//------------------------------//
// Pathways into Darkness 
// Story: Tenna 
// by Listener 
//------------------------------//

	Tenna watched in equal parts awe and fear, as three pegasus guards flew towards the strange mare.

The awe kept her there, even as her body screamed at her to run.

Tech pushed at her, trying to make her go towards an exit. “Come on Tenna! We need to move. Now!” 

Tenna turned, and started to run with the crowd, out into the streets of the town, other ponies bumping into them and jostling them. Tech managed to grab Tenna and hover above the crowd. 

“Tech, what’s that?” Tenna said, pointing at a dark shadow going towards the Everfree Forest.

Tech looks, but doesn’t see anything. “What’s what?” He asked, confused.

“That smoke...” Tenna said, contemplating it as Tech goes and sets her down to the side of the building.

“Tenna, there’s no smoke anywhere.”

“But... It just went into the forest.” Tenna said, standing her ground.

Tech looked at her, and then at the forest. His face had a strange expression on it.

“Tech?” Tenna asked warily.

“So... We have a mysterious villain, right?”

“Umm...” Tenna said, confused slightly.

“And we also have an incredibly creepy forest right next to where she reappeared.”

Tenna shook her head. She had an idea of where this was going, and she didn’t like it.

“Tech... If you’re thinking what I think your thinking, please stop thinking it.” She said, looking at the pegasus.

Tech grinned. “That depends. Are you thinking that I’m thinking what I’m thinking?”

“Yes?” Tenna said, unsure of what he had just said.

“So... I shouldn’t be thinking of going into the incredibly creepy forest alone, so I should take you along too?”

“Yes. Wait, no!” She said, suddenly catching onto what he was doing. He was trying to confuse her, which he had successfully done.

“Too late! You said yes! Come on then!” He shouted over his shoulder, as he had already taken to the sky.

“Tech! I did not agree to this!” She shouted after him, slowly taking to the air and going after him.

Tech just laughed as he looked over his shoulder at her, before he looked ahead and dodged around a house.

Tenna ran forward, but stopped. Was she really going to go after him? He’s the one with the crazy idea to go into the creepy forest.

Shaking her head, she started to run after the flying pegasus again.


000




“Tech, are you sure that this is such a good idea?” Tena asked, looking around herself with slight fear in her voice.

“Of-of course! Would you rather stay in town and do nothing?” He replied, putting on a brave facade.

“Um... Maybe?”

The strange pair was walking on a path in the Everfree, warily looking at the trees around them. Every tree seemed to hide something.

“Se-See anything?” Tech asked Tenna.

“N-no...”

“I’m going to try flying up to see if I can find anything. I’-I’ll be right back, okay?” Tech said, looking around one last time before jumping and hovering.

“Oh... Okay. Just... hurry back, okay?” Tenna said, worriedly.

Tech nodded, and took off, aiming for the canopy of the forest. 

Tenna stayed on the ground, watching Tech while still throwing glances around the forest. But something at the corner of her eye caught her attention. The dark smoke was back, and it was racing towards Tech. Panicking a little bit, she called out to him.

“Tech! Watch out!” 

Tech whirled around, facing Tenna on the ground. Flapping his wings to stay in the air, he asked, “What?”

Tenna jerked her head back and forth between the smoke that was rapidly approaching the pegasus, and said pegasus.

“The smoke! It’s back!”

Tech immediately looked around rapidly, trying to spy it. A confused look came over his face. “Are you sure Ten-arg!” Tech’s question became a yell of pain as Tenna watched the smoke circle around him and cinch tight, bending his wings back at an unnatural angle. Causing him to fall from the sky.

“Tech!” Tenna shouted, watching in fear. The black smoke peeled off and went deeper into the forest, but she wasn’t worried about that at the moment.

Moments after the whole thing started, Tech crashed into the ground, sinking a little bit into the mud. Tenna ran to where the pegasus lay, and pushed him over onto his side.

“Tech, come on, you’re okay. You’ve got to be okay.” She said quickly, panic causing her to rush her words out. Putting a hoof onto Tech’s side lightly, she realized that she had again transformed out of her disguise. She didn’t care though. She concentrated, and she could feel her hoof rise and fall slowly with Tech’s breathing. 

She sighed softly. He was breathing at least. Now to wake him up.

“Tech.” She said, tapping his shoulder lightly. Thankfully it seemed to work, and he lifted his head.

“Ow... My everything...” He moaned, moving his limbs slowly and sitting up.

“Are you okay?” Tenna asked, helping him as he moved to the position.

Cringing slightly at the contact, he nodded. “Yeah. Pegasi can take some major hits.”

Tenna frowned. “You just fell from about fifteen feet in the air. There’s no way that you’re okay.” 

Tech sighed. “It’s something to do with magic. Our bones are infused with it to make them better able to stand sudden pressure, but not so good with constant.” He tried flapping a wing and winced. “But... ah... these are going to be out of commision for a while. Whatever happened up there seriously screwed with my wings.”

Tenna nodded. “Can... Can we just go now?”

Tech nodded, some sense finally coming into his head. Looking around, he frowned. “Do you, ah..., know which way we came from?” He asked, looking around.

Tenna’s blood ran cold when she heard him say that, before looking slowly around them.

“I... I thought you were paying attention?” She said, suddenly scared again of the forest.

“But... I thought you were!” He retorted, panic setting into his face.

The were lost.

In the Everfree.

At night, and possible with a mare that had banished Celestia somewhere.

“Tech?”

“Yeah?”

“I’m scared.”

“I am too...”


000




The pair had been sitting there, huddling together for about ten minutes, neither saying a word. They had been trying to think of a way out of the mess they had gotten into.

Tenna’s ear’s perked up slightly on instinct.

“Tech... do you hear that?” She asked quietly, afraid to break the silence.

Tech looked up, confusion etched on his face. Then, as his ears perked up too.

“Voices. Which means...” Tech said.

“Ponies” Tenna finished. Ponies meant help, and that was a priority. Her fear of the forest over rid her fear of other ponies. With a green flash, she was up as the grey pegasus. Tech got up also, leaning on Tenna for support. 

“We gotta get over there.” Tech said, walking forward quickly. Tenna, surprised at first, soon caught up and matched pace with him.

“Hey! Over here!” Tech called out, before getting a hoof in his muzzle. With a look at Tenna, his eyes conveyed his question. 

“They’re in here, but so are a lot of other things! Keep quiet and we’ll catch up with them!”

Tech nodded, an understanding look coming over his face. Moving quickly, the pair tried to catch up to the voices, but they always seemed just out of sight, hidden by the dark forest.

“Tenna?” Tech said quietly.

“What?” She said back, just as quietly.

“I’m slowing us down. Go on ahead and stop them, and I’ll catch up, okay?”

“Wait... what? No Tech!”

“We’re never going to catch up to them if we continue at this pace. It’s the only way!”

“But...” She frowned nervously.

Tech smile reassuringly. “Relax. I’ll be fine for five minutes. Besides-” He struck a pose, “-I’m a pegasus. I can out maneuver anything!”


000




Rainbow Dash stopped suddenly. The group was in the forest, going to the castle that sparkle-butt had said would house the Elements of Harmony. 

Pinkie Pie stopped too, looking back at her. “What’s wrong Dashie?” She asked, a look of happiness and innocence on her face.

“Some snot nosed little kid just said he was better than me.”


000




Tenna nodded softly. “Just... be careful, okay?”

“Always.” He replied.

Tenna shook her head. From what she had seen, he was anything but careful.

Turning around, she started to run through the forest, only glancing back to make sure he was following.

Then she was gone.

The voices were getting slowly closer, as the trees raced past Tenna’s vision. Just as she was sure they were close enough to see, she burst through the tree line.

Tenna’s jaw went slack, as she gazed up at the abandoned castle. It clearly had been abandoned for a while. Her gaze traveled down the terraces, and eventually to a door, that was currently shutting.

She tentatively ran out, casting looks at the forest as she left it behind. Maybe someone would come with her to grab Tech.

Tenna pushed the door open, carefully stepping inside and looking around. There was nothing really here, except for a stone monument in the middle.

Staring at it, she makes her way around it, trying to see where the ponies she had heard had gone.

A sound. A rock being disturbed, maybe.

She froze.

“So. I wasn’t expecting to see one of you so far out. Did your Queen actually remember me?”

Turning around slowly, she faced the mare that had been on the platform in the town hall. 
“I... what?”

Nightmare Moon stamped a hoof impatiently.

“Your Queen. Does she remember me?”

Tenna stared, quivering sight under the stare of the dark mare. “I... I don’t know... What Queen?”

Nightmare Moon stared for a moment, before laughing loudly.

“Oh my... she’s still up to her tricks, isn’t she? It would be a shame to ruin her fun, now wouldn’t it?” Nightmare Moon said, bringing her level stare to Tenna’s eyes.

Tenna wanted to look away. She wanted to shut her eyes.

But she couldn’t.

She felt something in her mind. Searching.

For what, she didn’t know. 

She felt... violated.

After a moment, which seemed like an eternity to Tenna, she felt the presence of Nightmare moon leave.

“Oh, well this is interesting-” She started, only to be interrupted by the door opening and slamming against the wall.

“Tenna? You in here?” A familiar voice called out.

Nightmare Moon whipped her head around, a grin on her face.

“Oh, and it looks like your little friend made it too. Why don’t we invite him in?” She said, malice in her voice.

Tenna, frozen in fear, could only stare with a sense of dread in her heart as she saw the evil mare’s horn light up a dark purple.

“Tenna? Where are you-woah! Hey!”

Tenna saw Tech being dragged forward, hooves flailing in the air as the same purple glow surrounding the dark mare’ horn clung to his body.

“Hey-hey! Stop it! I mean it, you’re going to be in big trouble when I get out of here!” Tech said, whirling around so that he was no hanging upside down and was eye level with Nightmare Moon.

“Or what, little pony?” She said, smiling in a malicious way.

“I’ll whoop your butt!” Tech said, trying to spit in her face. It fell short and a couple of inches to the left.

“Oh my. I’m quaking in my boots.” She said in a dry voice.

“Let me down and face me in a fair fight you monster!”

“Oh, it is fair. Fair in my favor. I mean, I have magic. What do you have? Wings that don’t work?”

Tech stopped struggling, and looked down.

“I thought as much. Now, I have some important business to conduct with Tenna over here. Now, if you would be so kind as to roll over there.”

“Roll?”

Nightmare Moon flung Tech into the air, and encased him a magical sphere before he hit the ground. 

Turning around to face Tenna again, she grinned.

“So, where were we?” She stopped and pretended to think for a moment. “Ah yes. You seem to have some... memory issues, is that correct?”

Tenna stared, backing up slightly and trying to make herself smaller.

“Now. Tell me changeling. What are you willing to do to get them back?”

Tenna looked up, her eyes huge. “You... You... can...”

“Help you get them back?”

Tenna nodded.

“Of course I can. But the question stands. What are you willing to do for it?”

“I... I...”

“Would you be willing to leave everything you know behind? Would you be willing to leave you new friend, the flying deficient pegasus?” She started walking towards Tenna. “Would you?”

Tech started pounding on the solid magic of the bubble shield. His words were muffled by it, but still clear enough to make out.

“Don’t listen to her! She’s just trying to trick you! Don’t trust her!”

Her mane blazed out slightly in anger as she turned to face the green pegasus. “Silence, You little whelp! I was going to get to you after she had made her choice, but now I’ll get to you now. Little Tech. Laughed at. Misunderstood time and time again. Wouldn't you like it if somepony actually took you seriously for once? I can get you that. Respect!”

Tech looked at Nightmare Moon, a strange look coming over his face.

“Re-respect?”

“Yes, Tech. Respect. And more. All you have to do is leave.”

He jerked his head. “Leave? I can’t leave Ponyville! My friends, my family-”

Nightmare Moon cut in. “Have never taken you seriously. They’ll never take you seriously, anyway. Just think. Everyone giving you respect and taking you-”

“That’s enough!” Came a thundering voice that neither ponies talking had expected.

Tech looked behind Nightmare Moon, as she looked behind herself to see who was talking. What they saw surprised them both.

Tenna was standing, and seemed to be quivering in anger. Opening her eyes, they glowed a ghostly green, and it soon spread to the rest of her body.

“I may not know who I am, but I know who I want to be! And it doesn’t involve you! But it didn’t end at you tempting me! You tried to get my friend! My Friend, you... you....  arg! You will not! Hurt! My! Friend!”
[
With those words, she rushed Nightmare Moon, taking her by surprise. The blow landed her on her side, gaping slightly at the pony before getting back up and glaring at her with hate in her eyes.

“Foal! You could have had everything!”

“You offered nothing!”

With a flash of light, Tenna appeared on Nightmare Moon’s back, clinging down and sending out some of her magic.

“Stop this nonsense at once and I promise you your death will be swift!”

“No!”

Tenna dug her mind, searching for something, something she knew she had, but had never used. Or at least she thought.

The tendrils of magic stopped, and latched onto Nightmare Moon’s legs, and jerked, causing her to fall down heavily.

“You will stop!” The evil mare yelled, using her magic to grab Tenna and bring her to her face. “I have others to take care of at the moment. I will deal with you later.” 

With those words, she flung Tenna at the bubble Tech was in, and it pulled her in as well. Without another word, she turned, and flew out a window, back into the forest.

Tenna slammed into the bubble, trying to get out. The attacks on the surface shook it hard, but after a few more strikes, they slowly came to a stop. Sitting on her haunches, she stared out of the bubble, eyes not focusing on anything as the green glow left.

“Ten-Tenna?” 

She broke. Tenna started to cry. 

Tech slowly moved over and leaned into her and put a wing over her. Leaning in, he gave her a hug, and held her close as he spoke.

“Don’t listen to her, okay? She just tempted us, like you said. Don’t cry. We’ll get out of this.”

Tenna looked up, tears coming and not stopping. “It’s... It’s not just that.”

“Then what is it? I’m sorry I dragged you out here. It was, it was a stupid idea, okay!” Tech said, punching the floor of the bubble.

“Tech... Everything she said was true.”

“You... you mean you really can’t remember anything?”

Swallowing hard, she nodded.

“Oh, Celestia. I’m so sorry...”

Shifting slightly, he faced Tenna.

“Tenna. Look at me for a moment, okay?”

Tenna looked up, blinking back the tears.

“I promise you, I will help you get your memories back. Okay? No matter what it take.” He said seriously.

Tenna looked at him. “Prom-promise?”

“Of course I do. Besides,” he said.” I’m Tech Beat! I keep all my promises.”

He smiled softly.

Tenna looked at him, before hugging him tightly, still crying. Tech returned her hug

They stayed like that for a while, before flashing lights in the castle got their attention.

And the bubble dissolved. 

“Does that mean...” Tech said.

“Maybe?” Tenna answered.

Tech started trotting forward, before stopping and calling out, “Hey! It anypony here!?”

Voices.

Tenna scooted up towards Tech. “What are you doing!?” She whispered.

Tech shrugged. “The bubble is gone. That’s gotta mean either she’s wounded, or gone.”

“Hello? Is somepony out here? A familiar voice came.

Tech gasped, while Tenna sighed in relief.

“Twilight! Thank Celestia!”

“Did somepony say my name?”

Tech’s face went slack from surprise, and glanced back at Tenna.

“Your disguise!” He hissed.

Tenna nodded, and a flash went up around the room.

A familiar purple unicorn entered the room, followed shortly by several ponies that Tech recognized, and even a few that Tenna did too.

And then an even taller figure walked in, white as snow. Tech dropped, and with a sideways glance at Tenna urged her to do as well.

Before she could though, the princess laughed. “There’s no need for that. Rise, my little pony. What are your names?”

Tech stood quickly, eyes shining at meeting Celestia. “I’m Tech!”

Celestia smiled, and turned her attention to the other pony in the room. “And yours?”

“I-I’m Tenna.”

Twilight looked at her curiously, confused. Tenna was a black pony... interesting.

“A pleasure to meet you Tech and Tenna. But I have to ask, what are you doing out here?”

Behind her, all of the other ponies that knew them, except Pinkie, nodded at that.

Tech grinned nervously. “We uh... Well... I sorta wanted to see if I could find the villain.”

Rarity stepped forward, glaring at him. “You know better Tech. I know for a fact that your parents teach you better than this.”

Tech laughed nervously. “I’m in trouble, aren’t I?” 

“Oh yes.”

Celestia chose this time to step forward.

“Wait a minute Rarity. Lessons are learned from mistakes. What did you learn from this one, Tech?”

Tech looked at the ground, before kicking a hoof. Taking a deep breath, he looks back up at the group.

“I rushed into a situation without realizing how dangerous it was, even when I should have. And because of that, I could have lost a friend, or she could have gotten hurt. No amount of adventure or fun could ever make that worth it.” He finished, and looked back at Tenna, smiling.

Tenna smiled back, before nervously stepping forward.

“B-but because he came out here, we-we’ve grown closer as friends. I-I’ve seen that I could trust hi-him.” She said, by the time she finished, she was standing next to Tech, her side barely touching his.

“I can see that this experience has had at least some upside. Come on then, shall we get back to town?”

She turned and lead the group back out of the castle. Applejack stayed behind to wait for the pair.

Applejack went up to Tech, rustling his hair before pushing him slightly. “Your parents are going to kill you for being out here. But ah can’t say that Ah ain’t impressed by it.”

She turned to Tenna. “And you. Thanks for sticking with this here numbskull.”

Tenna smiled as Tech ran a hoof through his mane, trying to get it back into its usual style.

“Um... Applejack?”

“Yeah Sugarcube?”

“Why is there a surprise alicorn?”

“She’s Luna. She’s a princess, and Nightmare Moon took her over, at least from what I can tell. It’s all magic confusing to me...”

“Now come in. It’s late, and Ah’m tired.”


000





Tenna wanted to stay up at the farm for the celebration, but Tech eventually managed to get her to come out. 

“Tenna.”

“No.”

“Tenna.”

“I said no Tech.”

“Please?”

“Tech, really? Do I have to?”

Tech grinned. This had been up for about twenty minutes, and this was the first sign that he was going to win.

“Yes. It’s mandatory.”

“I don’t believe you.”

“Uh... Please?”

“Tech.” Tenna said, exasperated.

“Ppplllleeeaaaasssseeee? Please please please please plllleeeaaassseee!”

Tenna sat up in the bed, throwing a pillow at the annoying pegasus.

“Urg! Fine, I’ll go! Just be quiet!”

Tech grinned, before disappearing out the door.

They pair made it to the town, just in time to catch the end of the parade. It was fun, with lots of ponies, but Tenna noticed that she didn’t mind as much. She was still wary, but not as much as before. 

A flash of purple came next to them, startling them both. A dazed Twilight Sparkle stood there, and she shook her head before looking at them. “Finally! I’ve been looking for both of you all morning! The princesses wish to speak with you before you leave!”

Tech look slightly scared. “Are... Are we in trouble for going into the Everfree?” Tenna eeped slightly at the thought.

“No, at least not from them. The princesses wish to give you a sort of... job.”

“Um... what?

“Ooohhh, I’ve already said too much! Come on!”

With that, she took off, leaving to confused ponies in her wake.

“Is it too late to run?” Tech asked.

“Yes...”

The pair laughed and took off after the unicorn, albeit at a much slower pace.


000




“Has Twilight told you why I asked you to come here?” Celestia asked, looking at Tech and Tenna, smiling warmly.

“Um... Sh-she told us that you had a job for us?” Tenna said shyly.

“Really? Is that all she told you?” She asked, raising her eye at Tenna.

“Y-yes.”

“Very well then. Do you two remember the reports you gave to me last night? The ones about how you trust each other, and of friendship?”

They nodded slowly.

“Twilight Sparkle is staying here in Ponyville to study the Magic of Friendship. I was hoping that you could also send in friendship reports, to get a different point of view of friendship.”

“Us?”

She laughed softly. “Yes, you Tech. And Tenna, of course. Only if you wish to, though. I would appreciate it immensely.”

Tech nodded slowly. Tenna just stared.

“So, will you Tenna? Will you study the Magic of Friendship for me?”

Tenna looked up, determination suddenly in her eyes.

“Yes, I will.”


000




Meanwhile, a lone figure stood on a building overlooking the meeting with the Princess. However, his gaze was not focused on her, instead, his interest was with Tenna. A small grin came on his face, before he whispered,

“I knew...you could do it...”  He said, before fading away into the night.


000