//------------------------------// // Chapter III // Story: Nightmares heir // by zet22x //------------------------------// Chapter III Trixie was shaken awake by a frantic nurse. “Miss Trixie wake up!” Trixie sat up and looked past the nurse and over to the bed. “W-where did Night go?” She asked the nurse. “I was hoping you could tell us that miss.” The nurse said. “Trixie does not know, she has been asleep this whole time.” Trixie said, then turned her head over to the window; it was still night, but just barely. She stood and faced the nurse and said, ”We have to find him.” Then she bolted out the door and outside before the nurse could say anything. Trixie know that if she didn’t get away they would have made her pay the bill and she had no money. She made her way to the forest, deciding that she was just going to have to hug the edge of the forest until she reached the next town so she wouldn’t be spotted. As Trixie made her way to the forest, the sun began to peek over the horizon, she stopped atop a hill and watched Celestia’s sunrise; it was a beautiful display of resplendently radiant reds, colorfully crossing the gradient into oranges, yellows, striking a few conveniently located clouds, and finally fading into a navy blue. She turned back toward the forest and saw two figures, one was that never-to-be-sufficiently-damned Applejack and the other looked like Night Sky, if Night had somehow acquired a pair of wings. “How can that be?” Trixie asked herself, now making her way over to the two. Trixie saw Applejack walk away, but Night simply looked at his wings. She walked up next to Night, but his side was facing her. Suddenly he gasped and said “Lady Trixie!” Then turned to bolt over to the hospital but ran face first into Trixie. The two fell over atop each other. “Uh... heh hello.” Night said with a cheesy smile, while looking down at Trixie. At first Trixie looked into his eyes and blushed, then she realized what a compromising position she was in “Trixie demands you get off her at once!” Night jumped off of her and apologized, then offered her a hoof to get up. She snubbed him and got up on her own then looked closely at Night’s new found feathered flight-enablers. “How did you get those wings?” She asked him. Night remembered how he got them but decided to give her the simple version. “I found them back in the Room you found me.” He said. “But how? Trixie didn’t see any other rooms.” She said. “It was a secret room of to the side.” He said. Trixie thought about it for a second but then her stomach growled at her - hearing the growl Nights own stomach growled in response. It seemed that both parties involved required sustenince. “Lady Trixie, you wouldn’t happen to know where we can get some food?” He asked. “Trixie does, but she doesn’t have any money.” She said. “Hmm...” Night said as he began to walk around sniffing the ground. “What are you doing?” Trixie asked. “I’m looking for some tubers” Night said then he started to dig at the ground and yanked up a few onions. “Ahh. You see, I found us some food.” Taking a bit of one. “Mmm. Sweet...” “What. Hey, Trixie wants one!” She said walking over to him. He gave her one and she bit into it with haste. ‘Odd, it does taste sweet.’ She thought to herself. “We still need to get some money. Would you care to come with me to the village?” Night asked “Um... Trixie is not sure that is a good idea, you see a few days ago she kinda got some of the village destroyed by bragging about beating a Ursa Major.” She said. “Pray tell, how does one brag a town to ruin?” he asked. “Trixie works as a show mare, she impresses ponies and sells them a show.” Trixie said. “What happened then?” Night asked “I bragged about defeating a Ursa Major and two young colts brought one to town for me to fight. It turned out to just be a Ursa Minor but they thought it would be neat to watch me fight one.” Trixie said. “I see. I must ask, how is that your fault? Night asked. “Trixie doesn’t know, but when she couldn’t stop it a unicorn by the name of Twilight Sparkle stepped up and took care of it.” Trixie said looking down at the ground. “I was so upset, I just boasted more and ran out of town and the worst part was... my home was destroyed by the beast.” “Well milady, let us head into town.” Night said with a smile. “Are you a mad pony? They must hate me. Trixie is not going back.” Trixie said. “You may rest easy my dear. I will be your body guard whilst we are in town. I’ll take care of anypony if they try anything.” Night said with an evil grin. “You can’t just go around attacking ponies. That’s madness.” Trixie replied. “Ha! Fine I won’t kill anypony.” Night said. The two started walking back toward the town at a slow pace. “So everything happened so fast. Who and what are you, what do you do?” Trixie asked “Well milady I am...” Night took a moment to think of how to put being a ancient soldier for Nightmare Moon. “I’m a warrior, long ago I was placed in that crystal so I may be called upon to fight when I was needed.” “Oh...” Was all Trixie could think to say. They walked the rest of the way in silence. They arrived at Ponyville and the town was busy with it’s daily activities. As soon as the two were spotted ponies dropped what they were doing and stared at them. “Look, he’s got wings!” One whispered to another. “And a horn!” another whispered. “The horror! The horror!” one screamed. “Who’s that with him?” “It’s that Trixie. What’s she doing back here?” As soon as they entered the market Night saw Applejack and walked over to her with Trixie close behind. “Greetings miss Applejack.” Night said with a bow. “Why howdy there Night.” AJ said leaning to the side and saw Trixie behind Night. “Uh, what’s she doin’ here.” AJ said pointing a hoof at Trixie. “We are here to make some money and some food.” Night said. “We?” AJ said. “N-no not like that, Trixie is just here trying to earn some money for food is all.” Trixie said. “So your not together?” AJ asked. “Well I’m her body guard.” Night said “Good...*cough* ah mean ya uh good.” AJ said. “Look if ya’ll want you can come with me back to the farm and work for me, at least for today. Ma brother is injured and ah hav’ta do his share of the work.” “That sounds great, many thanks milady.” Night said. “Great. Let’s get going now then.” AJ said motioning them to follow. After a short trot the group was finally at Sweet Apple Acres. “Ok ya’ll, we gotta get the apples down and put them in to the barn, I’ll be using baskets but ya’ll can just levitate 'em so ya don’t need any baskets.” AJ said. Even with magic, the fields took a while to get done and now the sun was at it’s highest point in the sky. Trixie made it a point to talk to Applejack and try to apologise. “Hey Applejack?” Trixie said while picking a tree clean of apples. “Ya?” AJ said. “Trixie- I mean, I’m sorry for acting like a jerk.” Trixie said looking down at the ground. “Well It’s mighty nice of you but I’ll forgive ya if you mean it and if ya’ll say it to the rest of ma friends.” AJ said. “Oh... Thank you Tri-. I, will do that. Do you think once we are done we can go look for them?” Trixie asked. “That depends what time we have supper.” AJ said with a small smile. “Oh... Y-you mean.” Trixie said. “Yep. I had Applebloom go invite them for supper.” “Thank you.” Trixie said with small tears in her eyes. While the girls chatted it up Night was out in a secluded part of the farm wondering what he should do. ”I should go see Princess Nightmare Moon soon.” He thought to himself looking up at the sky. “It would be a dead wasteland if the princess hadn't come to her senses and razed the sun.” His train of thought was interrupted by Applejack calling for him. “Night Ska! it’s nearly supper time ya’ll finish up and head inside.” “Heh, good. I’m starved.” He thought as he picked the next tree clean of apple and headed to the barn. __________ “Now girls he’s new ta town an-” AJ was interrupted. “New! Oh my gosh how did I miss him! Where is he? I go-.” Pinkie was stopped with a hoof plugging her mouth. “mmm mara” “Pinkie! Yes, he’s new, but take it easy he’s not normal, ah can’t read him.” AJ said pulling her hoof out of Pinkies mouth. “Ya. What do you mean by that?” Rainbow asked. “He’s kind but his eyes... They look like Nightmare moons eyes.” AJ said. “What!” Everypony said. “Look ya’ll just talk to him before ya’ll freak out, okay.” AJ said staring at her friends. “Okay.” They all said. “Now theres also a pony here that wants to make amends with us. Trixie you can come out now.” AJ said. “Heh hey girls...” Trixie said nervesly. “Oh great. Are you here to brag some more.” RD blurted out. “Rainbow!” Applejack said shooting her a hard glare. “No no it’s okay Applejack I deserve it. I was wrong and I wanted to tell all of you that I’m sorry.” Trixie said “Greetings.” Night called to the group as he approached from the barn. Everypony gasped at the sudden interruption and focused on Night. “Girls this is Night Ska, Night these are my friends.” Applejack said walking over to him. Applejack pointed her hoof to a purple unicorn with a dark purple mane and tail and a pink stripe running though them. “This here is Twilight Sparkle.” “Uh... Hello.” Twilight said with a uneasy tone in her voice. Night couldn’t explain it but he already disliked this unicorn but decided to be nice for Applejack. “Pleasure to meet you Lady Twilight.” Night said with a slight bow. Applejack moved her hoof over to a cyan pegasus; she had a rainbow colored mane and tail. “ This here is Rainbow Dash.” “Nice to meet you bub, but I don’t trust you.” Rainbow said “That’s fair, I don’t trust you either.” Night responded “Hey! Are you mocking me?” Rainbow blurted out flying toward Night to get in his face but was stopped my Twilight grabbing her tail. “Rainbow, now’s not the time.” Twilight said pulling her back to the group. “Heh, that’s RD for ya.” AJ said in a joking tone. “So she’s always so... uncouth?” Night asked. “That’s it!” RD said darting at Night, only to be stopped in mid air by Twilight magic. “Ha! I like her, shes got some fight in her.” “Wha.” RD said with a slight blush. Shacking her head Applejack moved her hoof to a white unicorn with a well kept purple mane. “This here is Rarity.” “It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance Sir Night Sky.” Rarity said. “The pleasure is mine Lady Rarity.” Night said with a bow. Next Applejack pointed her hoof at a pale yellow flank, the rest was hidden behind Rarity. “Uh, This here is Fluttershy, She’s well, shy, but she’s a good pony.” “Hello.” Fluttershy said in a barely audible tone. “Oh Fluttershy, he’s not gonna bite ya.” AJ said. Moving her hoof over to the last pony this one was pink with a curly pink mane. “This here is-.” Applejack was interrupted . “Hi’ya I’m Pinkie Pie.” Pinkie said already next to Night shacking his hoof vicariously. “Um Hello Miss Pie it’s a pleasure to meet you? With the introductions done the group eagerly went inside to eat supper. The food was a delicious assortment of apple based dishes. As the ponies ate, they shared stories and laughs then Twilight asked Night about his personal story. “I was born during the great war and raised by the princess. Once I came of age, I got the surgery for my wing implants then I took the oath and joined the army.” Night explained. “That’s insane! How are you still alive?” Twilight asked. “After I finished my training I was thrust into combat, fighting was fierce and gruesome. I myself had over one thousand kills.” Night said as a small smile crept across his face. “Y-you sound like you enjoyed it.” Twilight said “Ha! Maybe I did. I’ll spare you all the details of the war, near the end I was sealed into a large mana crystal, So if I was needed I could be called upon to fight again.” Night said. “Honestly I need to talk to the princess but I don’t know where the capital is or how else to contact her.” “Well.” Twilight said with pride in her voice. “I am the princess personal student and I can get you a audience with her, I’m sure she’ll be excited to see you again.” ‘Am I feeling jealousy from her?’ Night asked himself. “That would be wonderful Twilight, you have my thanks.” Night said with a smile. After supper the group hung out for awhile longer until night, then one by one they left. Twilight was especially excited to get home and write to the princess about Night Sky so she left first. Fluttershy actually talked to Night, if only to say goodbye, Rainbow Dash apologized, Rarity hugged Night good bye and gave him a wink as she headed out the door, and Pinkie Pie promised a super amazing party after Night talked to the princess tomorrow. Applejack told Trixie and Night they were more then welcome to stay in her house. Dear Princess Celestia, Today I met a pony who claimed he served in the Great War. I believe him too, he knows things about the war no pony could know unless they had access to the Canterlot war records room. He told me he was very excited to see you again - he’s very civilised despite going though such an ordeal. He wishes to see you at your earliest convenience here in Ponyville. Your faithful student, Twilight Sparkle. ------------------------------------------------- “Hey Night, Trixie! Night! Wake up, the princess is here.” Applejack yelled into the house. Night jumped to his hoof excited to see Nightmare Moon again, he fixed up his mane and tail and made sure his wings looked their best before exiting the house. As Night exited the barn time seemed to slow down as the princess came into view... “ It’s...You!”