Fight the Night!
A lone figure quietly soared over the royal gardens of the mighty Canterlot Castle, content to waft through the air on its way to its destination. Down below, the lush greens of the garden was spotted with various colors of the expansive flower beds that decorated its surface. From their high tended vantage point, the figure could easily spot the large maze as well as the large sculpture garden that bordered its floral companion. Unfettered however, the figure banked heavily, quickly entering a steep dive toward the area it frequented often.
The figure raced along the top of the well trimmed hedges of the maze, occasionally making a game out of twists and turns the labyrinth had to offer. The fiery orange blur was a stark contrast to the lush greens of the garden, cutting through the area with precision and yet with an almost playful demeanor. Spotting an unusual extra guard patrol along the pathway to the stone statues, the figure's eyes took on a mischievous nature. They did not hear as she entered a quick dive, nor when she unfurled her wings just as she flew over them.
They did however hear the mighty caw she unleashed right above the two unsuspecting day guards. It was more then amusing to watch the guards scatter like foals at her sudden outburst, one diving into a nearby bush as the other teleported above a nearby fountain. Her keen eyes were just able to make out the guard have a watery splashdown as she passed underneath the hedge archway that was the entrance to the statue museum.
Her cheerful smirk seemed to leave her beak as she passed the various statues, the lifeless stone copies of ponies in different poses garnering little attention from the passerby. For she was looking for a particular statue, one that she refused to classify as lifeless. Moving past another sculpture of pony ingenuity, she finally spotted the familiar pedestal that held the statue she visited.
Well, used to hold.
The wind that kept her aloft almost seemed to leave her as she nearly gawked at the empty pedestal, the statue nowhere in sight. Her fiery eyes narrowing, she put on a burst of speed to land directly in front of the stone slab. She ruffled her crimson wings upon her landing, quickly looking around the area with a heated suspicion. Finding nothing around the area holding any clues, she jumped up to rest on the smooth flat top of the pedestal. Sure enough, the statue was gone.
Her friend was gone. Unbeknownst to herself, small flames began to lick across her body while she gazed angrily at the blank stone surface. It was not wise to take away a friend of a Phoenix, Celestia could attest to that.
She turned away from the pedestal and launched herself into the air, heading toward the royal bed chambers with a purpose.
Celestia would know. And when she found out where he was, she would find her friend once again. After all, she could not abandon the one who found her as a hatchling.
"Just a little more....that’s it....c'mon....Now!"
The river's surface became a breeding ground of electricity, large arcs erupting in the area around me as my gauntlet lay submerged underneath the surface. The air rippled with the amount of static pouring away from the powerful bolts. Not a moment later did a large group of fish begin to float to the top of the water, evidently killed my electrical attack. I watched them carefully, making sure they would hit the nets I had set up downstream.
Mr. Bear is going to be extra happy with me today...
It was early morning for my fourth day in Ponyville. The sun had barely begun its rise into the sky when I left Fluttershy's cabin. I knew she wouldn’t be up for at least a few more hours, so I should be safe from her seeing me. No offense, but she was a bit squeamish on the topic of killing fish. Also the fact no one knew my capabilities. So yeah, wanted to keep that under raps.
That sleepless night when Fluttershy took me in gave me a lot of time to think. Among...other things, I made a promise to repay her kindness in full. The best way I knew how was helping her caring for her animals and helping with basic household chores. Despite her protests that she could handle it, I refused, stating I would pull my weight in exchange for her kindness.
Everything was going well that very next morning; I had just finished feeding the chickens in their coup when I encountered a bear. Honest to god grizzly bear. Prowling around Fluttershy's house! That’s when I learned Fluttershy took care of more then just small animals like bunnies and squirrels. She took care of a freaking bear! I was nearly ready to pulverize the guy, thinking he was there to eat her animals, when she had rushed out, stating that she took care of him as well. Then we had to apologize to each other. Him for scaring me and me for scaring him.
I had to apologize to a bear.
It was awkward.
Turns out my host cared for all animals, including meat eaters. She admitted that was the main reason why she was so willing to take me in, as not all ponies took too kindly to that sort of thing. I knew this of course, but keeping my cards hidden was the only thing keeping me relatively safe. Still, I shadowed her for most of the day, helping where I could. It was up to the point where she had to enter town that I left Fluttershy.
Make no mistake; I was still a wanted criminal-
At least in the guards eyes...
-and I had to be ready in case of an attack. I scouted along the perimeter of the town, which surprisingly was more populated then my original thoughts. Letting my inner ninja out, I had weaved through some of the Everfar forest as well as an apple orchard that bordered the town. I had hoped to spot something, a guard, a suspicious looking pony, hell; I wouldn’t be surprised if Celly or Lulu rolled up in full war armor.
Wow. That thought brang back some memories.
"Holy crap, that thing is massive! And that’s mine?” She smirked at my gawking expression, before shaking her head lightly. "Nay, that is our hammer. No, thy hammer is over yonder" She raised her wing, indicating toward the opposite wall. My jaw dropped at the sight. "That. Is. Badass!" She couldn’t help but giggle at my childlike awe.
..Ey...ou...k?
"Celly, with all due respect, I think this is a bad idea". Her expression remained neutral as she gazed over the map before her. "Dost thou doubt our general’s ability? We were unaware of thy military expertise. Pray tell, what plan does thou have?” She may have not meant the bite in her words, but it still stung a little. "I didn’t mean it like that". She sighed, and it seemed her entire body seemed to sag. "Forgive us, we are, how you say, 'stressed out'". I nodded in understanding, before a thought came to mind. "Want me to have a servant bring you some Jasmine tea?” She hadn’t taken her eyes off the map, but they did flick to me momentarily as a small smile crossed her muzzle. "That would be most appreciated"
he....ll.......ooo
"All forces, forward march!" General Tenderhoof yelled in that all too annoying prissy voice. The entire battalion mobilized at once, the clank of armor, the rustle of tarps, and the pound of hooves on dirt. My legs seemed to move automatically, keeping pace with the unicorns ahead of me. For some reason, my armor felt unusually warm in the cool breeze of the night, the wind whipping around the Canterlot horn. The hammer on my back felt usually heavy as well. Maybe it was simply all of it together that I just want used to. I decided to look back toward the top of the mountain, the golden rays of the sun just beginning to crest over its top. I sighed, putting my helm back on before adjusting it. It was going to be a long marc-“
Dude!
I was...caught off guard by the sudden outburst. To say the least. Without even thinking, I powered up my gauntlets before slamming them together with enough force to create a powerful outward blast. Anything near me immediately vacated the area around me, the water itself departing under the force of my shockwave. I barely made out the blur of a grey pegusus spiraling away before he caught himself. His look of shock quickly turned to anger as he flew back toward me.
"What the buck man?! What was that for?" He yelled, looking more then pissed off. My hands twitched slightly at his tone and I could feel by body wanting to enter a battle stance.
"Uh, sorry about that. You just surprised me is all" I tried to explain. He looked at me like I had grown another head.
"Dude" He started, "I’ve been trying to talk to you for 15 minutes now! You were just standing there in the middle of the river like some kind of statue! I thought you had stopped breathing at one point!" He finished by gesturing to me.
It felt like ice water had been dumped on me, maybe it replaced the blood in my veins.
Statue...
I was drifting, wasn’t I? No, impossible. Why would I do that now?!
Statue...
I was. That’s the only explanation. I was goddamn drifting...
"Dude!" The charcoal grey pegusus spoke again, breaking me out of my thoughts once more. "Stop doing that! It’s creeping me out!"
Well I’m sorry you’re uncomfortable, but if you’d been stoned for a thousand years…
“Sorry! I do that sometimes! Don’t worry about it!” I said cheerfully while scratching my head. Well, best I could scratch with my gauntlets.
He wasn’t convinced. Not surprisingly. “Uh-huh, right. Uh, I’m gonna go now” He looked to fly away, and I initially tried to stop him.
“Wait!” I said with far too much urgency. He flinched back at my outstretched hand and I calmed myself before continuing.
“Hey, sorry about the whole throwing you back thing, I’m easily startled. Anyways, I was catching some fish. They should be in some nets downstream. Help yourself to those as an apology” I sheepishly told him.
“Uh, ya cool. Thanks” He said quickly. I think he just wanted to bail. He soon flew into the sky, leaving me alone in the river. I nervously considered the fact I had just blown my cover. Trepidation got the better of me and I headed downstream to retrieve the nets.
Fishing today was over. I might be over.
Relief. That was the word to express how I felt the next few days after my encounter with the gray pegusus. Despite our encounter, I did notice a few fish missing from my nets, and assumed he had accepted my peace offer. Or it could have been an animal, I’m not sure. However, the next day as I walked into town, there was no angry mobs, no guards, no terrified ponies, cept those flower mares. What was up with them?
I had hoped he hadn’t spread our little exchange around and for all intensive purposes, it seemed so. I wished I could thank him. Him keeping his mouth shut is all the better for me.
Now as I walked through Ponyville, I even waved at a few ponies, getting return waves as well. Seemed they had begun to adjust to me. As I continued my walk, I saw the various decorations being set up around town. Apparently this time of year the ponies celebrated a night dubbed fantastically so, Nightmare Night. It appeared to be a close cousin of Halloween. Trick or treating, candy, jack o lanterns, the whole shebang.
That’s when it really began to bother me how much I had missed during my…imprisonment. I had hoped to remedy that as I walked toward my destination.
The Ponyville Library. Occupied by none other then the lavender unicorn Twilight Sparkle. Local egghead and avid book reader. She apparently operated the library and lived in it too. Oh! And the library was built into a tree. Did I mention that?
As I caught sight of it in the distance, I couldn’t help but wonder…
How’d I miss that?
It was huge! At least three stories, maybe four. Not to mention well off from a few houses in its own space. I didn’t take too much note of the tree itself, it was a house built into a tree, Yolo.
Ya I said it. Come get me.
As I approached the door, I quickly realized something. Do I knock or what? I mean, it’s a library, but it’s also a perso-ponies home. I decided it was best to simply knock against the thick wood door. The knocks were a bit louder then I wanted but it did the job. The sound of muffled footsteps on stairs was heard, along with a young voice yelling ‘coming!’
Weird, didn’t sound like Twilight.
Seconds later, the door opened to… a small purple and green spined lizard.
We both looked at each other for a moment. I looked down to him, he up to me. I think we were a little shocked to see each other.
“Uh hey” I waved a hand in front of his face.
“Hey” he replied neutrally.
Queue awkward silence.
“Uh…I was wondering if I could check out some books.” I asked. This seemed to snap him out of his surprise.
“Oh. Right. Uh, welcome to the Golden Oaks Library! Uh, Twilight?” He called near the end.
As I stepped in to the library, mindful of the smaller frame, I was surprised to find the walls literally covered in books. The shelves were practically built into the wall. And there were a lot of shelves. In the center of the room lay a small table with a Trojan horse like figure head in its center.
As I gazed around the room, a heard the familiar clip-clop of hooves as the lavender unicorn entered through a nearby doorway.
“Yes Spike? What is-“She was momentarily surprised at me before smiling,” Gaunts! Welcome to the library. Is there anything I can help you with?”
“Yep. I’m looking for some history books. Id like to learn more about Equestria’s history. The last cities I visited didn’t really have that good of libraries” I stated.
She was more then happy to help. “Of course! I have forty-eight history books. Thirteen on the harmonic era. Sixteen on the pre-classical area. Nine on the dark era. Six on the-“
“Uh, perhaps a general history Twilight? Not to be rude, but I don’t think I could read all those” I tried to ask. This seemed to shut down the mare for a moment before she suddenly got a large grin. “You mean, like a lecture?”
The purple lizard suddenly whispered to me. “Dude. Run.”
Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
“That’s great! I can teach you!”
I did not head the warning of the all wise purple lizard, and the heavens themselves fell upon me for my ignorance.
I got lectured. Plain and simple. Pain and simple.
I was in there for hours. HOURS.
Ok. It wasn’t that bad. Actually, it wasn’t bad at all.
Twilight would make an excellent teacher. Minus the pop quizzes of course. I walked away from our meeting with quite the information.
Would I say a productive day? Yes. Would I say I enjoyed the information I learned?
NOT. ONE. FUCKING. BIT.
I was erased. In every sense of the word. I did not exist. They deleted me from history. Pff, history is written by the victor. True fucking story.
My actions were never recorded. What I did? Never recorded. My accomplishments? Never recorded. My victories? Never. Recorded.
I had to resist the urge to scream as Twilight continued her lecture. Even the war was barely grazed over. Like it was nothing.
That was nothing compared to the next bombshell. When I had absent mindedly asked about the Nightmare Night festival between her lectures, she had explained the thing about Nightmare Moon.
I almost lost it then and there.
Luna, little Lulu, had attempted a coup shortly after my imprisonment. Something about not feeling the love from her ponies, and that they enjoyed Celly’s days over her nights. Which was true. Hell, I remember morale falling rapidly as the sun set.
So, in a fit of rage, Luna had attempted to defeat Celly and bring about eternal night.
I was…disturbed to say the least. Not only did she want to kick Celly within an inch of her life, but also create a planet wide holocaust by removing the sun. At one point, she referred herself as Nightmare Moon.
In the end though, Celly used the elements, all of them, and defeated Luna, sealing her on the moon. My heart went out to my old rival. Make no mistake; imprisonment for a 1000 some years was a punishment I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy.
Luna. In some way I did get a sense of satisfaction, karmic justice and crap like that. But in the end, I felt bad for her.
Mostly.
Then the nuke was dropped by Sparkle herself. She was an element bearer. Her friends, Fluttershy included, were element bearers. I nearly bolted at that information, but steeled myself to stay and listen.
Turns out, Luna escaped her prison, and attempted a second coup. Though, she was defeated when the elements of harmony where used on her. Turning her ‘good’ and ridding herself of the nightmares influence.
Long story short, Celly and Luna were reunited and everyone went home happy.
Oh, did I forget that Twilight is Celly’s apprentice or faithful student as she called it? Ya. There’s that. I held a strong dislike for the unicorn by the end of the lecture. She basically worshipped the ground Celly trotted on. I hated it.
She didn’t know the side of her mentor that I knew. To be honest, she hardly knew Celly at all.
I left the library in almost a daze.
That night was sleepless. It truly was. I don’t think I truly absorbed the information till much later. I stared at the ceiling as memories replayed in my head over and over. Then the past blended into this new information. The weight that I had been gone for so long finally crashed down onto me that night. All I worked for, all I did was gone. I had lost everything once again.
As I lay on the couch, I failed to notice the tears streaking down my cheeks.
It was definitely quiet in Fluttershy's cabin tonight. Seems even the animals were turning in early for the night, as the house was almost deathly silent. Not even the crickets were chirping.
Fluttershy took care of those too, in case you’re wondering.
I could see why the mare sitting next to me was so nervous.
Nightmare Night.
It definitely had a...unsettling feeling. Though, despite that feeling, the evening was going pretty well! I mean, it was quiet, peaceful, calm... my kinda night. The fireplace was blazing with a warm and inviting flame that warmed the house nicely, though not to stifling. I was working my way through a history book I checked out form Twilight's Library. Yeah, she made me get a library card too.
Anyways, I had gotten over the...surprise...of being completely erased from their history. Though, that did leave one question unanswered. How did Lyra know about what a human was? How did she get that information?
A boom of thunder in the distance broke me away from the page I was on; Fluttershy was startled as well, as she began to shake lightly. I looked toward the startled pony. "Is that normal tonight?"
She shook her head slightly, that pink mane still hiding her face. "N-no, Rainbow Dash just gathers the clouds tonight to make things...scary" She shivered involuntarily. "She doesn’t usually do thunder...usually..."
I nodded. Dash was a bit of a show-boater, I wouldn’t be surprised if she decided to spice things up a little. I returned my attention back to my book, skimming the page over before finding where my place- a section that was more detailed on the Summer Sun Celebration.
Celly, I swear. Really?!
"...widely believed that Princess Celestia was the original creator to the Summer Sun Celebration, this is actually incorrect. Despite the holiday revolving around the Princess herself, she did not actively participate in its creation. The holiday's original origin occurred in the early stages of the harmonic period, spearheaded by a devout group dedicated to the princess herself. The group was originally small in nature and had festivals to honor Princess Celestia in various cities throughout Equestria. However, the group gained-"
Citizens of Ponyville!
The hell?
My attention immediately left he page as I tried to pinpoint what I just heard. Fluttershy must’ve heard it too; I could see her ears were ramrod straight as they too must have heard the noise. I could hear something muffled in the distance but I was just catching bits and pieces.
"...tiny village...our presence...the real...of the night!"
I couldn’t deny it. That last part came in very clearly. The voice was one I should know anywhere. I took several blasts of it at Royal Canterlot levels before.
Luna.
The princess of the night. The stalker of the shadows. The moon blade. Sister to the sun. My old rival, now sworn enemy. Heh, I had a sworn enemy. Sounds a bit cliché doesn’t it? It didn’t take a genius to guess why she was here. Looks like they finally found me or finally decided to capture me. Though, it would be hard to imprison me while I held one of the element bearers.
I sighed at the thought. No, I wouldn’t do that. Despite what I had done before, I still had morals. Fluttershy didn’t deserve to be brought in on this mess and Ill be damned if I let her. She was too kind for her own good.
"Hey Fluttershy? The backdoor is through the kitchen right?" I asked my pegusus companion. She looked at me quizzically for a moment before she nodded with a 'Mhmhm'.
"Cool" I nodded in appreciation before directing my attention to the door. I already envisioned scores of guards marching on the cottage with Lulu and Celly at their head. Confronting them head on would probably be the best option. The guards weren’t a problem if I kept my distance. If I got swarmed that would be an entirely different situation. However, the royal sisters were my targets. And if they had their armor and weapons...
Fuck. This would be no sparring match.
Instinctively I started to feel uncomfortable in my lazy position on the couch, my body wanting to do anything but remain inactive. I forced the feeling down for the moment though; bolting now would not be in my best option. I could get surrounded in a moment, which was of course if they were heading in a straight path. Hell they could be surrounding the place with pegasi at this very moment!
...
Awww shiiiit.
If that was the case I needed to move. Now. I rolled my shoulders as I stood from the couch. Adjusting my goggles over my eyes, everything took on a nice orange tint. Looking on at the surprised Fluttershy, guilt began to well inside me as I realized I was just strait abandoning her, especially when she said she for a better word, hated being alone on Nightmare Night. Though, if she knew that my very freedom was at stake, I think she would understand.
"Thanks for the hospitality Fluttershy, I won’t forget it" I said, giving her a small wave as I walked to the door.
"Um...your welcome?" Of course she would be confused as to why I was suddenly up and leaving, but I had neither the time nor the want to tell her. I just had grabbed the door handle when fate decided to screw me over again.
"Don’t worry Princess; Fluttershy should be able to help!" I heard the muffled voice of Twilight through the door. She was bringing them right to me! That damn traitor! What should I have expected really?! She was the damn student to Celly, the biggest fucking backstabber in the universe.
Well. This universe anyways. Wherever here is.
In my small bout of anger, I realized I had crushed the door handle in my grip, and before I could pull it away. It happened.
Knock Knock Knock.
Thinkthinkthinkthinkthink
"Uh Fluttershy? It’s me, Twilight!" Twilight spoke behind the door. Out of my peripheral vision, I noticed Fluttershy make her way of the couch, but before she got any farther, I raised my hand in a gesture of 'wait'. She tilted her head at me, looking surprised.
"Gaunts, Its very rude to keep-" She just had to say my name. Could have said anything else. Nope. Had to say my name.
"Gauntlets?!" an all too familiar voice spoke. Or yelled, you choose. I groaned. So much for an escape plan. Screw it! Might as well go out like a boss. Again.
I pushed the door open and stepped out into the dark night.
I would hold nothing back.
Not again.
The surprise amongst the trio varied in several degrees as each gazed among each other.
Twilight Sparkle, the lavender unicorn was easily the most confused and undoubtedly surprised. Somehow, the princess of the night, the recently returned Princess Luna had managed to call out her bipedal companions name almost perfectly. How she knew of him was completely lost to her, though she knew one thing. She did not like him. The anger coming off the princess of the night was almost palpable as the dark alicorn entered a battle stance against the taller biped.
Gaunts, as many had known to call him, was also surprised to see the duo before him. But not in the way many would think. He expected, well...more. Guards, troops, armor, weapons. Yet the only thing that greeted him was a sole unicorn and the princess of the night herself! A thought came to mind.
He liked these odds.
Finally, Princess Luna, the co-ruler of Equestria itself, stood before one of her most heated rivals and well known enemy, the solar golem, the fist of Equestria, the creature that garnered more attention form her sister than herself, the one known as Gaunt. She could not stand him. Now, he stood before her, in one of Equestria's villages, in the villager's home no less!
She would protect her ponies against this corrupting threat. As she entered her stance, her sister's words of parlay were completely forgotten to her. Moving carefully in front of the smaller unicorn, she stood in between her enemy and her little pony.
"Twilight Sparkle, take thy friend and escape quickly. We will stand against this threat" the night alicorn spoke, not taking her eyes off the human. Gaunts, for his part, was looking around suspiciously, though always kept the mare in his peripheral vision.
The lavender unicorn for her part was attempting to catch up to the situation she found herself in, while her princess and the new addition to Ponyville stared down each other. From her position, she could make out the stark pink mane of her friend Fluttershy peaking out from behind her couch, it occasionally twitching in what she assumed was fear. The taller biped finally speaking nearly made her jump in surprise.
"So. Where's everyone else at Luna? Or did you think you could take me alone?" He said, crossing his arms in almost a bored gesture. Twilight noticed immediately that her princess tensed at his voice though she was unsure as to exactly why.
"We do not need to anypony else to take you on fiend. You will fall before us" Luna snarled, already lowering her horn to point directly at his chest as her mane began to blow more rapidly. Unfazed by the preparing attack, the human smiled lightly before shaking his head.
"I suppose you got a point there. After all, you did take on Celly and almost win. Key word almost of course, before she sent your ass to the moon. Am I right, Nightmare Moon?" he emphasized the last part with a smirk and the reaction from Luna was almost instantaneous. She recoiled as if struck and backed up involuntarily, nearly forcing Twilight to retreat as well. In addition, her mane did a complete 180 as it suddenly began to fall below her shoulders. Her entire body seemed to slump as her coat turned a few shades paler.
"H-how?" She asked, her voice losing some of its conviction. "How could thy know? We sealed thou away before our banishment!"
His smirk only widened at her rebuttal as he pretended to look over one of his gauntlets. "Ya, well, you can thank Twilight here for that. I never knew what happened that night when the castle started to get blasted apart and now I know. It’s kind of funny really. I may have been erased from the history books, but at least I’m not remembered as the mare who wanted to doom the world to an eternal night!"
Luna grit her teeth at his words, painful memories of that night returning to her. Her resolve had faltered considerably at the fact that he now knew one of her greatest disappointments in her life and for a better word, was rubbing her face in it. Even more, it appeared her sister’s student, the one who had released her from her insane state, the one who even now helped her, had revealed this information.
Twilight however, finally snapped out of her dumbstruck state as she watched the princess wilt at the verbal assault from the biped. She wanted to help Luna, and by Starswirl himself she would do just that. Taking a shaky step forward, she pointed accusingly at Gaunts.
"Now hold on! Princess Luna is no longer Nightmare Moon! She's a good pony now!" She stated. Despite the words escaping her mouth, most of her thoughts swirled around the information she had heard just now. So many questions joined this influx of knowledge, her scholarly side beginning to demand an answer to these questions.
What was that comment about being erased from history?
Why did Princess Luna and he act like they knew each other?
Wait. Did Luna say sealed away?
No. It couldn’t be. Or could it?
One way to find out.
"Discord!" Twilight explained, her own body conforming into a battle stance. It was in all possibility. Though she and her friends had personally seen to the resealing of the dranconeques, she had also been one to witness his abilities. He may have somehow avoided the attack, allowing him to remain free. But then why did Luna call him Gaunts? Surely she would know if it was the chaos lord himself.
Unsurprisingly, the human's reaction was small, but noticeable. A solitary eyebrow rose as his smirk disappeared from his face.
"What?" He asked dryly. Twilight felt her own stance weaken at her misfire. "Um, you’re Discord?"
His body slowly began to take on a noticeable shake and for a moment, she thought the draconequous was going to pop out where Gaunt once stood. However, she flinched back as he suddenly erupted into boisterous laughter. He held his sides as he lifted his head to the sky, laughing the whole time. She felt her body heat up as she realized he was partially mocking her statement, her embarrassment becoming evident. Luna for her part, was not amused, the night alicorn's resolved returning front and center.
He laughed for a few moments more before it sputtered to a stop. "Oh my god, I haven’t laughed like that in so long" He said, attempting to catch his breath. "Thank you for that Twilight"
Now she was really confused. What in the hay was going on?!
It seemed fate would intervene yet again as a bright pink pony in a well made chicken costume appeared along the path to Flutterhsy's cabin, leading a small group of foals behind her.
"Hey Twilight, have you seen-" the pink party pony suddenly stopped as she took note of the groups occupants, one in particular.
"Nightmare Moon! Everypony run!" she screamed before dashing away with an equally scared group of foals.
The night alicorn quickly attempted to jump to her own defense, almost forgetting about her longtime enemy in favor of calming the terrified children.
"Nay children wait!! We mean, nay children wait!" She raised another hoof forward, only to set it back down as the foals fled away into the distance. Her heart felt a small but noticeable hit as they ran from her. She did not want to be scary. She did not want ponies to fear her. Especially the children. She loved children. Her expression fell as the foals disappeared from sight. Suddenly, her ears perked to the sound of small but noticeable chuckling. The pain in her heart burned away almost instantly as she turned toward its source. The human was chuckling slightly, while shaking his head at the same time.
"Ah, what’s a matter Nightmare Moon? Didn’t get the chance to gobble up some foals?" He laughed, each chuckle adding to her anger.
"Not surprising really. Heck, even back then I think I was more liked then you" Her fur began to stand on end.
"That was of course before you went all psycho bitch on everyone" She began to grind her teeth as she slowly advanced towards him. Each step leaving rather noticeable indentations in the earth.
Twilight, seeing the confrontation growing hostile, had wisely decided to retreat into Fluttershy's cabin before closing the door. The deadbolt locking almost immediately.
"And don’t try blaming it on me. I didn’t corrupt you like I did to all those other ponies" He emphasized with air quotes. "But then again, you probably were already messed up, weren’t you Lulu?" She had had enough of his insults. His mouth had run for far too long.
"Silence!!!!"
She poured magic into her horn as her eyes glowed a brilliant white, evident of the power she was tapping into. Storm clouds appeared in the sky almost instantaneously as she fired off the growing energy in her horn. A massive lighting arc zipped toward the human, cutting through the air like an arrow. However, he charged the bolt, catching the lightning in one of his gauntlets, the electricity racing across the hand in an attempt to bite at its source.
Aiming the same gauntlet at her, he fired it away, hoping to return the attack in kind. Luna was already thinking ahead and avoided the attack in a flash of teleportation. He noticed her disappearance instantly, and reeled in his gauntlet just as she appeared from above, slamming him into the ground with a resounding thud. Before she could pin him, he threw his weight backward, using his gauntlets to throw himself from the ground. Luna nearly squawked in surprise as he swung his arm around, the electric primed fist missing her face my inches. Launching into the air, she quickly gained altitude for another attack.
From below, the human watched the dark alicorn ascend into the sky, though her eyes never left their target. She flapped steadily to keep herself aloft but did not immediate attack. He held his arms up in a battle stance as the alicorn continued to wait. She clearly appeared unsure of her next attack. The thick dark clouds in the sky was an ominous backdrop to the two's battle, even the wind began to pick up in pace.
Suddenly, a smirk came to her face and she fired another powerful spell. But not at the human, rather the ground next to him. The area around the human burst into a shower of dirt and rock. Diving in an arc toward him, she outflanked him easily. Moving into the dirt cloud, she slammed into the biped at full speed, sending both sprawling toward the Everfree forest. She thankfully noted that the battle was taken away from the villager's home.
Landing on her feet as the human tumbled into a nearby tree, she collected herself.
"Submit. Thou hath no traitors to assist thou in this battle. Thou stand no chance" She stated coldly, memories of the original battle between her, Celestia, and the human coming to the forefront of her mind. So many of her ponies turned against them. No matter what her sister said, he corrupted them. She was sure of it.
"Traitors?!" The human suddenly yelled, pulling himself away from the tree," My men weren’t traitors! They wanted to make Equestria better! They sided with me so there children could have a better future! Be they earth pony, pegasi OR unicorn! And I will not dishonor their deaths by surrendering to you!"
He thundered forward, his speed catching Luna off guard for the moment. She attempted to launch into the air once more, but before she could escape, his gauntlets wrapped around her hind legs. Letting out a primal yell, Gaunt threw all his might into slamming the alicorn into the ground. Her scream died in her throat as she impacted the ground, all the air rushing out of her lungs at the traumatic slam down. However, the now enraged human was already on top of her, his right fist primed to deliver a punishing blow. Luna's eyes widened and time seemed to slow down. Just as the fist began to come down, her horn glowed a deep cobalt blue and in a flash, both disappeared from the damaged battlefield.
A deathly silence rained over the area as the sounds of battle all but vanished, though the area was not vacant. From the nearby trees of the Everfree, two cloaked ponies looked on in shock as the two disappeared. However, before the two could figure where the teleportation had ended, a large crash was heard deeper in the Everfree.
The larger of the two quickly turned to his companion. "Go! Alert the order! Tell them we've found him!"
The smaller pony immediately dashed away toward the town of Ponyville. Meanwhile, the other descended into the forest to aid their leader.
I tumbled into the dirt, my direction unknown. I managed to finally slide to a stop, though my stomach was attempting to play catch up.
Teleportation. It just aint right.
I tried to gain my bearings from the teleport and realized Luna had teleported me into the Everfar forest. I had almost yelled in anger that she had gotten away from me when I heard heavy breathing near me. Passing through some thick foliage, I burst into a clearing.
To find a rather exhausted Luna. No doubt she didn’t mean to teleport me as well.
It worked out for me though. My heightened magic resistance could put a serious drain on any unicorn. Luna was no exception to this rule as well. So, that teleport no doubt drained her of some strong reserves.
"Tired Luna? Huh. You must be getting out of shape." I laughed, though my lungs began to burn as I tied to hide my strain. She glowered at me, and entered another battle stance.
"If thou believe us defeated, thou are surely mistaken" She said between breaths, her barrel heaving with each breath. No doubt she was putting on a brave face.
I’m not gonna lie, I wanted to keep my distance for the time being, so I decided to launch my fists at her. Though I did activate my gigawatt gloves to their max power as I did. Nothing like flying electrified metal fists to keep you on the move.
She dodged one after the other as I swung my arms to keep the fists near her. Not only could I control the length of the chain, but the speed and direction as well. She continued to dodge several more attacks, before I decided I wasn’t getting anywhere. Luna visibly relaxed as I retracted my gauntlets, giving her a much needed breather.
We found ourselves in a small standoff that to be honest, shouldn’t have ensued at all. I mean, why give her time to recover? Press my advantage and take her down! Whatever the cause, it didn’t last long as I suddenly heard a whistling behind me.
With just enough time, I ducked. Barely avoiding the two thestral pegasi that wanted to take my head off. They didn’t circle around for another attack, choosing instead to protect Luna.
While one landed in a defensive stance in front of her, the other moved to her side.
“Stand back creature! Don’t you dare make a step toward the Princess!” The thestral hissed, its wings flaring defensively.
Cute.
“Do you really think you guys stand a chance against me? I’m attacking your princess head on, and winning. Run now. Two lives are worth more then one” I told them. My only response was an animalistic hiss from the one guarding Luna. I sighed. I held any soldier and guard in high regard; I know they were just doing their job. Still, I wasn’t finished with Luna.
Sighing once more, I charged toward the trio without pause. I aimed to take the guards first and launched a fist toward the one guarding Luna. If he moved, Luna would get hit. If he didn’t he would.
Win.Win.
True to the guard, he stood his ground and at the last second, I moved my arm so it more slapped him away rather then collide head on with him. The thestral was sent flying into a nearby tree, definitely unconscious from the hit. However, Luna disappeared with the other before I could strike.
So there I was, standing alone in a clearing with a hopefully unconscious night guard. It was eerie to stay the least. It didn’t last long. Several quick attacks hit me in rapid succession, and I nearly dropped to one knee from the sudden onslaught.
Now we were getting serious.
I noted with newfound anger that my shirt was cut in multiple places, small cuts slowly bleeding crimson into my white shirt.
“Thou hath made a grave mistake” Luna’s voice rang out in the clearing. The shadows almost seemed to dance in the pale moonlight of the clearing; no doubt she was in her element in the dark woods.
I tried to scan the clearing, only to find no trace of her. Or the guard. Damn. “Tell us Gauntlets, did thou believe we spent our time on the moon idly? That we did nothing?”
Her voice rang out from almost everywhere.
Several more quick hits struck me and I dropped to one knee, forming a defensive stance with my gauntlets covering most of my front in an impromptu shield.
“We trained! We practiced! Our skills our sharper then ever before! Now, submit!”
I was ready for her this time. As soon as she finished her little speech, I powered my gauntlets to their max strength before slamming them together.
She failed to see it coming. The resounding shockwave knocked her away from her attack and she tumbled into several trees, snapping them apart.
Alicorns. Might as well be fighting the Hulk.
I advanced cautiously at the downed alicorn, mindfully of the guards. Hell, Celly could be out here too. Doubtful though. No way she would let Lulu take this much punishment. Then again, she did banish her to the moon for a thousand years.
Stepping over some fallen trees, I slowly approached the dark alicorn. She was barely standing up, one shaky foreleg propping her up. Her crown was gone, lost somewhere in our battle. Her breastplate was scuffed and damaged. Her silver slippers had lost their shine.
I can’t imagine I looked any better. My back was definitely aching and those cuts stung like hell. Not the worst I’ve been through though.
She glowered at me as I stood before her, my fingers twitching with anticipation.
“Enough Luna. You lost. Surrender” I returned her glare with equal intensity.
“We refuse to let thou win. We shall not surrender” She managed to stand fully, and stood strong against me. I was just about to power up my fists when fate moved against me once more. A small, foot long gold canister flew into the clearing directly between me and Luna. Both of us recoiled in surprise just as the canister opened. It exploded in a cloud of purple smoke.
Holy shit!
Both me and Luna retreated from the cloud just as several more flew into the clearing, resounding hisses and pops as the canisters detonated. It was incredibly hard to avoid the rising thickness of the clouds, and before long, I began to breathe the smoke.
The effect wasn’t instantaneous, but I could feel it beginning to affect me after a few minutes. Some type of tranquilizer if there ever was one. I collapsed to one knee as I caught sight of Luna. She appeared to be fairing no better. I soon was on my hands and knees before collapsing onto the ground. As the smoke continued to enter my body, I shakily lifted my head, spotting several dark figures appearing through the haze. Before I lost consciousness, I used my remaining strength to flip whoever it was the bird.
Worth…it…
The blackness consumed me.
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Gaunts Laugh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Start time 1:07, End time 1:16
5212729 Giggle at the ghosties.
the suspense!!!!!
please update quickly!!
Please don't tell me he's going to raise an army to defeat celestial and luna. I read this because I was intereted in discovering how Gaunts became friends with celestial, and how she ended up betraying him. I would even like to hear about the drifting/Turing back into a statue sub-plot. Bit if this is going to turn into another kill the solar dictator how she's oppressed us for years. Heck I'd even like to see how adjusts back into becoming a good person in society. Please tell me if this is going to be a war cliché so I know if I have to stop reading it now
5213913
I think in the past equestria there was a strong separation between tribes and our protagonist I try to fight the system and celestia and luna did not want to break status quo, for fear of anarchy
celestia said it
he fought for the welfare of Equestria, and apparently, our hero was dearest which Moon
she seems to be jealous of Gaunts
5214447 ya I noticed that part, but there were two ponies that we're saying how there leader is back go get the others. So it stands to reason that not all the soldiers died. So my question is not why, Gaunts wants to fight them, but is Gaunts going to gather his followers and wage war agains the sun and the moon.
5214550 To be clear, Guants doesn't feel Celestia is a tyrant. That goes without saying he still isn't finished with her. The next chapter will hopefully clear up the ending of this chapter and answer an questions you may have.
huh, that was interesting dude.
although i do see some problems in the future if lulu doesn't talk to celly.
Great chapter. Luna's really being a jerk and a hypocrite. Really looking forward to when Twilight and the others find out what the royal sisters did. I know Dash the element of loyalty won't be happy for sure.
Love it
here's a bit of advice from Princess Luna herself! "WE DEMAND THAT THOU DOUTH NOT TAKE TOO LONG 'TO UPDATE'!
Damn. If you wouldn't have said it out loud, I wouldn't have noticed it! That's just how much MLP has influenced my thinking!