//------------------------------//
// Chapter IX: Enemies of our Enemies 
// Story: The Clockwork Consequence 
// by Michy 
//------------------------------//


Chapter IX: Enemies of our Enemies


Chapter 8 Recap: Chaos has broken out amongst the populace of the southern district in Canterlot. The Celestial Defenders, a group of staunch supporters of Princess Celestia, lead the assault against the Nightmare Guard in the hopes of escaping the city, as to provide assistance to any outside forces they're certain will arise from the standards of this new regime. However, the Nightmare Guard is determined to remain in their princess' good favor, particularly Captain Dash, who refuses to let any ponies slander her name further. Meanwhile, Twilight Velvet and Nightlight make their way north, accompanied by Captain Dash's team, in the hopes of finding and ultimately recovering their beloved daughter, Twilight Sparkle, who is also searching for them on the opposing side.





Inside Twilight Sparkle's home, Moondancer sat in the main living room area as somehow it'd become far cleanlier than it used to be. She sat on Twilight's couch, which was behind a sole glass table that had a single radio upon it. She remained hunched over the edge of that couch in an attentive manner, constantly peering straight towards the single radio. She said nothing while her eyes were locked upon it, though one could also see her light pink magical aura wrapped around the channel dial in an attempt at changing it as she sat there. While she constantly fiddled with the dial, all that followed her attempts was endless static. Every channel had gone dead, which caused her to sigh as she rose from the couch eventually and glanced impatiently behind her, before calling out to Twilight. "Twilight! What're you doing!?

In the background behind Moondancer, one could see the now spotless home of Twilight Sparkle. Her living room, which was once filled with old hoodies, unfinished books, half-read comics and more, was now completely absent of the mess. Perhaps Twilight was turning a new leaf before she departed!? However, upon being called for, the awkward mare almost instantly replied from a room in the back. "S-Sorry, uh, one second!" Then came the sound of heavy rustling, accompanied by constant grunts as it was obvious Twilight was struggling with something. Moondancer kept silent, as she awaited Twilight's arrival. When suddenly, squeezing out from the open space that lead further towards the back of the house was Twilight with an overstuffed sack on her back, while Smarty Pants was wrapped around her neck. She'd wheezed, breathing heavily as she sweated profusely before using telekinetic magic to drop the large overstuffed sack on the floor beside her. She spread a hoof in delight, in a grand gesture towards it. "S-So before we left! I was reeeeally thinking of what I should bring!"

Moondancer began to sweat as well, as she looked upon the sack in dismay, speaking in a hollow tone. "T-Twilight? What is all th-"

But Twilight cut her off without even realizing it, as she began trotting around her giant stuffed sack of goods. She bared a bright and delighted smile, "Only a few hundred items, perhaps a few more." She tapped on it, as it looked as if it were nearly about to burst. "Good thing they make these things so durable these days right!? I mean! It's reeeeeally holding together well!" Her smile widened as she peered up at it, when then there was a sudden rip towards the top. Twilight continued however, making her way before it to address Moondancer, but looking up absently as she spoke. "Seeing as you were saying we'll need to leave the city after finding Mom and Dad, I was thinking we might need a little entertainment along the way! And I reeeeally really didn't want to lose any of my special edition novelties and hard won Trixie Classics! There are also multiple dire scenarios one could run into, you knoooow-" she cocked her head from left to right in a insightful manner, "Amidst the coming of a new tyrannical age and all." She then looked back to Moondancer, still smiling wide.

Moondancer grumbled as she merely regarded Twilight with half-closed eyes, filled with impatience. "You're being paranoid Twilight. We don't have any need for all this stuff. Now leave that ridiculously overstuffed sack behind! We've wasted enough time as i-"

Twilight immediately got in Moondancer's face, filled with panic and distress. "Y-You know how long it took me to collect these things Moondancer!? Not only that but there are plenty of situations that I've looked into we could possibly find ourselves in on the outside!" She turned, raising a hoof towards her sack again. "Over 3985 I might add!" Her voice softened some as she muttered, "But uh, I stopped counting." As she turned straight towards Moondancer again, gravely worried. "This stuff, can mean the difference between-"

Moondancer rolled her eyes as she trotted on past Twilight. "Ugh! Fine fine fine! But I'm NOT carrying any of it!"

Twilight blinked as she watched Moondancer trot past her, before she closed her eyes and straightened herself with a prissy smile before exclaiming in a smug tone. "Never said you had to!" But as they prepared to depart, Twilight's eyes fastened onto her radio.

Moondancer made her way towards the door as she stopped, pausing to glance back at Twilight. "Twilight?" And as she saw Twilight staring plainly at the radio, in that silent focused manner, she ran a hoof down her face. "Leave it Twilight, it doesn't even-"

Twilight shook her head, as she bared a blank expression. "N-No you're right. I, I don't think I'll bring it anyway."

Moondancer's eyes widened as she raised a brow at Twilight, honestly surprised. "Hm?"

Twilight continued to look at the radio for a moment longer, as she kept her thoughts to herself. Thanks for everything.

Moondancer shook her head, as she began to open the door, but came to an abrupt halt. Outside Twilight's home was a dark crooked alley, not menacing overall in the slightest besides the lack of light, but something troubled the unicorn greatly. She peered towards the ground as her ear twitched. The ambiance of an awry wind drew in, as the faint sound of trotting in the alley emerged. Moondancer's pupils dilated as her eyes widened before she hurriedly slammed the door shut. "Twilight! Get to the roof now!" She promptly demanded!

Twilight flinched as she glanced over at Moondancer, raising a brow in confusion. "Huh? Roof? Why the ro-"

But Moondancer slammed her hoof as she spoke sternly once more. "Roof! Now Twilight!" And Moondancer poofed, disappearing.

Twilight also instantly disappeared as well, as both she and the overstuffed sack vanished in a cloud of violet smoke.

Near immediately afterwards, Twilight's house door swung open, while two Nightmare Guards casually trotted inside.





As they were now upon the roof, exposed under the starry night skies, it was shown that the barrier had yet to have been dropped at this current moment in time. Moondancer peeked over the edge of Twilight's home, seeing the two Nightmare Guards trot inside as she glared down at them observantly. Nightmare Guards? Why're they searching homes for more citizens? Speaking of which- Moondancer returned to facing forward as she glanced around at the massive sight of the now quiet city. Why have the sirens stopped? Are they moving onto another phase of their plan? Her eyes focused. Either way we need to start moving here soon. After getting Twilight's parents-

But Twilight gasped for air as she squeezed herself out from beneath her giant sack, wheezing heavily, and distracting Moondancer.

It was only then Moondancer even noticed she managed to bring the stupid thing with her. "T-Twilight!? You brought that!?" She cringed then as she immediately glanced back over the edge of the building, noticing the nightmare guards didn't hear her, with relief.

Twilight rubbed at the back of her mane as she blinked a bit at Moondancer. "Of course, we need this remember?"

Moondancer looked more disturbed if anything, as she didn't make mention of her thoughts towards Twilight. It's not that Twilight, but how did you even manage to get that thing up here in the first place? That's easily over 100 pounds of junk. There was a brief pause as she observed Twilight, who in turn inspected her sack to make sure it was alright. That requires an abnormally fast and precise cast time.

"Ponies of Canterlot! Gather round! We of the Nightmare Guard have a special announcement to make!"

Moondancer flinched yet again, as she and Twilight peered at one another in silence. She then glanced back over the edge of the building, catching sight of the nightmare guards as they departed from Twilight's home, shaking their heads as they made way in the direction towards wherever the announcement was being held. Moondancer looked back over at Twilight in silence, holding a hoof to her muzzle as she pointed over at the roofs of a few more consecutive buildings. Coincidentally enough, the rooftops were completely empty, and the two began porting over to them one by one, making progress themselves towards the location of this unexpected announcement.

As they drew closer towards the sounds of commotion, Twilight and Moondancer came to a halt upon another building. Twilight left her giant sack over at the center of this particular rooftop, as she joined Moondancer who was huddled against a walled ledge. She blinked a bit, crouching curiously as her eyes went wide like a clueless dog, while she merely observed Moondancer who nodded back to her, until they both proceeded by slightly peeking their heads over the ledge to get a good look at whatever was happening further down below.

Gathered in a massive courtyard, in a district filled with many restaurants, there was a large wooden podium and a makeshift stage to accompany it, as a nameless nightmare guard stood at the center. He held one of the horns which were used previously as sirens, while numerous unicorns, adult and foal alike, started to gather in order to listen. As Twilight continued to peek over, her eyes widened as towards the far left of the crowd she caught sight of Joe, accompanied by his wife and kids. She couldn't help but exclaim softly, " It's Joe!"

Moondancer replied absently as she continued to peak as well. "I see him." She was also observing, taking in all the details of the situation as she counted numerous nightmare guards surrounding the stage and podium. She glanced over at distant rooftops, seeing that many of them had also left their posts where the giant spheres of red magic were located. She then focused back on the nightmare guard taking center stage, while she squinted at him a bit. He doesn't seem like anypony special, probably just some chatter box. Though she knew looks weren't everything, and would still keep an eye on him. He was a black pegasus stallion with a baby blue mane.

As the crowd only continued to gather, the black pegasus tapped the opposing end of the siren horn, before speaking into it. "Can everypony hear me alright?" His voice boomed, expanding across the entirety of the district as he realized he didn't even need to confirm it. He blinked also in a clueless manner, before continuing to speak into his horn. "Thanks for gathering Canterlot ponies, sure you're all wondering what exactly is going on here. Well for starters, I'll start off with the bad news first. That sound good to you guys?"

The Canterlot ponies of this district were surprisingly quiet, as they simply continued to listen worriedly to him.

The pegasus looked a bit nervous, as he glanced around at the crowd before rubbing at the back of his mane. He continued, "Well, as I'm sure you've all heard, recently there's been some issues with the princess and threats to overthrow her rule. Because of that we're taking precautionary measures in order to prevent any of that from happening. We got some fliers worked up for the alicorn as well, a story I'm sure you've all heard. Once we get those out to you, maybe somepony will come forward about something they know. It's a start."

Twilight's expression brightened in an excited manner as she looked over at Moondancer, whispering. "Oh how exciting. I was wondering when they might come out with the alicorn fliers. I made that prediction couple months ago, but they must've been waiting until now to release them." She peered back down towards the crowd in curiosity, as her eyes squinted a bit. "Hm, wonder what she looks like."

The black pegasus sighed heavily, closing his eyes to take a breather before he continued. "Now, let's get onto the meat of this topic, the lockdown itself. What we're doing here obviously affects all of you, hopefully not for long, since we don't want to take up too much of your time. Depending on how smoothly everything goes, it can be over in a few days. Maybe even a few months, if things don't go as smoothly. Cooperate, and I can promise you that this process will be absolutely painless, and those who're innocent will be fine."

A random unicorn mare within the crowd immediately called out in concern. "I-Innocent of what!? What did we do!?"

Whereas it gave another stallion within the crowd the comfort to chime in. "A-Are we in danger of something!?"

The black pegasus shook his head as he backed away some nervously. "N-No! Don't go into a panic. We're going to be doing a dream sweep; this will tell us who is hiding thoughts of treason while others will be permitted to go about their daily lives, no problem."

Another mare within the crowd cried out. "H-Has the princess confirmed this!? How can we believe you!? Where is she!?"

And another citizen cut in angrily. "The princess would never tolerate treason! She'll never trust us if we're affiliated with traitors!"

The once quiet contempt crowd, had already begun devolving into an angry mass mob as the commotion arose.

The black pegasus' frustration was obviously starting to rise as well as he ran a hoof down his face, before speaking into the siren horn again. "C-Calm down you guys! Nopony's being accused of treason as of yet! We promise that those of you who're innocent will-"

But the crowd's defiant roars only drowned him out, as they pressed forward diligently towards the stage.





Moondancer and Twilight still watched, as they remained attentive to what was happening.

Though as they were still knelt, only peeking halfway over the ledge, Twilight glanced over at Moondancer worriedly. "M-Moondancer, what do you think about all this? S-Should we warn them? If what you said is true, then they're also in danger."

Moondancer spoke absently. "We can't rescue everypony Twilight, that's something you're going to have to learn through all this." She then glanced over at Twilight worriedly. "You're my only concern right now. After we get your parents, we're getting out of here."

Twilight flushed red, as she avoided eye contact for a split second, embarrassed by the prospect that Moondancer thought so highly of her well-being. But she glared at the fellow unicorn then, now in a defiant manner. "B-But still, it's not right. Joe's family is here too!"

Moondancer rolled her eyes at Twilight in an annoyed manner. "Weren't you the one who was on the fence about fighting back!?"

Twilight flinched, as she looked startled and appeared hesitant. "I-I, I still am! It's just, we can't just leave them behind can we!?" She looked persistently at Moondancer, desperately even. "I trust you Moondancer, even if we only just met, I, I still think you're right."

Moondancer leaned her head back some. "You're nitpicking Twilight. Right about what? What are you choosing to believe?"

Twilight glanced down towards the pavement, uncertain herself. "I, I feel you're special too. Overall I'm a nopony, and I think you're wrong about me being special." She focused on Moondancer then. "But I know you're special Moondancer. You were Princess Celestia's acclaimed student, and you know far more about the inner workings of Princess Nightmare Moon's rule than any of us do I think." she looked back down towards the pavement, "But I don't want to believe the princess is all bad. Maybe we can save everypony without needing to be aggressive, maybe there's a more diplomatic solution. We can find a way to rescue all of them without causing a conflict!" 

Moondancer frowned heavily at Twilight in concern. "It doesn't work that way Twilight...."

Twilight closed her eyes, frowning as well, before peering at Moondancer. "But maybe it can! Maybe if we try hard enough!"

Moondancer groaned a bit, as she sulked a little. "I feel we're devolving into another issue Twilight, so tell me what is it you want?"

Twilight blinked, her expression falling flat as she looked fairly clueless due to the question.

Moondancer however looked far more focused than ever before. "What is it you really want to do in all this?"

Twilight stared at her plainly for a second, as she glanced down questioningly. "The right thing."

"Aw, how noble of you."

Twilight and Moondancer flinched with raised brows, before hurriedly turning to glance back at whomever was there.

Standing in the center of the rooftop was a white cloaked pony, masked by the shadow of her hood. She lowered that hood however, thus shattering her cover and ultimately revealing herself. She was a white unicorn, with a puffy pink mane. "There's no need to juggle all these decisions in your head you know. There's only two clear cut decisions in all this. Either you choose to forget everything and run, or face everything and rise. Thinking about all the other stuff in between is just too messy. Also, name's Twinkleshine by the way."

Moondancer gritted her teeth as she immediately poofed over towards the unicorn, grabbing her by her cloak as she angrily got in her face. "I don't care what your name is! Why're you up here and why did you sneak up on us!? If I wanted to I could've really-"

Twilight held a hoof to her muzzle, before exclaiming. "Shhhhhhhh!"

Moondancer glanced back at Twilight with wide eyes, before looking back at Twinkleshine, whispering. "I could've really hurt you."

Twinkleshine gave Moondancer an almost disgusted sneer, before swatting her hoof away. "I know what you're capable of Moondancer." She began trotting past her, "Minuette wanted to recruit you for the longest time, but I made a good reasonable case against it." She then made her way on over to Twilight, "I also know who you are Twilight. Heck, I probably know everypony in this darn city."

Twilight placed a hoof over her chest, shocked as she peered up at Twinkleshine. "Y-You know me?"

Twinkleshine shrugged absently. "Yeah I do, you're that filly who failed to pass her entrance exams. I was right after you."

Twilight flushed red as she whimpered, looking down at the pavement in silence.

Twinkleshine rolled her eyes. "Don't sweat it, it's not like I judge you for it." She made her way down upon the pavement beside Twilight, huddling against that same walled ledge as she muttered, "Got other things to worry about, as I'm sure you know."

Moondancer pressed forward persistently towards the white unicorn still. "What were you talking about with recruiting!?"

Twinkleshine glanced back at Moondancer. "And see, this is why I didn't want to recruit you. You're too lost in your own dilemmas, too personal. Everything about you seems off, and maybe even obsessive. I'm sure you got your own thing going on deep in that thick skull of yours Moondancer." She returned to peaking over the ledge. "You've also got too many eyes on you. You're watched."

Moondancer raised a brow at her, actually looking offended by her words. "Watched!? Nopony watches me."

Twinkleshine glanced back at her again. "You kiddin? Of course somepony watches you. You think Nightmare Moon would really let Princess Celestia's old student trot around without at least being watched? I bet you're in her cross-hairs as we speak." She peeked back over the ledge, speaking to Moondancer while doing so in an absent manner. "In your own special little spot, just waiting to be captured."

Moondancer flinched as her nose wrinkled some. "You either know an awful lot, or absolutely nothing at all."

Twinkleshine smirked, glancing back at her again. "You're right. But I sure do know a lot more than you with what's going on in the world right now." She then glanced over at Twilight, poking her in the chest. "Speaking of which, would never have minded recruiting you Twilight. But you're so harmless that I'd almost feel guilty doing so." She raised a brow at the mare, "Which leads me to wonder why you two are even together in the first place." But she shrugged, peaking back over the ledge. "No matter, guess it makes no difference now."

Moondancer was growing impatient. "You keep talking about this recruiting, what are you on about?"

Twinkleshine glanced back at her yet again. "There's always been a resistance Moondancer, but as I've said you've always been too lost in your own little world to even notice. There's been bands of ponies across Equestria aiming to take down the princess."

Moondancer became startled. "W-Wait, so you really are part of some resistance?"

Twinkleshine leered back at her in an annoyed manner. "Yes, you're finally catching on."

Moondancer however burst into silent hushed chuckles as she looked amused.

Twinkleshine was now the one turning to face her, looking offended. "And what's so funny?"

Moondancer continued, "And what have you guys even accomplished? For a resistance, you've been awfully non-resistant until now. I don't even know if there are more of you, seeing as you're by yourself up here. What is this, a private club of single digit defenders?"

Twinkleshine grimaced as she pressed forward towards Moondancer. "Maybe if you weren't so nestled up in the city, you'd know that we've been simply preparing ourselves for the time to strike! Now that it's come, we'll be more prepared than ever before!"

Moondancer snickered a little, glaring at Twinkleshine. "Somehow I doubt that, how are you even gonna go against the princess?"

Twinkleshine's face darkened as she appeared gravely determined to prove Moondancer wrong. "Our leader Minuette has more secrets than you'll ever know Moondancer. She's a close friend of mine, and fiercely passionate about our cause. You'd never understand."

As Twilight was sitting there however, she attempted to get both of their attention. "H-Hey, will you two stop fighting?"

But Moondancer and Twinkleshine devolved into a passionate argument on both sides, blocking out Twilight's plea.

Twilight closed her eyes as she let off a fierce angry roar of her own in a desperate attempt to get their attention. "Guys!"

Though, interrupting the entire scene, numerous consecutive bursts of magic echoed in the distant skies.

All eyes, Moondancer, Twilight, Twinkleshine, and even those of the once defiant crowd down below, were drawn to them.

The sky was cast in a bright yellow light, as signals, as bright as stars, loomed high above on the far end of the city.

Twinkleshine looked upon them in a grave and frightened manner. "M-Minuette? Lemon Hearts?"

Moondancer glanced up and back in confusion, much like everypony else before looking straight to Twinkleshine.

Twinkleshine attempted to trot past Moondancer hurriedly in the direction towards the signals then, before being grabbed.

Moondancer held her by her cloak as she swiped a hoof. "Hey, what's going on!? What is that up there!?"

Twinkleshine headbutt Moondancer as she shoved her afterwards. "I don't have time for this!" 

Moondancer rubbed her forehead with a snarl. "Well if you had enough time to make small talk, then I think you have enough time to answer our questions! What are those signals for!? What's going on!" She frowned heavily, blocking Twinkleshine's path.

Twinkleshine grimaced yet again. "You don't understand anything Moondancer! Now get out of my way!"

Moondancer stomped a hoof defiantly. "Then make us understand!"

Twinkleshine responded promptly. "Forget everything and run! Or face everything and rise!"

Twilight's eyes widened exponentially due to those words, as she remained silent while sitting at the ledge.

Moondancer grimaced right back towards her as she groaned. "It's not that easy!"

Twinkleshine shook her head, as she looked to Moondancer desperately. "It is that easy!" Then glanced back at Twilight, "It is...."

Moondancer lowered her head in a frustrated manner, remaining silent as Twilight was also silent.

Twinkleshine frowned as she continued. "Now I need to go, you two stay safe!" As she began porting from building to building.

Moondancer scoffed lightly, "Who's she to judge us? Appearing out of nowhere? It's near idiotic to expose yourself right now!"

Twilight remained silent, as she glanced back over the ledge then as she looked blankly towards the crowd of citizens, particularly Joe and his family. Her eyes saddened as theirs were still locked on the skies. The nightmare guards also still looked confused, while the commotion died down, and in that silence Twilight closed her eyes before rising from the ledge, recalling Moondancer's words. Twilight, so tell me what is it you want? Twilight turned in the direction towards the south end of the city, as Twinkleshine had already become a tiny speck in the distance. Twilight began trotting, soon breaking off into a hurried sprint. With ease, the unicorn lifted her sack as she placed it upon her back again, while she fastened Smarty Pants around her neck in a tighter manner before sprinting past even Moondancer.

The rush of Twilight's departure caused Moondancer's mane to flail in the wind, as she barely even caught notice of Twilight's reaction. Upon recovering from the initial shock, Moondancer turned around towards Twilight. "T-Twilight! Where are you going!?"

Twilight glanced back nervously at Moondancer with closed eyes. "If somepony can help end this, wouldn't it be them?"

Moondancer called out to her in desperation. "But this isn't how you win Twilight! Winning requires proper planning! Not this!"

Twilight gave Moondancer an amused and saddened smile, "We'll just have to improvise!"

Moondancer continued, persistently! "What about your parents!? What about our original plan!? What're you thinking Twilight!?"

Twilight couldn't answer, as she faced forward again with a conflicted gaze and muttered. "I have no idea..."

Moondancer groaned, as she watched Twilight depart in a hurt manner. She shook her head, before shaking it and growling, stomping her hooves a few times in a pout as she grunted. "Eraaaah! Fine! Fine!" She poofed, trailing after Twilight hurriedly.





Meanwhile, as the three departed, the crowd gathered before the stage only continued to watch the sky.

The black pegasus shook his head. "What in the hay is going on here?" When he was then tapped on the side by another, he glanced back, turning, only to see one of his fellow nightmare guards. However, this nightmare guard in particular looked off, as his purple coat was gelatin smooth and abnormally stiff, and his eyes had tiny pink swirls located at the center. "Hey what's with you? Are you okay?"

The purple guard was absolutely silent, like a statue as he merely regarded the black pegasus with a blank stare.

The black pegasus tilted his head to the right, giving the purple guard a look of intense suspicion while he too was silent.

And all the while, perched upon a nearby roof, a tiny purple cat watched the crowd with an amused expression and sly smile. He was slender and fragile, while the back hairs of his coat created a misty ethereal essence, and his tail coursed from left to right.