//------------------------------// // Episode 2 - "Black Snooty" // Story: Estranged Anomalies // by Critical Crunch //------------------------------// “Kas-ee, you missed, like, almost ALL of Twilight’s party!” Pinkie exclaims, bouncing around Kas, all while his eyes dart around erratically, barely keeping track of her movements.  “On the contrary! Since I was keeping the guest of honor company, I think I did a pretty good job of it!” He gives her a cheesy grin, prompting Pinkie to blow a raspberry his way. He walked alongside Fluttershy, with Twilight ahead along with the other few ponies he had met, that being Rainbow Dash, Applejack, and Rarity. “Now look at us! Strutting up to the Simmer Sun Celebration with our posse! We’ll be the coolest cats outta the bag!” “One… It’s the Summer Sun Celebration.” Twilight corrects, before looking off to the side. “And, uh, two… I don’t think that is how the saying goes.” She settles her gaze back onto him, eyebrow raised. “Three, ‘posse’?” He ignores her last statement, grin broadening. “Pshaw, saying schmaying. So, what, we go watch the sun?” She sighs, shaking her head before thinking on it. “I mean... kiiind of? It is more symbolic than that, though! About showing our appreciation for all the work Princess Celestia does!”  Kas nods affirmatively. “I can see why… celestial bodies must be suuuuper heavy!” She had given him a debriefing on what the duty of the Princess was, which absolutely baffled him. It made him wonder if Earth had a similar system, kept under locks by the government… “I still can’t believe you just… didn’t know about any of that, either!” Her exclamation nearly prompts him to whistle in a very not suspicious fashion, which would inadvertently be totally suspicious. “I mean, I thought everypony was taught that in schools… at least, in Equestria, that is.” “Ehehe… well, uh…” A bead of sweat rolls down his forehead, before a familiar, pink blur pops up between them. The interception of Pinkie Pie lets Kas breathe a sigh of relief. Saved by the Pie. “It is a biiiig world out there, Twilight! Ya never know what folks are being taught… or not being taught, heehee!” And Twilight seems to accept that, shrugging. It was the kind of thing you dwelled on later. Soon, Kas and the rest of the girls head up into a large crowd that has formed, with snacks and treats of all kinds littering tables. Many were standing at attention, looking off towards a regal looking balcony, fitting of this ‘Princess Celestia’ Twilight had gone on about. She still seemed quite on edge, but there wasn’t much to do about that. Fluttershy, meanwhile, was talking to him about her animals. “And- and there is this one, rambunctious little hen named Ares, and she just causes a bunch of trouble… one time, I ended up having to care for a biiig husky named Ruth, and the poor girl was scared straight by Ares! She just had no fear, and would peck at anyone that wasn’t me or her owner…  oh, but she did peck at me a few times when she first met me and…” She goes a bit pale. “Oh gosh, I’m, um, rambling about my… my animals again… I’m sorry…” Kas reaches out and pats her on the head. “I want you to ramble about your animals to me to your heart's content!” She pauses briefly, before a wide smile stretches across her face, and she launches straight back into her fun little stories regarding the rambunctious and cute animals she has cared for over the years. After a few minutes, she is interrupted by a gaudy, drawn out fanfare. An aging, beige mare stepped out, proceeding to hype up the crowd, and giving Kas a touch more context. He still was having a hard time process the whole ‘Princess moving celestial bodies’ on her own, thing. He had to see this in action.. And just as she was about to be unveiled… there was silence. Complete, and utter, silence. “...This can’t be good.” He could hear Twilight mutter, barely audible under her breath. Other ponies begin to murmur uncertainly all around Kas turns to Pinkie, eyebrow raised. “Soo, does this normally happen? Just surprise games of ‘Where’s Celestia’? Cuz’ unlike Waldo, I feel like she sticks out like a sore thumb. At least, based on how Twilight described her.” Meanwhile, Pinkie just shrugs. “I dunno! I’m kinda into it, though! These old-fashioned celebrations can get just soooooooo stuffy! Good on the princess for adding a bit of mystery to this one!” She whis her gaze to Kas, grinning widely. “So! Where do you think she’s hiding? The Everfree? Sweet Apple Acres? Cloudsdale?!” She turns slowly. “Or maybe…” Pinkie then zips over and rips the tablecloth off of one of the dining tables, so perfectly that nothing had even gotten knocked off. “HERE?!” And underneath the table, there were four dogs all playing Poker, whose eyes went wide when they were caught. Immediately, they all made a break for it. Pinkie let out a frustrated sigh. “Ugh! This is hard…” And then, Rarity steps out from a room behind the balcony, a forlorn look on her face. “She’s gone!” Pinkie stares, wide eyed. “Ooh, she’s good.” Kas was too busy trying to comprehend the fact that they had Poker here, rather than be confused that dogs were the ones playing it. He thought everything was sunshine and rainbows in this place. That thought was going to be dashed away even harder once wisps of inky, dark night sky began to wisp around in a cyclone on the balcony, before a tall mare suddenly appeared. The grey pony was nodding slowly. “Oh no… Nightmare Moon!” Kas hears Twilight whisper the name, tone seeping with horror at this realization. “Nightmare Whoon?” Everyone around him was stricken with fear, anger, and confusion… save for him and Pinkie.  “Oh, my beloved subjects. It’s been so long since I’ve seen your precious little sun-loving faces.” Nightmare Moon cooes, leaning forward with an intimidating sneer on her muzzle. Rainbow Dash springs into the air, looking ready to lash out. “What did you do to our Princess?!” While Applejack is barely able to grab the rambunctious flier by the tail. “Nngh… woah there, Nelly…” Nightmare Moon laughs, putting on a mockingly disappointed expression. “Why, am I not royal enough for you? Don’t-” But she is quickly interrupted, by a certain grey pony, bellowing out a compliment to reassure what he saw as a self deprecating remark. “EY! YOU’RE BEAUTIFUL, MAN!” And the alicorn pauses, staring at him in a mix of blatant confusion and surprise. “...Right. I’m… aware.” She coughs into a forehoof, resuming her frightful disposition toward the equally frightful ponies. “As I was saying… don’t you know who I am?” Pinkie is the one to pipe up this time, waving her forehoof in the air, as if she were a student in class and Nightmare Moon were her teacher. “Ooh! Me, me, me, me! Pick me!” One of the alicorn's eyes twitches as she realizes that some here clearly aren’t taking her seriously. “Fine. Enlighten these unfortunate souls.” The pink pony grins widely. “I loooove guessing games! Um, Hokey Smokes!” Nightmare Moon narrows her eyes. “How about… Queen Meanie!” One of the eyes starts to twitch. “No! Black Snooty, Black Snooty-'' Applejack quickly covers her mouth with a forehoof, hardly dulling the growing rage of the alicorn. “Does my crown no longer count now that I have been imprisoned for a thousand years?!” She stomps her hoof, causing the whole area to shake as her anger grows. Many ponies let out fearful yelps, shrinking back against her imposing gaze. “Did you not recall the legend?! DID YOU NOT SEE THE SIGNS?!” She knew how to get loud, and she could clearly tell that, even through the meager efforts of at least two ponies in the crowd, she was not being feared as she should’ve been. “I did. And I know who you are.” A voice suddenly pipes up, this time able to dull the alicorn's anger, even if ever so slightly. Her gaze turns, and locks onto Twilight Sparkle. “You’re the Mare in the Moon -- Nightmare Moon!” And that revelation causes everyone to gasp. Even Pinkie, but not Kas, since he still has no idea who this lady is… but is intrigued nonetheless. Nightmare Moon feels her sneer return, eyes narrowed this time with an almost playful demeanor. “Well well well, somepony who remembers me.” She stands up to her full height, which even Kas can admit is pretty imposing. Her gaze hardens. “Then you also know why I’m here.” “You’re here… to… to…” Twilight gulps, wracked with nervousness. Kas feels his gaze flick back and forth between her and the alicorn, waiting for the answer. “Remember this day, little ponies, for it was your last.” Nightmare Moon laughs, darkness beginning to swirl all around her. “From this moment forth, the night will last forever!” The laugh turns into full on cackling, everyone now shrinking back in terror as the darkness begins to envelope the alicorn, thunder crashing in the background. ...and then… ...somepony dared to laugh. Kas was having a giggle fit, which seemed to prompt Pinkie to join in. She had no idea what they were laughing about, but it felt good to join him. And all around him, others slowly felt even just the slightest bit at ease, knowing that not everypony was in mortal terror. But before Nightmare Moon could dissipate, the swirling shadows pause, parting to reveal what was once her smug expression, now faltered somewhat. “And what, pray tell, is so funny?” “I mean-” He coughs, chuckling a bit as he wipes a tear from his eye. “That doesn’t sound that bad! Night time is awesome! I can- like, be PRODUCTIVE all the time, now!” His grin is spreading even further. “Besides! There is, like… I mean, with enough knowhow, I’m sure some magic can be harnessed in a way to remedy that. As in, we can make crops that can be cultivated by moonlight.” Kas snickers this time, doing his best to stifle his laughter. “And that- that was all just so… so comically evil. Did you rehearse that?” He could see the faintest glimpses of an embarrassed blush on the alicorn's face. “You did” He whispers, wide eyed before his grin broadens. “YOU TOTALLY DID!” He levels an accusatory forehoof at her. “SILENCE!” The ground shakes again, causing everypony to resume cowering. “I shall NOT be talked to in this manner!” Her voice is laced with venom, now a deadly hiss. “And if you know what is good for you, you will never talk again... unless I decree it to be so!” “Now you’re trying to exert your power over me? I’m- I’m like not even sure if I’m an official citizen of this country!” He waves a dismissive forehoof. “I’m not trying to even call you out! Just saying that eternal night? Not all that bad! Kinda romantic, even!” Nightmare Moon blinks, tone shifting briefly “Romantic…?” Twilight is the one to interrupt this time, leaning in front of Kas. “Kas! Helloooo? She is LITERALLY holding the Princess captive!” She exclaims, eyes wide with distress. “Pff, suuure, bring THAT up.” Kas rolls his eyes, all the ponies no longer as fearful as they look between the grey pony and the imposing alicorn… who quickly regains her grit.  “You’ll all pay dearly for not taking me seriously… for I’ll ensure that not just your waking selves are shrouded in darkness… but your sleeping ones as well!” The darkness swirls with even more aggression this time, knocking back the guards that the Mayor had tried to sneak towards her. It was a futile effort, though, and the alicorn had vanished. Rainbow Dash tried to go after her, but to no avail, she was gone without a trace. Twilight had instantly broken off into a mad dash towards the library, earning suspicious gazes from the ponies around her. Namely, a certain five who decided collectively to follow after her. Pinkie turned to her side. “Kasi! C’mon, let’s-” She flicked her gaze all around, confused. “Kasi?” Rainbow Dash darts backward, and sweeps Pinkie up in her grasp, a high pitched ‘eep!’ heard from the pink pony . They burst into the library, finding Twilight combing through several books, and Kas sipping tea at a table. Pinkie breathes a sigh of relief. “Sheesh, don’t spook me like that, Kasi!” “What? I wanted front row seats!” He grins, prompting Twilight to snap her gaze towards him, clearly not knowing he was already here. “Stop doing that!” She exclaims, shaking her head. “Ugh! How am I gonna beat Nightmare Moon without the Elements of Harmony?”  Rainbow Dash looks like she is about to butt in, before Kas pops up in front of her, prompting her to crash into the grey pony and go tumbling to the ground… while Kas didn’t even budge. “Ack! Hey, what gives?!” “So, what? Like fire, wind, water, and earth? Those are elements, right?” Kas hums, with Twilight shaking her head.  “I don’t think so… it seems more convoluted than that.” Twilight sighs, with Rainbow coming back up, glaring hard at Kas. “Why I oughta…” A Stetson is slapped down on her head, covering her eyes by a strong, orange forehoof. “Ease up, firecracker. We’re all a bit on edge, I reckon.” She sighs, casting her gaze back onto Twilight, slowly approaching her. “You especially, Twilight. S’pose there’s a good reason for that?” Twilight nods weakly, clearly not too used to being put on the spot. “They’re some sort of… collection of artifacts, I think? Or other similar objects, which are mentioned in the prediction regarding Nightmare Moon as the only things that could stop her.” She drops to the floor, stressed as she puts her forehooves over her head. “But I don’t know WHAT they are, I don’t know WHERE to find them… I don’t even know what they do!” While Twilight is having her breakdown, Pinkie beckons Kas over. “Psst, Kasi, gimmie a boost!” “Alrighty! You are a great pony, all your friends enjoy your company, and your eyes are an awesome shade of blue!” A light blush dusts her cheeks, before she ends up snickering softly, shaking her head. “Not that kinda boost, ya’ goof! I meeean lift me up a bit!” “Ooh… I knew that.” He hoists her up with surprising ease, tossing the pink pony into the air.  Out of the corner of his eye, while he waits for Pinkie to fall, he hears Rarity. “Uh… dearie, what are you two doing?” “I have no idea, hehe!” Was Kas’ relaxed reply, as he caught Pinkie… who now held a book. “The Elements of Harmony: A Reference Guide!” Twilight snapped out of it, bolting over towards Pinkie and Kas. “Where-” “Ooh, ooh! I know this one!” Kas interjects, grinning. “It was under “E”, wasn’t it?” Pinkie nods, grinning as she slides down Kas' back. “That’s riiiight~!” Twilight, on the other hoof, looks beyond embarrassed at this revelation. “Oh.” Before long, the purple unicorn launches into a lecture about the book and these elements… but Kas was hardly paying attention, if he was being brutally honest. This was all starting to get beyond weird at this point. He’d been thrown from one screwed up reality into another. A forehoof rubs at his neck absentmindedly, a frown having settled on his face. It still felt like it was there. Better part about this reality, at least, was the lack of any bindings.  He could move without restriction, and maybe that was part of what was letting him be so carefree. For once in his life, he felt like he could move without limits. In fact, even when some dark, evil princess entity was threatening them, he could still chin up about things. And hey, if he was going to be living here, he had to make sure it was safe for him and others. They all began walking as Twilight kept on reading, trying to find the apt description provided of a foresty backdrop, which was explained as the resting place for a certain castle, which housed these elements. Only when they reached the forest did Twilight realize the name was on the next page, which the other residents knew well. “The Everfree Forest!” They all exclaimed at once, everypony looking at Kas due to how cheerily he said it.  “Kas, er, why exactly are ya’ soundin’ so happy bout’ that fact? That forest is bad news.” Applejack squints at him, Rainbow Dash leaning forward, pressing against the cowpony's head to support herself. “More like the worst news!” “I just wanted to be included. Besides, it ain’t so bad!” He looks back, grinning. “You coming, Pinkie?” She matches his grin, bouncing in place. “Yupperoni!” But Twilight stands in front of them, an uncertain look on her face. “Not so fast. I’m glad you all wanna help, but… I’m the most informed out of all of us, and I think it might just be better to do it on my own.” Kas waves his forehoof dismissively, realizing just how common a gesture that was becoming for him. “No way! I’ve actually been in there before, so I got some firsthand experience!” He chuckles, stepping up to her. “Besides! Even if you would rather do without company, wouldn’t you rather have the backup in case something goes wrong? Especially with an evil princess on the loose who can harness the power of the moon.” The other girls all nod in accordance with Kas’ declaration, his logic being quite sound, even Twilight couldn’t fault it. She looks from Kas, to everyone else, and lets out an extremely long sigh. “...Fine. Kas, since you have been in here before, mind taking the lead?” He nods, trotting on ahead, and hoping he doesn’t get questioned too heavily by the mares regarding his knowledge heading forward… and also neglects to mention his piss poor sense of direction.