<<<Princess Luna Noctis>>>
Cults and the Eldritch have always been a fact of life even before Luna was banished to the moon. And since the early days of Equestria the Solar and Lunar, and eventually the Equestrian, guards made sure to stamp out cults when they were found. Mainly focusing on those that kidnap and forcibly convert or practice mortal sacrifice, but generally all cults were to be stamped out no matter how benign they seem.
The ‘blessings’ from those Beyond are never simple.
So finding the remains of The Cult of the Black Wood had somehow taken root in Canterlot made Luna itch to let Nightmare out to express her displeasure! Granted compared to the Esoteric Order and a few others the Cult of the Black Wood is simply an eccentric fertility/pleasure cult but still, cults were a corruptive and destabilizing influence no matter how benign.
“The guard has become soft since our time away.” Luna’s eyes narrowed, “We will correct this. Whether Tia likes it or not…”
“Indeed… I can’t believe my sister Daybreaker let Celestia become so… soft…” Nightmare Moon purred in the back of Luna’s mind.
“Truly, a thousand years of peace has clearly dulled Tia’s senses…” Luna shelved the thought and approached a Bat pony (they prefer Thestral) guard, “Report.”
The guard saluted, “Yes Princess! We received reports a few hours ago due. According to reports a patron became violent and went on a tear though the entire faculty. Initially the Equestrian guard came to investigate but quickly uncovered evidence of a cult and it went up the chain!”
The guard paused to gather his thoughts.
“Forgive me for disparaging our Solar comrades but they seemed less than interested.” The guard flinched at Luna’s displeased expression, “Captain Nightshade and Lieutenant Nightbright with a squad breached the club. And well…”
“And?” Luna asked impatiently.
“Most of the cultists were already… subdued. Some more harshly than others.” The guard soldered on with his report, “Survivors have already been contained and gathered up. But… we found evidence of mortal sacrifice. And apparently their latest sacrifice disagreed and showed his displeasure violently.”
Luna blinked at that, momentarily shelving any thoughts on the sacrifice and instead focusing on the fact that a cult that practiced mortal sacrifice was operating in Canterlot the capital of Equestria!? Bucking Tartarus how did Tia miss this!?
With a marely effort Luna pushed her outrage from her mind, though Nightmare was more than content to rage for Luna.
“And the status of the sacrifice?” Luna asked.
“Surprisingly fine Princess. He’s a tough little colt, meaner than a rabid timberwolf and twice as ornery-”
Luna blinked and mouthed ‘colt’ to herself. Even Nightmare stopped her ranting in surprise.
“-though he’s an odd one. He has an extra set of legs and an Elemental mane. Though I honestly can’t figure out the element. And his scent is just… off putting.”
“Take me to this colt.” Luna said, “Also have any cult artifacts and writings destroyed. Salt the ground if you must. I refuse to allow this cult to spring up again because someone got a hold of a statue or grimoire. Furthermore I want every shop thoroughly searched for any cult memorabilia and any suspected of spreading this corruptive knowledge brought in.” Oh how Luna missed the Old Days when cultists were simply executed when found, especially if they were too heavily indoctrinated and enraptured in the worship of their new god.
“As you command Princess!” The guard said with a salute, “Solar Wind will take you to the colt.”
A Earth pony in Lunar guard armor stepped forward, “If you’ll follow me Princess.” He said respectfully.
Luna nodded and followed Solar Wind, absentmindedly wondering about this colt.
“... Are you sure that’s a colt and not a stallion suffering from Dwarfism and Chaos mutation?”
“Yes, Chaos magic has a distinct presence after all. And while the colt is unusually burly I don’t think it’s Dwarfism. It’s his mane that interests me…”
“Yes, like yours that manifests as a starry sky and mine is the darkness between stars. This colt is War, his magical presence reeks of battlefields and blood. But I detect more to this colt. How interesting…”
Though this indeed was interesting Luna was more concerned over the fact that the colt was heavily restrained and…?
“Solar Wind? Explain to me why this colt is restrained and muzzled like a feral madstallion?” Luna asked.
“Because he’s mean as Tartarus and wasn’t in his right mind.” Solar Wind said simply, “He injured a few of the guards before he was sedated. Best Captain Nightshade can figure is the colt was terrified and angry beyond words. And eventually his fight or flight instinct settled on fight and let me tell you princess… I’ve seen rampaging Minatours. This little colt here is freakishly strong even for an Earth pony.”
“... Were there any deaths?” Luna asked.
“A few. Though we don’t know if they were deliberate or accidental.” Solar Wind said, “Colt was losing it pretty bad so I think the deaths can be ruled as accidental. Especially taking into consideration his strength.”
“Is he asleep?” Luna asked.
“... Yes ma’am?” Solar Wind answered clearly confused
Luna didn’t answer and instead closed her eyes to concentrate, and with a surprising bit of effort Luna entered the sleeping colts dreams.
<<<Shifting Space>>>
I’ll admit, I took being spirited away and turned into a tiny horse pretty bad.
And learning I wound up being the chosen sacrifice for some Lovecraftian god I might’ve lost my temper. Which combined with my now child brain made for a rather dangerous mix, nothing like a super strong child having a temper tantrum while hardlining years of repressed anger.
And realizing I had six legs and no hands? Well that just made me even angrier.
But the shit icing on this shit cake? I couldn’t even remember my name or family. I mean I knew I had both, I just can’t recall any names or faces.
So yeah I tore through the place like the Hulk, only small and I suppose adorable looking. And honestly I’m glad those other small horses eventually subdued me and sedated it. It gave me a chance to pull myself together.
There was a sudden shift and I found myself standing in the middle of what looked like an ancient battlefield littered with broken weapons and bare bones. And despite how old the remains were the air was still tinged with the smell of blood and the very sky was thick with a dark writhing smog.
Somehow I knew what this was somehow, an instinctive knowledge I honestly couldn’t describe even if I wanted to. All I knew that this desolate battlefield was Mine and no one else's. This is my… Plane and I could shape it as I wish. I was god here and… someone was trying to intrude!
I thought about just rejecting the intruder out right but… I needed information. And someone able to attempt to enter another's Plane isn’t someone to dismiss. Besides this person should be able to tell me what the hell is going on!
It took me a few minutes to figure out how to allow the stranger in but when I did the stranger manifested and… why do I think the horse is hot?
And…
Why does she look so familiar?
“Err, welcome to my Plane I guess?” Why did her eyes sharpen when I said that?
“A Plane… curious. But you do have an abnormal presence…” She mumbled seemingly to herself before refocusing on me, “Excuse me. I’m Princess Luna Noctis. I’m hoping you could tell me how you wound up here.”
“Err… in this Plane? If so I came here after I was sedated.” I said, “But if you mean the building with the cult? No idea. Honestly I just woke up and heard these guys calling me a worthy sacrifice.”
I tried to not notice how Luna’s shadow flickered and stared at me curiously, though it was damn distracting so much so I had enough.
“Luna? What’s up with your shadow?” I finally asked, unable to contain myself.
Luna looked at me like I did something amazing, which I honestly didn’t understand in the slightest.
“You can… see my Nightmare?” Luna asked, “You’re something special…”
“Indeed, perhaps we should claim him before Celestia makes him soft and weak?” The shadow purred, sounding excited, “Colt do you have any family or guardians?”
“I…” I paused and thought.
I have a family, granted I can’t remember their faces or names but I have a family, but they’re in another world entirely. And… no, I suppose I don’t have a family technically, but… I don’t need a guardian! Damn it I… was nearly forty… damn. I suppose I do need a guardian…
“No, none that I can remember.” I answered eventually.
“Ah, well.” Luna stopped, “We’ll figure something out. Now… if I wake you will you keep yourself under control?”
“... I don’t know…” I said eventually.
My brain chemistry was all different now, I was a child again, and a tiny horse. I had absolutely no idea how I would react when I woke up.
“Hmm, I’ll have you taken to the infirmary at the castle.” Luna said, “Now… I’ll take my leave, but I think I’ll leave you with some sweet dreams instead of this… desolate place.”
Again her presence forced itself upon my Plane and everything changed as I lost myself to dreams of whimsy.
<<<Princess Luna Noctis>>>
Luna opened her eyes after that very… interesting encounter.
“Solar Wind I want this colt taken to the infirmary in the castle. Keep him sedated until I come.” Luna said.
Solar Wind looked a little confused but saluted all the same, “Yes Princess!”
She would talk more to the young colt later, right now she had to make sure the cult was stamped out.
