//------------------------------//
// 30~Night Eternal (PT. 1) 
// Story: The Emperor Preserves 
// by Centurion Pike-Wall 
//------------------------------//

"Well well well. Somepony who remembers me", Nightmare Moon said, a fang-filled grin gracing her lips. Her previous sweeping gaze now focused on Twilight, making the mare back up and shrink away from it. "Then you also know why I'm here?"

"You're here to... to", Twilight said, shrinking back even further. 

Nightmare Moon chuckled, drawing even more gasps and bursts of fear from the crowd. "Remember this day, little ponies, for it was your last. From this moment forth, the night will last forever!" More laughter echoed through the building, with dramatic lightning crashed behind her with a thunderous boom. 

Anton chose that moment to raise his laspistol. Those around him backed away, getting even further away as the first red burst of light from the weapon. The blast slammed into her shoulder, cutting off her laughter and making her glare at him. "Insolent foal!", she barked, sending a blast of blue light towards him. 

"Aquila!", Applejack yelled, finally letting Rainbow Dash free. 

Anton jumped forward, the blast exploding behind him. He climbed back to his hooves, the pistol coming back up and more shots ringing out. This time, however, she raised a shield, the bolts dissipating against the pale blue shield. She shot one harsh look at him, before dissipating into that same smoke she appeared from. 

Even as she shot past the startled Xenos, Anton continued to shoot at her. The shots went clean through her, making those behind her duck for cover. The smoke beat down the door, flying outside and into the air. 

Anton ran out after her, continuing to fire shots as Nightmare Moon faded into the distance. "Come back here!", a voice called, drawing his attention skyward. 

Rainbow Dash hovered in the air, glaring at the burst of smoke as it finally disappeared from sight. "Nighttime? Forever?", she asked as her angry gaze shifted to one of mild fear. 

"The Great Enemy has many sorceries at its disposal", Anton said, drawing Rainbow's attention. "One can never really know."

Anton had no idea if what he had seen was truly a Slave to the Dark Gods. But, if the imagery that the Ecclesiarchy Deacon his family paid homage to was right, then it wouldn't be too far-fetched. The dark form, wreathed in shadows; jagged armor and malformed body; malicious aims that would only result in death. All of it added up to an image of one corrupted by the Great Enemy. 

"Great Enemy?", Rainbow Dash asked. "What are you-Wait." Both eyes were drawn to another street, as they saw Twilight Sparkle running away from the Town Hall at full tilt. "Where's she going?"

Anton looked after her, eyes narrowed. "She knew who that... Nightmare Moon was."

"You think she's a spy or something?", Rainbow asked, suspicion in her own eyes. 

Anton said, "An enemy can take many forms. Even if she isn't she knows something. Come." Anton holstered his laspistol, and the two gave chase.


+++++~+++++


The two of them opened the library door, Anton giving the room a quick scan. The main floor of the library was a bit of a mess, with books of all shapes and sizes being tossed around and piled along the floor. Even as they watched, Twilight grabbed one in her magic and flipped it open, scanning through the pages with a frantic look in her eyes. She tossed it behind her, saying, "Ugh! How can I stop Nightmare Moon without the Elements of Harmony?"

Rainbow used that moment to race forward, grinding to a halt mere millimeters from the unicorn's face. "And just what are the Elements of Harmony?"

"Some kind of weapon? A Relic?", Anton asked, stepping around Rainbow Dash, keeping his laspistol in his aura. 

"And just how did you know about Nightmare Moon, huh?", Rainbow cut in, once again drawing the unicorn's attention. "Are you a spy?"

Before Twilight could reply, Rainbow was suddenly yanked back and tumbled to the floor. At the same time, a light blue barrier formed in front of Anton, making him turn towards the entrance. Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy, and the Pink One stood in a loose circle in front of Twilight, with Applejack stepping around Rainbow. "Simmer down, you two. She ain't no spy."

"And you know this how? 'The Traitor and Heretic can take many forms, not all unpleasing to the eye'", Anton said, earning an eye roll from Rarity and weird looks from most of the others. 

"Ah think mahself a good judge 'a character. She ain't a spy; she just ain't", Applejack said, before turning back to Twilight. "But ya do know more 'bout what's goin' on, don't'cha?"

Twilight looked between the group of ponies, before frowning and bowing her head. "I read all about the Prediction of Nightmare Moon. The Elements of Harmony are the only things that can stop her, but I don't know what they are, where to find them. I don't even know what they do."

"The Elements of Harmony", the Pink One cut in, drawing all eyes away from Twilight to her. "A reference guide."

"What?", Twilight said, pushing the Pink One aside and removing a book that had a strange, five-pointed symbol on it. "How did you find this!?"

"It was under E!", she said, bouncing up and down in a wide circle. 

"Oh", Twilight said, before opening up the book. Anton slid his laspistol back into his holster before gathering around Twilight along with the others. "There are six Elements of Harmony, but only five are known: Kindness, Laughter, Generosity, Honesty, and Loyalty. The sixth is a complete mystery. It is said, the last known location of the five elements was in the ancient castle of the royal pony sisters. It is located in what is now... The Everfree Forest."

"Wait", Applejack said, turning to Anton. "Aquila, didn't you say that you found this old ruin in the forest?"

"Yes. I used a few of the intact blocks as a frame for the bunker", Anton said. 

"Bunker?", Twilight asked. 

"Long story", Applejack said. "So, you know where it is."

"I should be able to find it again", Anton said. 

"Wait", Twilight said, cutting in. "Look, I appreciate you offering to help, but I'd rather do this alone."

Anton snorted, before replying, "You've never been in it, have you?"

"No. Why?", Twilight asked. 

Rarity said, "Twilight; Aquila here lives in the Everfree. Even if your book provides a map, it might not be reliable. Much as he and I have our differences, I will admit he is the most capable of helping us reach the Castle."

"Plus, the Everfree isn't exactly a public park", Anton said. "Timberwolves, Bears, Hydras; hell, some of the plants can harm you in both flesh and spirit."

"But-", Twilight began, only to be cut off by Rainbow Dash. 

"Sorry, but we ain't letting you go alone", she said, grinning. "We're comin' with you!"

The others nodded in affirmation, while Anton merely readjusted his field cap. Twilight lowered her head, once again letting out a deep sigh. "Alright. Lead the way, Aquila."