand years. Then, you will concede when Luna and I gain enough power to defeat you.” Very well, Mist. After the bonding, I will inform you of the ritual needed to bind you to my larger part, and thus Luna. Then, you will be truly reunited in one thousand years, upon our return. And I will humor you – if you and Luna find the power to defeat me, I will retreat and leave you be. But remember that I am everywhere, and I will return. “One last thing: you must allow me to speak to my friends, say goodbye.” I will not permit you to tell them of the deal. “Fine. But nonetheless I will be allowed to speak to my friends.” As you wish, Spring Mist. I will give you tonight. Speak to your friends, for you will never see them again. Oh how that little morsel of truth will make you all the better to feed from. “You are insane.” No. Sadistic. Manipulative. And always hungry. Mist’s vision was immediately filled with the sight of the room before him. His house, unchanged. He stood shaking his head to clear the haze that covered it. So, speak to your friends, then you will meet me in the front grounds of the castle. Enjoy your time while you can. I hate you. Yes. And I, you. Delicious, invigorating. Mist silenced his mind and took one last look at his home. He knew that the odds were against him ever seeing it again. He turned to leave, tears streaming down his face. He headed into the night to say his final words. First stop, Garlic Clove. This is just the beginning, Mist. Author's Note: Well here we are. Almost. So, if you have any questions or comments or even suggestions for Part 2, feel free to drop me a note or leave a comment. And be sure to tune in next time for the conclusion of Shield and Shadow Part 1: Rise and Fall!