//------------------------------// // Part 16: Well....We're here // Story: A Different Sunset // by Evowizard25 //------------------------------// “….And that’s how ah best them rotten ghouls,” Fiddlesticks chimed, finishing her tale. The group was still currently making their way through the forest. She shot Ghoul an apologetic look. “No offense.” “None taken,” Ghoul shrugged. He really didn’t care if she insulted the more degraded ghouls. They were better off dead anyways. “That was awesome,” Lightning chimed. “Not as awesome as my story, but still pretty awesome.” “Besting ghouls with song was ingenious,” Redheart praised. She was currently writing the info down. Not with her hooves actually. No, she had the clipboard on her back and was using her tail to hold a pen to write everything down. Given how pegasi could use their wings and unicorns their magic, it was at least something that earth pony tails were so versatile. As well, this let her easily write and walk unimpeded. It also helped that Redheart had trained herself to be able to write fluently without looking at the paper. “The complexities and rhythms must have taken months to hone.” “More like years,” Fiddlesticks beamed. “Never thought ah’d use my skills against ghouls though. Mighty strange now that ah think it over.” “Fiddlesticks,” Quickfix spoke up. “Yer strange. Aint no reason to go questionin’ stuff, especially yer own.” Fiddlesticks chuckled and slapped her friend on the shoulder. “Yer right about that.” All the while, as the others talked and talked around her, Sunset was silent. She listened, soaking in every word, every detail that each pony had gone through. Her mind was in overload. There was just too much to process in such a short time. She wondered to herself why she hadn’t gone insane, given everything that had happened. She stole a glance at the others and gave a small smile. ‘I can think of a few reasons.’ Yet, something troubled her. There was something that each of the others had in common, not counting how each had somehow secured a companion. ‘They mentioned a spark. Something just came to them before each and every one of them made their decision. What does it mean? I’ve heard of it as a metaphor, but to have them all feel the same way? No, there’s something going on here…but what?’ Sunset wasn’t a mare who believed in coincidences. There was something fishy about the whole thing, but she couldn’t put her hoof on it. It irritated her to no end. She always knew the answer to everything. Why now? Why did the one time that she was stumped have to take place on the most important night in recent Equestrian history? ‘Just my luck, I suppose.’ Luck? If she had to say anything, her luck had always been great. Ever since Celestia had adopted her, she had been living the dream. Yes, there had been some hiccups here and there, but she had pulled through. She had her family and that’s all that mattered…. ‘Perhaps that’s what friends are,’ Sunset thought to herself. ‘A family of sorts. If that’s so….’ She steeled herself. ‘I am not losing any more of my family.’ “Sunset?” Redheart asked from Sunset’s side, causing the unicorn to turn her head. “Is everything alright? You’ve been silent for quite some time.” “Yeah,” Fiddlesticks chirped. She was walking backwards with her face near Sunset’s own. “Why the long face?” Everyone groaned. “Oh come on! Somepony had to make that joke eventually. Might as well get it done now.” “I think we could have lived our lives without hearing it,” Sunset said. “We wouldn’t be missing anything, I assure you.” Still, Sunset wasn’t going to admit that she thought it was a little funny. “Ah see a smile,” Fiddlesticks smirked. “Ya liked it, didn’t ya.” Sunset reluctantly nodded her head, causing Fiddlesticks to cheer. She jumped into the air, spinning like a wheel overhead, and came to land beside Quickfix. She quickly turned to face where everyone else was going and hive hooved Quickfix. “Wow,” Hikaru looked at Fiddlesticks in awe. “You’re awesome, miss Fiddlesticks.” Fiddlesticks blushed and chuckled nervously. “Ah wouldn’t say awesome…” “Not when you have me around,” Lightning finished, laughing at Fiddlestick’s sour gaze. “Ah, I was just pulling your tail.” FIddesticks smiled. “Ah know,” she turned her attention back to Sunset. “But seriously, what’s the matter?” Sunset sighed. “I’m just a little overwhelmed is all.” She found it odd, telling the others the clean truth. She never before had admitted that a situation was too much for her. ‘And never will I again.’ Redheart put a hoof onto her shoulder. “We all are. This is something none of us thought we’d live through, but we must persevere. Equestria has faced perils time and time again. We will not falter and we will not yield. The sun shall rise again.” “Hear hear,” Pizzelle cheered. “Lovely speech, Redheart. Why, it reminds me of those rousing speeches of Silver Tongue….” Before she could go on, Coco spoke up. “I’m sorry for interrupting, but I think Redheart’s speech is nicer….and Silver Tongue is a bit of a jerk…I mean, not a big jerk. I don’t want to seem rude, but he isn’t all that nice on a personal level.” “They hardly are,” Sunset admitted. “I wasn’t exactly the nicest mare when I came here.” “True,” Quickfix nodded.  “But don’t ye worry none. When tomorrow comes an’ ye go back to being all tight snatch, we’ll know deep inside, ye aint so bad.” “Gee,” Sunset frowned. “Thanks.” Before said conversation could continue, Steven Magnet, the groups’ sea serpent, spoke up. “I hate to interrupt your lovely conversation, but we’re almost there. I dare not move any closer, lest those brutes see me.” “So,” Redheart spoke up as everyone stopped in their tracks. “What’s the plan?” “I’ll tell you the plan,” Lightning landed in front of the group. “We’re going to go in there and bust some heads.” “That’s a terrible plan,” Ghoul stated. “It’ll get you killed.” “Why are you complaining?” Lightning retorted. “You’re already dead. You could talk an arrow to the knee and keep walking.” “I may be undead,” Ghoul rolled his good eye. “But I am no fool. I’d be diced to pieces in seconds.” “Did you just call me a fool?” Lightning pushed her face into his, glaring at him. Ghoul glared back. “No, I’m just trying to part some advice.” “Uh guys,” Shade spoke up. “I think we should save the anger for our enemy. Not that I don’t enjoy the thought of seeing you two beat each other senseless, but I think we’ll need everyone at tip-top shape.” Redheart nodded. “I couldn’t agree more.” “Fine,” Lightning huffed, backing away from Ghoul. “We’ll make a plan first and then kick their butts.” Everyone looked to Sunset. “What?” She asked. “You’re the daughter of Princess Celestia, sweetie.” Pizzelle said. “Surely, in all your years of advanced education, they taught you basic battle strategy. My cousin’s former roommate would go on and on about everything he had learned in Canterlot.” “I….” Sunset paused, unsure of what to say or do now. She wasn’t a shy mare. Living as the daughter of a literal goddess and the ruler of a nation meant that Sunset had to ‘mingle’ quite often. Not to mention a ton of meetings and public speeches. Yet, standing before these individuals, who had braved the horrors of the Everfree with her, she…didn’t know what to do. ‘Except one thing,’ Sunset reminded herself. She huffed. “I just want to thank you all for helping me this far, but from here on out, I’m on my own.” “WHAT?!!!” Everyone else cried. “I can take on Nightmare,” Sunset said, puffing out her chest in pride. “She isn’t at her full strength, so I can get by her to the Elements. Need I remind you that my fire magic is best in the whole of Equiss. I’ve got this.” “Oh no you don’t,” Lightning snarled. “We’re coming with you.” “She’s right,” Shade said. “I want to redeem myself and sitting out on the sidelines is a poor way to do it.” “But it’s dangerous,” Sunset pointed out, hoping they wouldn’t follow. ‘Why do I care?’ “We’re Equestrians,” Redheart smirked. “We’re always in danger.” “Grundle asks why you stay here?” The Grundle spoke up. “Danger is bad.” “Because we’re stubborn,” Redheart answered, before turning to Sunset. “And that’s why we’re following you in there.” “Ya darn tootin,” Fiddlesticks said. “Ye can count on us,” Quickfix nodded. “If she’s going,” Xed the goblin spoke up and gestured to his crew. “We’re going. We haven’t paid off our debt to her after all.” The other goblins murmured in agreement. “I’d never let a lady waltz into danger alone,” Steven proclaimed, putting a hand to his chest. Arkarkentkats the sphinx snorted. “While I find the taste of shadow cultists revolting, I suppose I could help a little more. Besides, I need a little adventure after a thousand years of nothing.” “I’ll help,” Coco squeaked out. “Grundle go too,” the grundle spoke up. “I think we’ve had our say,” Shade spoke up for the rest of them. “You’re not going in there alone. Not this time.” Sunset was stunned. “You…but I can….ugh,” she shook her head. “If you want to get killed, follow me than.” She paused for a moment, racking her brain for any ideas. “I think I do have one plan….” _____________________________________________________________________________ *inside the castle* Nightmare Moon paced before Spike. Her ire had been drawn, but so had her fear. Of course, that fear only went to fuel her ever growing anger. ‘They can’t be here for the elements. They don’t work. They’re innert. THEY CANNOT DEFEAT ME!’ “Troubled?” Spike spoke up. “Perhaps you’re reconsidering your station in life?” Nightmare groaned. Ever since she had gotten a hold of this dragon, he had done nothing but talk. Of course, that’s all he could really do, but still. She loved to hear the sound of her voice, but to meet another who did the same thing was intolerable. She swore to herself, if that drake wasn’t her ‘sister’s’ child, she would have killed him long ago. She need him alive, however. How else was she to torment Celestia than by killing her only son? “Perhaps you are reconsidering yours,” Nightmare rounded on him. Her tendrils shifted, aiming to pierce the dragon’s hide. "I would have though my dear sister would have taught you to know when to keep your tongue still." "She did," Spike answered. "But she also taught me to treat others as they treat me. Now let me tell you something, this 'treatment' of yours is downright cruel. Forgoing burning you alive, working my tongue is my only defense." He smirked. "But perhaps you would like to try it. I could easily do the trick and work my way up..." Nightmare Moon shook her head, trying to get rid of the images of the dragon. "Silence dragon!" Before she could strike, Apostle came trotting into the room. “Your Majesty, I have excellent news.” “It’d better be,” Nightmare uncoiled her tendrils and rounded on her prized servant. “Ponyville has fallen,” Apostle grinned. “And thanks to my knowhow, Celestia lays within our grasp.” “What?” Nightmare couldn’t believe what he was saying. ‘A mortal captured a god?’ “You’re lying,” Spike seethed. Apostle chuckled. “I never lie,” with that said, his horn lit up. Over his head shot a little beam of energy which opened up to reveal a square viewpoint of Ponyville. Rather, a destroyed Ponyville. Several townsponies and loyalist soldiers were chained and kept on guard. The middle however, caught everyone’s attentions. Celestia lay within some sort of beam of white energy that speared the sky. She was unconscious and it seemed that the energy was keeping her that way. Her body twitched and groaned, showing the pain she was going through. “Is..is this true?” Nightmare asked. “Yes, my goddess.” Apostle nodded. “I do believe our new toys have been quite useful. While my execution was not entirely without flaw, I believe the results make up for….” He never finished his sentence. Why? Well, Nightmare Moon, the evil goddess of the dark, picked up Apostle with her tendrils and kissed him squarely on the lips. Apostle was surprised by her actions and turned beat red. Pulling back from the kiss, Nightmare grinned. “My Apostle, you do not know how happy to hear that. I am ecstatic. Simply euphoric.” Apostle was still. His face burned brightly with the massive blush he was sporting. “Do you see now, dragon?” Nightmare giddily pointed to the picture created by Apostle. “This is what happens when you oppose me. This is what happens when you try to take what is rightfully mine!” “I see only a tyrant,” Spike shot at her. “Let her go.” “No,” Nightmare glowered at him. “I will never, EVER, LET HER GO!” Nightmare roared. “Not after everything. She wills stay and I will rule. This is my destiny.” “There is no such thing as destiny,” Spike shot at her. “Perhaps,” Nightmare chuckled. “Or perhaps you’re still too young to understand. Sadly, you won’t live long enough to do so.” She turned to leave, racing for her more private chambers. “Tat-ta for now, lizard.” Nightmare Moon couldn’t be happier. She had the Elements of Harmony in her grasp; her sister imprisoned; and now a working hoofhold into Equestria. She stopped to check on the spire. Its purple pulsing torrents of magic were getting stronger. “Nothing’s going to stop me now.”