Night prowled the hallways with a perpetual scowl. The guards had already learned to avoid the lunar mare as she went. It was with great relief that she declared the castle was clear.
"I told you that," reported Samantha at her side. "He's not anywhere in here."
Night turned to Samantha. "Then where is he?" Her tone was strained and steely-edged. "Can you tell me that?"
Samantha's ears fell a little. "Wherever he went, it's out of range for my usual tracking equipment. I'm sorry..." She glanced left and right. "There must be something we can do better than this though."
Night delivered a withering glare, but she took a slow breath, marshalling herself. "Right... right... Look, we both went to bed in the same room as him. Waking up with him gone? Even when he thinks he's being sneaky, I hear him creeping off. This time, I didn't notice a thing. I woke up and it was like he never was there in the first place." She drove a hoof against the carpet. "What do you expect me to do? Really, tell me."
Samantha moved in and threw her forelegs around Night's neck, hugging her close. "He'll be back, he has to be."
Night jumped a little in surprise, but started to relax bit by bit. It was nice having Samantha around. "Y... You're right, he does. When he does, he's getting an earful."
Samantha tapped her chin with a curious expression. "I want to know where he went that I can't get a reading on him." She smooched Night's cheek and righted herself. "Let's get the foals and all have breakfast. There's no point in moping around." She led the way for a change back to their room to fetch Morning and Clear.
Night shook her head a little as she followed. "You're being the logical one today."
"That's alright. A herd is a tactical unit, is it not?" Samantha peeked over her shoulder. "That means we have to be ready to fill in for each other when an emergency strikes."
A thought suddenly struck Night and she gasped. "Have you seen Nefertari?"
"I have not." Samantha half turned. "Should I check for her?"
"Yes, immediately." Night made a shooing motion. "Go on."
Samantha gave a sharp salute and pulled free her tracking device. She turned it in her magic, twisting a dial. "There we go. Ah, NefNef is in--"
"NefNef?"
Samantha blinked. "I read that shortened nicknames that are easier to pronounce are a sign of affection, so I assigned NefNef to Nefertari. Like it?"
Night put a hoof to her face. "You're too much at times." She moved in and returned the smooch given moments before. "Where is she?"
Samantha did a slow turn in place until she thrust out a hoof. "Thattaway. Gauging from distance and trajectory, she's in day court."
Night snorted softly. "She is an ambassador, that checks out, but... if she's busy in there, that leaves us with an opportunity." Night turned in the hallway leading to their room instead to face Nefertari's door, which wasn't very far away. She marched across the hallway and casually reached a wing to the door. "Not locked..."
Samantha followed hesitantly. "I thought respecting privacy was part of showing affection and understanding?"
Night raised a brow at Samantha. "You really are learning, but this is an exception. She wants to join the herd, remember. Surprise inspections by the alpha mare aren't out of bounds."
"Oh." Samantha relaxed easily, convinced by Night like a flipped trigger. "Should I wait outside?"
"Why don't you get the foals? We still need to go get breakfast, remember?" Night slipped into the room, leaving Samantha to go get the young ones. Inside, Night looked around. The room was mostly as it was furnished by Celestia to begin with, but a few hanging bits of Anugypt art, including an ornate onyx and gold mask of the face of an Anubian rested on the wall across from the bed. It felt largely spartan, the gold excepted.
She slowly walked in, peeking around for traps.
"Hello there," whispered a voice similar to Nefertari's from the air itself. "Aren't you a brave pony, intruding on Nefertari's domain."
Night's fur stood up in a surprised flinch, but she stood her ground. "I figured there was a good chance she had some defense if she would leave her door unlocked. I'm looking for Silver Watch, my husband."
"The bedroom of a female is a curious place to find a lost husband." The voice moved around Night, hovering near an ear. "Warriors have been put to death for smaller crimes. Are you ready to levy such a charge on your wayward husband?"
Night snorted softly. "It's not as cut and dry as that. Nefertari wants to join our herd. Have you seen him?"
"I see nothing, not in the way you imagine. Still, no. There have been no males in my presence, and that is just as well. They disgust me. Walking sprayers, taking pride in their ability to defile females. The creation of the next generation is their only saving grace, and they are only required for a short time for that."
Night gave a slow blink. She had not been expecting such a scathing review of masculinity along the way. "Sorry to hear you feel that way." She turned to depart. "I'll be going now."
"Not so fast." The voice moved through the air, cutting Night's escape off. "You have intruded on Nefertari's domain. You have wronged her and will face your punishment."
"I already told you, she's trying to join our family. Family visiting one another is hardly 'intruding'." Night crouched a little lower, her wings extending a few inches in readiness.
"Trying, but not yet successful. Are you here to deliver good news?" Night was silent a moment. "Then you are intruding. Fortunately for you, you are a female. You may yet be reformed." Dark magic began to swirl in the air and Night jumped back as it lashed at the place she had been standing a moment before. "Accept your punishment. You are guilty by the laws of both our land and your own."
Night darted ahead, trying to get past the voice before it could unleash a fresh bolt, but the voice had some substance to it. As she galloped through the space that held it, a frightful chill encompassed her form. Everything went stiff and she couldn't move any of her limbs. She crashed to the ground with a weak grunt, sliding a few inches with the momentum.
"There we are. Relax and be still. Nefertari will come to deal with you."
A soft knocking came from the door.
"Today will have no rest for me..." The voice moved towards the door. "Your presence is not welcome!"
"NefNef?" came Samantha's voice through the door. "Can you send Night out? I have the foals and we're ready to get something to eat. Why don't you come along too?"
The voice hesitated a moment before whispering in Night's ears, "Your wife is much kinder than you. For her, I will release you, but you are marked and will stand for your crime."
Night spasmed as a sudden fit of pain was felt on her face, but she could move again.
"I am not feeling up for it, but here is Night Watch." The voice lowered as it 'turned' to Night, "Go."
Night staggered to her hooves with an angry snort, but she took the opportunity given and scurried from the room.
Samantha smiled brilliantly on seeing Night emerge, but it turned to some confusion. "Were you exchanging tattoos? That's..." She tilted her head with confusion.
Night blinked at that, then quickly folded a wing back, grabbing a mirror from her pouch and bringing it into view. Strange Anugyptian writing graced her left cheek in angry red and green lettering.
"That's a sign of extreme trust!" Samantha suddenly clopped her hooves together. "Does that mean you've accepted her? Are we all herd-sisters now?"
Night shook her head. "It's not what you think." She tucked away the mirror as she began moving for the exit of the castle. "Can you read it?"
"I never learned Anugyptian, sorry." Samantha tilted her head. "I could try to look it up? Doesn't NefNef know?"
She likely did, but that didn't make Night in any hurry to rush and find out. She led the way free of the castle to find there were two suns out that day. They both blinked in confusion, glancing up towards the glare to see it was lowering towards the ground quickly. They were far from the only ponies gaping at the odd sight. Guards and random ponies watched the light warily, all wondering what it might be.
The ball of light touched down on the ground and gently faded away, revealing Silver sprawled out on his belly, seemingly unconscious. Night rushed for her fallen husband as their foals cooed with delight on seeing their father. He rose as she approached, new wings spreading out wide and bringing her to a stop.
No physical force stopped her. She felt her jaw going limp, taking in her modified husband. Was this a trick, as Fast Change had performed? Why was Silver larger? "Silver, are you alright?" She took a slow step forward.
Samantha held no such reservations or shock and rushed for Silver, trotting around him quickly. "Look at you! Look look! This is... beyond easy description, but it's amazing! Oh wait, I just did describe it."
Silver reached out a hoof, patting Samantha on the head before he shook himself out, regaining his wits. "I'm back."
Night stepped up to Silver. "Back from where?!"
He brought around a feathery wing and gently brushed her cheek. "What's that?" His eyes were on the new mark. "How long was I gone?"
Samantha stuck out her tongue with thought. "Approximately four hours."
"Only four hours?" Silver frowned a little. "Time is funny." He was distracted from the mark, a fact that quietly relieved Night. "I'm glad I didn't keep you all worried for too long." He turned and nuzzled each of his foals in turn. "I'm so glad to be back."
A guard approached and kneeled. "Sir, your majesty... Celestia should be informed immediately."
Silver rose his head to full height. "Ah... you're right. This isn't something I can be very discreet about..." He looked back at his fluffy brown wings. "I have no idea how to care for these..." He already missed the relatively simple leathery wings of his dreams, though the feathery wings were far less intimidating.
Night gestured across his modified form. "You're terribly calm about all of... this."
Silver leaned in to touch noses with her. "I'm screaming on the inside a little, but... I've been here before. You'll be pleased to know we've basically left the dream behind. It's over, mostly..."
Night prodded at him. "Are you alright with this?"
"Alright or not, here we are." He spread his wings out, examining them. "I plan to do it right this time. I accept this responsibility."
Samantha clopped her hooves excitedly. "Oh oh! That means Night and I are technically royalty now, aren't we?"
When every chapter ends on a cliffhanger, they lose their impact. Especially short ones.
Right, he didn't get Luna's blessing this time around. Still. Wonder what his domain would be...
7200675 Just as long as it isn't Typos.
it's our of range - it's out of range
It's no what - It's not what (either that or the time ripples have made Night Watch Scottish )
*****
After all that has happened in the time splinters, Silver's return is almost anticlimactic by comparison. This is not a bad thing, it just means that I anticipate things will begin to get even more complicated and interesting in the next chapter. It's a source of happiness and relief to see that the foals recognize and accept him with no hesitation.
Night Watch has some explaining to do. Her motives were mostly pure bit I suspect Anubian customs are not as forgiving as Equestria's are.
I remain cautiously optimistic, until we see this new branch of the tree bear fruit.
7200708 Considering Starswirl did say his magic syntax was a little... questionable at times it might not be that far off.
Nooooooooooo don't let her see the typo............ too late
Where is our Wingy Silver art? We got bat flappers now we need birdy flappers.
7200673
It's like an infant's punch. No weight behind it.
7200675
Say it with me now.... Silver TARDIS.
7200711
Silver is filled with typos.
Good work with this chapter.
I can't wait to see Princess Celestia and Luna's reaction to silvers becoming an alicorn. they had decided not to join Silver herd. Well this change things? Will it be Know why he became an Alicorn! Lots of things can and well happen in the next chapters. Keep up the good Work you are doing.
Dragonfox
7200709 Typos addressed, as if the royal sisters need more to worry about.
What'd you think of the escapades Night got into while SIlver was away, and Nefertari's new nickname?
7200709
Disfiguring your beta mare in a herd? Er, not sure if Night has a reason now to reject Nefariti from their herd. But the newest elephant in the room is now Silver. Is he getting a promotion from Ambassador to Prince? Would this mean Night is royalty? Would the nobles throw a fit if Sam and NefNef joined Silver's herd? Will he forever after hounded by nobles all but throwing their mares at him in order to get in the royal herd? Twilight already has magic covered so what's his domain? Typos might be a little too meta for the story, heh. Does an alicorn have to have a domain or can they just be their cutiemark? What kind of domain would that be anyway, Syntax, Spell Crafting, Magic Lore?
Oh yeah...
The sleeper has awaken. Ha!
Silver won't be happy that some dark spirit from days long passed decided that branding his mare was a appropriate move.
7200673
7200771
Today's chapter isn't technically a cliffhanger. There is no immediate threat to the protagonist or dramatic encounter that is about to occur as the chapter ends.
I suspect that we're back at the ground floor and the build to the cliffhanger will begin anew.
7200830
It still won't be a cliff hanger if the the chapter isn't even long enough to ramp up.
Really Night? That was strangely irrational, even considering mental state at the time. Does it really press in on her that much?
Hopefully "NefNef" will be distracted enough with her new nickname, but Night's intrusion will be used as collateral somehow, we're almost sure of it!
Keep going! ;)
7200830 Given the amount of Night Watch centered material I'm including her as a protagonist, and given the whole incoming incident with her and Nefertari, I think it's supposed to qualify.
To say nothing of how ponies in general are going to react to Silver, in particular the Sisters whose primary complaint in all of this nonsense was 'It would be improper'. So now Luna's going to go back to flipflopping around like a fish while bemoaning she didn't take the chance while it was on the table, since there's no way in hell any member of the herd other than Silver will accept her after this many aborted attempts.
So I think it's supposed to be one. Then again, with daily updates it's OK the chapters aren't really long enough to build any kind of impact: Because once it's complete, reading through will be like nomming potato crisps (Speaking from experience). Though the only down-side with THAT is that because of all the time / timeline shenannigans it's hard to keep track where you leave off of one of the stories in this series and jump into the others, then jump back.
7200805
In addition to my initial thoughts on Night Watch's predicament, I'm anticipating that Nefertari will use the transgression as leverage, to what end I could not guess, but I speculate that there is a 60% probability it will be to advance her entry into the herd and a 30% chance it will be a favor to call in at another time.
Nefertari seemed to be on the fence as to whether she really wanted to be in the herd, and seemed to find a relationship with a pony to be distasteful. How would she feel about a relationship with an alicorn?
I personally would not wish to be the first to call Nefertari by anything but her full title, but I think that if anyone could get away with it, it would be Samantha.
7200837
I think we're in agreement here?
7200805
On the more emotional side of the chapter, it is very clear just how much Night Watch loves Silver. When he is is danger her normally calm and collected personality gives way to a laser sharp focus that will go anywhere and do whatever is necessary within reason until she is satisfied that he is safe again.
God Damn it! Got to the end of this chapter & automatically tried to click the next one. AWwwwwww have to wait another day again?
(Definitely NOT me by the way, sidenote: So much for the Batpony theory, wrong again.)
and we have the closing of one ark only to open a new bigger one.
now ware will the muse pull the story to?
I keep coming back with stray thoughts.
This pass, I think that Silver will be resistant to any hint of taking on the role of 'Stud of the Land', though it would be a trolling for the history books if Princess Celestia or Luna were to trot that out as a joke.
Nef has some really intresting associated keeping an eye on her personal space.
Maybe theyre even freinds on the other side.
Who just watched Silver up close, and are even more annoyed at such a violation of their beleifs has gained such advancement by the All.
7201544 She's got friends on the other side~
Samantha
7200741 Will you settle for some NefNef art for the moment?
pre13.deviantart.net/e592/th/pre/f/2016/131/2/d/nefertari_by_iamselrahcnoone-da22z23.png
7200805 the only confusing thing about this is why did it take hours? will he see the eldrich horror and you just destroyed the canon, by him just being an oc, he can make by in the shows canon but since he is an alicorn, you just took the world for a turn, now about the alicorn thing, their has not been a born alicorn in known history, only reson flurry heart was born was because an alicorn gave birth to her. after that, in the show twilight only accended because she died, hell thier where burn marks on the ground
7203299 I don't understand what you're saying. Nopony in this story was declared a born alicorn, so how did that even come up? I really don't know what you're saying.
Oh, ha! Gaining alicornhood for fixing one of Starswirl's spells! Well-played.
7221029 umm no... kind of but he died. if he did not die than he would not be an alicorn
Again with the insanity. It's crap like this that really ruins the enjoyment of the story, especially when it's so casually delivered and accepted. Why was is such garbage even remotely necessary in this story?
7477079 You sound angry. That's all I got out of that.
Oh, he's just off being busy, what-with galavanting through changed timelines, and bring dead, and all.
"What!?"
Oh, don't worry; he's only mostly dead.
My only confusion is if stallions can actually become alicorns, because of their different magic matrix. I cannot remember if this is a dream rule or a pre-dream one.