“So, how do you know so much about the Church of the New Moon?” They had been walking for what felt like hours, though it had really only been a few moments, and Twilight had caught up to Nightsong, eager to question him more on what he knew about the castle.
“I’m a member, one of the Inner Circle. Their job is to protect the old secrets and ancient ways, and to make sure that the atrocities of Bellum de Angelus Lapsus, or the Last Great War, as it's known now, never happen again. They gave me permission to check on the old temple here while I was doing research. After I’m done in there, though, I’m to seal it, placing wards on it to be sure that nopony gets their hands on those spells. If I am unable to seal it, I am to destroy it, so that the knowledge is lost to the world. I hope it won't come to that.” Nightsong kept gazing ahead as he spoke. The shadows were getting deeper as the sun disappeared and the moon had yet to come out, and everyone was starting to get nervous. Suddenly, Nightsong levitated a flask from under his cloak, putting it to his lips and taking a large swig from its contents.
Twilight’s eyes widened. “You’re drinking? NOW?” She couldn't believe what she had seen, but the unicorn only smiled.
“Of course! What better time than when one is nervous?” He levitated the flask over to her, grinning. “Want some?”
Twilight smiled nervously. “No thanks. I’m not much of a drinker…”
“With all the things that you've faced?” Nightsong seemed surprised. Then, he began to laugh, a deep, rumbling sound that echoed off the walls and banished the fears, if only for a moment.
Twilight laughed, too, and pretty soon they were all laughing, chasing the darkness away, forgetting their fears.
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“E-excuse me, M-Mr. Nightsong?” Fluttershy spoke up, flying her way up to walk beside him. “D-do you have any… pets?” The yellow pegasus practically squeaked out the last word.
The black unicorn smiled gently. “Of course my dear, though… She’s not exactly a ‘pet’, in that she’s a sentient, and very independent, creature. She just finds it convenient to live with me.”
“She?”
“Yes. You’ve heard of the Celestial Beasts? Ursa Majors and Minors, and the always beautiful Sagitarius Stags?” At Fluttershy’s nod, he continued,” It is impossible to tame any of these creatures, of course, as they are sentient and already know how to be tame, but prefer to be wild. Well, Gatta , as she prefers to be called, is a Leo Lion. She prefers the shape of a smaller cat, however, so it’s much easier for me to keep her about. She lives with me, eating with me, sleeping in a cat bed, and living the good life away from predators, and, in return, I gain her infinite wisdom and a powerful ally.” He snorted. “Of course, I also get a cat that’s much more arrogant and much less loyal than a normal one, if that's even possible.” He and Fluttershy shared a laugh, and continued to talk, Nightsong sharing information about the many exotic pets he had seen during his traveling of Equestria. Fluttershy, in turn, spoke of her animals, and how she cared for each and every one. They both shared a quiet laugh at each other’s humorous stories, and cried at each other’s said moments.
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“That was some pretty awesome footwork back there with the manticore.” Fluttershy had run out of things to say and drifted back to the back of the group, and Rainbow Dash had taken her place.
Nightsong smiled at the cyan pegasus. “Thanks. I studied for a number of years under many different instructors, learning many different sword techniques. I could show you a few, later, if you’re interested.”
Rainbow’s eyes widen, and her jaw dropped. “That would be SO awesome!”
Nightsong smiled, then used his magic to pull out the sword. and began explaining to the cyan pegasus about balancing the blade and proper sword techniques, and the various techniques from around the world. "My personal favorite is the style practiced by the ninja in the Eastern Pegasi Republics. It's based more on fluid movement, and focus more on using speed for dodging attacks than actual blocking and deflecting techniques."
"That's what I'm talking about! I'm all about speed!" Rainbow boasted. "After all, I can clear the skies over Ponyville in ten. Seconds. Flat. Isn't that right, Twilight?" The rainbow maned mare glanced back at the lavender unicorn, a sly grin on her face. Twilight looked up from the conversation she'd been having with Applejack, a sheepish grin on her face, before turning her head to hear Applejacks response.
"Then the ninja fighting style might suit you well." Nightsong said, a small grin on his face. For the next hour, he taught the cyan pegasus about the history and culture of the ninja, then some basic fighting styles. Finally, Rainbow Dash yawned and began to drift back towards the rest of the group.
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“Darling, wherever did you get such a wonderful cloak?” Rarity was examining the black fabric with interest. They had wandered deeper into the castle, and the shadows were beginning to fade in the moon’s bright light, though they still remained deep in some places.
The cloak, entirely black on the outside, with a different red fabric on the inside, had several pockets lining the inside of it, yet managed to remain light. It was large enough to conceal the black unicorn’s saddlebags as well, making them seem like an extension of his body, and his tail, hiding the bright red from sight in the dark tunnels. The materials were strong and durable, and the outer material seemed to be proofed against magic, having ignored Rarity’s attempts to pick it up with hers.
Nightsong smiled. “The outer material was a gift from a friend of mine, back in Zebrica. An old missionary unicorn who had gone to Zebrica to spread the word of the Church of the New Moon. He told me it was blessed, and that it would protect me from those who wished to do me harm. I had it checked, and was told it was proofed against magic. Since then, I’ve had it made into a cloak, with the inner material having spells to protect me from diseases and poisons. So long as I wear it, I should be safe from magic and poison, though other forms of attack still work against me.
Rarity’s eyes lit up. “Tell me, does your friend sell this material?”
Nightsong considered this a moment. “He may. It takes a lot of magic to create enough material for a cloak, but… I’ll tell you what. I’m heading to Zebrica as soon as I’m given some time off to study more on the music and instruments there. You and your friends could come with me, and you could talk to him yourself.”
The white unicorn’s eyes widened. “Zebrica? But… But that’s so far away! Who would care for the boutique? And Sweetie Belle? And Opal…”
The black unicorn only shook his head and began to hum a few bars of the song played at the Opening of the Night Court ceremony, the music adding a comforting atmosphere, a sense of order in the insanity of Everfree Castle.
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“So, partner, what makes ya’ll wanna come ta this castle, anywho?” Applejack had replaced Rarity, the white unicorn still fretting over the trip to Zebrica.
“Princess Luna’s birthday is coming up soon, and I had a gift idea that involved the castle, the way it was BEFORE Nightmare Moon.” Nightsong responded, nodding to Applejack as she trotted up beside him.
“Are ya’ll sure that’s such a good idea? She may not wanna be reminded of the old days…”
“I have already spoken with Princess Celestia about it. She has approved of the present, though not my way of obtaining the information. She seemed to think this castle would be too dangerous for anypony. I assured her that would not be the case, but she still had me promise that I would bring an escort. It was a lovely, if unnecessary, sentiment.”
“Ah disagree. If the princess thought ya’ll wouldn’t be safe, then I’d have agreed with her. She knows more than most other ponies.”
Nightsong smiled mysteriously. ”That she does. That she does.” Then, turning his head forward, he began to discuss Sweet Apple Acres. Applejack, put off by the air of mystery surrounding this strange stallion who had somehow managed to find his way into all their lives, was chilly at first, but soon warmed up to the topic.
Eventually, she drifted back to the group, and Twilight trotted forwards once more. She was about to speak when Nightsong held up a hoof. “Alright, everyone. Here’s where the tough part begins. The Nightmare Garden.”