//------------------------------// // Stage 1 Everfree Forest // Story: Castlevania: Harmony of the Night // by Velvet-Fresh //------------------------------// "Are thee alright my little ponies?" Luna asked after cutting the spider's webbing surrounding the captured ponies. "Just fine and dandy, thank you your highness." The mayor said as she rubs her sore limbs before standing up on all fours. "Thank you for saving us and Ponyville Princess Luna. I don't know what is happening, those creatures just attacked us out of the sudden and I can't get ahold of Twilight or her friends. I fear they may be captured." she informed the princess. "By my mother's mane, without the bearers the Elements will be useless. Our adversary is cunning one, any clues where these creatures originated from my dear mayor?" Luna asked. "Everfree Forest, where else?" she just gave her a shrug. "Ah, it's a wonder why we sense such dark energy from Everfree, hmm we think the forces of darkness came from our old castle in the forest's heart." Luna concluded as she paced the room, her ears twitch. "Hark, the guards arrived, what took them so long." she trot outside with the mayor, greeted by Shining Armor and a squadron of royal guards."Forgive me captain, you missed quite a party" she chuckle. "Your highness." he gave a bow of respect so the rest of the guards. "What brings you here?" "You could clearly see, we came to aid. I have slain the beasts in this town. I shall venture to Everfree forest to the source of this madness. Erect a protective barrier around town when i leave." "What about Twiley and her friends? where's my sister?" he asked worried. "Fret not my dear captain, I shall save her and her friends. Now, protect this town well, i wish to return with the girls to their town still one piece. And that's an order." she said sternly With a salute "Yes, maam and be careful your highness." "Fear not for me captain of the guards, I know how to handle myself." with that, she began to gallop out of town. As soon as she steps out of the outskirt, a pink bubble appear surrounding Ponyville. "Godspeed everypony." Luna looked back for awhile before trotting forward again. Stage 1 - Everfree Forest Luna stopped mid trot, looking up at the dreadful forest infront of her, before she enters dangerous territory she halted as a figure walk into the clearing "are thou mad to stay in this place zebra?" "Neigh my princess." Zecora replied as stepped closer "I only wish to give you my aid before you become a damsel in distress." without another word Zecora hands Luna a silver dagger. "It's an enchanted blade, for it surely keep you safe." Luna didn't hesitate to receive the dagger. "I see, a magical artifact that i must wisely." "Indeed your highness, may the spirits guide you well." Zecora bowed respectfully before she retreats back to her humble home. The princess watched the zebra shaman return to her hut, she then turn her attention back to the forest and trots onwards. Not before long, she stopped in her tracks in time to see the earth being dug up from underneath as a decayed hoof shoot out as the creature pulls itself out from the ground, a zombie pony. It moans in agony as it staggers towards the night princess, followed by a few others who surfaced from the forest path. Luna dispatched them quickly with a single slash to each their bodies, effectively cutting them in half, the corpse then burst into flames and the ash blew away in the wind as she simply walk away. She faced more undead creatures like zombies and skeletons, but none manage to harm her. A zombie fall down with a dagger impaled to it's forehead before it vanished in flames. Walking onwards she stopped to see a torch oddly placed on a tree trunk "strange place to set up a torch, something feel odd about it.. i wonder.." upon instinct she slashed at the torch it broke apart and a red orb of energy shot out and it was absorbed by Luna. "Strange, i was certain i had 9 daggers left.. hmm. I see. The special energy, it gives me more holy artifacts. This will be very useful." she smiled. She trots onward destroying any torch or oddly placed lantern stands she can find to absorb more of those energy to keep her holy artifacts well stocked, slaying all creatures she encounters in her way. After slaying a timberwolf, it's ashes drift away by the wind. She felt her body glow as she felt even stronger than before. "I'm starting to feel my powers and strength coming back to me." She looks at her hoof "good, i'll need it." She continued on, trotting down the dirt road path, slaying another timberwolf that got in her way. "Foal beast, your nothing but firewood now." she said as she watch the ashes blew away in the wind, she didn't bother to look back as she continue moving forward. Before her lies a clearing, up ahead she clearly see the bridge connecting to the old castle close by after the clearing. "Thank sister they fixed that bridge.." she walked forward into the clearing, only to stop and jumps backwards in time to avoid an attack from a beast that jumped out foliage of the forest. This beast is the mighty manticore and it shown it's ferocious attitude toward Luna with a loud growl. "Let see if your bite is worse than your bark.. have at you!" The manticore roared loudly, titling it's head back and breath out a fireball that went straight for Luna, she simply swipe her sword at the right time, deflecting the flame elsewhere. She lunge forward, the manticore saw and as an defensive act it tilts down as it's scorpion tail swung down, Luna ducked underneath as it soared past her head hitting the ground behind her, getting it stuck on the ground. It tried to yank the tail and Luna sees this as an opportunity to strike, so she slashed at the monster's tail. Cause it to yanked it free with a loud roar of pain, in retaliation it struck Luna with a heavy swing with it's paw. The night princess manage to regain her balance before hitting the ground, grunting "Stronger that you seem are you?" she looked up at her opponent with a smirk. "Let me show you.. true strength." she stood tall, stabbing her sword to the ground as she chants, for some odd reason the creature start backing away, still growling but cautiously. "Darkness descend, moonlight shine. The night has fallen, let nightmare be eternal!" she open her glowing as she is surrounded by dark raccoon like energy, transforming her her cape gave way allowing her dark nightly mane flow in the non existent breeze, her fur becoming pitch black as one can see her tiara glowing transforming into a blue helmet. She stomped the ground with her blue armored boot as she looked at the manticore with dragon like eye slits. The manticore is now backing away in fear as what stood infront of him, is the real princess of the night. "Do you fear me?" she asked. "Good.. i am nightmare eternal.. " her eyes glowing as she gives a wicked grin "I am. Nightmare Moon!" nothing can be said on what happen next, for the next thing Luna knew, she stood infront of a corpse of the most feared beast of the everfree.. no lying in a heap infront of her. "Forgive me," she said as she transformed back. "But it is kill or be killed." she can see the energy flow from the dead creature, creating a orb of energy above her, she just stood tall and let it fall ontop of her absorbing the energy as it made contact with her. Stage 1 Complete! Not wasting any time she hopped over the corpse and makes her way to the bridge. She was about to cross it as green flames burst out of thin air causing her to stepped back. From out the flames a scythe appears, it spins around before a dark robe figure slowly appear floating mid air before plopping himself(?) on the bridge. "I'm sorry, but i cannot allow you to pass." Hearing the voice, Luna recognized him "Mort?! Why are thou doing here old friend?" she asked slightly cheery. Avoiding direct eye contact the reaper shade can only utter "Go back Lulu, please.. i don't want to do this.." "But, the monsters are coming from this castle, i have to go.. wait if your.. here.. then .. NO!.. She can't be!" "Forgive me Luna, i'm only following my master's wishes.. if you persist on entering beyond this point.. so be it." he rose his scythe and quickly he pointed it forward shooting a electric magical surge to shoot forth. Luna did not manage to dodge it time and was electrocuted, causing her to scream in agony. She can only watch helplessly as her sword and equipment were yanked away from her.. she felt 'drained' as the surge stops. Causing her to collapse in a heap, she weakly looked up only to see the reaper walking into an open portal. "Mort... whyy..." she groans. "I'm.. sorry.. Luna" he said as he entered the portal and it closed behind him. She collapse, losing consciousness after succumbing to the magical surge.