//------------------------------// // Chapter 2: The Mare Who Once Was (edited) // Story: Soulbound // by GreyNimbus //------------------------------// Chapter 2: The Mare Who Once Was It was a pleasant, uneventful evening in the city of Canterlot. The sun had been lowered and the moon had risen, and the sleepy inhabitants below were all in their homes. All, except one. “Princess Luna, Princess Luna!” A young royal guard ran through the empty castle halls and the clip-clop of his heavy hooves echoed down the corridor. He burst open the balcony doors with a swift kick of his back leg and screeched to a halt beside the indigo alicorn before him. He bowed low, brushing his muzzle against the floor as he did. “I’m so sorry to interrupt, my Princess, but I bring news from Ponyville.” “Ponyville, you say?” Princess Luna looked up from her telescope and peered down at the guard. “Why do you send for us, and not our sister? Is this urgent?” “It isn’t exactly urgent, but your audience has been requested there. Twilight Sparkle has met with an… unusual pony, and she says that you may be able to help.” Princess Luna nodded and glanced at the sky. A full moon, tonight, with stars that shone brilliantly in the dark like sequins on a velvet dress. A shooting star flew by the moon and she smiled to herself. “Despite our age, we know very little of this new world. We know only the night; the skies we darken and the moon we rise to light it.” “That may be so, Princess,” The guard stammered uneasily, unfamiliar with objecting to the comments made by an immortal alicorn princess, “But the letter tells of something that you may be more familiar with; even more-so than The Princess of the Day.” Princess Luna scoffed and waved an armour-clad hoof in front of the guards face, and he shrunk back. “Nay; our sister has spent a thousand more years on this godforsaken planet than we. How is it possible that we know something that Celestia does not?” She sighed, with a resigning tone painting her voice. “Well, Princess Luna, what the ponies need your help with, is your experience.” “Experience, you say?” She cocked her head inquisitively. “Your past experience with the… shall we say, the darker side of magic spells.” The guard spat out the words quickly like sour seeds. “Oh.” Princess Luna lowered her head sadly. She folded her wings and sighed, articulating her words carefully. “We see… You are dismissed.” She growled at the guard, who quickly saluted and backed out the door, leaving Luna alone with her thoughts. She was stronger now; she had friends. She was understood. She knew in her heart that she had friends, that she was loved… that she had been forgiven for what took place over a thousand years ago. Now, it was time for her revenge. In Ponyville, the seven ponies and a dragon had since grouped outside; the spell that was performed in the library had given it a hanging, sickly smell of burning ash, after Grey Nimbus cancelled his transformation, and the ponies could only stand it for so long before they felt suffocated. The night air was crisp and the ponies breathed it in like a fine, exotic scent. Like a stain of breath upon a mirror, the peaceful atmosphere that surrounded them could never last, and to some degree, they all knew it. It intoxicated the stallion the most; never had he felt more alive as he did tonight. Grey Nimbus had since reverted back to regular form and now appeared like a regular stallion, albeit with slit pupils better suited to a reptile than a pony. He brushed his mane low over his eyes; even though it was the middle of the night, he was afraid to be seen with his oddity. At least Spike thought they were interesting. “Wow, a pony with eyes like mine!” He giggled excitedly, “I’ve never seen anything like it before!” “Nightmare Moon had those kinds of eyes, remember?” Twilight commented, raising an eyebrow at the young dragon. “Oh, yeah…” He mumbled. “You know, Twilight, I should be asleep right about now.” He stretched his scaly tail and cracked his back. “I know, Spike, and I’m so very sorry. But I need you, just in case the Princess writes back!” Twilight apologised and picked up the sleepy dragon with her magic, gently placing him on her back. He curled up and closed his eyes, preparing to fall asleep… "DAME TWILIGHT SPARKLE, WE HAVE RECEIVED YOUR LETTER!” A piercing echo of a voice shook the earth and the moon began to glow brighter as the image of a dark alicorn appeared as a shadow against the heavenly body above them; her mane and tail the same colour and texture as the stars she flew amongst. The slow beating of her wings drew storm-clouds around the moon, and under her gaze, her glowing white eyes felt like a steel knife to the chest. The mares all turned and bowed low at the sight. Grey Nimbus was stupefied, his jaw hanging and all four legs shaking. He hadn’t known fear of any pony other than himself, but he was now standing in front of a goddess; a goddess who looked like she could kill you with a glance, if you looked at her the wrong way. “Princess Luna! Remember your quiet voice?” Twilight Sparkle whispered, noticing the terror gripping the stallion next to her. She didn’t fancy another episode like last Nightmare Night, with frightened ponies scurrying and Princess Luna appearing more aggressive than she needed to be. More than anything, she knew this meeting had to go smoothly. “Ah, yes. We… I mean, I, am sorry for raising my voice.” Princess Luna laughed lightly as she descended from the sky and landed delicately on the stony pavement with a soft clink of her armoured boots. "It slips my mind on occasion, that the Royal Canterlot Voice is no longer the proper way to address my subjects. Now, where is this unusual pony thou speakest of, Twilight Sparkle?" Luna narrowed her eyes among the group of ponies before her until she stopped at the sight of an unfamiliar stallion. "Right over here, Princess." Twilight gestured towards Nimbus. "He's the one who requested a private audience with you." Luna raised an eyebrow, making Nimbus slightly nervous. Not having any experience or knowledge on how to act in the presence of royalty made both him and the Princess of the Night uncomfortable. He began to sweat from panic and his hooves shook more so, but he kept a straight face. "Um... ah!" He stammered with wide eyes andears pinned swiftly to the side of his face, his mouth gaping open and shut like a goldfish. Briefly thinking, he let his shaking forehooves collapse and bowed before the night princess, who observed that he was still shaking. "I-it is an honour to meet you, Princess Luna. My... my name is Grey Nimbus a-and I seek your guidance." "Please rise, my friend. There is no reason for formalities or to fear us. Now, what is it that you wish us to assist you with?" she questioned the stallion delicately. Slowly rising, Nimbus nodded and took a calming, deep breath. "Princess, I was told by Twilight Sparkle and her friends that you had a past experience in dark magic. Is that right?" he asked respectfully. Luna frowned. "You are correct, my friend." Nimbus noticed the negativity on Luna's face, instantly regretting to ask. He opened his mouth to apologise before Luna spoke first. "We... I hoped to not bring back memories of my mistakes, but I will let it cloud my mind no longer. I have moved on and forgave myself. Please, continue." Nimbus slowly closed is still-open mouth began to explain his reasons for summoning the princess of the night. "Well, you see, Princess Luna, I have explained to Twilight and her friends that... I, uh... umm...” He stopped and stammered, losing his courage. Quickly, he turned to his new purple friend. “Actually, Twilight?” He addressed. "Huh?" Twilight raised an eyebrow. "Can you explain it to the princess? You know her more than I do and I don't want to say anything that might offend her." Everypony looked at Twilight to wait for her reply. She tapped her chin with her hoof, thinking of a way to explain the situation to Luna. After a few seconds, she jolted her head up with a brief exclamation. "Ah! I have a better idea. Grey Nimbus, I would like your permission to perform a memory spell on you, so we can understand all the specifics of your situation." she said enthusiastically. "Twilight, you know what happens when magic comes into contact with me” Nimbus glared, a disturbed look crossing his face. “You've witnessed it yourself. My dark magic will only reject it with a counter-shock." Realising what he just said, his eyes widened. He slowly made eye contact with Luna, who had the same eyes, only to instantly lower his head in panic. He began to shudder. "Dark magic?" the Alicorn growled as she stamped her elegant hoof into the dirt, her eyes glinting with bloodlust. She despised all forms of the black arts; and most of all, those who intended to weave it. Merely hearing the words 'dark magic' was enough to make her blood boil; being reminded of her biggest mistake only brought anxiety and rage upon her. Nimbus risked looking up, and a look of hopelessness crept into his face, which was more convincing than the fear. "I... I'm... not what you think I am Your Highness. Can I just...” he stuttered. "SILENCE!” Her voice cracked the skies. “You claim to possess dark magic; all weavers of the black arts must perish!" Luna increased the volume of her voice with every word she said. She slowly moved towards Nimbus, stomping her hooves hard enough to leave cracks in the earth in her wake. Her horn lit up in a dark blue coat of magic, readying an arcane spell. The frightened Pegasus fell on his haunches and lowered his head. Completely terrified, he began to shudder once again, his eyes widened and irises reduced to the size on pinpricks. Tears began to escape his eyes; he wanted to flee, to escape Luna's judgement, but he couldn't move. The incorporeal shadow of the Princess of the Night towered over him, and he prepared for a magical burst of pain. Instead, he heard the distinct clop of four hooves. “Stop, Princess Luna!” Twilight cried, “He means no harm, he doesn’t practice this magic out of his own free will. He needs our help to save him from it’s grasp!” Luna's rage disappeared in an instant, along with glow surrounding her horn. She could see in Twilight eyes that she was being truthful. She really wanted to help this pony. The Alicorn looked past Twilight and saw Nimbus still frightened. She understood how he feels. Being plagued by darkness without a choice, unable to cope with it day after day. The pain of being treated so differently like you're a monster or like you don't even exist. "Please forgive me for my rude outburst, my little ponies. I should know better than to jump to conclusions. I will hear what you have to say." The tension was weighing down as fast as a popped balloon. Nimbus stood up, nodding to Princess Luna. "Of course, your highness. But I would like to inform while we're not in plain sight. May we discuss this inside?" Nimbus said as he gestured towards the front door to the library. "Good idea." Twilight acknowledged. "Right this way, princess." After the group settled themselves back into the library, Twilight, being the host, prepared coffee for everypony to stay awake after midnight. Princess Luna and Grey Nimbus being the exceptions. Nimbus still looked wide awake in everypony's eyes. "How can you not be tired?", Rainbow Dash questioned annoyingly, "You've already been through a lot today. What with your constant walking, fleeing from Ponyville and using that freaky magic, you'd think your eyes would at least be half-closed. But your eyes look no different from the princess's." "Oh, I sleep during the day." Nimbus replied with a neutral expression. "My magic allows me to see in the dark, as clear as the day." Everypony was confused. Discovering that their new friend is a nocturnal pony. But why were they so surprised? They've already seen some unimaginable things happen around the ominous stallion. Luna, however, was more taken back by Nimbus' sleep schedule. He sleeps the same way she, herself, does everyday. "I enjoy living in the darkness of the night. The air is refreshingly cool, the moon shines so radiantly, the stars in sky are more beautiful than any form of art and, for some strange reason, I actually feel safe outside." Luna smiled. "But doesn't it get cold at night?", Fluttershy asked curiously, "Don't you have a way to stay warm to avoid catching a cold?" "No need. My body is able to cope with the night air. I much prefer night over day. After all, it's a lot easier to warm up than it is to cool down, right?" Nimbus heard grunts and hums of agreement from the surrounding ponies. The stallion smiled, acknowledging his new friends agreeing with his methods in life. He suddenly felt a hoof on his shoulder. Nimbus looked to his side. To his surprise, the Princess of the Night was sitting next to him - looking down on him with a warm, friendly smile. "It warms my heart to know there is somepony like you who cherishes the night as much as I do. Thank you, my friend." Nimbus slightly blushed and turned away in embarrassment. Luna noticed his nervous expression and giggled, removing her hoof. "But enough distractions. I am ready to hear about what curse has been placed upon you." "Well, I never really thought about it, but a 'curse' is the best way I can describe this... well, curse." He got up from his seat and moved into view from the rest of the group. "First, have a look at this...", He lifted up one of his wings to show Luna it's hidden state, "The underside of my wings is a thin hide instead of feathers.", He folded his wing back, "That's the first sign that I'm not a normal Pegasus." Luna was flabbergasted. Seeing the wings made up of two different creatures merged into one wing. Nimbus continued. "Next, I'll show you my magic. This one will be a lot safer for my surroundings, so no need to brace yourselves." The Element bearers all nodded. Luna turned to them, assuming they know when to take precautions around the cursed stallion. She turned back to Nimbus. Nimbus closed his eyes. "Vokun Fus...", he chanted out loud. Luna's eyes widened. That language... She though. "Sahqo Miin!" He opened his eyes wide, revealing two Draconic irises that glowed an intense, unholy red. "Hey, those are the eyes I saw when I caught up to you! They look... so awesome!" Rainbow Dash blurted out, finishing in a high-pitched tone. "That's right. The very same. This spell temporarily grants me the eyes of a dragon, thus the ability to see in the dark. That's how I knew it was you who tackled me." "The eyes of a dragon?" Twilight pondered "Does that come from you or the demon inside of you?" Nimbus shrugged "I've no clue. I don't even know what kind of demon was sealed inside me." Twilight tapped her chin with her hoof, thinking of what to do next. The only theoretical way to help her new friend was to do a full magic scan in him. But as they established earlier, his dark magic, with a will of it's own, shields him from magic other than his own. Only dark magic can reason with dark magic. Wait, I think I've got it! Twilight thought. "Princess Luna, I think I may have an idea, but I need your aid." "..." "Luna?" "..." "Princess Luna!" Luna was pushed out of her trance at the shout of her name. "Huh? Uh... what?" She blinked rapidly, turning her head in random directions until she focused her sights on Twilight. "Princess, are you alright?" "You looked like you were lost in another world." Pinkie added. Luna slightly frowned. "Forgive me. T'was just thinking about one." "You are?" "That strange language Grey Nimbus chanted when he casted his spell... I've heard it before. Countless moons ago." "You have!?" Nimbus exclaimed "Please, Princess Luna, tell me what you know!" All the ponies in the room looked at the night princess, keen to hear how Luna came across this strange language. Luna sighed smoothly, calming her nerves. "You spoke Dovahzul; the ancient language of Dragons." Nimbus raised an eyebrow, “Language of Dragons? But I’ve never met a Dragon before, let alone heard one speak in its native language. So how could I possibly know their tongue?” “Hmm… It is possible that your curse has a connection to dragons. Do you happen to know the name of the spell that has befallen you?” “I do. It’s called ‘Soulbound’.” Luna slightly gasped at the mention of that name. She kept her composure and continued her questioning, “And how long have you been cursed?” “To be honest, I’ve had it my whole life. Probably even before I was born, if that was possible. I have no idea who my birth parents were, but I was found and raised by my adopted mother, Sweet Fields, who found me in a cave outside the Everfree.” Now Luna was more shocked than ever. Nimbus’ story was all too familiar to her. She stood up and slightly raised her voice in a serious tone, “Were there crystals in the cave!?” Nimbus was taken back by Luna’s dramatic increase in volume. His recent trivial fear of her loud voice quickly changed to curiosity. His instincts told him that he was only a step behind in finding the answer he’s been searching for. “Y… yes, there were some large crystals surrounding me when my mother found me. Although, there were no crystals deeper in the cave, since I was found close to the entrance. But how did you know?” “I think… I might know who you are… and where you came from.” Luna replied flabbergasted. “WHAT!?”, Everypony in the room yelled in surprise. Twilight intervened, “You mean you've met Grey Nimbus before? You know his origin? Please tell us, Princess!” The night Alicorn nodded, “Of coarse. I’ll tell you the story… of the Frozen Legion.