“Lilith!” yells Nox. “Lilith could you come here please?”
“I’m coming master. What is it?”
“It’s that damnable chaos user again, always trying to get past my wards. Could you be a dear and deal with it for me?”
“As you wish master.” Says Lilith as she walks to the middle of the magic circle. As she draws a series of characters in a long forgotten language, the circle glows bright purple. As quickly as it beings, the circle’s bright light dies down until it fades back to inactivity. With her task complete, Lilith than lithely trots to Nox’s side with her usual feminine gait.
“Are you almost finished with your project Master? We have less than an hour before the events that you’re ever so fixated on participating in are to begin.”
“I would have been finished earlier if that thrice damned chaos spirit would cease his pitiful attempts. What was his name again?”
“It’s Discord I believe master, a chimera if I recall correctly.”
“I thought that those six ponies sealed him away again a year or so back.”
“They did master, seems that they were only as effective as the princesses were at dealing with him.”
“That is depressing to say the least. I had thought them to be a more able bunch.”
“Which is why I keep telling you master, why go back to them after everything? They are weak, naive, and untrustworthy. You know it, even better than I.”
“Enough Lilith, I will hear no more of this! We are going and you will enjoy yourself. That is an order.” Shouts Nox, and then with a heavy sigh. “Please….for me. Do this.”
Moving to Nox’s left side; Lilith nuzzles her master’s neck. “You know that I would do anything for you master, I’m just worried about you.”
“I know Lilith, but this is something that I need to do, something that we need to do.” Says Nox as he collects the fruits of his labors from the laboratory table.
“Master, I have followed you from beyond the veil of the Ether. Compared to that, a few ponies will be like a simple walk in the park.”
Nox then walks with Lilith to the center of the room’s magic circle and begins to gather a small amount of his energy, causing the circle to flare a bright green color.
“One last thing before we begin our adventure Lilith.”
“Yes master?”
“From now on, please call me Nox. I wish to no longer be your master.” Says Nox as he looks to his female counterpart and with a smile he says, “Just your friend.”
“Of course Mas…I mean, Nox.” Says Lilith responding with a smile of her own.
With everything ready, the two disappear in a flash of emerald light. Their destination: Ponyville.
“Lookie lookie look Twilight!” shouted Pinkie Pie pointing her hoof to the sky. “It’s the Princess and she brought some friends!”
All five of the mares looked awestruck as the royal guards began their descent with the Princess. The quickly set up a perimeter and began to assemble awaiting the Princess’ orders.
“Umm Twilight…What in the hay is going on?” Asks Applejack.
“I don’t know Applejack, but I guess we’ll soon find out.’ Says Twilight as Celestia and Luna stepped off of their sky chariots and began a swift gallop to the 5 mares.
“Princess Celestia, Princess Luna.” Says Twilight as she and her friends bow before the princesses.
“There will be time for that later Twilight.’ Says Celestia impatiently. “Right now, Ponyville is in grave danger. Where is the necromancer? Where is Albus Noctis!?”
Visibly shocked by her mentors aggressiveness, Twilight stutters “B-but Princess, Nox isn’t a danger. He saved me when I got lost in the Everfree Forest.”
“That’s right, he saved our friend after you just blew her off with that note!” shouts Rainbow dash as she flies between the Princess and Twilight,
“THAT IS ENOUGH!” bellowed Celestia in the Royal Canterlot Voice. “Twilight you will tell me where you saw this pony at once!”
All of the ponies stood there in stunned silence, even her accompaniment of guards, as all eyes turned to the focus of Celestia’s attention.
“Y-yes Princess.” Answered Twilight.
After telling Celestia the general location of Nox’s shack, she began to bark orders to her guards.
“Captain, assemble your forces to move with me into the forest. Leave a squad of your best mages to watch over the town in our absence. Luna…”
Anticipating her sister’s request, “Of course dear sister, I will stay and keep our little ponies safe.”
“Thank you Lulu. Captain let’s move out.”
“At once Princess. Guards let’s move!” called out the captain as they marched into the darkness that is the Everfree Forrest.
“So Twilight Sparkle,” began Princess Luna in an attempt to break the awkward silence. “let us return to Ponyville and perhaps, you can tell me about this AlbusNoctis as we walk.”
In a dark alley behind the bakery known as Sugarcube Corner a bright green light flashes and then quickly dissipates. From the darkness emerge the figures of AlbusNoctis and Lilith, the former laden with a saddlebag containing his items for his performance this night.
"Lilith, I’m going to head to the stage to prepare. Do your best to bond with the locals Ok?
“Sure Nox, but won’t I appear a bit conspicuous?
“I’d say you have the best costume in the entire village.” Says Nox with a smile evident through the darkness of his cloak.
Responding with a giggle, “Ok Nox, I’ll be sure to be there for your performance.” walking away with an evident swaggering of her hips, Lilith smiles back to Nox and disappears into the crowd of ponies.
Exiting to the opposite side of the alley, Nox too enters the crowd of ponies making his way to the center of town.
There were so many ponies out and about. He hadn’t seen this many ponies celebrating since the days of his youth. The little fillies and colts running about in costumes of all types, it was the same in his home city all those years ago, though it was long before any of this Nightmare Moon nonsense. His people always celebrated the festival of Samhain. On the night before the New Year; the culmination of the ending of the twelfth cycle of the moon, the boundary between the worlds of the living and the dead became blurred. It was when the ghosts of the dead returned to earth. He recalled his fond memories, tales told by the fires, watching as his elder mages performed the Sortilege where they would commune with the Ether, but his fondest memories were when the spirits would join them in the revelry. The spirits of those who passed on into the Ether, his friends lost much too early, his family…
“My family…”
Lost in thought, Nox almost bumped into a group of three fillies whom were lost in thought and in actuality.
“Where are Zecora and Spike?” asks Sweetie Belle
“How should I know? I’m as lost as you are.” Responds Scootaloo
“Maybe we should stop ‘n ask somepony where they’re -Umph!” says Applebloom as she bumps into a hooded pony.
“A’hm so sorry mister, I didn’t see ya there.”
“Don’t worry little one no harm done, and not to pry, but are you three lost?” asks Nox.
“Umm...yeah. We’re supposed to be at the stage to perform, but we can’t find our friends Zecora or Spike anywhere.” Says Sweetie Belle nervously.
“Well, it just so happens that I am on my way there too, perhaps they’re there waiting for you.”
“I guess that would make sense. Would you walk with us Mr….?” asks Sweetie belle.
“Nox, and I would be happy to.”
“But, it’s not like we need your help or anything. It’s just that since I don’t recognize you and all probably means that you’re not from here and I figure that maybe we could get our cutiemarks by showing you around.” quickly retorts Scootaloo
“Cutiemark Crusaders Tour Guides!” Shouted the three fillies in unison.
With a chuckle Nox says, “Well thank you little ones; lead the way.”
When they finally reached the stage, a small purple dragon dressed as a knight ran up to the three fillies. “Girls where have you been? Zecora had to go on without you.”
“We’re sorry Spike. We started walking n the next thing we knew, you ‘n Zecora were gone.” Says a despondent Applebloom.
“Well I guess it can’t be helped, she’s almost done anyway…and who is this?” says Spike looking up nervously at the hooded stallion.
“A pleasure to meet you Spike, my name is Nox.”
At the mention of his name Spikes knees began to visibly shake and his voice became unsteady.
“Nnnnox…as in Albus Noctis?”
“Why yes, how do you know me dragon?
“I’m Twilight’s number one assistant, she told me what you did…and who you are. Thank you for saving her Mr. Nox.”
Smiling, Nox says, “It was no problem at all Spike. I just did what any other pony would.”
From behind Spike a sudden large burst of sparkling green smoke culminated what one would surmise was the end of Zecora’s performance.
“Well it was nice to meet you all, but it appears that it is my turn on stage.”
“Wow, you’re going to do an act Mr. Nox?” asks Sweetie Belle.
“Indeed little one, you all should come and watch, I am sure that it will be a show that you will never forget.”
“Let’s go and get a good seat, girls!” Yells Applebloom
“Good luck Mr. Nox!” yelled the three fillies and Spike.
Mayor Mare walks out onto the stage and to a podium slightly off to the right side.
“And now welcome to the stage, Mr. Albus Noctis!”
In the back of the crowd, Twilight and her friends, as well as Princess Luna and her squad of guards hear the mayor announce Nox. As if acting of one mind, they all rush to the stage just as the pony in question began to gather an eerie green magical energy around his body. From out of his bag, Nox lifts a glowing yellow potion and begins to empty its contents, creating a circle around his body.
“And now fillies and gentlecolts, gather around while I work my craft. I am Albus Noctis, diviner and summoner extraordinaire.” Started Nox. “Long before this evening was..” suddenly Nox was interrupted by a yell from the crowd as five unicorn guards jumped up on the stage.
“Halt necromancer! By the orders of the Princesses of Equestria we hereby place you under arrest. Do not resist or we will be required to use force.” Commands the unicorn squad leader.
“What is the meaning of this? I have done nothing wrong!” shouts Nox causing all the assembled ponies to hold their breath in fear.
Recovering quickly, the unicorn leader shouts to his squad, “Squad, restrain the necromancer!”
The five unicorns’ horns then began to glow with magic as shackles appeared around the hooves and neck of Nox as he is lifted into the air. Nox simply smiles from the darkness of his cloak.
“Now it’s my turn.” Nox’s eyes than began to glow green as the shackles restraining him opened with a loud crack. Instead of dissipating though the shackles flew through the air toward their respective unicorn guards, each swiftly wrapping around each of the guards horn and enveloping them in a glowing emerald sheath. One by one the guards began to emit a bloodcurdling scream as their own magic continuously cycles back into their horns off of the magical sheath.
Next was Princess Luna’s turn. Speaking in the Royal Canterlot Voice, “ALBUS NOCTIS CEASE THIS AT ONCE!”
Leaving even his ears ringing, Nox dispels the magical shackles of the now unconscious unicorns.
Turning to the crowd of fear-stricken ponies still in attendance he spoke, “Please be calm my little ponies, there is nothing to fear.”
Spinning back around to face Nox, “Twilight has told me of the events in the Everfree Forrest, and the strange magic you use. I thank you for saving her, and I wish to see this magic. But should you harm any of my ponies…”
“Worry not Princess, for I believe that you and your ponies will enjoy this.” Noticing the six mares, one of which he remembers, “Miss Twilight, good to see you again. I take it that these fillies are your friends?”
“Yes Nox, this is Pinkie Pie, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, and Rarity. Girls, this is Nox.”
“A pleasure to officially meet friends of Twilight not to mention the Elements of Harmony, but I believe there are six of you are there not”
“Umm yeah, our friend Fluttershy is always too scared a’ Nightmare Night ta ever come out.” Answers Applejack.
“Ah I see, well with the Princess’ permission, I require your aid for a moment Miss Applejack.”
Motioning with her hoof, Luna directs Applejack to the stage.
Turning toward the crowd of still fearful ponies, Nox resumes his ritual. “Pardon for the interruption ponies, now where did I leave off…Oh yes. Long before this evening was known as Nightmare Night, It was celebrated and feared as the time when the world of the living and the world of the dead overlap. A night when those who have passed may return.." Then turning toward Applejack, "if you know how to call them.”
Listening to his words, Applejack became uneasy.
“I know much of this world, as well as of you and your friends Miss Applejack, and I know of your parents.”