The bar was rustic and old school, with wooden walls and floors. There was a large table in the middle. The other tables located around the bar were simple, as were the cushioned bar stools. The establishment was nonetheless a bit fancier than most. There were a few lights hanging from the dusty ceiling, and posters of events and politician posted on the walls every once and while. Although the lighting was ineffective due to the weak lights and lack of windows, it was meant to be like that to give the bar a country feel. The patrons in the bar were from all over Equestria. Most of them were older ages, there to celebrate or sulk around in alcohol. They were mostly southerners, and the bartenders were no different. However one pony stuck out like a sore thumb.
Crescent Blade, a young strange looking unicorn stallion, drank impatiently, while having Eclipse, a cloaked petite unicorn mare hoofcuffed to him, sat in a bar. He took a look around the bar. He smelt alcohol in the air and saw everything in the bar as clear as day. He took a sip of his drink while looking around.
“Man, I can’t believe I was to arrest this mare. She seems dangerous. I want to know how she learned all that dark magic she was doing. I almost wasn’t able to beat her, but it seems like she wanted to be arrested.” He thought to himself, thinking about the mission he just had to do.
“Well, this sure sucks, doesn’t it, Nightbeam? Looks like our time is up,” she said to the doll she in her hooves, holding it so she could be on eye level with it.
“Oh yes, there is that. She talks to her doll. Great, why are all the cute mares crazy?" Crescent thought to himself. He remembered why he was drinking.. “It doesn’t matter anyway. I gotta wait for my buddies to take her back to prison.”
“Wish I could go home or drink some real liquor, but nnnooo! The spec ops morons chose a bar out of all places.” Crescent sneered, revealing his small fangs. He narrowed his stilted eyes before taking another shot.
“Hey look, a night guard. What a surprise!” someone shouted from behind him. “Finally come out of your deep dark stallion cave, huh?” As he turned around, he saw a middle-aged pegasus pony looking right at him. “And it seems you have a little toy, too! Ha! All you night guards are the same!” He told Crescent, waltzing up to him as if he were a retarded whale on land. “Hot Shot’s the name, so what brought your sorry little ass here?” he spoke , words slurring and spit sloshing out of his mouth. He was obviously drinking way too much.
“I'll have you know that I am a very good night guard. What's it to you, old stallion?” Crescent said, making sure Eclipse stayed in her place.
“Old? Fucker, do I look old to you?” Hot Shot chuckled as he grinned as the light shined on his stubble and a few scars appeared on his face. Crescent could feel the entire bar tense up, waiting for his reply.
Eclipse sat there watching the two stallions size each other up. She sat there after being arrested, just staying in her own thoughts.
“You should cheer them on my little one. It could cause the chaos you need to escape!” a voice in Eclipse’s head told her. She has always heard these voices; they were her only friends. She trusted them more than anypony else.
“Are you going to take that from a night guard Hot Shot? After all, you don’t seem very hot!” she said, with a grin on her face.
“The mare’s right! I ain't gonna take this crap from you.” Somehow the drunk managed to right his stance, assuming a more threatening position. “Fight me, unless you’re chicken, like all other night guards!”
“Why, you little—” Crescent jumped from his chair. “Who are you to talk shit about Equestria’s true defenders?!”
“Ha, you mean your group of arrogant teenagers!” Hot Shot laughed until his red-coated face turned pink. His speech slurred even more.. “Out of all the guards hiding behind the walls, the night guards don’t even come out!”
“Oh, and who could forget the great bravery of the day guard, whose defensive line crumbled within seconds of the Changeling invasion!” Crescent yelled. His long mangy spiked red and blue locks moving from his eyes revealing one to be red and the other gold, making Hot shot look confused.
“First off, is it the drinks in this place or do you have a golden eye?!” Hot slurred, getting spit and alcohol on Crescents face. “Second, that was after I quit, so that's not my fault! If I was there I would’ve beaten the shit outta all those Changelings!”
Eclipse held her doll close with her black hooves as strands of her red and purple mane fell over her dark green eyes as she stared at the two arguing stallions. A plan began to form in her head.
"Use this to your advantage Eclipse, spread the chaos like a forest fire… Then start a real forest fire!" one of the many voices in her head screamed at her.
“No surprise; most day guards run when a real fight starts,” Crescent boasted.
“Yeah, before you get your asses kicked!” a pony in the crowd shouted at Hot Shot.
“I told you once,” Hot Shot growled as he shifted his hooves and wings into an unrecognizable fighting stance, “I’m no day guard; I’m better than that!”
“Say that to my cutie mark in combat!” Crescent Blade lunged at Hot Shot. In the blink of an eye Hot Shot was two hooves to the left from where he was standing a second ago.
“Aww, looks like he’s trying to prove himse—” Hot Shot was interrupted by Crescent’s forehoof, which immediately wiped Hot’s stupid grin off of his face.
“Proven enough, old timer?” Crescent sneered as he stared at Hot.
“Hehe, don’t get too cocky kid.” Hot Shot looked up with a bloody nose. “We’re only just beginni—”
“Shit! It’s the cops!” an old stallion shouted. The bar’s double doors busted wide open to reveal four bat ponies in black matted armor.
“Alright, break it up! You over there!” they shouted, pointing towards Hot Shot. “For assaulting a guard, you are coming with us as well! Crescent, come with us and bring your prisoner with you!” Crescent grabbed Eclipse and the four ponies grabbed Hot Shot and led them to a police carriage. Hot Shot and Crescent Blade just stared as each other before Hot Shot threw him an evil glare. This made Crescent angry.
“Looks like our plan didn’t work, Eclipse. Play it cool for now.” one of her voices told her. They were led to a police-cart with an armed guard inside. He led them both inside the cart. Inside was a small pegasus guard.
“Why the hell do I have to be here. You attacked me because your an asshole.” Hot Shot spat at him.
“That is no way to address a night guard! Show respect! He is a renowned guard you piece of sh—” A red glow surrounded the private, forcing her back to her seat.
“That’s enough, Private Polish,” Crescent growled, making continue to stand her ground. Polish smiled, with a smug look on her face.
“What’s with that look private?” he asked her. However, before he could continue, a something and knocked out the other guard.Crescent made an attempt to catch the falling guard, but felt something cold and blunt wallop him in the back of his head. Falling, he saw Eclipse and Hot Shot mimic the action. He couldn't even shout for aid before his consciousness collapsed into a singularity of darkness.
Eclipse yawned gently as her vision returned.She saw she was nose to nose with Crescent. Her face remained passive, and she simply lay there before yawning again.. Crescent’s fluffy ears twitched as she yawned as his eyes cracked open.
“W-w-what the heck!” Eyes snapping open, he backed away, his cheeks getting tiny hints of red.
“What?” Eclipse looked up at him, confused.
“Why were you so close to me?!” His voice, hoarse, matched the red growing on his cheeks.
“We woke up like that. I was comfortable and didn't feel like moving,” Eclipse said holding Nightbeam to her chest.
“Dammit she’s still cute.” Crescent huffed before grumbling as his blush started to fade. “We were knocked out and wake up in damn cave, and you treat it like a nap?”
“It was a good nap.” She shrugged. “We don’t see the big deal.”
“Well, is everyone ok?” Crescent asked as he regained himself. Eclipse heard some shuffling around and she thought it was Hot Shot waking up.
“Ugh. What happened? Did you do this?!” Hot Shot complained, pointing an accusing hoof at Crescent.
“Well, we were in a police cart, and now we are in a cave. Any more questions?” Eclipse stated sarcastically.
“Eclipse, listen carefully,” another voice said in her head. “I think we are in a bad spot here. However, this could work in our favor.”
“Well, no shit! Of course this is bad!” Eclipse said, talking back to the voice.
“Um…” Hot Shot was about to ask, but Crescent stopped him.
“She was talking to her doll earlier. She has issues, and it’s probably better not to question them now,” he explained.
“Oh.” Hot shot said awkwardly. Silence kicked in for a minute before he continued; “Well, at least someone is willing to stay with her, might as well be you.”
“Um… I appreciate the sentiment, but she’s just a prisoner I was just doing my duty.” Crescent said equally awkward.
“Oh!” Hot shot shuffled his hooves together, not knowing what to do before snickering a bit. “Thought she was a night guard groupie or something.”
“She-she was handcuffed to me!” Crescent's blush returned with a vengeance.
“You seem the possessive type.” Hot shot shrugged and flapped some dust off his wings. Crescent face hoofed.
“Okay. One, fuck you. Two, did you not the hear the part of her being a black mage?!”
Eclipse looked up at Crescent's now cheery red face. “Why is your face red, then?” she asked him, confused.
“Shut up!” he quickly replied.
“The warrior acts like a ten year old accused of having a crush, maybe we can use this immaturity to our advantage.” Another voice, this time female.
“Well, you also don't seem the judgemental type either,” Hot shot stated. Crescent facehoofed hard enough to make a slap sound resound throughout. Just take the compliment, Crescent, he thought, frustrated.
“Hahahahaha, as much as I would love to keep watching I'm afraid we have business to attend to!” The distorted voice of a pony hidden in shadows said chuckling evilly. He then walked out revealing himself to the three. “You all want to know why we brought you here?” He asked them.
“Yeah, what is going on?!” Crescent yelled at the stranger in the cave.
“Hmph!” The stranger turned his back to them walking deeper into the shadows. “Want answers then follow.”
“I think we should follow him." Hot shot said making Crescent growl lowly.
“Are you an idiot!” Eclipse finally got up and got got between the two taller stallions as Crescent snarled at Hot shot.
“No but do you have any other ideas?” Hot shot snapped back at Crescent who just huffed.
"He’s got you there.” Eclipse said sarcastically.
“It's obviously a trap.” Crescent pointed out.
“One we could obviously handle.” Eclipse looked up at Crescent optimistically. “You can handle it right?” Crescent’s concern washed away as he couldn't contain a fanged smile.
“Obviously, just who the hell do you think I am.” Crescent growled happily.
“That book was right about about vespers, always loving a fight.” Eclipse gave a very a tiny smile.
“Does he have speech thing, what’s with all the growling?” Hot shot stretched his wings and took flight with Crescent and Eclipse galloping into the darkness of the cave tunnel Crescent’s eyes naturally able to see through the darkness and Eclipse lighting the way for Hot shot. The three came to a lighted area a large dome area with a pillar moonlight in the center revealing the stranger
“We have been waiting for your help, Crescent Blade. The two ponies with you make a great deal!” He said, walking closer to the ponies.
“So. You want us to join your crew? Not sure how kidnapping us and forcing us into a cave is going to make us cooperate with you. Speak now or I’ll take you down where you stand, you won’t have the drop on me this time!” Eclipse stated, not letting them get the best of her.
“I have heard much about you Eclipse. The last freelance Necromancer and dark magic user. You are also very smart, but have no emotions. You also also carry that doll with you and hear voices. We would love to recruit you!” He said towards her.
“We don’t trust him. He is hiding something.” They all told her.
“I already know that!” She told them, displeased with them.
“I am sorry, but I must decline your offer. I don’t like being kidnapped and thrown into a dark cave.” She told him. There was no anger or sadness in her voice, it just held no tone.
“And what about you?” He asked, looking at Hot Shot.
“Hell no. I have better things to do with my time!” He shouted angrily.
“And I have a job to do. So can we be on our way?” Crescent added.
“That's too bad, I was hoping this could’ve been easier.” He said. Before anything else could occur, three new pillars of moonlight showed up around them revealing three armors kept in the the air by chains one a rough black and gold chrome a second chrome purple with sickly green chain mail and another a glowing shining fiery red.
“The hell?” Crescent unable to look away from the demonic helm staring right at him with white glassy glowing orbs. It looked like a wolf from hell with chrome golden ears and highlights the black metal looking coarse enough that it had been forged from the prison cells of tartarus.
“We have so much to offer you, please this is your last chance reconsider,” the Stranger said sounding more and more like a cheap carriage salesman. “I hope you do just imagine what we can do for you.”
“You think some fancy armor can sway me.” Hot shot not able to tear his eyes away from the wing armor that ended with polished gleaming blades.
“Armor isn't my thing.” Eclipse said with a shrug paying no mind to the glowing glare of the purple wolf helm with rune covered demon horns. Crescent then took a look at his armor, which was the thickest out of all of them. It also seemed to be able to protect against almost all forms of physical attacks, parts of the armor seemed to move and twitch as if it were alive.
“Do you think that some fancy armor is enough to buy my loyalty over Equestria? Clearly you haven’t thought this through! You haven't told me once what you can offer me besides some armor.” Crescent told the pony.
“So, none of you like our gifts? Well, that isn’t nice, we made them all for you.” The pony explained.
“Eclipse, this armor, seems to have something....dark about it......, dark, even for us.” Another voice told her.
“I won’t fall for any your tricks.” Eclipse said, pointing her hoof towards the armor.
“You and those voices need to learn when to shut up.” The pony told them. More ponies appeared to hold them down.
“At least let us explain our true goals, and you will see them!” The pony perched as more ponies came out from the darkness to come and hold them down. Eclipse lit up her horn her eyes searching for the first target.
“Back off!” Crescent yelled his horn alight red as he threw the pony off of himself with his magic into the one on top of Hot Shot. Now free he cast a spell conjuring two magical swords. He got onto on his hind hooves and gripped the swords.“Air superiority now!”
“Don’t need to tell me twice!” He shot up into the air some of the shadowed ponies spreading their wings and following him. Hot shot managed to reach the top of the dome rock ceiling and kicked off it with enough speed sending him towards the strangers with a trail of friction sparks and enough force to make his hooves feel like a brick as they connected with the other pegasuse's face.
“Come and get me!” Crescent yelled as he slashed a shadowed pony across the chest trying his best not to slash too deep.
“Enough, you will obey use vesper!” Crescent’s entire body glowed several colors as several unicorns used their telekinesis to try and hold Crescent down. As his legs started to buckle he looked back to the five shadowed unicorns horns glowing in unison and his eyes widen as coarse black chains started to slither like snakes towards him.
“Sigh.” Under one of the unicorns arose glowing green ethereal tendrils ensnared him and swung him around like ragdolls into the other the unicorns. In a flash Eclipse appeared in front of them her eyes and horn glowing green.
“Over here you witch!” in response he was set aflame with green hellfire.
“You owe me.” Eclipse said towards Crescent. Crescent looked around the room. The leader figure from before seemed to have vanished among the chaos, and they were outnumbered by an impressive force. He turned to his impromptu friends.
“We need to find a way out of here!” He yelled taking a swing at a unicorn who charged him.
“Agreed!” Eclipse yelled back scanning the room for an opening.
Hot Shot cracked two of the cultist’s skulls together. “Well it would be rude not to accept their kind gifts wouldn’t it?” Hot Shot flew towards his armor dodging a spell fired from one of the unicorn cultists.
“That is a bad idea.” Eclipse said flatly. “That armor is clearly enchanted with dark magic, and I know dark magic.” More cultists seemed to appear from the shadows, and Eclipse couldn’t see a unguarded exit.
“I can’t find an escape route!” Eclipse yelled to her comrades.
Crescent ran to his armor. “If we can’t find one, we’ll make one!” Eclipse didn’t like the thought of getting in the armor, but knew they couldn’t very well fight them all without the armor on.
“Fine,” Eclipse reluctantly agreed.
“Besides what’s the worst that could happen.” He reached out for the armor, but before he could grab the helmet chains shot out from the armor wrapping around his foreleg.
“The heck!” He yelled as more red chains wrapped around his legs and wings.
“Hot shot!” Crescent yelled before black coarse chains wrapped around his forelegs dragging him towards his armor. Crescent managed to cut one of his legs free only for another chain to wrap around his neck strangling him making him gasp and losing the spell his swords disappearing. As chains started to wrap around her legs Eclipse’s legs she realized she didn’t have a spell to stop the armor. She stopped resisting the armor’s force knowing it would make the experience less painful.
“What’s happening!” Hot shot yelled as gauntlets with bladed hoof guards were forced onto his legs the metal shifting in size to fit perfectly to his body. A painful scream erupted from Hot shot as chains painfully straightened his wings and legs as the chains dragged the red metal plates onto his body his feathers painfully strapped to the blades of his wing armor.
Crescent screamed in agony, a bat like shriek that made some of the cultist cover their ears in pain. The fanged lower metal jaw was forced onto him silencing his pained shrieks. The wind was knocked out of him as the breastplate smashed into his chest and closed the plate covering his back smashing into him, he was forced to his hooves by the chains his hind legs enclosed by the armor even his tail covered by segmented armor with a small blade at the end.
Unlike the others Eclipse did not the fight the armor, she knew there would be no resisting it once it latched on. There was no escaping its embrace, the chain mail wrapped around her like a blanket and shrunk to fit her petite body, small chains ripping from it attaching to the plates bringing them closer to her the clawed metal boots fitting like a sock to her legs the light plates gently attaching to her chest and back.
“Get it off!” Hot shot flapped his now bladed wings wildly scraping and cutting into the stone ceiling. Despite his resistance the armor found no hindrance attaching itself to Hot shot.
“Somepony hel-.” just like Crescent he was silenced by by the red jaw of the helmet enclosing on his own jaw before the chains held him taught. His eyes widened as all he could see was the the inside of the helmet coming closer and closer to his face.
Crescent rasped and wheezed being held up by the chains as the golden spiked black pauldrons were lowered on his shoulders, the chains on his back trans-morphing into a tattered black leather cape and similarly small chains dangling from Eclipse’s rear and under her shoulders turned into rune covered cloth in the style of mage robes.
“Just stop fighting, it just unnecessary pain.” Eclipse looked letting the helmet slip on over her it's enchantments letting her horn in without a hole or horn sheath. Her mumbled voice quivered with pity. “Please just do it.”
The chains holding them completely still their resistance defeated the helmets were lowered on on to their heads masking their faces.
“The conjunction is complete!” One of the Shadowed ponies yelled in triumphant.
“We’ve done it brothers and sisters!” Another shouted this shadow pony standing in front of Crescent. “We have knighted three new slaves for our order this is a day of triump-”
The shadowed pony stopped as he looked upon the tiny skull ornament on the chestplate right under Crescent’s neck. He couldn't look away from it as its glowed as red as Crescents magic.
“Um something's up with him!?” A shadowy pegasus yelled seeing the blades on Hot shots wings glow orange from heat.
“Master what’s going on?” A shadowy pony asked looking around for their leader as the runes on Eclipse glowed brightly. “Master!?” Crescent’s chains decayed and broke as he grabbed the previously gloating minion by his throat the pure white glare of the helmet punching a hole in his soul.
“Mercy mercy mercy, for the love Celestia mercy!” Crescent could feel the strength of five earth ponies once he was in the armor. The demonic looking armor was clearly enchanted to give the wearer strength and protection without slowing them down. It was perfect for him.
“Whats......happening..to me.” Crescent held out his hoof a volatile red magic gathering in his hoof.
From his wrist a curved sword handle formed. The volatile magic attached to the handle forming a large red curved sabre blade that pulsed and vibrated with power.
Hot Shot could feel a similar feeling, and although less protected his armor have him the strength of Crescent’s armor and the speed of a wonderbolt. Eclipse was the odd one out with her armor. Her armor instead of strength or speed gave her enhanced focus for her spells. The chaos of the battlefield around her was made clear as a sunny day and she could easily focus on any spell she knew unhindered, as well as receiving some additional power to her spells. Once all three were armored, the cultists fled down a tunnel. Giving the group their chance.
“Hey Eclipse,” Hot Shot said. “I found that opening you were looking for.” He said as he took flight.
Eclipse said nothing as she followed. Crescent shortly behind her.
The three trotted down the tunnel. It was dimly lit by torches and about ten feet wide.
“Ha! We showed them! They ran once we took their fancy toys,” Hot Shot said boasting.
Crescent laughed. “Yeah, they fled like cowardly day guards!”
“Quiet,” Eclipse told them. “They may hear us.”
“And to what?” Hot Shot said back. “Run further?” He started laughing but was cut off when he hit an invisible wall. “Hey! What gives!” He shouted has he punched the wall to not avail.
Crescent saw what was happening and backed up, only to find one behind him. “We’re trapped!” He yelled. Figures appeared from the shadows ahead of them.
“You can relax now,” The lead hooded figure said. “No need for senseless violence,” he said stepping from the shadows into the torchlight removing his hood. The Pony was a light yellow with a black mane that had a gold streak. “Don’t waste your energy, I’ve got my best casters keeping the force fields up.”
“Who are you?” Crescent demanded. “Why have you trapped us here? Do you honestly think after all this we’ll join you?”
The pony held up a hoof as to signal for Crescent to stop speaking. “Crescent Blade, a member of the night guards correct?” Crescent nodded and glared.
“My name is Thunderbolt Sentinel,” the pony introduced himself as. “I am the pony in charge of our operations here. I tell what ponies where to go, and take to the field myself if I don’t trust my guard to handle it.”
“So, you’re the cult leader?” Hot Shot questioned.
“No,” Sentinel answered. “I am in charge of many things, but not the cult itself. I am trusted with handling the operations our leader requires of us. Sadly, my soldiers I sent out did not handle things like I had hoped. I asked them to bring you here, and they did so rather thuggish.” He cleared his throat. “Also, the pony I sent in did not explain our goals, but instead merely tried to bribe you with our armor. I will handle things myself in the future.”
Eclipse spoke up. “So what do you want then. Nopony has explained it yet.”
“We want to make Equestria great again. To help rid the government of corruption and put it back on the right path.”
“You’re insane!” Hot Shot yelled. “There’s nothing wrong with the Equestrian government!”
“There isn’t?” Sentinel questioned. “A thousand years ago Luna tried to destroy the world, when she returned she tried to do it again and was given a slap on the hoof and her throne back! How many ponies fulfill their talents and never ascend to royal alicorn status, and then the apprentice of Celestia becomes the first in my lifetime? You can’t say it’s a coincidence.”
“She saved Equestria multiple times,” Hot Shot pointed out.
“With her friends,” Sentinel replied. “Yet she’s the only one. Never did anything alone and took all the glory when it was over.”
Crescent retorted. “Like it fucking matters she’s the princess of small damn town, and why do you even care about the friendship council? Because you’re jealous of what you cannot accomplish.”
Sentinel flinched. “Jealous? Yes, I am I admit it. I trained my whole life to join the royal guard in fulfill my destiny, to be rejected in the end.” He then turned and looked over to Eclipse, who hasn’t said anything.
“What about you Eclipse? I know you don’t feel the same way about the princesses.” Sentinel asked her, hoping to gain her trust.
“Honestly? I hate the princesses. They were never there for me, always calling us a monster.” This was the first time her tone showed any signs of emotion, “However, they rule this world better than anyone else has.”
“Well, since none of you see what I mean, allow me to show you.” Sentinel said, before revealing a large hole in the tunnel. “Please follow me.” He led them through the tunnel, and Eclipse felt more dark magic at work.
“What is with the dark magic?” She asked him. He was taken aback by the question.
“What is the difference between dark and light magic? The use? The cause? We use what we have to to defeat a foe more powerful than we could stand against normally.” He smirked. “You of all ponies should understand the use of magic is defined as good or evil by the caster.” They entered a small room where there was several books, notes, and paintings lying around.
“They tried to hide this from everypony, but we managed to get a hold of this stuff. This shows what they truly think. Take a look for yourself.” Sentinel explained as he pointed out the stuff in the room. They just stared, not believing what they saw.
“This room is full of documents, history books, and other files. The Government kept file of everything it did, but never made it all public. If you wish to read, you’ll find out many things hidden from you before.”
The room was full of bookshelves and boxes lined in alphabetical order. “In here is where we keep the documents they meant to destroy or hide from us all. I urge you to read and decide for yourself in the end what you want to do.” He smirked. “No matter what, it won’t end in violence again.” They decided to take a look around to see what was there. They spent what seemed like several hours in the room looking at documents.
“This, this can’t be right. She only made Twilight an alicorn in order to gain more power.” Crescent said, still trying to understand what they read.
“This doesn’t seem like Celestia at all.” Hot Shot added in. Eclipse could tell something was off with these documents, but wasn’t sure what. They have found things that made Celestia seem tyrannical, and evil, but even she knew those were wrong. Thunderbolt came back in the room again.
“He’s going to come back in this room any second, so listen to me. Let’s take him up on his deal, as I have a feeling we can’t say no. We will work with them willingly until we learn more about what is going on. I think it's the best option.” Eclipse explained to them. She knew there was something off, she has dealt with these kind of things before. They both nodded, understanding what she said.
“So, what do you all think? Still think we are lying. We want to stop this.” He explained to them. The looks on their faces were confused, anger, and a hint of doubt.
“Yes, we will join you.” Eclipse replied. “We see the evil Celestia is, and wish to put a stop to it.”
“Excellent! Follow me then. I will give you missions!” Thunderbolt said in a pleasing tone. They have no idea what they got themselves mixed up in now. They were led out of the room back into the tunnel, where they walked into their new jobs.