//------------------------------//
// Forward 
// Story: Nightmare Trip 
// by RenegadeAlias 
//------------------------------//

         “What the HECK was that?!” Dexter shouted angrily, a ripple of light washed over his form to reveal his presence to the lunar captain. Crystal had been awaiting the colt’s return in one of the chambers near to the throne room.

“That was… perfect,” Crystal chuckled. “You couldn’t have done a better job had you really been one of us changelings.”

“Get this illusion garbage off of me!” Dexter motioned to the faux brown coat, eliciting a pulse of green magic from Crystal. A few seconds later the form of Dexter’s suit returned, along with his orange mane and tail.

“What in the world do you mean that was perfect?!” He lashed a hoof at the changeling.  “Your little plan only made her crazier!” He had risked exposure, and his own neck, by going through with the changeling’s plan of manipulating Nightmare Moon’s emotions. 

“Not only did you show the extent of Luna’s mental breakdown to Celestia,” Crystal explained. “You also put a wedge between Luna and Nightmare Moon.” She turned back toward the colt. 

“For the first time I sense Luna resisting Nightmare Moon.” The changeling went on. “If given enough time, Luna’s resistance may undermine Nightmare Moon’s malevolence; eventually stopping her from being so vicious…”

“And how long will that take?” Dexter frowned.

“I don’t know, it could be a few days or decades, and when it does work, Nightmare Moon will still be in control and still be trying to bring about  eternal night.” Crystal turned to face the colt, failing to suppress a smug grin. “However, she will be less violent... or at the very least less lethal.”

Dexter huffed and shook his head indignantly.  

“What about Celestia?” Dexter complained. “Is she going to fight, or has risking my neck for your little plan turned out to be pointless?”

Crystal gazed back at the wall, toward the throne room. “From the emotions I can sense… I’m afraid she won’t.”

Dexter fought the urge to pull his mane out. 

“Thanks to you, Celestia has finally seen the extent Luna’s mental breakdown; shocking as it is.” Crystal went on. “But I sense Celestia has only become more determined to find some other way of dealing with Luna without fighting, probably because she saw you get through to Luna. She undoubtedly thinks she will be able to do the same.”

“Are you kidding me?”

“Trust me,” Crystal went on. “Celestia’s emotional state is not that of one who is preparing themselves to fight.”

“Aurgh! I can’t believe it!” Dexter shouted, kicking over a nearby chair.

“Hey!” Crystal chastised. “This is the only ‘captain’s office’ left in this castle and I just got it.”

“What in the world are we going to do now?” Dexter asked, ignoring the mare. However he paused as an idea came to him.

As far as Dexter could tell, the only way Celestia would use the Elements of Harmony was if he forced her to. Anything else would be a waste of time.

He would have to force Celestia to choose between using the Elements of Harmony or risk losing Luna for certain. Though that was easier said than done. He didn’t have anything powerful enough to threaten Luna with. If he did, he'd simply stop Nightmare Moon himself.

That was when the colt remembered Discord. He was than powerful enough to pose a threat to Nightmare Moon. But the draconequus had been hiding, lying in wait for one of the one of the sisters to defeat the other so the elements could not be used to against him. 

The trick would be finding him and getting him involved. Dexter had no way of detecting him, but he knew Discord was watching. Dexter would have to find a way of drawing Discord out. 

This probably meant causing a good amount of chaos. 

“I think we should try again,” Crystal started. “But this time, let’s target Celestia’s emotions. The trick will be-”

“No,” Dexter cut her off.

“No?” Crystal reproached.

“We already tried it your way, it didn’t work.” Dexter answered. He understood the changeling was very good at manipulating emotions, but he was certain her tactics were not the answer. “You go ahead and do whatever you want to Celestia, but at this point I’m beginning to wonder if she is just as crazy as Luna.” Dexter turned away, only to have the office door shut in front of him. 

“Wait a second, where are you going?” Crystal approached the colt, holding the office door shut with her magic. 

“To handle this my way,” Dexter replied.  

“And what, exactly, does that mean?”

“You said the throne room is sound proofed, right?” Dexter asked, earning a grimace of confusion from the mare.

“Yes…” She raised an eyebrow.

“How good is it?” Dexter pressed.

“Very good,” The mare added. “There could be a thunderstorm just outside and you would never hear it in the throne room. But what does that have to do with anything?” She asked. “What are you planning?”

“We can’t convince Celestia to use the Elements of Harmony, so I’m going to force her to use them.” Dexter replied cryptically.

“And how are you going to do that?” Crystal pressed.

“I can’t tell you,” Dexter replied after a pause, looking around the room to find it empty of anyone else. “There is a chance someone is watching, discussing it might jeopardize my plan.”

Crystal eyed the colt for a moment. “Okay,” She eventually replied. “What do you need me to do?”

“You’re in charge of the guard, right?” Dexter asked, earning a nod. “How many of them are there?”

“Around two hundred and fifty,” Crystal answered. “Why?” 

“In one hour, raise the alarm and tell the guards there are intruders in the main courtyard. But make sure Nightmare Moon remains undisturbed.”

“All of them?” The captain asked in surprise, earning a nod from the colt. Reaching into his saddlebags, he produced another bag which he promptly shoved toward the mare. It contained the Elements.

“Yes, all of them. But divide them into two groups, one that approaches from inside the castle structure, and other approaching from beyond the castle walls.” Dexter added, pressing forward. “And instruct them not to use lethal force.”

---

“If I’m not mistaken this should be it…” Dexter muttered as he peered around another corner. He was taking extra care to be cautious, moving slowly to make sure he was not seen.

The colt sought the castle dungeons. Needless to say, he knew it would be well guarded. Unfortunately he could not use his suit’s cloak to travel undetected. Ever since Discord fried his magic dampener, he had no way to quickly recharge his suit. This meant he had to save energy where he could, foregoing the cloak unless it was absolutely necessary.

Pushing deeper into the underground corridors of the castle, Dexter finally came across a large wooden door. The door itself was reinforced with thick metal plating and was flanked by two lunar guards.

Drawing his rifle, Dexter was able to fire and stun the two guards. They fell to the ground with dull thuds.

Pulling the door open and peering inside revealed what the colt was looking for. The walls were lined with cells cordoned off by metal bars. A few contained prisoners, who were kept company by a pair of guards patrolling the length of the dungeon. The dungeon itself was bleakly lit by a few torches which lined the walls.

A pair of flashes broke the darkness of the dungeon, bolts from Dexter’s rifle striking the patrolling guards. They dropped in place.

The sudden attack startled the prisoners, causing them to rise to their hooves and investigate the commotion.

Dexter approached one of the prone guards, tapping him with a fore hoof to make sure he was out cold.

“Whoa, was that you kid?” One of the prisoners in the cell asked, causing Dexter to glance at him through the metal bars. The prisoner in question was a unicorn with a white coat, wearing a solar guard’s chest armor. His helmet was missing, replaced by what appeared to be a ring on his horn.  “…and what is that suit you’re wearing?”

“Never mind the suit,” Dexter replied, shifting his attention to the other unconscious guard. “And I’m here because I need your help to defeat Nightmare Moon.”  

The guard remained silent for a moment, apparently scrutinizing the colt. “Let me out of here, then.” He instructed, pointing toward the wall at the far end of the dungeon. “The keys are on the wall by the-“  

“I don’t need keys,” Dexter interrupted, causing the guard to tilt his head. “Stand back,” Dexter instructed before placing his fore hooves on the metal bars. Prying the bars open would be easy enough, given that his suit would be doing all the work. 

“Wait kid…” The weak voice of another prisoner came from behind the colt, causing Dexter hesitate before looking back.

The second prisoner was also a solar guard, but this one was a pegasus. A first Dexter was slightly taken back by his appearance; large bags were under his eyes as he apparently struggled to stand. It was clearly evident that he was fighting the need to sleep as hard as he could. He was joined by another Pegasus who appeared as tired.

“Don’t release him,” The pegasus shook his head slowly. “You, you can’t let him out.”   

“What, why not?”

“Never mind them, kid.” The unicorn cut in loudly. “They aren’t thinking straight, just let me out of here so we can fight Nightmare Moon.”

“No, kid. Don’t, the LT he… he can’t be trusted anymore…” The second pegasus spoke up, tiredness filling his tone as well.

“Don’t listen to them, just open the door and let me out!” The unicorn guard pleaded. “They’re delusional.” 

“And you’re well rested!” The first pegasus accused. “How was your nap?”

That’s when it dawned on Dexter, causing the colt’s gaze to slowly shift back to the unicorn. The pegasi guards had a point; this unicorn didn’t look like he had spent any time trying to resist sleep. When Dexter took a hesitant step back, the unicorn’s demeanor changed drastically. His pleading gaze replaced by a vicious leer as he slammed the dungeon bars with his fore hoofs.

“He fell asleep eight hours ago…” the pegasus added. “The only reason he is still in that cage is because Nightmare hasn’t confirmed his indoctrination yet!”

“Open the door right now you little runt!” He hissed. “Open this door or I’ll kill you.”

Dexter recoiled and backpedaled from the bars when the unicorn lunged at him, trying to grasp the colt by swinging a foreleg between the bars.

“All will become children of the night and love Nightmare as she deserves!” The unicorn prisoner sneered. “Those who resist deserve to die. They will die!” His gaze never shifted from the colt. “You hear that you mud-foal runt?”

Dexter continued backing away, as the unicorn tried to wrestle the door to his cell open. However, Dexter didn’t get far before the unicorn started shouting. “GUARDS! GUARDS! INTRUDER IN THE-”

Another flash of light belted from Dexter’s rifle, striking the prisoner. He fell to the stone floor, unconscious.

“Thanks for that,” Dexter said, turning back to the pegasi.

“You… you’re welcome.” The first pegasus replied. “Though… I’m not sure we can be… be much help at fighting Nightmare Moon.”

“We’re just… so exhausted. It’s been… days.” The second pegasus added.

“What do you mean it’s been days?” Dexter asked.  

“It’s been days since Nightmare began her takeover.” The pegasus continued. “And our shift had just begun when she attacked. We were captured soon after and thrown in here.”

Dexter reached up to his mask, accessing the control for his heads up display. Flipping over to the mission recorder, he was surprised to find it read that over three days had passed.

“What the…” Dexter asked in confusion, trying to figure out how his perception of time had become so distorted. Of course, without the sun and moon cycling, everything seemed like it was just one night. He had gone to sleep a few times, using the dream catcher Star Swirl provided to protect him from Nightmare Moon’s indoctrination. The rest of the time could be accounted for in everything he did to combat Nightmare Moon, at least that’s how his mission recorder viewed it. 

But the more the colt recalled, the more he realized the pegasi were right. He might have realized something sooner if he could feel how cold it had gotten outside. However, his suit had kept him perfectly warm to the point he didn’t realize the atmosphere was already being affected by the lack of sunlight.

“Listen kid… just go.” The first pegasus went on. “We’re going to fall asleep any time now.”

“In fact, it might be better for you to leave us locked up...” The other guard added.  “You know… if we wake up again we won’t be too friendly.”

Dexter stood silently, considering the guard’s words. He was taken aback by how grim their situation had become. Normally he would be dismayed, but he quickly pushed his emotions aside.

“Listen, I need your help.” Dexter stated simply. “And I think I know of a way to keep you awake. Can you hold on for just a few more minutes?”

“It’s not like we have a choice…” The first pegasus replied bleakly.

Dexter turned away from the two prisoners, looking into his pack for a set of tools. Once he found the tools he was looking for, he fell back on his haunches to get a better view of his suit. After a few minutes of tinkering, he was able to open up a compartment.

“If I know Quadraplex she probably… Ah, here it is!” Dexter said, extracting what appeared to be a large tube with a needle attached. Placing it on the floor he resealed his suit.

“What is it, kid?” One of the tired guards asked.

“It’ll help you stay awake,” The colt replied before putting the syringe in his mouth, placing his fore hoofs on the dungeon bars. The metal bars screech in protest as Dexter pried them open, leaving them mangled and distorted as they were tossed aside.

However, the pegasi’s eyes lit up in surprise. Suit or no suit, it wasn’t everyday they saw an eight year old bend open several inch thick metal bars.

“Hold still… this stuff is really potent.”

---

“Whoa… that’s different.” One of the pegasi declared, feeling wide awake as his exhaustion seemed to drain from his body. “What’s in that thing?” He motioned toward the needle.

“A special mixture of amphetamine, caffeine and… several other compounds.” Dexter admitted, earning confused looks from the guards. Dexter hardly expected them to know what those names meant. “Uh, look. The mixture I have given you will keep you awake and alert for the next twenty four hours. After that, you’ll crash and likely crash hard.”

“Its twenty four we didn’t have before.” The first guard glanced at the other before turning back to Dexter. “I’m Strafe, he’s Winds.” He motioned toward the other pegasus. “And you are?”

“My name isn’t important,” The colt replied. “But like I said, I need your help.”

The pegasi glanced at one another.

“I am more than willing to help you at any tasked aimed at toward stopping Nightmare Moon,” Strafe went on. “But now that I am thinking more clearly, it would not be safe for a child to be involved in any of this. I want you to-“

Strafe was cut off by the sound of capacitors charging in Dexter’s suit, shortly before the colt placed a fore hoof against the stone wall of the dungeon. His force amplifier discharged in a pulse of light, causing the stone to explode. It left a large hole in the wall.

“Make no mistake; I am not the one at risk of being hurt by Nightmare’s guards. Nightmare’s guards are the ones in danger of being hurt by me.” He declared.

The pegasus blinked.

“Now, in about twenty minutes I am going to start a fight with every guard in a five mile radius.” Dexter went on.

“Are you nuts?!” Winds asked.

“No, I’m a genius.” Dexter retorted. “Now I’ll need your help. Don’t worry, I am not asking for much.”

“What can we do?” Strafe asked. “You must know Nightmare has hundreds of guards.”

“I know,” Dexter replied. “But trust me, I can handle any fight that happens on the ground. What I can’t handle is a fight on the ground while swarms of pegasi attack from the sky.”

“What do you expect us to do?” Winds asked. “We can’t hold off all the pegasi or bat ponies working for Nightmare Moon.”

“That’s not what I need,” Dexter rolled his eyes. “You pegasi can control the weather right?”

The guards glanced at each other before Strafe nodded.

“Good, I need you to disguise yourselves as night guards and blanket the entire castle in a cloud of fog…”

---

“That was fast,” Dexter muttered to himself. Fifteen minutes had gone by since the pegasi had been sprung from the dungeons, and a fresh bed of fog covered the castle grounds. It was so thick he could hardly see five feet in front of him. “I really need to figure out how you pegasi use magic to manipulate the weather.”

“Actually, the fog wasn’t that hard.” Winds answered. “This… unending night… it's wreaking havoc on the typical weather systems.” He pointed upward. ”The cooling of the sky made a lot of clouds, which haven’t been cleaned up since the weather ponies fled.  We used them for the fog.”

“What’s that?” Strafe asked, pointing toward a device Dexter flicked shut before attaching it to a latch on his suit.

“It’s a detonator,” Dexter replied simply before checking his rifle.

“What’s-“ Strafe began, getting cut off.

“Listen, I know you probably have a lot of questions.” Dexter interrupted “But now you two need to get somewhere safe.” He checked the timer on his visor. Two minutes remained. “Fly to Canterlot, and see if you can find Star Swirl the Bearded or Clover the Clever. They should have a way to let you sleep without getting attacked by Nightmare Moon.”

“No way kid,” Strafe replied. “Were not just leaving you-“

“No time, listen.” Dexter cut in. “In two minutes, every night guard in this castle is going to launch an assault on the courtyard.” Dexter sent the neural commands to his suit, activating his cloak. His form shimmered before disappearing before the two pegasi.

“If you two are caught up in that, you won’t survive.” Dexter went on, his voice coming from thin air. “I, however, will be fine. So just go.”

Strafe looked around the courtyard for a moment. Though he didn’t see much due to the fog before him. He then glanced at his fellow guard before hopping into the air.

“Good luck, kid.” He replied, hovering for another moment before disappearing into the mists above. He was quickly followed by the other pegasus.

After watching them leave, Dexter activated his suit’s visor. Toggling it to thermal vision would let him see through the fog easy enough.

Hardly a moment had gone by before he spotted the first of Nightmare’s guards advancing on the courtyard. A large group of them entered from the courtyard’s main gate, while another was pushing in from the castle’s main entrance. Their horns were alight, casting an eerie glow in fog. 

Dexter was caught directly in-between the two massing groups, he couldn’t help but grin. He surmised Crystal had figured out what he was planning, as the two masses of Nightmare’s guards approached from exactly opposite ends.  

“I can’t see a thing… where did this fog come from?” One of the guards complained.

“Intruders! We know you’re here. By the authority of Nightmare Moon you are ordered to step forward and surrender yourselves to the eternal night!” The lead guard from one of the groups shouted.

“Down with Nightmare Moon!” Dexter shouted back, ducking as he flipped the toggle his detonator. A series of explosion tore through the castle walls, spraying stone debris over the guards while knocking many of them off their hooves.

Fortunately for them, Dexter hadn’t placed the explosives close enough for any of them to be injured.

However, he immediately rose at the sound of the explosions. Dexter angled his rifle at one of the groups before spraying them with several bright bolts of energy. Many of the bolts struck their marks, dropping a number of night guards.

At this point, the guards had been blown up and shot at. They instinctively returned fire, casting a barrage of spells through the fog in Dexter’s direction.

Fortunately the colt at the good sense to get low again, allowing the magical attacks to sail past him where they struck the other group of Night guards.

That’s when all hell broke loose.

The two groups of Night guards began shoot off spells at each other, unable to see who they were really firing at thanks to the fog. The entire situation quickly degenerated into a chaotic mess.

Dropping his cloak, the colt began crawling along the ground as another hail of spell-fire was exchanged. Each one sailed harmlessly over him as he made his way toward the sidelines.  

The mayhem only exploded from there. When Dexter finally made his way out of the line of fire he turned back toward the battle scene, viewing the whole scene through the fog thanks to his visor. More guards for each group were pouring in from the castle and main gate, while countless pegasi dove into the fray from above. Fortunately the pegasi didn’t seem to know any better than the unicorns on the ground, in fact they seemed bound and determined to subdue both groups.

Whenever one of the unicorns or pegasi seemed to realize what was happening, Dexter would pick them off from the sidelines. The bolts from his rifle were indistinguishable from the countless spells being exchanged.

Eventually the fighting did start to die down as the number of standing guards started to dwindle. Dexter then got off the sidelines and started stunned the remaining guards himself.

“Fools!” Dexter chuckled to himself. The colt had to admit that he felt a little guilty.  For him, taking out the remaining guards wasn’t exactly a fair fight. The few guards which caught on to his presence, before getting shot, could hardly see him. Dexter, however, was protected from their attacks by his suit. Moreover, he could see through the fog like it wasn’t even there. 

It was like shooting fish in a barrel.

When the dust had finally settled, Dexter scanned the courtyard. It was littered with prone forms of the night guard. Most were wounded, stunned or unconscious. Dexter was hoping there were no fatalities.

“My my my…” Came a familiar voice from somewhere in the fog. Dexter recognized it instantly.

“Discord…” Dexter turned, looking for the source. There was a quick sound of snapping fingers, causing the fog to dissipate, revealing the draconequus. He wore a large grin as he surveyed the courtyard.

The colt couldn’t help but return the grin, drawing discord out was the whole point of his plan. All he needed to do now was lay the bait and see if Discord would bite.

“I must say, I’m impressed.” Discord replied with a proud grin at the colt. “I haven’t seen someone cause such a lovely flavor of chaos. Yet you did it without so much as a hint of magic!” Discord applauded. “I knew keeping an eye on you would be worthwhile, and you didn’t disappoint.”

Dexter turned toward the newcomer, putting on a smug grin for a few moments of silence.  “Well, what can I say… when it comes to mayhem…”

“It’s easy to impress an amateur.” 

Discord coughed in surprise. “Excuuuussseeee me!? Amateur? Moi! ” The draconequus forced out over a laugh of disbelief.

“I’m sorry Mr. Discord,” Dexter continued his ruse with a shrug. “I meant no offense, but the truth is… I don’t believe you’re a very good agent of chaos. You don’t represent chaos very well…”

“Do you know who I am, little colt?” Discord pointed down toward Dexter with a frown. “I am not an agent of chaos, I don’t represent chaos, I am chaos.” 

Dexter huffed skeptically. “Really? You’re the incarnation of chaos? Then I must be missing something.” Dexter took a moment to glance at his surroundings before looking back at Discord. “Let’s talk about chaos,” He motioned for Discord to follow before turning toward the castle entrance.

“My favorite subject!” Discord followed after the colt, floating just above the ground. “You may be too young to remember my reign. But if you did, you’d have seen chaos like none other.”

“Oh, I don’t doubt that.” Dexter replied with a glance, pushing into the castle through a set of doors before turning up a flight of stairs. “You may cause chaos well, but you don’t represent chaos very well.”

“Oh, and what makes you say that?” Discord challenged.

“I’ve come across a number of agents of chaos.” Dexter began. “Heck, my own sister is an agent of chaos.” The colt flashed back to memories of Dee Dee. “But one of the most prolific agents of chaos I’ve heard of revealed the one way in which chaos is, and always shall be, superior to harmony.”

“And do you know what he said that reason is?” Dexter stopped to ask the draconequus. However after a moment of silence the colt answered. “Chaos is fair.”

Discord looked upon the colt with intrigue.

“Chaos, like justice, is blind. It deals fate toward everyone and everything impartially - unbiased and pure chance.” Dexter began walking again.

“Sounds like a pony after my own heart.” Discord answered. “I’ll have to add that little fact to my impossibly long list as to why chaos is better than harmony.”  

Discord actually found himself surprised. Everything the colt had said was true as far as Discord could tell. A part of him had to admit, he never thought of that.

“I think you’ve uncovered my one redeeming virtue…” Discord grinned, letting a hint of sarcasm slip into his voice. “I knew I liked you for a reason, kid.”

Discord tried to pat the colt on his head, though his hand was swatted away by Dexter’s hoof.”

“The agent of chaos which said that had no rules…” Dexter went on. “And why should he? I mean, chaos doesn’t respect boundaries so why should he?”

“Chaos does not have rules, and it does not plot, plan or scheme; and it certainly doesn’t skulk in the dark, hiding like a schemer until the time is right.”

“But you, you do all of that!” Dexter stopped to point an accusatory hoof at Discord. “You have rules, you’re unfair when with others whenever you setup one of your little games, and you hide in the dark where the alicorns cannot see you while you scheme!”

“And that’s why you’re an amateur; you don’t even know what chaos really is!” Dexter challenged. “What kind of embodiment of chaos is so detached from it that he forsakes its best qualities?”  

“Stop,” Discord declared, appearing in front of the colt with a frown. “I am a million times a source of chaos than you could ever hope to be.” The expression on Discord’s face revealed that Dexter had finally managed to get under his skin, something which actually frightened Dexter for a moment. 

“Really? Prove it.” Dexter countered. “You just saw the chaos I caused. Do better than me.” He challenged.

Discord scoffed. “Normally I wouldn’t hesitate. But I know you still have the Elements of Harmony, if I reveal my presence then-“

“Please…” Dexter rolled his eyes, sidestepping Discord before pressing onward down the hall. “You’ve been watching the alicorn sisters. You know the state of Luna’s mind. There is no way she is bearing any of the Elements of Harmony, which means the elements are useless. That, and Nightmare Moon is not strong enough to hurt you.”

“You could even reclaim your rule over Equestria any time you wanted now,” Dexter finished.

“I suppose that is true…” Discord rubbed his chin began grinning once more, raising his hand as he prepared to snap his fingers. “But I am afraid I’m going to have to decline. I know what you’re trying to do, and it’s not going to work. Lulu and Celestia are going to have to work out their problems on each other, I won’t be stepping in to save the day… literally or figuratively.”

“Until next time,” Discord raised his hand, ready to snap his fingers. Though he stopped when the colt turned toward him. 

“Not so fast, snappy!” Dexter shot a hoof at Discord, causing the Discord to freeze in place.

“Snappy?” Discord recoiled. There was one thing Discord had to admit, this colt could surprise him. Being the master of chaos that he was, very little was genuinely surprising for Discord. This colt was proving to be ever more amusing. 

“You’re right, I want you to fight Nightmare Moon. I admit it, I’m sorry.” Dexter shrugged. “But you of all can’t blame me. I prefer your chaos over Nightmare Moon’s new order. You of all can't blame me for agreeing with you about chaos for once.”

“I suppose not…” Discord admitted with a nod. 

“But I’m just trying to get you to be yourself, Discord.” Dexter went on. “We both know what you think about the new world order Nightmare Moon is building; or any form of order for that matter. And that is what she is building, despite the immediate chaos. You’re going to have to fight her at eventually if you want to bring back chaos.” 

Discord had to admit, that was true as well. The way things were going, Both Celestia and Nightmare Moon weren’t going anywhere.

“Now, you’re not going to intervene against Nightmare Moon because of anything I’ve said.” Dexter began again as he stopped walking, noting that he had arrived at his intended destination. The two now stood outside the throne room doors. “And you’re not going to fight Nightmare Moon to be a ‘goodie two shoes.’ You’re going to do it for one simple reason.”

“I’m listening,” Discord folded his arms with a smug grin, ready to turn the colt down once more. 

“You’re going to do this because, simply put, you’re bored.” Dexter declared, causing Discord’s eyebrow to rise. 

Dexter could only describe his sister as an agent of chaos, and if there was anything he learned from her it was that agents of chaos hate being bored.

And Dexter was dead on. Discord had to admit to himself, he was bored to tears. 

“You are bored, Discord.” Dexter repeated with a grin, noting the surprised grimace on Discord’s face. Dexter had hit the nail on the head and they both knew it. “Why else would you be watching me? Why else would you have revealed yourself and spoken to me? Heck, why are you still talking to me? It’s because you’re bored out of your mind.” 

“And I don’t blame you, if I had been locked in stone for a few years I’d be desperate for amusement too.” 

“You have a point.” Discord admitted with a grin. “Maybe I should do something to fix that...” 

“You should, and I’ve given you every reason to.” Dexter pointed toward the throne room doors. “The only question is, can Discord come out to play?” Dexter asked, intentionally sounding like a child. Given the fact that he was an eight year old, he did so perfectly. 

“Yes he can.” Discord declared with a smile.  

“Good,” Dexter answered, disappearing as a ripple washed over his form. He angled his ion rifle at the throne room door before setting it to its highest setting. 

---

“What is this?” Nightmare turned toward the sound of the throne room doors exploding open, spotting a draconequus standing before them. “Discord?!”  

“Lulu!, Sun-butt!” Discord greeted, flying into the throne room. “How have you been?” He glanced around the half-destroyed throne room, which had not recovered from the fight between Nightmare Moon and Celestia. “I love what you’ve done with the place!”

“How did you escape from your imprisonment!?” Nightmare demanded. 

“Oh, you know…” Discord began nonchalantly. “Chaos, madness, mayhem, havoc… all these things tend to empower me and interfere with the magic of the Elements of Harmony. Thanks to the chaos of a certain little somepony’s uprising…” 

“I really have to thank you for that Lulu,” Discord added with a grin, before pretending to look around once more. “So this is the eternal night eh? Quite a sight to see, I really should take a look around to soak it all in…” 

“Though I could use some more light…” After a moment of heavy silence, Discord snapped his fingers. Magic visibly pulsed off the draconequus before a blinding light washed over everything. 

Dexter, who had been watching the exchange from under the cover of his cloak, had to blink several times before he realized what happened. Immediately Dexter look up to find the sun hanging directly overhead. 

“Oops,” Discord taunted, grinning haughtily. “I guess that night wasn’t as eternal as everypony thought…” 

Celestia had risen to her hooves, looking up at the sun as if to greet it. However, Nightmare Moon was now trembling with rage, glaring at Discord. If looks could kill, Discord would be dead regardless if he were immortal. 

“NO!” Nightmare shrieked, using her magic to pull the sun out of the sky once more. The sudden change back to night blinded Dexter again. 

The draconequus opened his mouth to speak. However, he was cut off by a blast of magic which erupted form Nightmare’s horn. It struck him in the chest before launching him through one of the throne room’s stone walls.

“Now that’s just rude!” Discord replied, picking himself up. “Normally I don’t hit girls but…” He snapped his fingers, sending a flash of magic over his other hand. His other hand blew up to comically large proportions, easily over twice the size of Nightmare moon.

Seeing the gigantic fist fly through the air, trailed by a relatively smaller Discord, was enough to make Dexter double take. Nightmare hardly had the chance to dodge the incoming fist before it impact her throne, reducing it to rubble in an instant.

Celestia rose to her hooves, quickly turning her magic on discord. She attempted to cast a spell when she felt her magic falter as a blue aura enveloped her form. It promptly threw to the floor. 

“Don't you dare!” Nightmare spat. “You stay out of this Celestia!” Nightmare looked back down at Discord. “If Discord wants a fight, I’ll give him one.”

---

“Are you insane!?” Crystal hissed, seemingly talking to thin air. The changeling captain was fortunate enough to be safely out of the line of fire when Discord appeared.

The fight between Nightmare and Discord was starting to flare up. Nightmare used ever increasingly amounts of magic in every attempt to kill Discord. Discord, however, merely laughed as he dodged, duped, and dispelled every attack Nightmare cast his way.

By the looks of it, Discord was enjoying himself. He was clearly playing with Nightmare Moon, something which didn’t surprise Dexter. Discord had proven in the past he was more powerful than both Luna and Celestia, who required the Elements of Harmony to defeat him.

Though, fortunately enough, Discord desire to trifle with Nightmare Moon stopped him simply ending this fight in a moment. He wasn’t using large amounts of chaos magic yet. If Dexter was going to complete his plan, he would need Luna. This meant he would have to act fast, as Discord would eventually get rid of her.  

“What?” Dexter answered the question, deciding to drop his cloak and become visible once more. “Nightmare’s attacking Discord, not you. And she can’t kill him…”

“Doesn’t mean she won’t vaporize half the castle in the attempt!” Crystal nearly shouted. “Do you have ANY idea how-“

“We don’t have time for this, where are the Elements of Harmony?” Dexter interrupted, earning a frown from the captain. She signaled to a nearby guard who was hiding behind a stone pillar. He hesitated for a moment, obviously dubious about leaving the shelter the column provided.

Eventually the infiltrator presented Crystal with a familiar sack, revealing the Elements of Harmony hidden inside.

“I’ll take those.” Dexter snatched the sack before bolting.

“Hey wait a second!” Crystal called, chasing the colt.

Dexter had bolted in the direction of Celestia. The princess had hardly moved from where Nightmare threw her, having stood up to get a better view of the battle unfolding before her.

She was visibly rigid, fearfully watching in the hope that her sister would not be harmed.

Until something struck her side.

“Hey lady!” Dexter chucked the sack at Celestia, causing it to bounce of the princess’s neck. The sudden impact didn’t hurt the alicorn so much as startle her, causing her to jump before whirling on Dexter with a glowing horn.

“You!” She said in slight relief, letting the charge in her horn fade.

Dexter retrieved the sack, upending it to spill several gems across the floor before the alicorn. “I think you know what you need to do.”

Celestia glanced over the Elements of Harmony, counting them to make sure all were present. But when she was finished she merely shook her head. “No, I will not! I just need a little more time-“

“Yes, you will.” Dexter cut in, raising his voice just enough to silence the alicorn. “You’ve spent ample time with her. If you were capable of reaching her by now, you would have.”

“I’ll be the judge of that!” Celestia snapped back. “I will not abandon my sister to this madness which has consumed her!”

“Call it whatever you want, you’re going to use the Elements now.” Dexter retorted. Despite the colt’s angry glare, he couldn’t help but notice how massively bigger the white alicorn was in comparison to him. “You don’t have a choice anymore.”

Dexter took a few paces before motioning in the direction of Nightmare and Discord, a loud explosion echoing through the castle as if on cue to emphasize his gesture. “Right now, Discord is playing with your sister. He isn’t using the full strength of his chaos magic because he wants to brag about being able to cause chaos better than I do. But you and I both know how this is going to end. Sooner or later, Discord is going to get bored with the little contest he has with me and will end this fight...”

“But you can stop both of them by using the Elements of Harmony.” Dexter turned back to the white alicorn. “So all you have to do now is choose: do you want Luna to be at the mercy of the Elements of Harmony, or at the mercy of Discord when he’s finished playing?”

“You…” Celestia scowled at the colt, expecting that he knew the Elements could destroy Luna. “You did this…”

“No,” Dexter countered. “You and your sister caused this mess, and caused the chaos that released Discord. This fight would have eventually happened; I just hurried things along so you still might have the chance to help Luna.” Dexter motioned toward the Elements one more, causing Celestia to glance at them again. “Now decide!”

“You have no idea what you’re doing,” Celestia shook her head, retaining her frown. “I cannot use the Elements alone, there needs to be at least two bearers present in order for the Elements to work!”

“I know,” Dexter turned toward Crystal; the captain had been listening to their conversation. “You said a part of Luna was still in there, right?”

“Yes…” Crystal glanced at Celestia before casting her own frown at the colt. Dexter knew why, but he didn’t care at the moment. “That has been my observation, but how does that help us?”

“The Elements of Harmony, and their bearers, operate through magical connections they make between each other and those around them.” Dexter began to explain. “If a part of Luna is still there, at least one of these bonds to the Elements should still exist.”

“This is the whole reason Nightmare Moon had her Elements sent away in the first place.” Dexter explained. “She knew Luna’s presence might just be enough to get the Elements to work. Otherwise, Nightmare wouldn’t have bothered.” 

“But the tricky part will be determining which element would be the most responsive to her…” Dexter motioned toward the Elements, pulling loyalty, laughter and honesty forward. They all once belonged to the dark alicorn.

“If we only had someone who could sense what she was feeling, they could make an educated guess.” Dexter hinted before looking at Crystal.

It didn’t take the disguised changeling long to figure out what he was getting at, her eyes lighting up in realization.

Crystal picked up the orange gem while scratching her chin with a hoof before presenting it to the colt.

“That’s honesty, right?” Dexter asked skeptically. However, his grimace was cut short by another loud explosion. It was shortly followed by the easily identified sound of Discord cackling.

“You missed again, Lulu!” Discord called, shortly before another explosion rocked the castle.  

“It’s sure as hay not going to be loyalty,” Crystal replied, instinctively ducking at the loud boom. “And trust me, it’s not laughter either. Honesty is your best bet right now.”

“What do you know of my sister, or what element she is closest too?” Celestia challenged, earning Crystal’s gaze for a moment.

“Trust me,” Crystal said to the colt.

“Be ready, I need to get this near Luna, we’ll only get one shot at this.” Dexter turned away from the mares, slipping the Element of honesty into a pocket. However, he suddenly felt himself pulled back by Celestia’s aura.

“Are you insane?” Celestia protested, motioning toward the battle between Discord and Nightmare. “We don’t even know if this will work -and if you get caught in between them you’ll be torn apart!”

“Be ready.” Dexter instructed before activating his cloak, his form disappearing before her.

---

Discord was still playing with Nightmare Moon, a fact he made painfully obvious to the dark alicorn.  His attacks would hardly faze Nightmare Moon. Of course, Dexter knew Discord could end this fight with a snap of his fingers. Heck, if the stories of his powers were true he could have made the whole moon disappear if he wanted to.

The colt could only imagine Discord’s potential destructiveness had this been a serious fight. But then again, from what he heard about Discord, he very rarely fights in a serious fashion.

Nightmare, however, was completely transparent about her desire to kill Discord. She continued to use ever increasing amounts of magic in her attempt to maim or murder the draconequus.

Though, she wasn’t having much luck at it. 

Dexter had approached the battling pair as close as he could, but unfortunately they were airborne. He had to wait until Nightmare approached the ground.

Luckily he wouldn’t have to wait for long.

“Ha!” Discord mocked, floating to the castle’s stone floor. “That was a close one Lulu, so I’ll give you another shot. Try to land one right here…“ He pointed to the side of his face.

A furious blue blur was more than happy to oblige, streaking toward the draconequus. Just as Nightmare’s hoof made contact with the draconequus, a snap from his fingers sent a ripple through his form and the surrounding stone.  Both Discord and the stone floor seemed to yield to Nightmare’s blow, bending despite its seemingly solid form. However it suddenly rebounded as if made of rubber, deflecting the alicorn.

It happened quickly enough to send Nightmare Moon careening toward a stone wall, where she collided with enough force to shatter the wall into a cloud of stone dust.

Discord laughed. “I’m rubber, you’re gl-“ He didn’t get to finish his taunt before a flurry of magic erupted from the dust cloud.

Several of the spells struck Discord, where they too bounced off his form before being sent in random directions. Each one exploding on impact wherever they hit.

One of them landed near the colt, showering him with rubble as it destroyed the stone beside him.

Despite the fact this armor protected him from the falling debris; the magical blast was a stark reminder that his magic dampener was fried. His suit could not protect him from blast if he were hit.

The dust cloud around Nightmare had long since passed, giving the colt a clear line of sight toward his target.

Dexter was in a full sprint when Nightmare launched another attack at Discord, a large arch of electricity from her horn struck the draconequus. Like her previous attacks the arch of lightning deflected off Discord, sending several arches through the room and another back at herself. 

One of the arcs landed at his hooves, causing a small explosion which launched him a few feet into the air while a wave of electricity washed over his form, making him visible once more. He crashed to the floor with a thud not a second later.

He heard Discord say something, and Nightmare respond. However, Dexter paid no attention as he lifted himself back onto his hooves. A warning flashed in his HUD, letting him know his suit’s cloak had been destroyed by the magical lightning.

It didn’t matter though, he was only a few yards now. Still seemingly unnoticed by the battling pair.

Dexter wasted no time, resuming his charge toward Nightmare while retrieving the Element of honesty from his suit. Nightmare was just standing up when he reached her.   

“No!” Nightmare hissed, spotting both the colt and the Element. Dexter knew alicorns had quick reaction times, but what happened next was so fast he didn’t even realize what hit him.

Nightmare instinctively kicked a fore hoof, catching the colt in the chest with enough force to send him into the ceiling. He had hardly bounced off the stone roof before being caught by the aura of Nightmare’s magic, which threw him through a stone pillar, shattering it.

---

// [Automated Log]
// [System_Fault_Detected]
// [Rebooting…]
// Device: DXTR_ARMR
// FIRMWARE V_1.03_117
// System_Status: Online
// Mission_Time: 74H:32M:15S…
// Mission_Recorder: ONLINE

“I was really starting to like that little colt, Luna. He proved to be quite the little bundle of chaos… You didn’t have to kill him.”
“That was a child? I didn’t even realize it. It doesn’t matter, I saw what he was trying to do with the element. He was trying to stop me, Nightmare Moon, and the eternal night! He must have had a sun-loving face, and I’d kill him again if… I had... the… chance.”

// [Device Status Check]
// Neural_Link: Online
// Sensor_Array: Online
// Adaptive_Armor: Damage Detected
// Visor: ERROR_FAULT – Offline
// Magic Dampener: ERROR_FAULT – Offline
// Cloak: Offline
// Force Amplifiers: Offline

“I underestimated the depths of your insanity, Luna. This child was right when he said a return to my reign of chaos would be a good thing.”

“Ha! As if you’re any better. All you want is for the world to descend into chaos were everypony goes mad. You’re worse than I am, Discord.”

//[:::WARNING:::]: User Life-signs: Weak.
//Assessing_User_Status

“I’m not worse than you. In my reign of chaos, I never killed a child to achieve my goals.”

“He had the element! It was fair! He was trying to… trying… No, Luna… stop! Stop being weak!”

“The colt was doing nothing to threaten your life! Was it necessary to take his?”

“I… didn’t mean it. I didn’t want to, it just… happened so fast, I… I… he was trying to-“

// Rib_Fracture_Detected:  
// 2nd_Rib_Fracture_Detected
// Lung_Puncture_Detected
// Fractured_Vertebra_Detected
// User_Status: CRITICAL

“I thought you said you’d rather die than be a foalkiller, Luna.”

“Nightmare, she… I… my madness did it. I didn’t mean for something like this to happen. I-I’d do it again, he had a sun-loving-“

“This isn’t just madness.  I drove many ponies crazy before you and your sister stopped me with the Elements. But they didn’t do anything like this. This is more than just madness, this is evil.”

//User_ Survivability: 13%
//Initiating_Emergency_Medical_Protocols
//Activating_Nanotech_Response
//Administering_Sedative
//Recalculating_User_Survivability
//New_User_Survivability: 87%

“I… I’m a monster… and I’m loving every second of it NO! I DON’T WANT THIS!”

“Luna, you’re-” 

“-I’ve spent countless years protecting Equestria from monsters. Monsters like you, Discord - the one who drove all of ponykind mad! But now I’ve become a monster just like you...”

“A monster, perhaps. But not like me.” 

[:::Warning:::]: Energy Reserves Low
//[Shutting Down Non-essential Systems.]

“You’re right, Discord. In honest truth, you’re right. This has been evil all along, I’ve become evil, and I’ve lied to myself about it the whole time. But maybe I can protect Equestria from evil one last time…”

“At this point, Luna, I am more than glad to risk being turned to stone just to let you try.”

“Luna! What are you doing? Put the Element down! - What I should have from the moment I met you -No Luna, Stop! We can still win! The colt’s not- NO!“

// Sensory_Array: Offline
// Adaptive_Armor: Offline
// Neural_Link: Offline
// Automated_User_Log: Terminated

---

The last thing Dexter could remember was trying to sneak up on Nightmare Moon. However, now he appeared to be standing in a void of total darkness.

Dexter was about to call out, trying to lift a hoof to take a step forward. Only to notice he had hooves.

‘Well, if I was dead I’d probably be a human again.’ Dexter speculated internally, his attempt to look at his hooves was thwarted by the total dark. Though he could still feel them, or rather his lack of fingers.

The silence of the void was suddenly broken with a spine chilling laugh Dexter easily recognized, causing his heart to stop a cackling form materialized in the void.

“You’re alive!” Nightmare Moon grinned, letting loose another laugh. “And you’re sleeping…”

“Oh how I am going to have fun with you…” Nightmare revealed her fangs. “You are going to suffer.”  

What happened next only served to confuse the colt. As quickly as Nightmare had appeared, she disappeared.

The form of Nightmare Moon had been replaced by another mare. She was an earth pony with green eyes, a blonde mane and orange-brown coat.

Dexter recognized her immediately.

“Don’t worry,” The mare spoke. “You’re still dreaming, but Nightmare Moon cannot hurt you now.”

“Applejack?” Dexter asked in bewilderment, checking the pony before him for any slight detail out of place. He found nothing amiss, down to the freckled fur on the mare’s face.

“Mmm, close enough.” The mare confirmed. Though she lacked her trademark accent, speaking clearly.  

The black void surrounding the two ponies suddenly disappeared, replaced with the castle hall Dexter was in a few moments ago. Everything was still, seemingly frozen in time.  Nightmare Moon was now holding the element of honesty, half of her face appeared to be streaming tears while the other was that of an enraged and panicking Nightmare Moon.

The element in Nightmare’s hoof shone brightly, illuminating her form. Applejack stood next to her, specifically next to the element, while watching Dexter silently.

“You’re…” Dexter squinted in confusion. “You’re the Element of Honesty?” He guessed, though something told him he was right.  

“That would be a more accurate description, yes.” The blonde mare responded, taking a moment to glance over frozen form of Nightmare Moon before turning and approaching the colt. “We’ve met before, I recognize someone whose heart I’ve touched…”

“Well, it would be more accurate to say that you’ve met me before, but this is the first time I’ve met you…” The mare rephrased.

“I don’t understand, if you’re the Element of Honesty then how can you speak?” Dexter began, scratching his head. “You’re just a stone, a gem, that sits on a pedestal all day.”

“Dexter, what is ‘Honesty?’” It was a rhetorical question , earning a grimace from the colt. When Dexter didn’t answer right away the mare replied. “Honesty is a character trait, a personality trait. It would be difficult for me to be the physical embodiment of a personality trait without having a ‘personality’ for that trait to be rooted in. I am not just a simple stone, or another inanimate object. But I do not exist in the same way you do.”

“As for looking like your friend, Applejack.” The mare went on. “This is my avatar to you since this is how you know me.”

“I don’t understand, what’s happening?” Dexter examined the scene around him, looking between Nightmare Moon and Discord. Discord had his arms folded, apparently willing to let Luna activate the Elements of Harmony. At the far end of the hall, Celestia was surrounded by the remaining Elements. The streaming tears on her face were frozen in time, reflecting some of the Elements glow.

“I take it, the plan worked?” Dexter began, before trailing off as his eyes landed on his own form. All he could see of his own form was a hoof sticking out of a pile of shattered stone. 

“Am I… going to die?” Dexter asked grimly.

“No,” Honesty appeared at his side, examining the colt’s prone form. “The suit you made is rather impressive, a testimony to order, harmony, and precision. It saved your life from Nightmare Moon’s attack. It is also mending your body. You will live.”

“And to answer your other question, of course it worked.” Came another familiar voice. Dexter turned toward the voice to spot four more ponies approaching him from direction of Celestia and the Elements around her. Each one of them bore the exact images of the mares he knew from the future, the form of Rarity being the one that had spoken. “Albeit, not according to your plan. The Elements of Harmony have been brought to bear, surprisingly with Luna’s help.”

“Miss Rarity- er I take it you all are the other Elements?” Dexter looked between the other four mares. The forms of Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy before him.  

“That’s correct, though I won’t be Rarity for another thousand years…” Generosity replied.

“Uhh… how do you… umm… know about that?” Dexter asked hesitantly. As far as he could tell, the fact that the Elements of Harmony had personalities didn’t change the fact that he shouldn’t dole out information about the future to them.

“That’s… complicated.” Generosity replied with a smile. “Though suffice it to say, were aware of a great many things.”

“Including who you are and what you did this night.” The one appearing as Rainbow Dash added.

“You said the Elements have been brought to bear,” Dexter questioned, glancing at Nightmare’s frozen form. “What’s going to happen? Will you be able to stop Nightmare Moon?”

“Yes and no…” Honesty answered, motioning toward the forms of Discord and Nightmare Moon. “Although we are considered the most powerful force of magic on this world, our strength is not infinite. We do not have the power to both subdue Discord and Luna.”

“Why not?” Dexter asked, biting back the sense of frustration in his voice. Considering the fact he had been thrown through a two foot thick stone column in order to activate the Elements, it was an answer he didn’t want to hear.

“Discord is the embodiment of Disharmony, our exact opposite, and is very powerful.” The element appearing as Pinkie Pie replied.

“As much as he does not have the power to destroy us, we do not have the power to destroy him.” Loyalty answered.

“The best we can do is subdue him, an act which will take most of our strength.” Honesty added. “And that is our priority, our first act will be to turn him back into stone.”

“However, we cannot proceed with destroying Luna. Her death would create an imbalance in the world. She and Celestia have magical connections to-” Generosity continued to explain, but was cut off by the colt.

“Wait, what?!” Dexter looked back and forth between the mares. “You want to destroy Luna? As in kill her?” Dexter asked in surprise. It wasn’t something he expected from the Elements of Harmony, and he was hoping for another solution to Nightmare Moon.

“You can’t do that!” Dexter turned toward the one that appeared to be Fluttershy. Assuming this one represented Kindness, he spoke up. “How could you, the alleged embodiment of kindness, support that?”

However, the mare merely tilted her head before staring at him silently. After a few awkward moments, Dexter looked around toward the other Elements. Each one, however, was facing kindness as though listening to her speak.

“Umm… hello?” Dexter asked brusquely, hoping to finally get a response. However, it was Honesty who would reply to him.

“You’ve only seen Kindness’s bearer,” Honesty explained. “You’ve never heard her speak, so her avatar is incomplete and you cannot hear her.”

“Well, what did she say?” Dexter pressed.

“She said that death would be a much kinder alternative for Luna given what will be her fate now.” Generosity answered. “After dealing with Discord, we will not have the strength to correct the magical imbalances her death would create.”

“She is an immortal alicorn with deep magical ties to this realm and the sky above it,” Laughter explained, answering his question before it was asked. “So our only recourse is to exile her for an eternity, somewhere far enough away that she cannot hurt anyone again.”

“In this case, the moon.” Loyalty added. 

“That doesn’t explain why you think killing her would be an act of kindness.” Dexter retorted cheekily.

The mare all turned heads toward Kindness again, apparently listening to her speak.

“Can someone whom I can hear please explain it?” Dexter deadpanned.

“The whole reason Luna descended into madness was due to suffering brought about by loneliness” Laughter answered. “However, her permanent exile to the moon will insure that she is lonely forever. The suffering which drove her mad and turned her into Nightmare Moon will be nothing in comparison to what she will face in eternity.”

“And what’s worse is the fact that we do not have the power to purge the insanity that is Nightmare Moon from her either.” Generosity replied solemnly. “Who will forever wish to torture her out of spite, revenge, and pure sadism.”

“Which means, she will be tortured by her madness, tortured by loneliness, and tortured by guilt for an eternity.” Loyalty added with remorse.

Dexter’s eyes lit up in surprise. When they put it like that, it sounded like death was a much kinder outcome.

“At this point, death would prevent her from an eternity of suffering.” Honesty answered. “And at least give her some peace.”  

However, Dexter shook his head furiously. He was never the type to kill his opponents. “Are you sure you cannot just remove Nightmare Moon from her?” Dexter asked. “Or just banish the ‘Nightmare Moon’ part of her?”

“As powerful as we are, we cannot override someone’s free will. Doing so would be evil.” Loyalty answered. “And Nightmare Moon spoke the truth when she said a part of Luna’s heart truly wanted many of the bad things she has done. We cannot remove Nightmare Moon from Luna without Luna wanting it with all her heart.” 

“One day, if Luna’s heart changes, we may be able to remove Nightmare Moon from her.” Honesty added.

“How's that supposed to happen if she’s stuck on the moon for an eternity?” Dexter countered.

“The sentence for her crimes is eternal banishment to the moon” Loyalty stated grimly, before giving the colt a hopeful nod. “Though, remember that our power is not infinite, and we cannot hold her on the moon for an eternity. She will eventually escape, as foretold by a prophecy we just delivered to Celestia. But you already know all about that…”    

“Now on to what we want…” Generosity began circling the colt, scanning his form. “You come from over a thousand years in the future. Curious… very curious. He has potential.” She remarked to the other Elements.

“He does,” Loyalty confirmed, joining in the inspection of the colt. “He is loyal to his few friends, and even remains loyal to his sister despite the harm she brings him…” She gave an amused huff. “Though it could use some work… he sometimes tries to hurt her back. But that is nothing I can’t fix.”

“Mmm…” Laughter frowned. “He doesn’t really seem to care about making friends happy, or making friends, or making anyone happy. I have my work cut out for me.”

There was a moment of silence, which Dexter used to cut in.

“Umm, excuse me?” Dexter took a hesitant step away, though it didn’t stop generosity from circling him. “Just what the heck are you getting at?”

“I agree with Kindness,” Generosity remarked, ignoring the colt’s words. “He has potential for more than one of us.  Though it is buried beneath his antisocial tendencies.” She looked up toward the form of Applejack “Honesty? You’ve already gotten to work on him.”

“And he’s still a stinking liar.” Applejack’s form declared with a frown. “Though that will change.” Honesty locked eyes with Dexter. “I’ll see to it that my future bearer knows whenever you lie, and not to let you get away with it. Then she’ll teach you the virtues of honesty.”

“I uhh…” Dexter scratched his head, looking away for a moment. “I don’t know what it is you’re after, but I don’t think I want the same thing.”

“Your wants are irrelevant, Dexter. This is about making you a better person.” Honesty approached again, causing the colt to backpedal. However, he stopped when he bumped into Loyalty. The form of Rainbow Dash had flanked him, preventing his retreat. “You will suffer my sisters and I, but you will suffer me first.”

“Back off, Honesty.” The form of Applejack halted, before stepping aside to glance at the newest apparition. It had taken the form of Twilight Sparkle, and approached from the glowing form of the five gems. She pointed at the colt with a frown. “He’s mine.”

“You’ll have to forgive her,”’ Magic gestured toward honesty. “Honesty can be brutal at times…”

“When I have to be.” Honesty huffed.

“Get away from me!” Dexter protested, stepping around the image of Rarity before backing away from the six mares. “What do you mean when you say I’ll ‘suffer you?’?”

“We, as the Elements of Harmony, require bearers in order to effect change.” Magic answered.

“Why me?!” Dexter protested.

“Don’t assume yourself to be special in any way, Dexter.” Magic replied, stepping toward the colt. “Though you are extraordinary in several ways, you are not worthy of being a bearer. Though, we will make you worthy. Force you to be if necessary.”

“We Elements want all the bearers we can get.” Laughter added. “We’d do the same to anyone else.”

“You are not only a potential bearer, but one of the few who may be able to bear more than one of us at once.” Honesty motioned toward the other Elements before looking back at the colt. “I’m glad we could get to you while you are still young, it will make molding you easier…”

There was a moment of silence as Dexter processed her words. “No,” he replied curtly, looking up at the mares defiantly. “Not happening, I refuse.” He pointed at honesty. “I do not choose to bear any of you.”

“Don’t fight us, Dexter.” Loyalty ordered, her voice both gentle yet firm. “You know you aspire toward harmony and order. You always have.”  

“I am fundamentally incompatible with you, with harmony,” Dexter countered. “And that isn’t just a choice, it’s a fact.”

“Really?” Magic challenged, peering into the colt as though she could see through him. “Then why do you spend so much time creating laboratories which are testimonies to order? If you do not choose harmony, then why do you endeavor to surround yourself with it?” 

Dexter shook his head.  His goals in life had nothing to do with harmony, but rather science.

He refused to let that change.

“In a way, you’ve already chosen me, Dexter.” Magic countered, eliciting a scoff from the colt. “You just don’t know it.”  

“I have not chosen to embrace magic.” Dexter answered flippantly, grinning as he dismissed the mare. “And considering the mess I just lived through, with the aid of science mind you, I doubt I ever will choose magic. I pick science, sorry.”

“Yes, Dexter. And what will your love of science do?” Magic grinned smugly. “Will it not drive you to study me, magic? To understand me, and ultimately use me?”

“I’m an earth pony, Not a unicorn.” Dexter rolled his eyes. “I can’t do magic.”

“The magic of friendship is not reserved for unicorns alone.” The form of Twilight said to the colt, closing the gap between them made by his backpedaling.

Dexter bit his lip before rolling his eyes.

“Let me shut this down right now. You Elements require friendship.” Dexter declared, grinning as he paused. “And that is where choice comes in. I need to have friends before I can be a bearer to any one of you.”

The mares didn’t respond.

“Well, I don’t choose to have friends.” Dexter pointed a hoof at the group of mares. “So you’re out of luck, I won’t be bearing any of you.”

There was a moment of silence before Honesty tilted her head toward Generosity. “You spoke truthfully when you said he was antisocial.”

“Better luck with your next victim,” Dexter smugly folded his arms.

“He will still be ours.” Loyalty declared to the others.

“Fat chance.”

“Don’t worry Dexter,” Magic replied, grinning once more. “I know you think being a loner is some sort of virtue, and that you will always be able to make do without friends. But sooner or later, you will mature and learn how to socialize. Then you’ll discover friendship.”

“And you’ll love it.” Magic declared, turning away from the colt. The other Elements following her. “Then you will be fair game.”

“Wait!” Dexter called out. “Just one question…” Dexter hesitated for a moment. “Can you send me home?”

“To earth, where the other humans are?” Magic turned her head to look at the colt. The colt nodded. “Under normal circumstances it is within our power to do so, but we will not. Kindness and Generosity refuse to allow it, sending you back will only cause you suffering.”

Confused, the colt tried to ask another question. But he didn’t get the chance, the world around him faded to blackness once more.

---

A dull ache in Dexter’s chest caused the colt to stir, drawing him away from slumber. He felt slightly dizzy, for what reason he didn’t know.  Trying to ignore it, he cracked open his eyes.

Everything was a blur, causing the colt to shake his head before rubbing his temple with a hoof.  Closing his eyes before blinking them open again, he found everything was still a blur.

It didn’t’ take him long to figure out why. “My glasses!” Dexter gasp, feeling his face. His glasses were nowhere to be found, along with his mask and helmet. “No no no! I can’t see without my glasses!”

Dexter began fumbling around, feeling everything he could reach. “How could I have lost my glasses! They were attached to my face!” He felt around, feeling what he could tell was soft bedding. Soon he bumped into a large white blur. It was soft, warm and feathery.

“Rather oddly shaped pillow…” Dexter remarked, concluding he was on a bed.

It wasn’t a pillow.

Celestia couldn’t help but watch the colt, amazed that he was already up and moving.

She was certain he was dead the second after Nightmare Moon launched him through a two foot thick stone column, shattering it. He had been one of the many things she shed tears for in the first hour after Luna’s banishment.  Even when she got around to dragging him out of the pile of stone rubble which buried his form, she fully expected that he’d be as stiff as a board.

That is, until she noticed he was still breathing.

Then began the struggle to heal him of his injuries. Relieved that he was still alive, she noticed he was bleeding from the mouth. She knew he must have been hurt, but her efforts to find out how were hindered by his suit.

Much to her amazement, the suit seemed to directly connect to his body at certain points. It made her fear that she would do more harm than good if she forcibly took it off. Though, with large amounts of careful magic, she was able to safely remove only his helmet and a patch that sat over his broken ribs.

She then spent a few hours using her magic to heal his wounds. Of course, it only took an alicorn of her power a few minutes to mend his ribs such that there was no permanent damage. Though magic could only do so much, and further efforts only produced ever diminishing returns, but she continued anyway.

The truth was, focusing on opening the colt’s suit and healing his wounds was a good distraction. It allowed her to focus on something, allowed her to escape from dwelling on the traumatizing events of the past night, enough that it was bearable.

Though it didn’t stop her from crying the whole time.

Eventually she had to stop, leaving the colt to sleep by her side. She had many questions for him, and she wasn’t going to let him out of her sight.

Now that he was awake, Celestia couldn’t help but notice how he really was a child. If it wasn’t for his size, she might have forgotten he was one.

Soon enough, Dexter had decided to climb over the ‘oddly shaped pillow,’ and was now crawling on Celestia’s back.

She turned her attention to the helmet she had removed, noticing that there were a pair of spectacles inside. She quickly removed them with her magic, placing them on the colt’s nose.

“My glasses!” Dexter cheered as the world came into focus, finding himself atop Celestia’s back. The alicorn looked back at him, tilting her head.

He quickly realized he was in the princess’s chambers. At least what was left of it. Sunlight streamed into the room through a large hole in a nearby wall.

Celestia didn’t have her regalia, and her coat was still a mess. The streaks under her eyes made it evident that she had been crying a lot.

“Oh crap…” Dexter sighed, causing the mare to tilt her head as she watched the colt.

“Princess?” A knock came from the far side of the room. The newcomer was an elderly stallion with a long beard and an unmistakable wizard’s hat. “Captain Crystal and I would…” His eyes drifted toward the colt as he pressed farther into the room, followed by the captain in question. “Ah, I see you’re awake. You had us worried for a moment.”

“Uhh…” Dexter slowly slid off of Celestia’s back before taking a few hesitant steps away from her. However, he was quickly pulled back to her side by an aura of golden magic.

“You have no need to be afraid, little one.” Celestia said in a comforting tone before she wrapped a wing around the colt. Despite the gesture, Dexter was sure it was meant to keep him in place rather than anything else. “We’re glad to see that you’re well. Now please, wait a moment.”

“What is it you wish to report, Star Swirl?” Celestia turned toward the elderly stallion.

“I cannot discern why the Elements of Harmony have turned to stone, they’ve become largely inert and unresponsive to magical analysis.” Star Swirl answered. “Nonetheless, they’ve been returned to their pedestals. Though, considering that some of the indoctrinated guards are not accounted for, I didn’t want to risk opening the vault. I raised the pedestals to their position over the vault in the east hall, and placed the Elements there.”

“That will do, Star Swirl.” Celestia replied with a nod. “Thank you.”

“What do you want me to do with Discord?” He asked.

Celestia took a second to think. “It seems that Discord was released by chaos occurring within his vicinity. We should keep his statue in a place that is carefully tended and harmonious, like a garden or a library.”

“I’ll start looking for an appropriate place.” Star Swirl replied before Celestia turned toward Crystal.

“Captain?” Celestia asked. 

“Thankfully, Nightmare Moon had announced my promotion to captain to the rest of her guards through the dreamscape.” Crystal began, glancing at the colt. “Fortunately, she also indoctrinated her guards a little differently than everypony else. They’re programmed to obey orders without question, and disturbingly without regard to morals. Which means they’ll do anything, even obey the order to stop fighting for the eternal night.”

“So, I’ve issued the orders for all of Nightmare Moon’s guards to stand down,” Crystal went on. “They aren’t happy about it, but they are obeying. Most have already been detained by forces loyal to you, Princess Celestia.”

“Thank you captain…” Celestia replied. “We’re fortunate. If the indoctrinated guards chose to continue fighting in Nightmare’s name, we could have had a civil war. You’ve saved many lives.”

Crystal merely nodded in response.

“What about everypony else?” Star Swirl asked. “The majority of ponies that Nightmare indoctrinated were not guards, and she did not  brainwash them into blindly follow orders from a superior. Which means the only one they listen to is Nightmare Moon. Without knowing what Nightmare did to them, or what magic she used, there is little I can do to restore their minds.”

There was a moment of silence before Celestia let out a sigh.

“How is… Clover?” Celestia eventually asked, restraining the regret in her voice.

“Physically she’s fine,” Star Swirl answered in frustration, lashing a hoof forward. “But ever since she accidently fell asleep without her dream catcher…” Star Swirl paused before shaking his head in regret. He looked back up at Celestia. “Nightmare’s banishment seems to have helped; she’s remembering who she really is. But it’s like she has two different personalities.”

“Is she nearby now?” Celestia asked, earning a nod from the stallion. “Bring her here, please.” Star Swirl promptly turned and left. 

By this point, Dexter was hardly paying attention, not entirely hearing the dialogue between Celestia and Crystal which followed. He was busy looking around the room trying to find an escape route.

Unfortunately, the loss of his helmet prevented him from using many of his suit’s systems. It would also prevent his cloak from fully concealing his head. That would make getting away much harder, as he doubted these ponies would just let him walk out of there.

Though he eventually spotted his helmet, and the missing patch from the chest of his suit, on a nearby stand which had amazing survived the destruction.

However, his thoughts were interrupted by Star Swirl returning. He was flanked by two guards and a shackled unicorn mare. The mare in question had a ring on her horn, which Dexter assumed was supposed to prevent her from using magic.

“Clover…” Celestia began, causing the shackled mare to look up.

“Yes, princess?” Clover asked quietly.

“Do you know what has happened to you?” Celestia asked gently.

“I…” Clover hesitated. “When Nightmare was banished… I could feel that she was gone. And then I started to remember. I… I was on my way to Canterlot with Star Swirl when we stopped to rest. I started to read… to pass the time and… I didn’t realize how tired I was. I forgot to get my dream catcher…”

“Clover, do you remember anything about what Nightmare Moon did to you in the dreamscape?” Celestia asked softly. “Did you notice anything that might tell us about the magic she used?”

“Filthy sun-loving BITCH!” Clover lunged toward Celestia, prompting the guards flanking the shackled mare to respond quickly. Clover’s shackles immediately went taut as the magic from one of the unicorn guards threw her to the floor. “I HATE YOU! YOU HAVE NO PLACE IN THE NIGHT! YOU ALL WILL EMBRACE THE NIGHTMARE OR DIE!”

However, after a few moments of struggling, Clover suddenly recoiled before shrinking away.

“I’m… I’m sorry princess!” Streams of tears started leaking from Clover’s eyes.  “I… I can’t control it. I didn’t mean to-“

“Don’t worry, Clover. I understand.” Celestia waved off the guards, who released the mare and allowed her to stand up.

“It's just… I don’t know,” Clover continued to cry. “There’s a part of me who knows how awful all this is…” Clover hesitated, however in those few seconds she went from sobbing to shaking with rage as she glared toward the alicorn. “And then there is a part of me that would gladly watch you and that mud-foal DIE.”

Celestia could hardly look at Clover. This mare had been one of her friends, and to see her in this condition only added to the torrent of emotions she was trying to restrain.

But what surprised Celestia the most was Clover’s use of a tribal slur. Clover had been instrumental at uniting the tribes, and never was one to use such hateful speech.

“I’m sorry princess,” Clover pleaded. “Please help me.”

“I will do everything I can Clover.” Celestia answered. “But I think it is you who will need to help me. You’re one of the few ponies who have the magical knowledge to analyze what Nightmare Moon did to you during indoctrination. We are going to need your insight in figuring out how to undo the magical manipulations she forced upon you.”

“We are going to need your help to cure you and everypony else,” Celestia went on. “But in the meantime, you’ll have to fight this in whatever way you can. I have every confidence in you, Clover.”

Clover meekly nodded before Celestia waved a hoof, signaling the guards to take her away.

Once she had gone, Star Swirl turned back to Celestia. “The best I can summarize is that Nightmare Moon somehow manipulates ponies through amplifying their hate.” He explained. “The exact interactions between emotion and magic are still unknown to me, but it can apparently be used against anypony who has hate.”

“But, Clover’s not the type to hate anypony.” Captain Crystal pointed out, her tone that of a question. “How’d she have the hate to survive indoctrination?”

“She was raised in the unicorn tribe when they still taught their children to hate the other tribes.” Star Swirl speculated, rubbing his beard. “Even though she had spent most of her life fighting hatred and bringing the tribes together, Nightmare must have been able to incite her memory of hatred.”

“That’s all a guess though,” Star Swirl finished. “All we do know is that Nightmare Moon is like a contagious mental disorder, transmittable to those who hate or have ever once hated. That’s what indoctrination really is, Nightmare Moon becoming a part of you just like she did to Luna.”

“Is it… possible that my sister wasn’t the cause of all this?” Celestia asked quietly. “That she was merely a target for… whatever evil Nightmare is… because of her connection to everypony through the dreamscape?”

“I don’t’ know,” Star Swirl shook his head. “That would make sense since Luna would be the perfect conduit for spreading the Nightmare to the world. But without more information, we may never know if she was the source of that evil, or just another victim of it.”

“Whatever the case may be, we need a more immediate solution to dealing with the indoctrinated.” He added.

The four ponies sat in silence for a few moments, all but Dexter deep in thought. However, it was the captain which spoke first.

“We need to cover up what happened here…” Crystal began, earning the attention of the other two adults. The furled brow of disapproval on Celestia prompted the captain to go on. “No, really. Think about it. If word spread about how close Nightmare Moon had come to taking over, it might embolden the remaining indoctrinated who haven’t surrendered.”

Dexter rolled his eyes, of course the changeling in disguise would think up a solution involving deception.

“You mean, lie to everypony?” Celestia frowned, eyeing the other mare.

The room hung in silence for a few moments as Star Swirl visible mulled over Crystal’s suggestion. “I actually agree…” He started, earning a surprised gaze from Celestia. “But not for the same reason. If Nightmare Moon is some sort contagious ‘secondary personality,’ or mental disorder, suppressing knowledge of her may hinder any further spread.”

“But we would have to do more than just cover up what happened here,” Star Swirl went on. “We would have to be proactive about it, preventing ponies from willfully spreading knowledge about her.”   

“It would also stop any foreign power from perceiving us as weakened by Nightmare Moon’s actions…” Crystal pressed. “If they’re told Nightmare Moon’s banishment was a show of strength on your part, rather than a nearly successful uprising, they’d be less inclined to act on our current vulnerability.   

Celestia sat quietly, reluctantly warming up to the idea. In fact, she could think of a number of ways lying would be to her advantage. With Luna gone, she would have to consolidate power and gather more support to keep Equestria in one piece.

With a sigh Celestia gave a short nod. “Do what is necessary.”

“I’ll modify the anti-scrying spells on the castle,” Star Swirl added. “If any of the indoctrinated come here at a later time and try to view what happened, they’ll see something else.”

“Of course, this might not be necessary if I had more information with which to create a cure for indoctrination.” The wizard’s eyes drifted toward the colt. “And there is somepony here that might have some answers, given that he seems to have a lot of information he shouldn’t.”

“I have no idea what in the world you’re talking about.” Dexter replied without missing a beat, letting loose his denial before Celestia could even turn her head to gaze at him.

“You have no need to be afraid; you can be honest with us.” Celestia pulled him closer with her wing, holding him firmly. “I do not blame you for anything that has happened to Equestria or my sister.”

“But we do need to know what you know,” Celestia finished. “Now please be honest, do you know anything of importance?”

…

“Nope.”

Star Swirl huffed, sounding like a horse. “I see you’re going to be as tight-lipped as you were last time we spoke.”  

---

Celestia and Star Swirl spent half an hour trying to convince Dexter to talk to them, yet his constant and unyielding denials were starting to drive them up a wall. Despite everything that had happened, the colt was still determined to minimize any interference with the timeline. Though at this point he had no way of knowing if the timeline had been preserved or hopelessly altered.

Either way, he was not about to start leaking information the ponies should not have.

But the more he refused to talk, the more Celestia and Star Swirl were convinced he knew something.

“You are the most stubborn child I have ever met.” Celestia sighed in frustration, taking a moment to glance out gigantic hole in the wall. She had a clear view of the forest in the distance, which was bathed in an orange hue as the sun began to set. Thick clouds in the distance hung low, hinting at a coming rain.  

However, Celestia was brought back by Star Swirl stomping the floor with a fore hoof. “Half an hour of trying to get him to talk and we don’t even have his name.” Star Swirl said before shaking his head.  

“Look, it’s not my fault that I have no idea what you’re talking about…” Dexter replied, trying but failing to sound innocent.

“Then why won’t you at least tell us your name?” Celestia challenged.

Dexter merely looked away.

“Listen, young colt.” Star Swirl began sternly. “Clover is like a daughter to me, and every second she is suffering is like a knife in my side. Now I know you know something more about Nightmare Moon, or at the very least you can tell me where you got that prophecy from. I need to know whatever I can, as any small detail about Nightmare Moon could prove useful in undoing her indoctrination magic.”

Dexter could understand where Star Swirl was coming from. But he still felt obligated to keep quiet. That, and keeping quiet proved to be rather easy for the colt. As far as Dexter could tell, he knew nothing that would help Star Swirl or Clover. So spilling his guts would not only be risky to the timeline, but also fruitless.

“I never said anything about a prophecy.” Dexter lied, causing Star Swirl’s jaw to tighten.

“Prophecy?” Celestia raised an eyebrow at Star Swirl. “What prophecy did he speak of?”

“During the first hours of Nightmare’s uprising, he helped Clover and I escape from Nightmare’s guard.” Star Swirl began to explain. “That’s when he spoke of a prophecy which stated that Nightmare was to escape from her imprisonment in a thousand years before bringing about another eternal night.”

“What?” Celestia’s gaze darted between the colt and the wizard. Of course Dexter pretended to be completely oblivious. She wasn’t buying it. “The Elements said the same thing to me just as Luna was banished.”

“A powerful pony who wanted to rule Equestria,” Celestia recited.  “Defeated by the Elements of Harmony and imprisoned in the moon. Legend has it that on the longest day of the thousandth year, the stars will aid in her escape, and she will bring about nighttime eternal.”

“That’s it,” Star Swirl shot an accusatory hoof at the colt. “He said those words exactly, less than an hour after Nightmare Moon attacked!”

“How did you know this prophecy before the Elements gave it to me?” Celestia pulled the colt forward with her magic before lifting him to eye level, firing off questions at him one after another. “Do you know anything else about my sister’s fate? How will the stars aid in her return? Will Luna’s mind survive her banishment? Will Nightmare consume her?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, I never-“

“Please, please don’t lie to me.” Celestia begged, her eyes starting to tear. This subject apparently had more emotional weight than the alicorn expected, threatening to break the composure she was straining to maintain. “I’ve been with my sister for a very, very long time. She is the only one I have. I must know if the prophecy will come true. Will I ever get my sister back?”

“I have to know.” Celestia pressed. “When exactly will she come back? How will she come back? Is there anything I can do to bring her back sooner?”

Celestia hesitated for a moment. “Is she being… tormented by that ‘Nightmare Moon’ thing right now?”

“I’m sorry, but I simply don’t know anything-“ Dexter had hardly uttered his denial when Celestia felt something within her snap. The torrent of emotions she had been hiding flooded back like a tidal wave that crashed over her.

‘DON’T YOU DARE LIE TO ME!” She cried. Her eyes began to glow, reflecting in the tears that streamed down her face. Celestia’s voice boomed to a deafening volume, enhanced to impossible heights by magic. The room itself suddenly became swelteringly hot. “I LOVE MY SISTER MORE THAN ANYTHING. I’VE WATCHED OVER HER FOR THOUSANDS OF YEARS. I WON’T LET SOME STUPID COLT WITHHOLD WHAT I NEED TO BRING HER BACK TO ME!

She began to shake the colt in her tightening magical grasp. “TELL ME WHERE YOU GOT THAT PROPHECY! TELL ME WHAT ELSE YOU KNOW ABOUT MY SISTER! TELL ME HOW TO BRING HER BACK!”

“TELL ME EVERYTHING!”

Her magical grasp suddenly vanished, causing him to fall to the floor. Before he could even get up, another aura dragged him away from the alicorn’s hooves.

Star Swirl’s horn was a light, having broken Celestia’s hold on the colt. However, a green aura belonging to Captain Crystal had dragged him away. It was only then that Celestia had noticed several of her guards had rushed into the room, summoned by the loud commotion.

“Celestia!” Star Swirl protested, but he didn’t need to say anything more. It took a few moments for the anger in Celestia’s gaze to wane, only to be replaced by grief. She hung her head before bringing a hoof to cover her face, tears continuing to pour.

“Get out… all of you…” She declared quietly. “But keep a close eye on him.”

---

“You’ll have to forgive Celestia,” Star Swirl lead the colt into one of the castle’s remaining rooms, escorted by a pair of guards. Luckily the room was intact, but something told Dexter that was meant more to keep him contained than comfortable. “She’s been with her sister longer than any of us have been alive, combined. I can’t even begin to imagine how she feels.”

“I don’t care.” Dexter scoffed, causing the wizard to turn on the colt with a frown. Star Swirl was about to say something before one of the guards spoke up.

“Leave him with me,” It was Captain Crystal who spoke, capturing the attention of both Star Swirl and the colt. “Celestia has ordered us to abandon the castle, we’re relocating to the Canterlot palace. I need you to supervise the packing and move of your workshop as well as the vault, Star Swirl.”

“Just a moment, I want to-” Star Swirl started, looking back at the colt.

“Now, Star Swirl.” Crystal pressed. “Celestia made a big deal saying that she doesn’t want to spend another night in this castle, and it's already sunset. Leave the colt with me, he will keep until you’re finished.”

“Fine,” Star Swirl relented, turning back to the mare. “But collect everything that belongs to this kid. Some of his gadgets are the most sophisticated tools I’ve ever seen, and I’ll want to examine them closer when we get to Canterlot.”

Star Swirl turned to eye the colt once last time, before kneeling down to whisper such that only the colt could hear. “I think you’re from a different time.”

Star Swirl stood back up, or at least tried to. The colt had grabbed his beard, pulling him back down. “Nice try, but that’s not even the half of it.” Before Star Swirl could finish processing the words, the colt pushed him away.    

“Escort Star Swirl to his shop and assist him in any way he requires.” Crystal instructed the guards. They saluted before falling in line behind the old wizard. Star Swirl merely squinted at the colt before leaving.

“Are you okay?” Crystal asked, pulling a nearby trunk toward the colt with her magic. Flicking it open revealed Dexter’s saddlebags, along with rifle and everything else he had brought with him. The only thing that was missing was his helmet and patch of armor missing from his chest.

“I’ll heal just fine,” Dexter answered.

“That’s not what I meant” Crystal replied with a frown. “I’m sensing a lot of emotions from you.”

“Which should be expected,” Crystal shrugged. “You’ve seen many things, and been forced to do many things, that a child shouldn’t.”

“I’ve done this sort of thing before,” Dexter waved her off.

“I take this is everything that’s mine?” Dexter eyed the dream catcher Star Swirl had given him.

“Everything but the helmet,” Crystal nodded. “That’s still with Celestia.”

“Good enough,” Dexter answered. “Other than protecting my head, the helmet was just an interface. And it needs to be attached to my suit to work.”

“So… Celestia won’t be able to use it to…”

“Discover any private secrets you might be concerned about?” Dexter finished for the incognito changeling, packing his saddlebags before slinging them onto his back. It didn’t take him long to put every weapon, device or tool into the right place in his suit. She was right; everything that belonged to him was there. “No, but to be safe, burn the inside of it.”

“Done.” Crystal nodded.

“I could ask why you’re helping me get away…” Dexter said.

“I don’t want them to know what you know anymore than you do.” Crystal explained. “I trust that you’ll hold up to your end of our deal? And that you’ll make sure your friend, whoever she is, honors it as well?”

“Yes,” Dexter answered, turning to lock eyes with the mare. “So long as you behave yourself, I’ll keep your secret.”

“Seems like I still don’t have your trust,” Crystal huffed with a grin. “Just a word of warning, they’ll be hunting you.”

“Let them,” Dexter shrugged. “They will find nothing.”

“I think I’m starting to like you.” Crystal declared. “You have a lot in common with changelings.”  

Crystal watched as the colt replaced a battery pack in his futuristic rifle. It hummed to life as he adjusted a knob on the side.

“I left a hole in the solar guard’s security perimeter, if you take the east hall you should be able to get outside without being spotted.” The mare advised. “There are only two guards watching the bridge, you should be able to stun them with that thing of yours and escape into the forest.” She motioned to the rifle in his hooves. “From there, you’re on your own.”

Dexter stood silently for a few moments. “Thanks, I guess…”

That was the last time anyone would ever see the captain.

---

Night was approaching rapidly, something which Dexter felt was a tiny bit ironic given what he had just been through. Though, the sunlight was quickly dwindling as thick clouds rolled in.

He had made it out of the castle with ease, just as Crystal said he would. Crossing the bridge was a cinch, the two guards watching it didn’t know what hit them. Two shots from his rifle and they dropped, stunned for a few hours.

He had just made it to the tree line, stopping to glance at the remains of the castle in the distance behind him. It gave Dexter the strangest feeling that he had left something behind. He watched for a few moments as rain drops started trickling from the clouds, bouncing off his armor.

He couldn’t place what he was missing, it wasn’t physical. Everything he owned was with him or accounted for.

It was more like something had changed.

He recalled his conversation with the Elements of Harmony. Why would sending him home cause him suffering?

That was a question he’d have to answer when he returned to the future, but it wasn’t what was bothering him. He didn’t realize what it was until he scratched some dried blood off the fur by his mouth.

He’d never look at Equestria the same way again.

He was only a short walk away from returning to the future, but what he really wanted was to return home.