//------------------------------// // Chapter 2: 01 // Story: Abyssal Redemption // by SCP Pinkamena //------------------------------// Abyssal Redemption A Good Knight This was it. The time of the Summer Sun Celebration. Twilight Sparkle and Spike watched from their spots as the Mayor came out and announced the entrance of Princess Celestia. But as the curtains pulled away, the only thing that was there was an empty space. Everypony quickly began to panic, and while the Mayor tried calming everyone down, a cerulean smoke came whisking down. A sinister laugh filled the air as the smoke cleared and revealed the Mare of the Night herself, Nightmare Moon. "Ahh... My beloved subjects... It's been so long since I've seen your sun-loving faces..." Nightmare Moon said, looking around at the ponies who stood before her. As she continued her speech, a sudden piercing scream flooded the room. Even Nightmare Moon froze at the sound, but found her voice. "Who dares interrupt my speaking to my subjects?! Show yourself, or feel my power!" She announced, waiting for one of the ponies to step forth. Someone came forth, but he was not a pony. He was not a minotaur, changeling, or griffon. He was something not even Nightmare Moon had seen. A creature dressed in silver armor and a blue cape came spiraling down from the roof, landing in front of the balcony she was standing on. She noticed it's stance and how it held its sword. He was low to the ground with his sword being his 'teeth' to bear at her. A lazy groan came out of the creature, before the ear piercing scream from before returned. Nightmare raised an eyebrow at this creature. Did... Yes, it did. It wants to fight. She smiled, showing off her sharp fangs. "Then let us fight." She leaped into the air, spread her wings and launched herself at the creature, who stood his ground even when the black alicorn slammed into him. Raising his sword, he quickly spun himself creating a gash on the alicorn's chest. On the side lines, the ponies and baby dragon watched as this creature relentlessly attacked the evil mare. Twilight and Spike looked at each other as battle raged. The creature slid forward on some kind of goop and swung in a violent arc, because of this however, he left his back wide open and Nightmare took advantage of it. She pierced his armor, hitting his flesh, but yet he didn't fall. He swung out and flipped back, landing it a safe distance as he concentrated. A purple mist soon began to surround him and it exploded outward knocking some ponies back and hitting them out of the way. Nightmare's eyes widened as he came faster than before. He slid on the goop once again and thrust his sword out towrads her, but she quickly back-stepped out of the way. The armored creature lurched suddenly and with its limp arm, sent the same goop flying towards her. It splashed on her coat, and the pain was immediate, as it leeched her life out of her body. She quickly pulled it off with her magic and looked hesitantly at the creature. He crouched low and sprang up, stabbing his blade into the ground where Nightmare once was. Twilight looked up to see the mist quickly fly away into the Everfree and ran after it. Applejack watched as Twilight ran into the forest and called out to her, unintentionally drawing Pinkie's, Rainbow's, Fluttershy's and Rarity's attention. The creature looked up to see the mist just enter the forest and charged after it. "Whoa there sugarcube! Ya just can't run into the Everfree Forest without at least ONE pony to accompany ya! Think for a minute!" Applejack yelled as Twilight ran into the forest without a second thought. Applejack sighed and ran in after her. The others stopped before looking at each other. Pinkie ran in without a word and left only Rarity, Fluttershy, and Rainbow Dash. "We're seriously not going in there are we?" Rainbow asked only to see Fluttershy dart in without a word as well. Rarity looked at Rainbow Dash and shrugged leaving only speedster to herself. "We're so going to die..." She mumbled before flying in after the diva. It was strong, she would give it that. This creature was by far a formidable opponent, but she needed to recover if she wished to take on the creature again. The old castle, which little Luna like to play would be a good spot to recover. As she fluttered down to the floor of the crumbling castle, she inspected her wounds, more promptly where that sludge had hit her. She noticed the sickly black spots it made on her already black coat. Whatever it was, it made her coat darker than black. It was... unsettling, knowing that she was hurt, and she found it humiliating that she had retreated, in front of her subjects no less! She heard its cry in the distance, but by the sound of it, it was getting closer... Meanwhile, Twilight and the others chased after the creature and Nightmare Moon. "Darling please! Slow down, I'm going to get a-- AH! CRAMP!" Rarity yelled as she halted and grabbed her leg in pain. Rainbow rolled her eyes and picked up the diva before starting to follow them again. "I'm sorry girls, but this is important! Whatever that creature is, it's anything BUT friendly! As much as Nightmare Moon is our enemy, I'm honestly afraid for her life!" Twilight yelled back to them. A sudden outcry was heard in front of them as they saw armored creature leap and bound across the forest. "Darn it! C'mon, we have to follow it!" She yelled back again running in its direction. "That's alright sugarcube," Applejack huffed, "as long as YOU don't get hurt in the process!" Applejack was the most athletic in all of Ponyville, barring Rainbow Dash and her brother, Big Macintosh, but even she couldn't keep up with Twilight at this point. "Oh... I hope you're right about this Twilight... As much as our first meeting went, I hope you're worth your salt..." It was a creature from the Abyss! Straight from it! Its blackened coat, its sharp fangs, it could even use dark magic! It had to be stopped, or else he would lose this place too, like Oolacile or New Londo. He would not lose this place to that Primordial Serpent again. It was getting closer, she could hear it crashing into the ground. While her wounds healed, the sickly black spots remained. It was odd... She was immortal, nothing could kill her, yet this sludge that had been afflicted on her... As if its only sole purpose was to-- Her thoughts were cut short as the doors slammed open revealing Twilight Sparkle and her friends. "Ah, it seems that creature wasn't the only thing that was following me." She smirked standing on the old throne pedestal. A purple bubble suddenly wrapped around her and she gave off a hearty laugh. "Do you really think you can contain me in here?! I'm an alicorn, and you a unicorn! I'm stronger than any of--" *CLANG* The field around her shook violently as she looked up at the creature who was hunting her. She wasn't being contained. She was being protected. It screamed again, and swung his sword violently, each blow putting a crack in the shield. "I... Can't hold it up... any longer!" Twilight strained as the last blow shattered the shield allowing the creature to Nightmare. "The Elements... they're our only hope..." Twilight said as she brought each stone down from their platforms. "A spark of Magic will awaken them..." She concentrated on the stones, feeling the magic within them. As she did this, the armored creature stared down Nightmare. As it began to raise its sword, she growled with rage. Her ethereal mane lashed out, grabbing the creature's arm and twisting it. With a pained howl, he let go of sword and quickly felt its sting. He stared wide eyed at his own blade sticking out of stomach, then lurched in pain as it was tugged out then slammed back in. This cycle repeat for three more times before Nightmare fully pulled out and then slammed it into his back. She pulled out, only slightly before slamming down again whilst turning the blade and pinning him to the ground. It coughed up a black sludge, that she figured was its blood and watched as it flailed about, trying to pull himself free. She chuckled a little, finding it funny that it hunted her down like a wolf stalking its prey. She barely even noticed his hollow face when the Elements struck both of them... VICTORY ACHIEVED Humanity: Rare tiny black sprite found on corpses. Use to gain 1 humanity and restore a large amount of HP. This black sprite is called humanity, but little is known about its true nature. If the soul is the source of all life, then what distinguishes the humanity we hold within ourselves? Miracle: Moonlight Serenade Miracle granted by The Mare in the Moon, Nightmare Moon. This powerful Miracle allows the caster to be one with the Moon. Its beautiful streak of ivory will mesmerize any who are unfortunate enough to meet its blow as well.