Wow. I actually feel for Nightmare Moon. She is a creature born from the desires of others and because of their lack of resolve to do anything about their desires Nightmare Moon was born with the instinct that she has to achieve whatever goals she has set for herself. Her very nature forces her to do so. It's like she was born with an addiction. Resulting from her need to achieve her goals she wasn't able to feel empathy for anyone, they were all just a means to an end. After being struck with the Elements it seems (at least going off the theory presented here) they sorta healed her. They, at the very least, reduced the need she has been living with her whole life and in its place they allowed her to feel empathy for the first time. Having lived so long though has made adjusting difficult for her because now all of the sudden she is feeling emotions that she never felt before. Her very nature has been altered, more balanced. Even with the Elements help though she can't just forget and override thousands of years worth of behavior. Jeez talk about an identity crisis. I'm loving every second of it. It has been a joy watching Nightmare Moon's character slowly change as she realises and (hopefully) accept these new feelings.

...and then Vinyl gets captured by the humans (or at least is in danger of it). Fuck are they ever going to regret that.

I'm really looking forward to the next chapter. Looks like its going to be an intense one!

~Have a good one.

the more we learn about nightmare moon, the more I hope she doesn't get destroyed by the other alicorns.

Every time I read about Twilight I wince.

All I can see in my head is Nightmare giving her a command to capture any friend she see. AndTwilight plunging the crystals in her legs into her eyes to keep from betraying her friends.

Much like insects, behemoth bugs have small openings on the side of their bodies called spiracles, and they appear to perform the same gas exchange function as our universe's insects.

One more reason they make no sense. The reason that insects do not get bigger than they do is because their lungs literally do not work anymore at that scale. The exchange of oxygen is too inefficient. A bug the size of a dog would suffocate on its own bulk.

7646195 You have to keep in mind that, despite Equestria being Earth, a lot could have changed from what WE know as Earth. In the prehistoric era, bugs could be a lot larger because the oxygen levels in the atmosphere were much, much higher. We don't actually know if the same is true for Equestria, unless Lupine Infernis would confirm that it's the same as our Earth. But the short of it is that, depending on the oxygen levels in this Earth, the behemoth bug's form of respiration would still be horribly inefficient but it would still be possible. Still, that's a helluva lot of spiracles.

Wow. Over the past few weeks I have found a number of really interested stories yours being one of them.

Keep up the good work!

However I am not so sure on this wrinkle with Vinyl.... No it is not a waifu thing. It doesn't even feel off or like it shouldn't have been done.

Maybe I am just attached to the character and how I thought there might be a path where most of the parties have a win. Or at least something better than how it seems.

Odd right?

Also I think I see alot about the differing philosophies. For the greater good, or no compromising for what's right.

I am a bit surprised that the ponies have not fallen on the side of we will find another way to help your species and then you will face justice.

I also see that a bit on Nightmare Moons side. It isn't distracting or out of place really. Besides the world building you have done an amazing job with character development, consistency, pretty much everything.

In any case I am enjoying the story quite a bit and really can't wait to see where it is going.

Not many authors can do that. Please don't abandon this before it's through. So frustrating when that happens.

Not that I am demanding anything at all. You are the author. Just a request.

I wanted to make the bearers immune to the ravages of time so that they would not in prison from age.”

I believe a word is missing
P.S I know this chapter is pretty old but a mistake is a mistake
P.P.S Great story by the way

8214057
Found and addressed. Thank you for pointing that out.

NO!

Vinyl better not die.