Chapter 10: Secret Admirer
Midnight only slept for a couple hours or so. His eyes suddenly shot open and saw Andromeda still snuggling him. He thought he had heard her speak, but she was still fast asleep. Then, the sound came back; it was a faint whisper.
“…iii…iiigh…ooouuu…rrr…”
His ears twitched as he looked around expecting to see somepony else in the room. It was just him and Andromeda. He darted to his right to notice that his window was open; it hadn’t been before. Tiny wisps of wind blew inside creating a slight whistling noise. Midnight’s spine tingled as he heard the whisper again, this time more clearly, among the whistling.
“…Miiidniiight…Hooouuurrr…”
His heart accelerated when he recognized his name. Slowly and quietly, he slipped himself out of Andromeda’s grasp leaving a pillow in his place for her to hug. He stepped out of bed and up to the open window. Looking out, he saw nothing but the small patch of yard on the right side of the cabin leading up to a forest tree line.
“…Miiidniiight…Hooouuurrr…”
The whisper came to him clearer and clearer; he had to intervene. Midnight exited his room after looking back at Andromeda one more time and tiphoofed downstairs. He walked by Takeoff who was still literally passed out on the couch in front of the dwindling ember in the fireplace. Carefully opening the door, Midnight stepped outside into the yard and faced the tree line.
“…Miiidniiight…Hooouuurrr…”
The only other sound besides the whisper was the distant roaring of the titanic falls. Midnight forced himself to summon his courage and wandered cautiously into the woods. The next white noise became the chirping of crickets and the occasional owl hoot. Above the treetops, the night sky was dotted with numerous stars due to the lack of light pollution; the moon was almost at its peak. Midnight looked on ahead to see a light fog forming at knee height. He gulped as he entered it. The fog quickly began to rise and seemed to engulf him.
“…MIIIDNIIIGHT…HOOOUUURRR…”
The whisper was now more forceful than ever. It seemed to be coming from right in front of Midnight. He was now far enough away from the cabin that he could no longer see it, not that he could through the fog. Just then, he saw a blurry shadow obscured by the mist in front of him. He squinted to make it out. The shadow was not moving and seemed to be twice his height; it appeared to be pony shaped. As Midnight’s body became weak from nervousness, the fog then began to lift and the shadow started to reveal itself. Before it finally came into view, he heard a sudden female voice speak in a taunting manner.
“Surprise!”
Midnight gasped as when he saw her. There in front of him was a black coated alicorn standing at roughly the same height as Princess Celestia. She stared at Midnight with icy blue eyes, whose pupils seemed to be almost slits, and smiled an evil toothy smile. Her broad wings spread out in front of her cutie mark which was a crescent moon surrounded by a purple cloud. She wore metallic armored shoes, a chest plate with a crescent moon, and a headpiece around her long horn, all of which were blue and in a gothic style. Her mane was flowing and wispy just like Celestia’s, but instead was deep blue with white sparkles resembling the starry sky. Midnight gawked at the alicorn in astonishment and terror, mainly because he recognized her.
“Out for a late night stroll are we?” she asked in a devious voice.
“No…it can’t be…” stuttered Midnight. “You’re…you’re…you’re Nightmare Moon!”
“I’m glad you recognize me, Midnight.”
“Wait, you know who I am?!”
“Of course; I’ve known you for a long time now. I was just curious to se if you knew who I am.”
“I know that you were once Princess Luna.”
Her face then became shocked for a moment but she instantly returned her calm smile. “You’ve learned more about me than I thought. I’m awfully flattered.”
“But what are you doing here? Aren’t you supposed to be trapped on the moon?”
“I am still able to visit Equestria, but only for a short hour. When I am finally able to once for all banish the day, I plan to stay here for a long time.”
Midnight braced up. “Look, I read all about you and your plan for eternal night, but just tell me why you’re here.”
“Why I was just getting to that, Midnight. I am here to help you.”
He looked puzzled. “What do you mean?”
She slowly paced around him in a circle eying him from head to tail. “You see, Midnight, since I reside on the moon, I see everything that occurs in Equestria. From Manehattan to Los Pegasus, I can observe all that happens with just a turn of my eye. And I have especially been watching you, Midnight, because you have been watching me.”
“Uh…I have?”
“You harness the power of the moon to restart the Fillydelphia clock every night. Do you know where that power even comes from?”
Midnight’s eyes bulged at the thought.
“Of course, your family has been using that power for generations. You however are the first to take particular interest in it. I’ve seen you reading books about me and my home. I understand that it is one of your greatest fascinations. And I must say, Midnight, I’m touched.”
“I admire the moon and Princess Luna, not you.”
“Oh please, it’s like you implied: that weakling is just a former version of me.” Nightmare Moon seemed to be acting seductively toward Midnight as she gently lifted his chin with her hoof and fluttered her eyelashes. “And I love the admiration, Midnight. Nopony respects the night more than you do. They would rather shun my beautiful darkness and pay all their attention to my egotistical older sister. But not you, Midnight; you’re my secret admirer.”
His stomach turned at the thought that he had been staring longingly at the evil Mare in the Moon all his life. “So, you want to help me because you think I respect you?”
“It’s the least I can do. I have witnessed the events caused by that changeling Locust. And frankly, I was appalled. If anypony is going to take over Equestria, it will be me and my glorious night, not that filthy little insect and his soulless machinery. Then, I saw you perform that fire spell which destroyed one of those Workhorses.That's when I realized you were the one hope for defeating Locust. I couldn't reveal myself to you just yet, so I left an anomynous tip for my sister."
"So it was you who told the Princess about that?"
"Yes, but I happened to leave my name out of it. Now unfortunately, I am unable to aid you in fighting Locust, since I can only stay here briefly. But luckily I can give you any information you need. Like I said, I see everything.”
“What do you want me to know?”
“Locust is hiding in the San Palomino desert in southwestern Equestria. He has built a massive fortress where the entire production of the Workhorses is taking place. Before attacking Baltimare, the machines isolated Los Pegasus, Appleloosa and Dodge City. But Locust did not order a full attack until Baltimare, to keep out of my sister’s knowledge.”
“What about Fillydelphia? My town is right next in line for him.”
“After Baltimare, he decided to head straight for Canterlot where he thought he would seize control of the entire land. Miraculously, my sister managed to drive the Workhorses out without a hitch. But they are still stationed on the mountain waiting to attack again.”
“Why didn’t locust go for Canterlot in the first place? Why go all the way around southern Equestria?”
“He felt an indirect approach would be necessary to keep my sister confused. Changelings work in mysterious ways, the miserable pests. But as we speak, Locust is already surrounding both Fillydelphia and Ponyville. Time is running out and soon every city in Equestria will be overrun by the Workhorses.”
“How can I stop him? I can’t destroy all of them by myself.”
“No, but luckily you’re not alone. Have you noticed your brother’s ability with magic?”
The question caught him off guard. “Noon? Well sure he’s great with magic, but I don’t think he can destroy a Workhorse.”
“On the contrary, Midnight, he is just as powerful as you are. You’re both twins after all. The only reason you are able to disrupt changeling magic and he is not is because he lacks the power of the moon. Noon uses the power of the sun to restart the clock at midday, but the sun is a giver of life; it does not represent destruction. However, the moon’s magic is darker and posses destructive ability.”
“Wait, is that because you live there?”
“You catch on quick. I am the reason for the moon’s destructive influence. So basically, if not for the curse my sister punished me with long ago, you would not be able to destroy the Workhorses. But still you remain the only pony who can.”
“So what does that mean for Noon?”
“I’ve planned this since the first time I saw you dismantle a Workhorse. Twins are rare for unicorns. They have the ability to channel each other’s magic from any distance. Yours and Noon’s ability is particularly unique. If you can channel your magic to him, then the force would be powerful enough to even spread to other unicorns. If what I predict is true, then you and Noon will be able to form an army big enough to vanquish the Workhorses.”
Midnight paused in disbelief. “So it’s not just my burden, it’s Noon’s also.”
“I apologize for the task my sister has bestowed on you.” Nightmare Moon touched his cheek sweetly. “Such a kind pony like you should not have to be risked to defeat a worm like Locust. That is why I want to help you, Midnight. Your admiration means that much to me.”
“Well, don’t think I’m doing this for you. I won’t forget about your evil plan.”
“Believe me, Midnight, compared to what Locust will do to Equestria, my plan will be a walk in the park.” She paused. “My time here runs out; I must return to the moon. Ooh, that reminds me.”
Nightmare Moon then raised her head high and her horn began to glow blue. She shot off a small bolt of magic into the air which disappeared.
“What did you just do?” asked Midnight.
“I restarted the clock for you. There’s no need to thank me. Be safe, Midnight Hour, I’ll always be watching you.”
“You know, I don’t think you’re as evil as my books say you are. I think you’re just looking for a little affection.”
“As long as at least one pony respects me, maybe I won’t be so evil in the future.” Nightmare Moon stepped back into the mist still being visible for the last several seconds. She winked and even blew Midnight a kiss. “So long, Midnight Hour!”
“So long…Princess.”
She disappeared and the fog lifted. Midnight returned to the cabin.