“Ugh… wha—OW…”
Nighttide woke up to a dull headache as dawn began to break outside. As she rubbed her forehead, she scratched the edge of the patch Sterling Lazuli had given her last night.
“Crap.” Nighttide wormed her way out of bed and meandered into the bathroom to see what damage had been done. Soon as she stepped up to the mirror, she pulled the patch off to find that while her forehead was bruised, the swelling was not so bad. However, she failed to follow Sterling's advice to take it off before going to bed, and wondered what effect it might have.
“Idiot… I really have to be more careful,” Nighttide grumbled to herself as she examined the patch now lying in the sink. Her scan revealed an unknown substance, so she couldn't tell whether it was made up of any dangerous compounds. A quick diagnostics of her system revealed no issues, so she figured it was fine – for now at least.
Frustrated at her once-again abrupt awakening, Nighttide walked back into Fluttershy's bedroom to watch the sunrise out the window. It was a beautiful sight as the bright yellow of the sun illuminated the many vibrant colors of Equestria's landscape, but she could already see more pegasi in the distance placing clouds above Ponyville and surrounding areas. Nighttide sighed a little under her breath, expecting rain would be in the forecast soon.
Her headache apparently here to stay for a bit, Nighttide quietly walked out to the balcony floor of the living room to see if Fluttershy was asleep, which indeed she was. Nighttide smiled at the pegasus, her creatures following her lead in tranquil slumber.
Nighttide couldn't bring herself to wake her gracious host, so she walked back into the bedroom in hopes that she might catch a little more shut-eye. About a half hour was spent rolling around in bed, trying to fall back asleep – but to no avail. Her headache now pulsed and her frustration was mounting. Thankfully, she heard a stirring downstairs.
Nighttide went back out to see Fluttershy stretching as she picked herself up off the couch, a few creatures stirring at the sound of her waking. “Good morning, Fluttershy,” Nighttide called down with a loud whisper.
The pegasus let out a short yawn as she stretched her wings and legs. “Ah, good morning, Nighttide. Did you sleep well?”
“Yeah, but I have a splitting headache.” Nighttide walked down the stairs and added, “That's what I get for running into a street sign.”
Fluttershy looked up in as much shock as she could for a sleepy pony. “Oh goodness, what happened?”
“Just being careless.” Nighttide brushed her mane out of the way to show her the bruise. Fluttershy asked if she could do anything to help, to which Nighttide replied very firmly, “Food.” With a giggle, Fluttershy went into the kitchen to see what she could work up.
“Actually,” Nighttide called from the living room, “could you give me something small? I think Twilight wants us to leave as soon as possible.”
“Oh? Where are you two going?”
“I believe it's called ‘The Castle of the Two Sisters?’” she said as she poked her head into the kitchen. “It's the Princesses old castle.”
“Oh! Yes, we've been there a couple times now.” Fluttershy thought for a moment as she grabbed an apple from a basket for Nighttide. “You haven't been to the Everfree Forest yet, have you?”
“No,” Nighttide replied as Fluttershy hoofed her the apple. “What's it like?”
“Well, the plants grow on their own, and there are all sorts of dangerous creatures out there. Just be careful on your way.”
“Sure.” Nighttide couldn't figure out why plants growing on their own was a big deal, but not wanting to keep Twilight waiting, she ate her apple and bade Fluttershy a good rest of the day as she headed out for Ponyville.
“Hmm… Fluttershy has a point,” Nighttide spoke to herself on the way. “I've been way too careless these past couple days. I better be careful.” As Nighttide reached Ponyville, she noticed only a few ponies in the streets, figuring it was still too early for most businesses to be open. But on her way to the library, she ran into a creature who apparently had no understanding of the meaning ‘early.’
“HEY, Nighttide!” called a shrill but familiar voice from a street corner.
“The heck? Oh… hello, Pinkie Pie. Good morning.” Nighttide shifted her jaw a little, trying to pop her ears from the sudden outburst.
“Good morning yourself! Whatcha' up to?” Pinkie Pie bounced alongside Nighttide as she continued forward.
“I'm headed to meet with Twilight. Her and I are going to the Princesses old castle.”
“Ooohh, an adventure? That sounds like fun!”
Nighttide smiled and silently agreed. “But I keep hearing bad mojo about this ‘Everfree’ place. Do you know anything about it?”
“Well, I know there's a place where you can make a bunch of you's, and there's a flower that makes your tongue go bluuggghhh, and Zecora lives there!”
‘This pony must have coffee for blood,’ Nighttide thought to herself. “Alright then… well, guess this is my stop.” They were just approaching the library when Nighttide spotted Twilight on a balcony overhead, watching the sunrise.
“Hey, Nighttide!” Twilight called down. “Oh, and good morning Pinkie Pie!”
“Goooood morning! Going on an adventure today?”
Twilight nodded as she went inside to let the pair in. “What are you doing up this early anyway, Pinkie?” Twilight asked as she opened the door.
“Well, Mr. and Mrs. Cake realized they were almost out of flour, so I figured I'd go pick some up for them!”
“Very good,” Twilight commented as she offered them inside.
“Well, better take care of business,” Pinkie called back as she immediately began bouncing off into the distance.
“Twilight,” Nighttide started as she walked inside, “I'm assuming that's how Pinkie Pie always is?”
“Pretty much.” Twilight asked Spike to grab her things as she led Nighttide over to a book lying open on her reading table. “I want to show you something I found last night. But first, have a seat at the desk.”
As Nighttide took a seat, Twilight explained some of the basic nuances of magic, trying to get Nighttide as familiarized as reasonable in a few minutes' span. Afterward, she suggested to the book on the desk. “In here, I found a reference to an ancient spell created by Star Swirl the Bearded that may help us out. I already know a spell that allows a pony to teleport from one place to another. However, this one allows a pony not only to teleport, but to literally bend space so a pony can travel without the need of teleportation.” Twilight paused for a second as she rubbed the back of her neck. “It's a very strange spell, and I don't quite understand why he would have even created it…”
“It does sound a little similar to a portal, though,” Nighttide commented with some enthusiasm. “I'm just not sure if it actually has anything to do with the fourth dimension.”
“Nor do I. Thus, it wouldn't hurt to do some more research and find out. That's why we're going to the Princesses old castle!” Spike brought in a saddlebag with a notepad and quill inside, and Twilight magically fastened it around her. “Spike, can you take care of things for me here today?”
“Of course!” Spike was excited about being able to spend a day to himself so he could catch up on some of his comic books.
“Thanks. Just be sure you don't get too caught up in those comics, alright?”
“O-oh yeah, of course! I'd never do that again.” Spike glared over at a corner of the room, a pile of thin, colorful books begging for his attention.
__________
Twilight and Nighttide embarked on their journey to the old castle. Along the way, Twilight filled her in on some more of the history between Celestia and Luna.
“What a sad story,” Nighttide said as they neared the edge of the Everfree Forest. “To think Princess Luna could have ever hurt that much. And Princess Celestia, being able to banish her sister?” Nighttide shook her head. “I guess you ponies don't always have it so well off after all.”
“I told you we weren't perfect.” Twilight stopped at the line of trees forming around them and turned to Nighttide. “Alright, I should warn you to keep your guard up. The forest isn't nearly as bad as some ponies make it out to be, but it can be dangerous. Just watch out for any blue flowers and large snake-like creatures that look like chickens. Don't stare into its eyes.”
“Uh… got it.” And with that, the two walked into the forest.
As the canopy overhead thickened, the daylight was all but completely drowned out. Nighttide noticed that the forest was indeed very wild – especially compared to what she had seen elsewhere in Equestria. She didn't like the eerie silence that penetrated the air either. After being around Ponyville for the past couple days, a place like this seemed even more foreign, and quite uninviting.
Twilight noticed Nighttide looking around with a little apprehension. “Anything on your mind?”
“Nah. Just scanning a few things along the way. This forest reminds me a little of what I've read about jungles from my land. But, of course, I've only read about them. I've never actually been in one.” Nighttide continued to glance around every so often as the two pushed forward.
Sure enough, the pair passed by a grove of blue flowers that glimmered in the dim light of the forest. Nighttide also noticed the path beginning to deteriorate as Twilight took the lead. Not too fond of being surrounded by such dense foliage, she switched to night-vision to better see through the thicket. Just as she did so, she saw a few eyes glaring at them from all different directions. None of them seemed to move. They remained still, unblinking, ever watching their movement.
After several minutes of hiking through the broken trail, the two entered a clearing, and in the distance, they could see a ruined structure being taken over by the forest.
Twilight came to a halt and looked over the ancient castle. “There it is.”
“Wow… it looks as old as it is.” Nighttide shut off her night-vision and stepped beside Twilight. “Did Nightmare Moon really do all that damage?”
Twilight nodded somberly. “I saw it take place myself through a flashback not long ago. But that'll have to be a story for another time.”
As Twilight adjusted the straps to her saddlebag, Nighttide tried to picture the Princess of the Night as the evil being depicted in the stained glass window back in Canterlot. It just wasn't coming to her. It seemed impossible that such a gentle pony could have caused so much havoc. Sharing a similar namesake as her own, Nighttide had more than a little compassion for the princess.
Once Twilight was set, the two continued on toward the castle. As they stepped up to the flight of steps leading to the front entrance, Nighttide's proximity sensors alerted her to movement in the forest behind them. She turned around to see what it was, but couldn't see anything.
Twilight looked back to see Nighttide standing in a prone position, looking back at the forest. “Something wrong?”
“…Guess not.” Nighttide reluctantly turned around and headed onward with Twilight.
__________
The two walked inside and found themselves in a large hall, filled with debris and grass growing through the stone floor. A pair of tattered banners hung from the ceiling at the other end, depicting the Princesses positions of day and night.
Nighttide marveled at both the design and the damage to the dilapidated structure. That ponies could have ever built such a thing without advanced technology – and that an alicorn could have destroyed it with only her magic – left her craving to learn more about their history.
Twilight led Nighttide to a long, narrow corridor with walls of shelves filled end to end with ancient hardcover books. As Nighttide scanned the collection, she noticed many of the books had been ruined by the weather, thanks to the destroyed ceiling overhead. But Twilight seemed to know where she was headed as she walked up to a specific section of shelves.
“Let me see here…” Twilight looked at the wall of books in front of her. “If I remember right… yes, here it is.” Using her magic, she pulled out a book that had a faded blue swirl pattern on the front cover. She then cleared off a cluttered desk nearby and sat the book down, brushing off some of the grime with a hoof. “This is a detailed account of some of Star Swirl's more unusual spells. If I'm right, I should be able to find the spell we were reading about in the library.”
Just as Nighttide walked over to Twilight's side, her sensors alerted her once again to movement nearby. She turned her attention to the hall from which they came, switching between both infrared and x-ray visions. Again, she saw nothing.
“Hey, Twilight,” Nighttide spoke quietly as she continued watching the hall. “I don't suppose anyone still lives in this castle, do they?”
“Of course not. This castle's been abandoned for centuries.”
Nighttide couldn't figure it out. Even in this strange land, her sensors had yet to fail her. That she had sensed movement for a second time left her concerned. “Something's not right here.”
“What do you mean?” Twilight asked as she skimmed through the book.
Nighttide stepped toward the hall a little. “My sensors picked up movement in the forest as we were walking in, and they just picked up movement now.”
Twilight redirected her attention to the mare. “Did you see something?”
“No. They detected movement in the brush and the hall, but not anything that would have caused the movement.”
A little concerned, but not wanting to be diverted from her study, Twilight trotted up beside Nighttide and glanced around the hall. “Well, I don't see anything moving.”
Nighttide walked a little further down the corridor to get a better look. Once again, she detected movement – a couple small stones on the floor shifted around just a few hooves away.
“There,” Nighttide called back. “Something definitely moved.”
Twilight trotted ahead of Nighttide to look in the hall, but still saw nothing out of the ordinary. “Are you sure it isn't just a spider or something?”
“Moving stones? Doubt it, unless you have spiders as big as Spike.” Nighttide shivered at the thought. “Ugh, why do you guys have to have spiders. Of all the creatures I could do without…”
Twilight let out a soft giggle as she returned to her book. Nighttide continued to watch the hall for a moment, still unconvinced that everything was okay. But after a couple minutes of no movement, she returned to Twilight's side.
The two studied the book at-length together for the better part of an hour. As the day progressed, the sun overhead lit the corridor a little better. A few calls of wild animals could be heard in the distant air, and every so often, Nighttide’s ears would twitch with the sounds, silently recording them to her system.
After a while, Twilight spoke up. “From what I read on your document about portals last night, this does sound pretty similar.”
“I agree,” Nighttide said with a nod. “But how would a pony go about using this?”
“With a lot of hope and even more magic.” Twilight gave a weak smirk as she read off the last few lines. “This is by far one of the most advanced spells I have ever read, and in typical practice, it would require the help of other magical ponies as well. With the kind of power being described here… I'd say you'd at least need the prowess of an alicorn, if not several unicorns.”
Considering the power of Nightmare Moon evident around them, Nighttide knew this was a lot of magic. “But do you think it could work?”
“I don't know. It doesn't seem too risky at least. It would just take a lot of focus.”
As Twilight jotted down some notes while reading, Nighttide took the time to walk around the castle and examine the décor. She didn't want to wander off too far, as she was still a little on end about the movement she detected earlier. But then, she found something that piqued her interest.
“Aha! War ponies do exist here!” Nighttide galloped up to a statue of a unicorn stallion clad in armor. It held an archaic weapon of some sort – a spear-like instrument that appeared to be blunted at the end.
“Fascinating,” Nighttide whispered as she looked over the statue with a small grin. “Looks like a lot more fun than a gun fight.” But much as she was intrigued by the ancient weaponry, she wondered if this world had also been plagued by war in some distant past. The thought of ponies such as the ones she had met being engaged in a deadly fight made her heart sink.
Then, her sensors detected the faintest blip of a pony's silhouette in the direction of the castle library. It was not familiar.
“Dammit, I knew there was someone here!” Nighttide shouted as she ran back out into the hall.
Just as she rounded the corner into the foyer, Nighttide heard Twilight's scream echo off the stone walls. Busting down the hall at a fierce gallop, Nighttide took a sharp turn and headed toward the opening for the library. Right as she was about to turn in, she ran into an invisible object and was sent flying onto her back. Looking up from the ground, she could see a distorted pattern in the air that was slowly disappearing. Her sensors detected a round, floating mass that seemed to be all but completely see-through. They also detected a faint glimmer of a familiar silhouette inside: Twilight.
Nighttide stood up and activated all her sensors to scan the object, unlocking her rotary cannons in the process. “Unidentified object, identify yourself,” she called out frantically. The object was becoming less defined and began heading down the hall, away from Nighttide.
“Hey! I said identify yourself, you stupid thing!” Nighttide followed the flying object out into the foyer as it approached the main entrance. Just before she lost sight of the object, Nighttide launched a tracking device from her back, which flew past her head and straight forward, hitting the floating mass. It appeared to stick, as once the object was completely invisible, her short-range telemetry began receiving a moving signal.
Nighttide wasn't sure what the object was or if it knew that something had now attached to it, but she didn't want to let on too much. Allowing the object to gain some distance, Nighttide pretended she had lost it, looking around aimlessly outside the castle.
‘I can't let it get too far, especially if it has Twilight,’ Nighttide thought to herself. Once telemetry reported that the object had flown into the forest, she began galloping after it as fast as she could.
Panic began to sink in as she raced after the object. ‘Who in this world would want to kidnap someone like Twilight Sparkle?’ As she entered the forest through the trail, she cut left into a thick portion of the woods, doing her best to keep up with the tracking device.
“Nopony will get away with this,” Nighttide spoke under her breath as she raced through the forest. “I will not lose a friend this way.”