Lunar Eclipse: The Rock Opera

by CrowMagnon

Part 8 - Wake Up, Nyx

Lunar Eclipse: The Rock-Opera
by CrowMagnon

Backstage, Fluttershy and Iron Will sat with Twilight and Dewdrop while they all watched the scene playing out. Twilight winced whenever something went off the rails, but Fluttershy was there to reassure her as the fillies and two adults on stage covered for each other. "See? They're doing great! Trust me, ponies love it when you flub a little, as long as you can roll with it. Now, if they were freezing up, that would be bad."

"Well... you are the expert," Twilight conceded, though she still did a full-body clench when Sweetie Belle's bonnet was knocked off. Turning to Dewdrop, she asked the young librarian, "And are you good to go? I mean, if you're still too tired to do the illusions, maybe you should just rest up until the big finale?"

Dewdrop shook her head. "No... no, I'm fine. Watch." Her horn glowed, and as it did so, Iron Will's bulky frame became wreathed in tendrils of writhing shadow. Just as quickly and easily, she turned it off without showing any sign of fatigue. She gave the others a hopeful smile, and the looks on their faces were all she needed to tell that she had pulled it off without any complications. "So don't worry about me. How about you, Mr. Will? Ready to be the bad guy?"

The minotaur flexed, growling menacingly at the ponies. "I was born ready!"

Fluttershy swooned, making a show of falling back, though she flapped her wings at the last second to keep herself from hitting the floor. "Eek, the mighty barbarian is here to ravish us," she purred.

"Just you, 'Princess,'" Iron Will said as he reached down to scoop her up.

They started to lean in toward each other to kiss, but Twilight loudly cleared her throat and stuck a magic barrier between them. Her cheeks flushing slightly, she said, "Sorry, but we need Will for the next scene, and it won't work if you spend the next twenty minutes tongue-wrestling."

Fluttershy giggled and cutely stuck her tongue out at her friend. "Spoilsport. I think it would add whole new dimensions to our characters."

Twilight groaned and put a hoof to her forehead. "Yes... the idea that Princess Celestia was a nymphomaniac who did all of her arch-nemeses."

"Just the hunky ones," Fluttershy insisted, causing Twilight to groan again and shake her head, though Fluttershy grinned and leaned in close. "Oh? What's this? I see a smiiillle~!"

"Sh-shut up," Twilight said, suddenly struggling to suppress the little grin trying to form on her face. "If I'm banished for getting the giggles on stage, I'll make sure you go down with me!"

The pegasus gave Twilight a wing-hug and a friendly nuzzle, silently taking note of how the Ranger was showing signs of progress if she was able to joke about such things instead of assuming the worst and taking it seriously.

That same sense of pride in the unicorn's growing confidence, of course, tempted Fluttershy to tease, "Twilight, are you asking me to run away with you? I'm a married mare!"

Twilight's temporarily whitened cheeks immediately glowed a bright red, forcing Dewdrop and Iron Will to cover their mouths to hide their mirth at the way she reflexively tried to stammer out some sort of denial, only for the words to keep dying in her throat. Finally, she managed to murmur, "You're evil..."

"And I'd get away with it, too, if it weren't for you meddling Rangers," Fluttershy replied with a wink. "Speaking of which, who knew Nocturne was such an actress?"

Twilight turned her attention to the stage, where they were wrapping up their song. "Yeah, she's been practicing her flank off to impress Scootaloo. I even caught her singing under her breath while we were relocating that owlbear last week."

Dewdrop giggled softly. "That must have been one confused owlbear." Giving Iron Will and Twilight each a nod, she added, "Well, looks like the scene's wrapping up, so get ready to break a leg, you two."

-----

On stage, the three Crusaders made their appearance again by poking their heads out from behind a cardboard tree, with Apple Bloom on the bottom and Scootaloo on top. In the middle, Sweetie Belle squeaked, "I'm really, really not sure about this..."

"Come on, we aren't going to take on the whole minotaur army or anything," Scootaloo replied. "We're just going to look around and see where they are."

Apple Bloom nodded. "We'll just scout 'em out. Plus, maybe we'll find somethin' out ta help Nyx in her quest!"

Sweetie Belle reluctantly nodded in agreement. "Okay... but if we see something scary, we run straight home."

With that, the three fillies started sneaking out from behind the tree, only to jump in fright moments later when they heard the clomping of hooves coming their way. Quick as a blink, the trio were back behind the tree and peeking out as Iron Will stomped into view. Stopping about a third of the way across the stage, the armored minotaur shaded his eyes with one hand as he looked ahead. He then turned back and bellowed to an unseen crowd.

"That pony settlement is just a few miles away! Remember, they may act like innocent villagers, but they've been hiding soldiers and weapons there, plotting to sneak into our lands and butcher our cows and calves in their sleep! They are cowards and liars, the lot of them, and deserve no mercy! May Aurox bless us as we bring JUSTICE to this blighted kingdom!"

When the minotaur received the sound of cheers and the clanging applause of metal weapons banging against shields, he turned toward the audience with a fiendish smirk on his face. As he did so, tendrils of shadow appeared around his bulky frame.

"That's right. Eat it up like the cattle you are. Destroy and pillage! Slaughter the 'soldiers' and 'weapon smugglers' down to the last foal. Drive the Sun Princess over the precipice of despair, until she has no choice but to surrender herself to me! When sun and moon are in my thrall, I will no longer have anything to fear. The age of shadow unending will begin! The reign of Eclipse!"

From their hiding spot, the three fillies gasped in shock. "Eclipse?! He's here?!" Scootaloo exclaimed.

"An' with an army o' minotaurs chompin' at the bit ta wipe out everypony," Apple Bloom added.

Sweetie Belle fretfully protested, "But... he's lying to them! We don't have any soldiers or weapons!"

"That won't matter once the fighting starts," Scootaloo retorted. "We've got to go back and warn the town!"

While they spoke, Eclipse's ear perked up as he overheard their chatter. As they focused on their conversation, the shadowy minotaur crept around to the other side of the tree so that when they turned to head back home, they ran right into his armored legs. When they tumbled to the ground and looked up at Eclipse looming over them, they whimpered and scrambled back away from him.

"And where are you going, little spies?" Eclipse asked with a sneer as he reached down to snatch Scootaloo and Apple Bloom up by the scruff of their necks like a couple of kittens. "Are you afraid that I am going to hurt you? Don't fret... I love children. And since I am sure that I can find a use for at least one of you, I would be happy to show you my love. Just as I did for Princess Luna!"

While Apple Bloom and Scootaloo struggled in Eclipse's grip, Sweetie Belle seemed paralyzed. She simply sat back, trembling with terror while Eclipse threatened her friends. As soon as he mentioned Princess Luna, however, the little unicorn threw back her head and screamed at the top of her lungs:

"Nyyyyyyyx! HEEEEEEELP!"

The very next moment, Nyx flew onto the stage from behind Eclipse, throwing herself against his armored back and startling him into dropping the two fillies in his grip. While Apple Bloom and Scootaloo dropped roughly to the floor, Sweetie Belle gasped with delight. "Nyx! How'd you find us?!"

Eclipse growled and swung a backhand at Nyx, but the thestral nimbly dodged the blow and stage-kicked him in the head, sending the shadowy minotaur reeling. "I heard trouble! An army of minotaurs isn't exactly stealthy. Not to these ears, anyway. I was just about to fly back when I heard your scream."

Recovering quickly from the kick, Eclipse let out an angry bellow. Her ears flattening against her head, Nyx helped the fillies get back on their hooves. "In any case, we have to get out of here! Quickly, hold onto me!" As the fillies latched onto her, Nyx took wing and began flapping hard, hovering in place while an offstage fan provided the illusion of flying at high speed.

Likewise, Eclipse gave chase by running in place after them. Though this did have the effect of looking rather silly for those who weren't already fully invested in the scene, the pounding of drums rose up in the background, once again sounding like a furiously pounding heartbeat, added to the tension of the chase. It was soon joined by the whine of a synthesizer as a set-piece in the shape of a cave's mouth was pushed into view.

"Nyx! What are you doing?!" Scootaloo asked as the thestral flew them into the cave. "We can't see! We could be trapped in here!"

"Shhh," Nyx replied as the fan cut out and she set the fillies down. "Trust me, girls. I can't fly fast enough while carrying all three of you, but I can guide you to safety through the blackest darkness. I promise you, in Princess Luna's name, I won't let any harm come to you."

"O-okay..." Sweetie Belle replied, though uncertainty remained in her voice.

Apple Bloom protested, "But we can't jus' hide! Eclipse an' those minotaurs are gonna attack our town! They're gonna kill everypony, just ta make Princess Celestia sad enough that he can possess her, an' then he won't be afraid o' nothin'!"

Nyx turned to look at Apple Bloom in surprise at her words. "Possess Celestia so that it won't have anything to fear? Those were Eclipse's words?"

Apple Bloom nodded vigorously. "Yeah, so we've gotta warn everypony before it's too--"

Nyx cut her off by placing a hoof against her mouth before she could finish, turning her attention toward the cave entrance as the minotaur 'caught up' and approached. Peering inside, Eclipse bellowed, "I know you are in there, ponies! Do you think that darkness is any barrier to me? I am Eclipse! I was born of shadow! You have done nothing but trap yourselves where I can get you any time I want. The only thing that changes is that you will not see me coming!"

Apple Bloom whimpered with fright. "H-he's right! We're trapped, an' he's gonna come in after us! We should make a break for it! He can't catch all of us if we run!"

Just as the little farm filly looked like she was about to bolt, Nyx cut her off by holding her back with her hoof. "Wait here... and follow my lead." As she stepped forward, the three fillies clung to each other for courage.

~~~~~~~~~~~~
Wake up, Nyx
~~~~~~~~~~~~

(Based on "Keep Quiet" by The Protomen)

Nyx:

I hear your threats and your bluster.

I see you standing out there on the threshold of this dark cave.

You have stolen the night from us.

You've put this kingdom in fear

and loudly pounded the dread drums of war.

Played everyone for fools.

I've heard that you cannot be killed.

I've heard that you collect the souls of all those that you've possessed.

All those that you've possessed...

But from where I stand, I do not see that,

for I have dreamed of your coming, shadow spawn, and I know what you are.

I've heard...

(Filles: This shadow) Your shadow

(it extends) it extends

all across (all across)

this kingdom. (this kingdom.)

In my dreams (In her dreams)

the Princess (the Princess)

brought me here to this place. (brought her here.)

To this place.

Even so (Even so)

they told me (They told her)

to give up. ("Wake up, Nyx.")

It may be there's no destiny!

It may be there's no greater plan.

But I'll follow my dreams

to the end of this twisted road we're on.

I'm gonna take back the Princess's soul!

I'm gonna make sure she wakes to a world where you're gone!

I'll make my dream a reality.

Now I know what to do

to make you suffer for your crimes.

You will pay!

I've heard...

(This shadow) Your shadow

(it extends) it extends

all across (all across)

this kingdom. (this kingdom.)

In my dreams (In her dreams)

the Princess (the Princess)

brought me here to this place. (brought her here)

To this place. (to this place.)

So take me!

Take me!

If you even can!

Eclipse growled as the thestral arrogantly taunted it, and made as if to change into the cave to get her. The fillies squeaked in fright and clenched their eyes shut as they hugged each other tighter, but the shadow-possessed minotaur's hooves skidded to a stop before it could cross over into the cave. For a moment, Eclipse's bulky borrowed body overbalanced, and in that moment, Nyx launched herself into action.

Bursting out of the cave with the force of a coiled spring, she flew past Eclipse, then swiftly pulled a hairpin turn and threw all of her weight against the minotaur's back. The fillies screamed and scattered out of the way as Eclipse tumbled forward into the cave. Rather than pick itself up and mount a counter-attack, however, the minotaur roared in what sounded like agony as he began rolling on the floor and crawling toward the exit.

Instead of letting him reach the outside of the cave, however, Nyx landed in front of him and held him from moving forward while the fillies watched with expressions of stunned disbelief.

I see it's true! (This shadow)

Your shadow (it extends)

stretches far. (all across)

But not here! (this kingdom.)

In my dreams (In her dreams)

(the Princess) the Princess brought me here to this place! (brought her here.)

To this place. (To this place.)

(Even so) So get up.

(They told her) Face me!

("Wake up, Nyx.") See all your schemes undone by a mortal! ("Wake up, Nyx.")

Eclipse snarled at the thestral and struggled to push itself up on its hands and knees. With a deep, distorted voice, it retorted against Nyx's bravado.

[Eclipse: My shadow

it extends

all across

this kingdom.

You ponies

cannot run

from my love.]

Though weakened, Eclipse continued to repeat its threat like a mantra to give itself the strength to rise. In response, Nyx twisted around to buck it back, but the minotaur's body still proved to have enough strength to catch her hoof and swing her by her hind leg to throw her deeper into the cave. Breathing heavily, Eclipse rose up onto his hooves and staggered back to the mouth of the cave.

Once out of the darkness, Eclipse stretched his arms out wide and took a deep breath as he regained his strength. Turning back to point menacingly at the ponies, he threatened, "This is not over! Do not forget that I command a legion of minotaurs who will annihilate your puny village and visit horrors you have never even imagined upon you! You will barely live long enough to regret earning the anger of Ecl--"

Before he could finish, there was a flash of light as Sungleam suddenly appeared behind the minotaur and stabbed him through the back with her crystal blade.

With a choked roar, the shadows wreathing Eclipse's minotaur body gradually vanished, and the bovine corpse fell lifelessly to the ground.

"To think that Eclipse itself would be found here. If only that were the end of it," Sungleam bitterly muttered as she sheathed her blade and shone a light from her horn into the cave. "Children, you are safe! Thank providence... My name is Sungleam, Captain of her highness Princess Celestia's Royal Guard! I came to warn your township of the imminent threat, but your families stubbornly refused to evacuate unless I swore upon my honor and mine blade that I would seek you out."

"Thank providence indeed," Nyx replied as she stepped back into view, wincing as she limped on the hind leg Eclipse had swung her by. "You could not have arrived at a better time, Dame Sungleam! We must hurry and get these girls back to their families, but then you must take me to Princess Celestia!"

Sungleam narrowed her eyes as the thestral made her presence known. Warily, she asked, "And who are thou, to so brazenly demand an audience with her highness?"

Nyx grinned back at the white unicorn. "My name is Nyx, Dame Sungleam. And Princess Celestia will want to grant me an audience because I can save her sister. Princess Luna has shown me how to defeat Eclipse once and for all!"

Author's Note:

Behold, more of the hot-blooded awesomeness that is Joe-- I mean, Nyx. I had a little trouble figuring out exactly how to make this scene play out so that it would work, both in the sense of the narrative and to thematically approach the stubborn defiance of the original song. All in all, I think this one turned out well, and I hope you readers agree!

And I'm really looking forward to writing the next one, because next up is my absolute favorite song on the album, even more than The Hounds. Next chapter, we'll be picking up with the Eclipseverse adaptation of Light Up the Night.

Comments

[EvilDustMan]

The 'go down' crack might have been a little much.

[CrowMagnon]

4175037
Hmm... yeah, you're probably right. Wasn't much trouble to edit that line to something else, so I went ahead and did that.

What did you think of the rest of the chapter?

[EvilDustMan]

My first thought, likely because of my over saturation of fantasy novels and combat, was 'there wasn't one instance of "meaty thump" used during the fight scene!' Or that is the general 'goto' for running into someone. Just that there could be more visual and audial language to heighten drama. But again, that's just my literary background showing. Otherwise, it is a good story! I was waiting for the classic grade school play references to come up, and the crusaders delivered.

[CrowMagnon]

4178739 Thanks! I'm so glad to hear you enjoyed it. That reference was completely intentional, by the way.

[RanmaChaos]

Great

[djthomp]

Hmn, so Eclipse's weakness is true darkness? Guess that explains why she (he? it?) went after Luna first. Or does it have a similar weakness against pure light as well?

[CrowMagnon]

4217502
Heh, yep. There was a gap in the world, and somepony had to fill it.

4217509
Thanks, that means I wrote it right.

[Whiteeyes]

Lies! No song is greater tan The Hounds!

[Starlight Nova]

One thousand years ago, long before six young mares took up the Elements of Harmony to save Equestria, the royal sisters faced an insidious foe who threatened to cast his shadow across all the land.

Is this Tirek?

[CrowMagnon]

4245283 Not in this case. The villain of this story is something else.

[Starlight Nova]

4246247 Don't you mean someone? Also, what is the Eclipseverse?

[CrowMagnon]

4249527

Don't you mean someone?

Do I, now?

Also, what is the Eclipseverse?

An AU that I started, though this is only the second story I have in it so far. Basically, instead of Nightmare Moon, Luna ended up in a thousand-year coma because of an entity called Eclipse, and the Mane 6 have different jobs, special talents and Elements.

[ZealousChristian24]

Bravissimo! A great performance, and if Nocturne doesn't get the local equivalent of the Oscars, I'll... Well, I won't eat my hat(it iz a nice hat), but I will be very cross.

And I still wonder about Nopony. Is it the ghost of Eclipse, fallen so low all it can do is haunt public auditoriums and play pranks, or perhaps something more sinister? Only time will tell...