//------------------------------// // 63 Science by Knight of Lycaeus // Story: Full Moon Fever: A MoonLight Prompt Collab // by TheLastBrunnenG //------------------------------// Science by Knight of Lycaeus Spike sighed. He had been watching from the entrance of Twilight’s larger laboratory or as he preferred to call it, “Avoid at All Costs”. The Crystal Oaks came into existence about half a year ago and already the basement was a giant mess due to the science lab. A few short weeks after moving into the palace Twilight had gathered everything to setup a brand new lab that dominated a good portion of the expansive basement. There was now a distinct lack of space as everything was crammed between solid machines of unknown functions, tables filled with flasks and beakers, not to mention the copious amount of paper plastered to the wall in organized lines. In the center of all that chaos was a frantic, disheveled Twilight running to and fro from machine to machine that printed an endless array of information. Spike sighed again, he didn’t mind being her assistant but…. he was not in favour of being the subject of the tests that Twilight could create in this newer, larger lab. Still he had to keep some eye on Twilight so that an experiment didn’t go completely awry….. Spike shuddered at the memories of all the failed experiments, no one wanted to be reminded of the Alchemical horrors she accidentally made one time. Twilight had the lab and now she just needed the outfit to complete the look and Spike had considered asking around to have a labcoat and goggles made for Twilight who was still frantically running from machine to machine. It would perfect, it was almost Nightmare Night and Twilight could go this year as a mad scientist instead of the usual wizard. Speaking of Nightmare Night, they now had Nightmare Moon as their houseguest. Nightmare Moon had mysterious appeared a few months ago and proceeded to frighten everypony with her return. Spike had noticed that once everypony else got over their shock of seeing that Nightmare Moon had returned and they had stopped trying to imprison her that things had changed. Twilight would spend a lot of time with Nightmare Moon and not just to help her integrate into Equestrian society but other times too. Spike didn’t know why exactly but he had some suspicions about them but no proof. Speaking of the dark Alicorn, she had just walked down into the basement and had noticed Spike sitting at the edge of the so called “Laboratory” as Twilight would put it or “Avoid at All Costs” as Spike would put it. Frankly to Nightmare Moon a “lab” was more akin to a place to mix potions, ointments, and infusions, more for the practice of Alchemy than “Science” as Twilight had described to her when she had been given the tour of the Crystal Oaks. It seems that much had changed since she had last freely walked the mortal realms. “How long has she been at this?” Nightmare Moon asked. “There’s only one clock in this place and it’s in there…. Since I’m not going in and I can’t see it, I guess a few hours.” Spike responded. Nightmare Moon sighed. “I really should not have given her something new to study. I did not realize how…. passionate she would be about having an opportunity to study a truly immortal being.” Spike shrugged. “She’s been interested for a long time, probably since she met Celestia. But no Alicorns are truly immortal, except you for some reason.” Nightmare turned to look at the Dragon, “Has Twilight not explained this to you?” Seeing Spike shake his head she continued, “I am not an Alicorn, I possess the form of one but I am not one.” Spike looked confused and seeing this Nightmare attempted to clarify, “I am a being older than this sphere; the only being even near me in age that I am still aware of being present in this realm is that Chimera, Discord. I choose to bear the form of an Alicorn because I prefer this form yet I could also be any species I wish to be.” Spike gave an unsteady nod, “Right, okay…. makes sense….” Nightmare Moon sighed and shook her head slightly, “I would explain this in greater detail but I believe that stopping Twilight Sparkle’s research would be more important at the moment?” Spike nodded. “I really don’t want to be reminded of certain…. incidents….” Nightmare Moon nodded and began to head inside the “lab” before she noticed that a claw was holding onto one of her forelegs. She stopped to see Spike who had pleading look on his face, “You really don’t want to go in. Once you step in, you’re not leaving. Samples are one thing, you in there is another. Just do something from here…. or maybe flame-lettering Celestia is the better idea.” Nightmare Moon shook her leg to dislodge the Dragon, “Do not try to dissuade me, I will enter this room and deal with this.” Spike sighed. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you,” Spike then turned and left the basement. Nightmare Moon stepped forward into the other Alicorn’s storm of machines and notes, “Good evening Twilight Sparkle.” Twilight did not noticed until she bumped in the dark alicorn, “Oh…. Hello, Nightmare Moon.” Twilight blinked. “Wait…. You’re in here…. The lab! Perfect, could I ask you to help in so-“ Twilight was cut off by a dark aura of magic keeping her muzzle closed. “I do not believe this is how one treats their houseguests,” Nightmare Moon said calmly. Twilight slowly nodded. “Good, now I will remove my magic.” The magic around her muzzle faded then Twilight asked, “I would like for your help in my research on immortality, please.” Nightmare shook her head, “The samples are enough. We do not need immortality to be fully understood lest some corrupt mortals would lay their stake on your research. I gave you some samples in good faith but I knew that it is likely what you may find in the samples will inconclusive at best but it will have to do.” Twilight sighed. “You’re right. I just don’t like leaving a mystery open when I know it’s possible to be solved.” “Perhaps one day it will be. Today however I was sent by your Familiar Spike to convince you to leave this room lest you subject the citizens to more “monstrous creations” as he had so called it once.” Twilight sighed again, “I probably should. Although this isn’t the first time he’s asked me to leave the lab....” “The day has grown late so perhaps we could join your Familiar for dinner,” Nightmare suggested. “I believe there is something that will interest you tonight once the stars are out.” Twilight asked as she led them out of the basement lab, “What is there that will be out tonight? I wasn’t aware of any astral events tonight.” Nightmare Moon smiled, “You shall see, Twilight Sparkle.”