Zecora sighed, she had been made leader of nation in a whirlwind. The symbol of her authority hung heavily from her neck. The bones of many great beasts made up the necklace, she detested the savage practice. A fang of the necklace was even from a slain dragon, having met a dragon, she felt uncomfortable with the jewelry. From exiled princess to leader of the Zebra Tribal Confederation, she missed the days when she was stranger living on the outskirts of a quaint little village. The simple ponies thought her rhyming ways were sign of great wisdom.
Walking through the windows of the great battleship in the sky, she looked at their combined airship fleet then at the passing countryside below. Somewhere was her simple hut, left abandoned. That life was long gone, she had responsibilities now. She still carried herself in the same easy demeanor as to show she wouldn’t run away now. Too many depended upon her. She chuckled inwardly, even when she had nothing to say, if she kept calm Zebras mistook her silence for sagely contemplation. In that way ponies and Zebras were very similar. Her homeland of adoption or her homeland of birth made her consider race relations.
The ship: itself was a marriage of Zebra woodwork and Griffin metallurgy. By a fluke of fate, her sister had wed, Reagle Hawkmor, a Griffin Prince. The alliance of nations wasn’t a harmonious union. Love didn’t conquer the animosity of races, especially after years of imperialism The United Kingdoms of Griffins had subjected Zebrika to. However, The Griffins’ necessity for ground infantry to support their air forces was a better cement to seal the deal. This was all in order to match Equestria’s might.
Zecora swallowed as she reached the bridge. A Zebra warrior and Griffin soldier saluted. Zecora gave them a simple nod and walked in as they opened the door.
A bowed Griffin was making his report. “King Hawkmor, our scouts can’t make heads or tails of it.”
The crowned Griffin, who sat at the bridge’s center, tilted his head in confusion. “The sky is being swallowed by some dark star. The Equestrians and Dragons working together fighting themselves?”
A zebra mare, beside the Griffin King, spoke. “Reagle, it could be a situation like those shades we fought at the Peace Summit. The demons took over bodies indiscriminately.”
Reagle rubbed his beak. “Zaza, this changes things…”
Zaza inhaled. “Yes, my love, it does.”
Zecora did not like the dark tone in either of their voices. She stepped forward. “Zaza, we swore to help fight the dragons. What is so different about demons?”
Zaza grit her teeth. “Zecora, sister, I know you have come to see the ponies as family. However, we are of blood…”
Zecora slowly turned to her sister. “If we are of a kind, please speak your mind.”
Zaza opened her mouth but no words came.
Reagle grimaced. “This is an opportunity: unlike any other… All we need do is to do nothing but wait as they spend their blood while we waste nothing.”
Zecora stared the Griffin directly in the eyes. “We were invited into this country as guests. Are you, Reagle, truly noble as your name suggests?”
Reagle massaged his feathery head. “It is more than that. When we return home, how might we explain to our people that we missed such an opportunity? We will be derided as fools, worse they will call us traitors. We return to daggers in the dark.”
“What of the hole in the sky? What of such schemes if we let the world die?”
Zaza looked down at her hooves. “That’s beyond anything we have to remedy. Such sorcery cannot be defeated by any army or air force.”
Reagle cawed. “Logic demands we wipe out both of our historic enemies in a single stroke while they’re distracted.”
Zecora frowned. “Zaza, Reagle: sister in blood, and brother in law I beg of you delay your attack. Let us send an envoy and not act until we get a reply back.”
The entire bridge had fallen silent save for the background noise of the airship engines’ humming. Zecora saw that the gears were working in Reagle and Zaza’s minds. She hoped they were working in the right direction as they drew closer to the dark star in the sky.
Atop the mountain of the dragon encampment, Twilight bit her hoof at the map in front of her. The battlefield map was strewn with chess pieces that represented battalions of Equestria’s guards and now gemstones that signified their new dragon allies. Grey stones were placeholders for the growing legions of undead.
Twilight’s mind racked with a hundred different variations in battle formations and strategies. None offered any solution to the pure mathematics of the situation. They were losing and losing fast. From below their vantage point they heard the real roars of dragons and cannons growing louder and closer.
Spira pulled another piece from the board and replaced it with grey stone. The dragon General slammed her claws on the table. “This is an impossible battle. With every unit we lose, they gain another!”
Twilight took a deep breathe. “We have to hold the hordes until Luna and Spike can stop whatever is happening in the sky.”
Fleur De Lis added. “That is given, however, we cannot maintain this rate of loss.”
The barely bandaged Fancy Pants limped to the table helped by Fleur. He inspected Twilight’s countenance. “Lass, forgive my rudeness… I suspect you have an answer but you hesitate to give it.”
“I-” Twilight recoiled as he had read her like a book.
A War Balloon sized dragon arched his head to the table. Bahamut gestured with his claw. “We cannot effectively use our dragon fire or you use your cannons, while the undead shades fight us so close. Perhaps we could order a unit forward to decoy the enemy?”
Twilight frowned. “I had considered it... however, those units would have to be sacrificed. If do this, we can lure them into Ponyville…” she corrected herself to lessen the internal impact. “-the remnants of Ponyville.”
Twilight quickly backtracked. “This is also a risk assuming the shades cannot strategize like we can! We don’t know if it’ll even work! We can’t!”
Fancy Pants shook his head. “Unless in the presence of a commander, we haven’t seen shades employ any semblance of tactics. I sense no presence now.”
Fleur stomped her hoof. “Good ponies die now, while we debate!”
Spira gave Twilight a determined look. “We are now a coalition. We cannot move forward without your approval. ”
Twilight spoke softly to herself. “A leader must make tough decisions…” She then turned back to the map. “What will Dragon Dominions offer?”
Bahamut sighed. “The grounded Dragonling infantry… they are not mobile enough to escape the barrage anyway.”
Spira draconic brows shot upwards then lowered as the pain dulled. “That is the best strategic decision…”
Expectant eyes of Dragon and Pony commanders fell upon Twilight.
Was it racist or objective fact to consider the military value of Earth pony soldiers to be less than Pegasi and Unicorn units? What if Pinkie Pie or Applejack was among those to be made martyrs? The calculations led to only one conclusion. Twilight was considering the implications of decision she had already made in her mind. Swallowing the slime in her throat of that dirty feeling, she spoke.
“We can afford a sacrifice of an Earth Pony Infantry battalion.” Joining the stream of sweat now came a river of tears.
So many stories of forlorn love, sacrifices for a ‘greater’ good, and dreams broken by cruel fate, he saw them all in that moment. Tragedy waited with every agonizing step. Try as he might Spike could do no more than walk with sword in his claws.
“Kill her or she’ll kill the world!” The Changeling Captain struggled against the force of Nightmare Moon’s power. The meshing magical auras gave off visible sparks as their energies dueled. Both Changeling and dark Alicorn could only focus on their frontal defense.
Spike was a lunge away from Nightmare. He raised his sword.
Nightmare snarled. “Enough!” A single pencil thin beam from her horn seared through Amorpheus’ shield.
Amorpheus coughed as he fell back and his energy waned. “Right through the heart… damn…” He smiled at Spike. “Cursed kid, you can’t do it can you? We hopeless romantics-” The Changeling fell, finally.
He stood there impotently still with sword in hand.
Nightmare turned to Spike. “You were never a threat. I never sensed your killing intent. How pitiful!”
Spike swallowed. “I… love Luna. Please she must be there somewhere. Don’t do this.”
Nightmare laughed, flashing her fang in his face. “I told you she is dead.” She motioned to her flanks. The last patch of Luna’s calm evening blue coat was gone. “She struggled mightily but time erodes away all resistance.”
His saber rattled in his claws, but Spike couldn’t even lift it let alone thrust. Denial swiftly shifted to despair. He’d skip anger, how could he be angry at Luna for failing… he was failing her right now by failing to fulfill his vow.
Nightmare continued. “The ritual will take more time to complete. She gestured to her lithe body. She spun, flicking Spike’s muzzle with her tail. “It has been so long. Perhaps we could engross ourselves in carnal delights before the world’s destruction? It might at least distract from the pain of existence.”
Spike gave a low growl.
Nightmare laughed then transformed.
He blinked when he saw her shift to Luna’s form. However, iris in thin slits, her animal eyes, betrayed her as the demon. She was wearing the physical form of Luna like Luna wore the demon’s appearance for Nightmare Night.
Nightmare whispered into his ear. “I sense you covet this shell. Know she made virgin again when I was vanquished. You could be the one…”
Spike spat in disgust. He was the verge of ripping her apart yet he could do no more then snarl. “You’re a monster! I would sooner die!”
Nightmare snorted. “I commend you, in the least you are not merely attracted to appearance. Nonetheless… disappointing…”
In the corner of his vision he saw a body slowly rise from the many on the ground. Spike recognized the bloodied form. Nightshade mouthed words he could not hear.
Nightmare continued. “Bear witness to the end of everything. I-”
Spike demanded. “Why?”
Nightmare gave an impatient snort. “Have I not explained?”
Spike asked. “I mean why are we still talking? Why did you explain anything to anyone? Just act. If existence is so painful then end it!”
Nightmare’s eyes opened wide and in them he saw a spark.
Spike gasped. “Luna?”
Nightmare motioned to swivel behind her.
“Forgive me!” There came a cry. Spike spotted Nightshade lunge, he shoved Nightmare Moon aside. Nightmare Moon’s beam fired upwards into the sky. Nightshade skidded to avoid skewering Spike.
Nightshade cried. “Spike!?”
Spike took hold of her lance. “Nightshade, stop!”
Nightshade shouted into his ear. “You love struck lizard! There’s more here at stake!” Her eyes flowed with water that sprinkled the ground as she shook her head.
Nightmare Moon laughed. “Ha, even now the shell compels you! Pitiful, the Luna you love is consumed! Sir Spike, begone!”
Spike felt for a moment the force of the shield press him before he was sent hurtling off the tower. The blast brought with it a spray of rubble.
Debris and bodies fell with them. Spike’s eyes sifted through the falling debris. He saw the stones stopped falling and starting floating towards the black hole in the sky. Twilight’s gravity spell was causing him to continue his fall albeit at a slowed rate. He saw Nightshade struggle against the suction of the dark star.
She snarled as she beat her wings furiously. Nightshade was too proud to cry for help, nevertheless, Spike noticed her pleading eyes.
Spike spread his wings; he hoped Twilight’s gravity spell would be extended through contact. He flew towards her and took grip of Nightshade by the collar of her armor. There was an electric tingle as the spell was transferred.
“What?” Nightshade noticed she was no longer drawn to the black hole.
“Twilight’s gravity spell.” Spike replied, quickly.
Nightshade nodded. “She’s truly the element of magic. Chitania could only weave a localized spell.”
“Rarity!”Amidst the many pieces of rubble and Spike spotted a white mare. Rarity’s unconscious body was peacefully drifting off to her doom. He furiously beat his wings and moved to pick up Rarity, Nightshade followed after him.
They landed on a balcony of a lower level on Celestia’s tower. Spike set Rarity down and caressed her mane that was roughened by the wind. He used his claws to delicately comb her, and in several strokes returned her hair to her favorite style. Examining her he saw the darkened diamonds.
“What did they try to do with her?”
Nightshade replied. “Chitania’s plan was to use her as Sombra’s vessel. I’m not sure if the ritual succeeded, I interrupted it to a point.”
“What point?”
“I don’t know, I was overcome. She even incorporated using me in her ritual. I was to be the soul toll to open the gate of death… Chitania anticipated that my loyalties were never hers. I failed Luna...”
Spike gave a light laugh. “I bet that Changeling Queen never anticipated Luna kicking her rump.”
Nightshade snarled. “Why did you stop me from slaying Nightmare Moon?!”
“That was Luna.”
“That was Nightmare Moon.”
“No, I know it was Luna.”
“She’s still fighting inside?”
Spike shook his head. “Luna’s always been fighting… I have a theory though. I couldn’t tell if Aldred was himself or the demon. There was no distinction. Even with my own demon, it’s hard to tell.”
Nightshade’s ears perked. “Then Luna is the same as me?”
Spike raised a brow.
The bat pony smiled as her crimson eyes gave off a glow. “I must confess… I am my demon. There is no partition in my mind. I merged ages ago.”
“Wait, what?” Spike swiveled his head swiftly nearly touching muzzles with the bat pony.
Nightshade and Spike scooted backwards with blushes on their faces.
Spike cleared his throat. “No way!”
“Every demon seed has an executioner assigned to them in case they lose themselves. That’s why Thestral vampire squads are always even numbered. Luna watched over you. I watched Luna.” She folded her wings and gestured to herself. “Why is it then that I have no watcher? Hmmm?”
Spike smiled. “I’m infinitely more impressed with you. How did you master your demon?”
She continued. “Master is the wrong word for it and it wasn’t over ummm night. Gradually, in the struggle we meshed. We became part of each other. I realized I enjoyed combat, but detested killing. The thirst for blood could be sated in other ways. I am a soldier because it gives me license to become the monster I am against other monsters. This way I can simply survive.”
Spike appraised the vampire. “The first times I unlocked my demon… I wasn’t myself. I was just a blend of urges and instinct. When I gained a measure of control, I was different.”
Nightshade narrowed her gaze at Spike. “Perhaps you too are becoming changing. Synthesis is recombination. The old self cannot remain. You are changed. You are the beast, and the beast is you.”
Spike thought of all revelations concerning Luna. Her guilt, self-torture, and her desire for reprieve: somewhere slowly her hurting transformed into hating. “She isn’t trapped inside. Luna is Nightmare Moon.”
Nightshade bit her lip. “I don’t know; her case could be different. Luna has always segregated that part of her. The atrocities committed by Nightmare Moon are too horrific. I can’t accept it. It must be an external force. That thing can’t be her.”
Spike sighed. “Maybe once they were separate a thousand years ago. Maybe they were always the same. We’ve both seen Luna can assume the guise of Nightmare Moon. The difference we perceive may just be aesthetic.”
Nightshade rubbed her hoof. “That’s a lot of maybes.”
“When children draw the moon, they draw a white circle or crescent. What’s missing are the craters and the darkness. If we both profess to love Luna we cannot just love the moon’s light side. How much pressure was there for Luna to separate that part of herself? In trying she only worsened it. Who wouldn’t be driven to insanity?”
Nightshade nodded after a long moment. “It was ever convenient of our Propaganda Ministry to separate Luna from Nightmare Moon in order to promote Luna. I imagine she repressed herself to better fit that public image.” She blurted out. “Still, we risk the world on a hope!”
“I know it’s her.” Spike looked at Nightshade with a smile. “Are you saying you could have killed Luna? You’re normally almost as fast as Rainbow Dash. That lunge of yours was pretty half-hearted and could have been easily countered. I saved you too.”
Nightshade recoiled. “Y-Y-You didn’t save me! I was slow because I was wounded!”
“You were close to skidding to halt before I even got in between you and her. I caught your lance after all.”
Nightshade’s face scrunched up in angry muscles. She opened her mouth to protest but only looked away to give a grudging grin. “I hate how insightful you are.”
Spike flicked his tongue. “Deal with it, Ms Bat.”
Nightshade rolled her eyes. “I’ll forgive you for ‘bat’ since I called you a ‘lizard’ earlier.”
“We need to find a way to distract Luna while I try to talk her back to herself.”
“If you fail, you cannot be trusted to kill her. I shall do it. I’ll lose myself, become feral, combining lusts. Then you must slay me.”
“I…”
Nightshade rolled her eyes. “You, limp lance. I guess even if you can’t, I’m a lesser demon for the world to survive and suffer. I won’t be missed.”
“Nightshade, I care about you too. I’d miss you. It’s a shame you’re still much a mystery to me. We c-”
She placed her hoof over his mouth. “It must remain that way. You can’t let shards of sentimentality for me distract you from true love.” Nightshade flicked her tongue about her dry mouth and licked her lips. “I am in need of… your blood. I’m too wounded.”
Spike gulped. “Sure.” He hesitantly bowed his head to let her have his neck. Closing his eyes Spike awaited her bite.
Nightshade gave a bemused snort. “In our custom the neck is rather intimate and reserved for lovers… you could have given me your foreleg.”
Spike opened his eyes. “Huh?” He blamed himself for reading too many vampire stories.
Nightshade grinned. “Too late.”
“Argghhh!!” He cried as Nightshade latched unto him and her fangs pierced into his neck.
“Whoa!” Spike toppled over by the punch in her pounce. He fell back with Nightshade atop of him.
The initial pain of the bite seemed to ebb away as she worked. Her tongue lapped at him with the eagerness of a wolf devouring its prey. Spike wondered if he would have blushed if his blood wasn’t rushing elsewhere.
“Fine take all my blood. It’s not that I need it to live.”
“Mmmmhmmm.” Nightshade hummed as she drew more.
“You’re a pain in my n-”
The voracious bat pony stopped for a moment with still red on her lips. “Quit talking and let’s both enjoy this. My saliva has an interesting effect. Let me have this little daydream…” She shut her eyes then and wrapped her forelegs around him.
Spike felt his wings unfurl as Nightshade sunk back into him. He saw the vampire’s own wings were outstretched. He felt oddly at ease, unnaturally so given that Nightshade was busily draining him of life liquid. He held her to himself, shifting and relaxing his stance. His touch was gentle as he cradled her head. For a moment he could allow her to dream and perhaps he could dream too.
Locked in her nightmare, Rarity came under the assault from the shadow of Sombra. What were whispers now were wails. Flashing in her mind were her worst fears forced upon her.
“Witness that your friends have abandoned you! You will die old and alone!”
Rarity shook her head. “No!”
“You cannot fight your mortality! He may mean the world to you, but to him you are but a blink in eternity!”
Rarity screamed against the voice. “No! Noo!! Nooooo!!!”
“You are irrelevant! Your life has been a frivolous waste! All that you create shall be moth bitten rags. In time further, naught but dust shall remain.” The shadow caressed Rarity’s chin. “Surrender.”
Rarity calmed herself. “It doesn’t matter.”
The shadow smiled. “Then you surrender?”
Rarity said, softly. “No.”
“What?”
She continued. “I made many dresses in my life. Some I was paid for and some I made free for friends. My true reward was the smile on their faces. Smiles are fleeting.”
“You won’t win his love!”
“I’ll have his happiness even… even… if it’s not with me. I had my chance. How we grow to appreciate others when they leave us… I am a lady, I will survive.”
The shadow shrunk back. “No…”
“Darling, I do believe a gentlecolt does not overstay his welcome…” Rarity smirked. “-and this is my mind!”
The giant crimson coated earth pony clenched his teeth against the pain. Surrounded by his soldiers, he was glad his fur was red: it hid the blood from the many wounds he’d sustain. He could no longer physically fight, however he still fought in his own way. So long the rest of the soldiers saw him standing bravely; they would fight on with confidence in the Captain. However even the power of his presence began to wane against the wail and moans of the hordes of undead demon puppets.
A guard rushed to report. “Captain Macintosh! Our left and right flank units are withdrawing without us?! Have we’ve been given the order to withdraw?!”
He had a moment of surprise internally but hid it behind his calm exterior. “Nope…” He chewed on the piece of hay he’d kept in his mouth.
“We can’t hold this position, sir! Permission to withdraw?!”
“Nope…”
“You good?” Spike rubbed his neck. His wound sealed quickly enough thanks to his draconic healing but the two tiny impression marks of her fangs still lingered.
Nightshade swirled the last mouthful around and swallowed, licking her lips. “I never tasted dragon’s blood before. You’re quite delicious.”
Spike clear his throat. “There’s something I want to ask you… Nightshade what are you going to do after this?”
Nightshade turned away. “Don’t be distracted, concentrate on the battle ahead.”
Their attention was drawn to Rarity as they heard her stirring.
Spike moved to pick her up.
Nightshade stopped him. “We don’t know if that’s her! Remember Chitania tried to make her Sombra’s vessel.”
Rarity blinked with her crystal clear blue eyes shining as they always did. “Spikey?”
Spike nudged Nightshade back. “That’s Rarity.”
Rarity tried to stand but her legs gave out. Spike caught her as she wobbled back and forth. “Darling, it seems like a lifetime ago. Am I still dreaming? Is that you Spikey?”
“This is the real world. Yeah, it’s me.” Spike smiled, “I’m glad you’re okay.”
Rarity was barred from Spike by Nightshade.
Nightshade raised a brow. “One does not simply overcome demonic possession.”
Rarity pouted. “Sombra tried to possess me but I got the better of that old shadow.”
Nightshade kept her lance pointed at Rarity. “You bested Sombra? You carry his aura.”
Rarity planted her hooves, firmly. “I carry more than that. I’m his blood relative.”
Nightshade did not lower her lance. “A demon seed is dangerous.”
Spike raised a skeptical claw and gestured to the darkened gems of her once sterling blue flank emblem. “Rarity, how do we know that’s you talking?”
“Spikey, I can help.”
Nightshade shook her head. “We cannot be fighting two demons.”
Rarity sighed. “Even Sombra wouldn’t want the end of the world. There’d be nothing for that brute to conquer.”
Spike turned to Nightshade. “Each of us have our own demons, aren’t you a demon yourself?”
The bat pony lowered her lance finally as his words were digested. “Very well.”
Spike nodded. “Okay, then I’ll need you two to...”
Nightmare Moon’s gaze was solely focused ground as her horn carved intricate ritual lines around the door of darkness. In the backdrop the black hole hungrily swallowed the sky into its swirling vortex of clouds and debris. The intricate arrays of circles overlapping and enveloping one another were nearly complete. She raised her head as she sensed them entering her circle.
Spike landed allowing Rarity to slip from between his claws. Nightshade took point from behind.
“You are an irritation.” Nightmare Moon scoffed. “I gave you a mercy; you choose to spend your last moments alive fighting?”
Spike stood firm. “Luna stop it!”
“Again with that nonsense, Luna is dead-”
Spike shouted. “It is you, don’t deny yourself! Stop lying!”
Nightmare Moon growled. “Enough! Die!” From her horn came a slicing beam.
Rarity shouted. “Spikey!” The beam splashed against her shield.
Spike became wide eyed as he saw the beam was aimed at his heart. “That could’ve killed.”
Nightshade shook her head. “We’re confronting Luna’s very ego, resistance is to be expected.”
Nightmare Moon’s horn pulsated with angry magic. “Still with this ‘Luna’ business!? You shall die in delusion!”
Spike shouted back. “You’re only one that’s deluded! All this time you’ve been running from reality and responsibility!”
Nightmare Moon snarled and fired again. Rarity strained to block the spell. Spike saw to the side that Rarity eyes began bleeding Sombra’s malignant magic aura.
Rarity shouted. “Spikey, don’t worry about me focus on Luna!”
Spike nodded.
Twilight stared at the map as pieces were moved around by attendants. At the center was a white knight chess piece symbolizing a battalion. Dark ebony enemy chess pieces now surrounded the lone knight. She turned away from the board and looked down the mountain command center. Telescopes, some of which once she used for astronomy, were arrayed as the various officers observed the ongoing battle. Twilight looked through a telescope and saw the infantry formation.
A guard reported. “Princess, moments more and the decoy unit shall be beyond rescue.”
Twilight choked. “I never asked but which Earth Pony Infantry unit volunteered?”
Fancy Pants limped over to reply. “We didn’t have time to ask the lower ranks. We had only the consent of a Captain.”
Fleur frowned. “A Captain Macintosh volunteered.”
“What?!” Twilight gasped. “Big Mac?! He’s Applejack’s big brother!”
Fancy Pants grit his teeth. “Someone you know, huh lass?”
Twilight sputtered. “Q-Q-Quickly someone order a small detachment to rescue him at least!”
Fleur shook her head. “Our plan hinges upon the troops fighting to the last. What of the spirits of the soldiers when they see their commander spirited away to safety while they are left to die?”
Twilight bit her lip. “Send one any way!”
Fancy Pants added. “Captain Macintosh specifically demanded no rescue unit be sent for him if none will be sent for his troops. A brave soul: that one…”
Twilight crushed the telescope with her magical grasp. “Is this what it means to be a leader?!” She tossed her tiara into the dirt and slumped over. “I… how will I explain this to Applejack? I can’t…”
A messenger landed gasping for breath. “Princess our scouts have sighted a combined Griffin and Zebra War Wing fleet! They’re in attack formation!”
The many dozen of airships opened their cannon ports. Among the mass of War Balloons, the large dirigible War Wing class airships swiveled their massive rotary turrets into place. From below the great metal beasts opened bomb bay doors.
Aboard the largest that dwarfed all others Zecora observed from the bridge. She stared and pleaded into her sister’s eyes. “We could still turn back. We still not in range to attack.”
Zaza turned toward her Griffin husband. Reagle’s beak end was curled in a frown.
Reagle rose from his throne. The Griffin King moved towards Zecora.
Blast after blast Nightmare Moon fired into Rarity’s shield. Sweating and emanating dark magics, unicorn held her own against the Alicorn. Spike had to lower himself on all fours to receive the full protection of the small shield. Magical sparks burned brighter than welder’s torch.
Nightmare moon stopped her beam attack for a moment as she cooled her smoking horn. “Shadow Bolts destroy them!” She stomped the ground summoning half a dozen of shadowy guards.
Nightshade spat as she lifted her lance. “Mere projections!? I fought with the real thing!”
The Shadow Bolts moved to flank Rarity’s protective barrier. Nightshade met them in the sky. Her silver lance sliced through a couple of the shadows in her first pass. The projections dissipated as mortal wounds were dealt. They regrouped lunged at her.
Spike tried to ignore the battle around him and swallowed again to speak. “Luna! You’re the true monster! Nightmare Moon isn’t doing this, you are!”
Nightmare Moon fired. “Quit thy wagging serpent’s tongue! Thou art-”
Spike smiled inwardly. Luna’s language diction was surfacing.
Rarity noticed Nightmare Moon’s eyes darting about in the sky as she concentrated on the sky duel with Nightshade. “Darling, aren’t you forgetting someone?” She lowered her shield and fired a retaliatory bolt for the many she’d received.
Nightmare Moon’s hasty shield exploded and she was sent a step back. Fangs bared, the demon turn again to Rarity and Spike.
“Luna!” Spike shouted. “How long did you hate yourself, did you beginning hating the world?!”
“Silence thy inane babbling!” Nightmare Moon fired another beam.
Rarity raised her shield again to absorb the blast.
In her lapse of attention, Nightshade dispatched another Shadowbolt projection.
“That form is just a guise! You’re just wearing Nightmare Moon! Show me the true you!”
Nightmare fired a barrage of blasts. Spike dug his claws in and held onto Rarity as they took on the brunt of the assault. He felt every blow resonate through their bodies.
Another of Shadowbolt projection was cleaved through by Nightshade’s lance work.
“Luna is dead!” Nightmare stomped her hoof to generate several to replace those lost.
Rarity fired again and Nightmare casted another quick shield.
Zecora met the Griffin’s king’s hawk eyes. Reagle’s predatory gaze was intense. Zecora stood still against her instinct to gallop away.
Reagle smiled, placing a claw on Zecora’s shoulders. “Who said anything about attack?”
Zecora tilted her head in confusion.
“Reagle?” asked Zaza.
“Odin help us, we are idealistic fools.” Reagle turned the other crew members listening with rapt attention. “Signal to the Equestrian Forces that we are here to help as promised.”
A Griffin signal operator spoke out. “Sir? Do you mean that? What shall we signal to our fleet?”
The Griffin King stood from his throne. “I am Reagle Hawkmor, hear my words and relay them without err. All the world holds in contempt that Griffins are greedy and Zebra are given to zealotry… incapable of higher nobility. Here is where we show them to be wrong. Let it never be said we do not honor our obligations!”
A guard saw the flashing signal lights of the Griffin airships. He relayed horse-code message. “Princess, the Griffins are here to help!”
Twilight blinked. “What?”
Fleur pulled the telescope from the guard’s grasp. “They’re signaling their support!”
Fancy Pants smiled as he took his look. “Egads, they’re honoring our treaty.”
Dragon and pony commanders gave each other incredulous looks.
Twilight jump at a telescope to see for herself. “Really?”
Fleur continued. “They’re asking where they should direct their cannon barrage and deploy their infantry.”
Twilight smiled. “Griffin cannonry is much more accurate than ours or dragon pyromancy! Have them fire at the Shades. Give them the coordinates!”
“Roger!” A messenger eagerly saluted and turn to flicking shutters of his signal lamp.
Twilight nearly jumped. “With such reinforcements, we have enough troops! Order a rescue unit immediately! I’ll lead the unit myself!”
Fancy Pants dusted off Twilight’s tiara and flung it back onto her head. “Princess, you’ll be needing your crown.”
Twilight nodded. She sighed. “When push came to shove… I’ll remember what decision I made.”
Fancy Pants’ expression was solemn. “Lass, you made the hard and right call. In time you’ll lead a nation.”
Twilight chuckled spreading her wings before departing. “The greater good, huh?”
Amidst the explosions of magic and aerial battle, Spike kept his gaze steady on Nightmare Moon. The demon periodically met his eyes but swiftly averted them.
“That’s the lie, Luna! You are Nightmare Moon! Good and evil isn’t a thing that can control by a flick of a switch. Power is fuel to your negative energies but you give it will by your own.”
Nightmare Moon violently shook her head. “Nay! Tis a lie!” She stomped her hooves summoning now a dozen more Shadowbolts. She matched that with a barrage of more blasts.
Spike felt as he held Rarity in place, Nightmare’s blasts were diminishing in strength. In the sky the Shadowbolts had quantity but not quality and Nightshade eliminated them swiftly. Her concentration was waning.
Spike pressed on. “The horrors you’ve seen and you’ve committed: accept responsibility! You are Luna! You are Nightmare Moon!” He saw Nightmare blink.
“Spike!” Rarity called after him as he leapt past the safety of her shield.
His charge was met by several bolts. Each of them burned as they impacted but only superficially.
Nightmare Moon gasped as Spike pounced. Taking her fore hooves he wrestled her onto the ground.
“Look at me!” Spike shouted.
Nightmare Moon chomped at him, biting into his shoulders. She flailed as he held her under him. Spike raised his left arm and let her sink her fangs in. Her fangs embed into his arm he swung her muzzle towards his.
“Look at me!” Spike forced eye contact.
Nightmare shrieked.
“That night when I desired death, you saved me! You’re stronger than this!”
Nightmare cried. “Nay!”
“You’ve lied to me many times, but you can’t lie to yourself!”
Nightmare snarled and attacked him with a flurry of bites nearly ripping chunks of his limb off. Spike did not wince and offered his gentle smile. He kept his vision focused on her feral eyes.
There came a sparkle in her eyes. “Sir Spike, let me go. I am a monster.”
“Nightmare Moon, Luna, whatever, you are yourself, the light and dark faces are all parts of the same moon. I see both.”
Nightmare shrieked. “Kill me now! While I am myself!”
“Luna, live. If you have any love for me, please love yourself. In turn I shall love you as are you are! No more false faces!” Giving up his defense, Spike open up his arms and wrapped his claws around pulling her close.
“I-” Nightmare’s eyes began glowing.
Spike was repulsed as her whole body was swathed in white. He dug his claws unto the stonework as another blast wave of energy hit him. Flickering in his vision were two forms Nightmare Moon and the empowered Luna. Spike raised a claw to the blinding light.
The fuzziest vision entered Spike’s mind. He saw a field of flowing grass and a full moon cast a spotlight upon the scene. Blurred forms took up the frame. A white stallion with a wizard hat bowed before a small light azure unicorn foal. Spike focused his vision and saw the foal was almost a mare.
She was clad in dark armor that shone with the many scars and dings of battle damage. All the marks upon her steel dress sparkled like the stars in the evening sky. Spike felt angry that she was a soldier at an age where she should still be enjoying her youth. Her bearing though was much more mature and she carried herself as a dignified knight.
The wizard spoke. “Fated foal, thou art chosen by the Mother Moon to be avatar of the night.” He gestured to a glowing white flower on the ground. “Eat of this lily to accept thy destiny.”
Eyes sparkling in wonderment the foal prodded the lily with a hesitant hoof.
The wizard shook his head and raised a hoof covering the lily’s mesmerizing shine. “Be not so eager, child. Its blessing is also a curse. Thou shall know countless nights. However, till all the stars in the sky flicker and die, ne’er shall thou know the rest of death.”
The foal asked. “Will this give me power to end the Age of Chaos and bring peace?” She gestured to the landscape. The frame of the vision temporarily expanded to show the carnage of a battlefield strewn with dead.
The wizard nodded, looking down in a frown. “Such peace, though, thou shall not know.” Raising his head he saw the lily half devoured.
The wizard sighed. “Thou art a foolish foal… thou know not what thou hath done.”
The foal rising now as a mare ripped the rest of the lily apart with her teeth and swallowed the flower. She beat the breastplate of her armor. “I accept. I am a knight, it is my duty!”
The wizard grimaced. “You are now more than a knight. You are now the night itself.”
Immediately her face became pale as she stripped off her armor and felt her chest. She collapsed in pain. “I feel cold! My heart! It hurts like ice in my veins!”
The wizard spoke solemnly. “Thou art now forever apart from mortals. For the ageless it is the only constant companion. That coldness is loneliness that shall drive thee to insanity.”
Luna shivering and her legs shaking, stood regardless. “I accepted long ago! I choose destiny! I shall save good citizens Equestria! For the fallen I shall not fail or fall myself!” She reared up and pointed a hoof to the heavens.
Spike couldn’t help but admire her dramatic boldness. He saw however, pain grip her face and tears well in her eyes. Stepping into the vision, he reached out and held her as she staggered. Her head spinning and her eyes meeting his, the vision ended.
Spike opened his eyes to see Luna staring back into his. He was holding her by the forelegs. They both blinked several times. He examined her. Luna was not her enchanted regal visage or that of horrifying form of Nightmare Moon. She was as he saw her in the dream: slightly disheveled light cobalt hair, light blue fur, and bright sapphire eyes.
Luna vulnerable voice came through, her words were whispers. “Sir Spike?”
Spike smiled and gave a big goofy grin. “Luna!” He held her by the hooves and spun her.
“S-S-Spike!” Luna squealed as they twirled.
“You’re back!” Spike’s own eyes watered.
Luna nuzzled him. “Thou hath brought me back. Thy warmth was the guide in the cold loneliness.”
Spike buried his muzzle into her mane. “No, you brought yourself back.”
“What destruction hath I wrought?” Luna frowned as she saw the many bite marks on Spike. “I hurt thee.”
Spike laughed. “Oh you almost destroyed the world. Nothing big.”
Luna gasped. “I…” Her eyes watered. “How can I ever make recompense now? Again I have brought the world to the brink! For my many sins there can be no forgi-”
“Stop. Just stop.” He placed his claws on her face and gently wiped her tears away. “Stop thinking like that. You almost destroyed the world, but you also saved it. Luna, you always count your losses but you should count your victories as well. Accepting responsibility means also accepting the good along with the bad.”
Luna’s voice for a moment became a blend of hers and Nightmare’s. “I’m a hypocrite, a murderer: unfit to lead let alone follow. Couldst thou then love a monster?”
“What then of me who loves you? What am I? You’re no monster, even if you were, I could accept that.”
“Sir Spike?”
Spike rubbed his head spines. “Seriously, I’m not so strong. If you didn’t come back… ummm I didn’t have a backup plan.”
Luna laughed, lightly. “Thou would hath spent thy last moments with me?”
“A version of you, but still you.”
Luna intoned as she shoved her muzzle into his for a bold kiss. “Sir Spike!”
“Ahh-hmmm.” Rarity cleared her throat.
Spike and Luna noticed then Nightshade and Rarity on the sidelines. There was a pang of guilt he felt there.
He and Rarity both spoke up at the same time.
“Spikey-”
“Rarity I-
Rarity gave a sad but sweet smile. “It’s rude to interrupt a lady.”
Spike nodded and allowed her to continue.
Rarity swallowed hard. “Spike I love you so much, however, part of loving someone is wishing for their best happiness…” She choked but bit through it. “even when that happiness is not with them. I’ve been desperately and selfishly holding onto hope that I could change the past when I squandered your affections you so selflessly imparted on me.”
Spike frowned. “No Rarity, you have always been worthy. I still l-”
Rarity cringed as she felt her chest in pain. A dark glimmer shone on her cutie mark gems.
“Rarity!”
Rarity smiled as she grit her teeth and bore the pain. She used a hoof to block Spike from supporting her. “Darling, please don’t tempt me… Sombra still whispers in my heart.” The dark shine soon faded back.
Luna examined. “Lady Rarity, thou art possessed of a strong will. The demon seed shall not take thee soon. Make most of thy time. Even when we were rivals, I envied thy courage.”
“Likewise. Please take good care of each other.” Rarity adjusted her mane to hide her eyes.
Spike felt like tearing up himself as he saw the beads of water from onto the ground where Rarity was standing. He wanted so much to reach out and embrace her. Already it seemed he was moving on his to that effect. Why was his heart so fickle? At one moment he could imagine himself spending eternity with anyone of the mares in his company. They were all worthy. Was he?
Nightshade ears perked and she raised her lance. “I hear something…”
Their surroundings came back into focus. Spike saw the dark door opening and black hole in the sky expanding.
“What’s happening?!” Rarity cried.
Luna gasped as she sparked her horn and seared apart the magical array on the marble stone. To her horror while the physical lines were cut but magical light still glowed. “It’s beyond my control. Something else is calling to it, a greater darkness!”
The tower started shaking violently. The heard a guttural roar that caused them to cover their ears.
“I AM ALDRED, HE WHO SWALLOWS THE SKY!!!”