//------------------------------//
// The Night Beckons Me 
// Story: Criminally Stupendous 
// by dudenotactive 
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Music filled the air as the chandeliers shined brightly in the ballroom of gold. Hundreds of nameless visitors chatted and danced across the floor as they dined on the most expensive and delicious Atlesian cuisine while they mingled. All kinds of treasures were also present, so the visitors could see the numerous collections that the host had gathered from all his expeditions.

And just above it all, a man stood on the very top of the stairs. He was the infamous Roman Torchwick. The man of the hour, and the one who is hosting this party.

He ran a hand over his hair and straightened his fancy suit, he did not forget to make sure that his bow tie was comfortably around his neck. And with him were two beautiful ladies. One dressed in a lovely purple formal styled dress. While the other was in a simple waltz dress with the colors that reminded Roman of neapolitan ice cream. These two were the women that he trusted the most, Neo the silent but deadly henchwoman, and Trixie Lulamoon, his apprentice that showed great potential.

He snapped his finger and Trixie immediately offered him a cigar to which he gladly accepted, and Neo was happy enough to light it up for him.

He gave them both a nod of approval, satisfied with their short work.

"Mister Torchwick."

Roman looked away from the large group that mingled below and set his eyes on the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. Her hair was like a clear midnight sky with stars that glimmered in the darkness. She wore a lovely black Victorian styled dress that hugged her amazing figure, it was perfect for tonight's occasion. And on top of her head was a black crown, it showed that she was royalty by blood, not just by looks. 

Neo took a step forward as this mysterious woman gracefully ascended the steps. Roman held up a hand at Neo and motioned her to allow the woman to pass. And once this woman was close enough, Roman couldn't help but be in awe with such divine beauty. He had thought that she was pretty before, but now he knew that this woman was far from pretty. She was like a goddess that graced the ballroom with her eternal beauty.

"May I have some of your time?" She spoke, and Roman listened.

He smiled and bowed before her. "Of course. But to whom do I owe the pleasure?"

"You may call me, Luna."

Her name alone sent a shiver down his spine. "Luna, what a lovely name. May I have a dance with a ravishing lady such as you?"

"Very well, I do hope that thou shall not disappoint."

Roman raised a hand expectantly, and Luna accepted it. Both began their descent towards the floor, Roman glanced at his companions and gave them both a nod. Both of them nodded back before leaving to do as they pleased.

Once Roman had reached the ground with Luna, he wrapped his free arm around her waist and held her closer to him, but not too close. Her expression remained passive like a porcelain doll, yet her beauty was beyond comparison. She was far superior than the most perfect doll, all that and yet Roman had not seen her smile. He could just imagine how much of a treasure it is to see.

And now that he was close enough, he could finally appreciate her alluring eyes. Roman couldn't help but stare into such stunning orbs.

The longer he stared, the silent the world around him became, no longer could he hear the other guests, only the music that filled the room. As they both waltz across the floor, Roman began to feel warmth in her presence.

"So, mister Torchwick, is thou always so eager to be this close to a woman?" Her voice sent a tingle down his spine once more.

He smirked. "Only those who've really caught my eye, and I know a treasure once I see one."

"Am I just some treasure to add to your collection?"

"No, you're not some piece of gold that's meant to be displayed. You're far more than that, you're a goddess that deserves to be worshipped. Not on a podium, but on the altar in a white dress."

"You're such a charmer Torchwick, shame that would never likely happen."

Now Roman was really interested, such a calm yet sassy response, it really put a smile on his face. "Is that so? But you're already in my arms right now, and it looks to me that you're enjoying the fact that you're this close."

"You are mistaken Torchwick, I was just curious as to who you truly are."

Roman smirked. "So, what do you think so far?"

"You are dangerous." She spoke nonchalantly. "Yet you intrigue me, the way you performed in Manehattan, and the magic that you brought to our world. You Roman Torchwick, are an interesting creature."

Roman froze, his dance partner stared blankly at him and allowed the thief to absorb her words.

The world around them both shattered like glass, no longer were they in the middle of a ballroom, their surrounding was replaced by a grassy meadow under the shattered moon. Everything had become completely silent as the two stood there.

Slowly, his hands fell loosely to his side, and Luna took a step back to give him some space.

"This is a dream..." He muttered.

"Indeed it is Roman, I am sorry to disappoint."

Roman chuckled lightly and ran his hand on his hair. "Here I thought I fell in love with a pretty lady such as you! But woops, you ain't real." He chuckled again and brought both hands to his face.

"I am real Torchwick, currently I'm in Canterlot, but my mind is here in your dreams. I am princess Luna, the alicorn of the moon."

Roman peaked through his fingers and stared at the woman who claimed to be a princess. He withdrew his hands from his face and slipped them both in his pockets. "Are you really?"

"Do you wish for evidence of my title?"

Roman shook his head. "Nah, I believe you. I've seen some weird stuff in this world, and honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if you really are Luna."

"I see."

Roman bowed towards her. "It's an honor to meet you then, princess. But I'm truly sorry that I cannot provide any drinks for you."

Roman sat down on the grassy field, he patted a hand next to him and motioned her to take a seat. But Luna chose to sit in the air instead, which had impressed Roman.

"Tell me Roman, why is the moon in your dreams always depicted to be shattered?"

Roman glanced at the subject of her question. He stared at the moon that reminded him of his origins, the world where he had to fight for his life. Where he clawed to the top of Vale's underworld just so he wouldn't starve to death. It would have been a pitiful death too.

"Because that's what I see in the night sky back in my world. No clue as to why it's broken, but there have been some theories. Some say it was the god of darkness, one of the two brothers who created my world, that destroyed it in a fit of rage. A few said that a goddess who lived on the moon had fallen in love with a man on Remnant, but he had died too young right before she could even confess her love, so her heart and the moon broke." Roman chuckled, Luna eyed him with curiosity. "They all sound ridiculous to be honest. But..."

Luna's eyes widened as she felt something in the air. Her attention snapped towards the shattered moon and there she witnessed, the bits and pieces started to move towards the middle. And soon enough, the moon had brought itself back together. She looked back at the thief, surprised that he had complete control over his own dreams so quickly.

"But," He started, but took another second just to stand back up. "I actually like it this way."

Roman then removed his jacket and placed it upon Luna's shoulders.

"What's this? You do realize that I do not feel the cold within dreams."

"Really? Oh right." Roman grinned cheekily. "Well since I can't really do much in this world, just take it as a thanks."

Luna became perplexed. "For what?"

"For allowing me to see such a beautiful moon every night. Thank you princess Luna."

Luna's cheeks began to redden, she had not expected this from someone such as him. Luna looked away from the thief, and frowned at the idea that he was this kind.

"You must understand Roman, that I cannot allow you to run free after what you did." Luna said bitterly.

The thief loosened his tie as he stared at the moon. "Then I'll be waiting for when we could finally meet Luna. And I'll even give you a hint, I'm where it all began."

"You're not currently in Manehattan?" Roman only answered with a shrug of his shoulders. "Then very well, I shall seek out the place you've originated from and will bring you to justice, Roman Torchwick."

She hopped off her imaginary chair to leave, but a hand found itself around her arm. She looked back to see a forlorn look on Roman's face.

"I'm sorry, but, can you perform a summoning spell?"

"No, I have not tried it before. Is this why you're here, a summoning spell? Do you wish to return to your home?"

Roman shook his head, he glanced over to the distance and Luna followed his gaze. In the distance was a table with two occupants, it was the women who were by his side earlier.

Roman sighed heavily. "The girl in purple is Trixie, she's currently my ally in this world. And the other is my friend back home, I just realized how much I missed her after all this time and I wanted to bring her here, a better world than my old one."

"Then why not look for your summoner? They may be able to help you with your problem." She didn't know why she had suggested something helpful to a criminal, who knows why she is even still in this place after she received a really good hint.

Roman frowned as he waved at Neo and Trixie. "Because I already met her, she's new to this summoning thing and I would rather have someone who knows better, like some immortal goddess."

So the summoner is a her? Luna could only guess what kind of mare had managed to summon such a dangerous thief. "Very well Torchwick, I shall see what I can do."

"Really? You'd help me out just like that?" Roman was actually surprised that she would even consider to help. 

"Yes, though the chances that you would be free will decrease once we bring this... creature into our world."

"Thank you." He said, overjoyed to know that there was a chance, even if the chances of failure are still high, he needed to hope, for Neo's sake.

"Alright then, does thou have other requests?"

"Yeah... Could you stick around, until I wake up that is..."

"A-alright..."

Luna raised a single brow, and for a second she was trying to understand his motive. But then she realized what he really wanted. Luna gaped at him, she knew that he had no self restraint, but this was happening rather too quickly.

Wait, he's just trying to distract me so we both have a fair start! Once he wakes up, then the true race shall begin! And Roman shall be brought to justice once I wake up! Luna smirked as she reasoned with herself, for the first time since they have met, her face had finally shifted. Very well thief, let's have a clean fight.

Roman didn't even notice her change, he only stared at the perfect moon above. How captivating it's true form was, far better than the one from home. No, this world is his home now, and the moon in the night sky will be the one that greets him at night, not the remains of a broken rock in space. But the beautiful moon that wishes to be a star in the night sky. This is what would keep him going. 

And as of right now, he promised to himself that he will show it to Neo one day.




Roman's eyes slowly opened, and the sight of green greeted him as rays of sunshine pierced through the small gaps between the leaves of the apple tree. He sighed deeply as he recalled his dream and questioned if it was real at all. He hoped it was, and maybe someday he could actually meet the princess face to face. Though his expectations are a bit low since she's a pony and all that.

His ear flickered beneath his hat, a set of hooves were headed his way and he had guessed who the owner of said hooves were. For a short second, it was quiet, but then he heard a grunt behind the tree he had slept on and then everything shook for a moment.

A dozen of apples fell off the branches and went straight towards the ground. Roman simply batted the ones that would've hit him.

"And good morning to you sunshine." He just casually greeted the pony behind the tree.

As he had expected, she would run around to check who it was. "Roman!?" Applejack was both puzzled and surprised to see the thief.

"Sup Blondie, thanks for giving me my breakfast." He said right before he took a bite off an apple on his hoof.

"Ah didn't know you were back here. Sorry if Ah dropped an apple on you."

Roman simply shrugged his shoulders as he stood up on his two hooves. "Don't worry, I didn't get hurt or anything. I heard you coming a mile away."

"Alright, Ah'm glad nothin' happened. Where were you anyways? You just up and vanished last night, and Ah heard that some golden statue crushed a pony in a bowler hat yesterday."

Roman frowned as he recalled the whole memory. "Yeah, that was me. But you don't have to worry, I'm tougher than a beowolf."

"You must have a harder head than RD if you can take on a heavy statue made of gold."

"I'll take that as a compliment. Now if you could excuse me, I need to find a way to pass the time."

Just as Roman was about to take off to the skies, his attention was brought back to Applejack as she loudly cleared her throat.

"If ya' got a lot of free time, then why don't you help around the farm? Ah'll make sure it's worth your while."

He thought about it, the thief doesn't really have anything better to do but practice his flying skill with Scootaloo later in the afternoon. So there's nothing really stopping him from accepting.

"You know what? Sure, got nothing better to do."

At least this way he could spend some time doing something instead of nothing. And maybe he could distract himself from the fact that he'd be in trouble once everyone knows about his crimes.