Ch. 1: Out of the Oven, Into the Frying Pan

Out of the Oven, Into the Frying Pan

---{Third-person}

What is life after death? Some believe that there isn’t any, and make a point to state that their one life on Earth is all they get. Others believe that a person remains alive as long as someone else remembers them. Then, there are the people that separate potential afterlife locations. They refer to these places as the paradise of “Heaven” and the dreaded fiery pit of “Hell”.

There seems to be a lot of confusion over how the realms of Heaven and Hell work. An idea exists that “good” people go to Heaven while “bad” people go to Hell. However, the real separation is actually much simpler than that. You see, charity and sins aren’t weighed on some scale that causes souls to rise to Heaven or plummet to Hell. The only thing that matters in the end is what that soul chooses to believe before they die.

It doesn’t matter if a person is considered “good” or “bad”. Even the most generous, kind, and self-sacrificing person can end up in Hell if his heart is not in the right place. When one performs actions separately from the will of God, their good works amount to nothing.

Such is the case with this poor, unfortunate soul.

---{Protagonist}

I was unable to breathe, yet I couldn’t faint from being short of breath. I couldn’t see and I couldn’t blink. I walked forward and felt a ground moving beneath me, but it also felt like the air was stationary around me. I was getting nowhere.

Is this what a zombie feels like? I thought.

I almost chuckled at the thought. If the movies were anything to go by, then there was no way that I was a literal zombie. The thought of eating human brains still grossed me out. I was able to question my own existence, which proved that I did exist. Plus, I was still able to feel worried, an emotion that zombies couldn’t imitate even when faced with a shotgun pointed to their heads. Yep, I was still human.

Of course after I discarded that train of thought, another worry quickly took its place.

“Hello?” I mouthed, “Where am I? Is anyone out there?”

Sure, I had tried to say that as loudly as possible. But no matter how much I tried to vocalize, the sound of my voice didn’t even reach my own ears. Lowering my head with an inaudible sigh, I continued walking. I tried to recall what had happened for me to end up in this dark, quiet place.

My name is Dilan Shier, I recalled, I was a medical clerk for five years. Yesterday, I let my best friend convince me to drink more than my usual limit. He made some stupid joke about a sledgehammer. His other pal called a cab. Then…

I stopped walking.

Then I saw the headlights of a Ford.

I would have started breathing heavy if this place didn’t somehow prevent that.

Am I… dead?

I turned around and looked wildly, but it was the same darkness in every direction.

But why this emptiness? I was good! Well, mostly. Shouldn’t I be in Heaven?

I looked down again at the invisible ground.

Was I… not good enough? Were those volunteer hours at Second Harvest and those blood donations not enough to counter my rebellious teen years?

I sat down to cry, but neither a whimper nor a tear left my face.

So this is it then, I figured, There’s nothing I can do but wait in the darkness of Hades until the end of eternity when the Lake of Fire claims me and all the other bad souls.

---{Third-person}

Fate, however, has a wry sense of humor in mind for this man.

---{Protagonist}

“NOOOOOOOO!”

What? I looked up from my dry crying. Where is that scream coming from?

“Hello?” I mouthed, but I still couldn’t hear my own voice.

I looked in the direction of the scream, but I couldn’t see anything. At least, that was the case until an indigo blob of something came rushing in front of me.

Is that a… cloud?

It looked like some kind of gas cloud. Although, it was quickly proven to be a solid object when it slammed right into me and knocked me over. But instead of logically falling to the ground on my side, I was pushed upward so that I was floating just above this solid cloud.

“Ow,” I mouthed.

Okay, maybe it’s not a cloud, I deduced, So what is it?

Then, my eyes opened wide. The not-cloud caught on fire. I didn’t know how or why, but it literally ignited in freaking flames! I wished that was the weirdest thing that happened, but it got even more disturbing. A face appeared in the flames, and it looked like a woman screaming in pain!

My invisible hand moved to cover my mute mouth. I felt like throwing up, but souls of the dead had nothing to heave.

Oh man. Oh gosh, I rambled in horrified thought, Oh gosh. Oh man. Oh my gosh!

It was only mildly comforting that the vision was shrinking in size. Either that or it was somehow getting farther away from me. I almost felt like I was falling. But the direction away from where I thought the floor was made no sense for me to fall.

My eyes were again blinded by empty darkness.

---

Light tried to burn into my eyes.

Wha? I questioned voicelessly.

The darkness moved out of my sight with my eyelids. I could see light reflecting off the ground that I was on. I couldn’t help but smirk at the sight. I never thought I’d be so happy to be nearly blinded by a sunlight glare. I audibly sighed.

I was breathing again. I could hear sounds again, even if it was just a cross-breeze. I could even hear the sound of my own chuckling. I was alive! I chuckled like a little school girl.

“Wait…” I paused. My eyes narrowed to the point that the lids looked like widescreen bars.

I did sound like a girl.

This requires some investigation, I thought.

I felt sore all over, so it was a little taxing to lift my head. I pushed against the ground with my hands before I stood up… and promptly landed on my other side.

Okay, I’m having trouble coordinating balance right now, I observed, Not surprising since I was dead for who knows how long.

This time, I tried pushing just enough so that I would be on my hands and knees. That resulted in significantly less toppling. However, something wasn’t quite right. My back felt parallel to the ground, but my legs felt like they were straightened. I probably would have questioned that if I wasn’t so busy looking at where my hands were supposed to be.

“Uh…” I uttered. (That voice was still too high.)

I didn’t really know what I was looking at. They looked like two black cylinders ending with blue, metallic bracers. I tried lifting my right hand. The braced cylinder on the right rose. I put it back down and lifted my left hand. The cylinder on the left rose. Twisting and bending what felt like my wrist caused similar twists and bends in the cylinder. These cylindrical limbs were mine.

While looking down, I noticed an obtrusion just below my line of sight. I reached up a cylinder-hand to brush the thing away. The resulting pain felt like my nose and mouth had been kicked.

“Ow!” I yelped. I turned my tube-appendage wrist side up so that I could rub the hurting spot on my face. It looked like I was rubbing the obtrusion more than anything.

---{Third-person}

Three… two… one…

---{Dilan Shier}

“This thing is my face,” I gasped, “Wait, but a face this long would mean… I’m some kind of animal?”

I needed a look at the rest of me to be sure.

“Wow, I can turn my head almost all the way a- whaaaaa?” I drawled.

What was more surprising than my neck’s larger circumference of rotation was the rest of the body that I saw. It was black, sleek, and had a weird patch of purple closer to the rear. A longer stare revealed that there was a light blue, crescent-shaped mark inside the purple patch. Further back was something akin to an indigo smoke-cloud, as if flowing out of a creature’s tail bone.

Th-That cloud… I remembered.

---

The impact. The fire. The woman’s face. The silent scream.

---

But, I mentally stammered, what does it mean?

I had no answer. Standing there for a moment longer, I could see more of that cloud substance curling around my head. I reached a cylinder-hand to feel it. It was much softer than the cloud that had hit me in Hell. In fact, it felt like I was touching the hair on my head.

“What does all of this mean?” I asked to no one in particular.

My vocal question had no more of an answer than my thought question. Maybe I was going completely nuts. Acting upon that idea, I tried slamming the underside of my right cylinder against the top of my head.

*Clang!*

Metal? I blinked in confusion. Looking up and around, I could see a blue outline around my line of sight. What is this, some kind of helmet?

Whatever the alleged headgear was, it seemed to be about as hard as whatever adorned my cylinder-hands and cylinder-feet.

Maybe I should stop calling them ‘cylinders’, I thought, I’ve already established that I’m in the body of some kind of four-legged animal. Maybe they’re more like hooves.

Once again, I turned my eyes to look as I raised my right… ‘hoof’.

Though, I’ve never seen a hoof that could imitate a wrist’s bending to such a degree, I noted as I bent it a couple of times.

Okay, this makes absolutely no sense whatsoever. That went without saying. Maybe a look around where I am can give me some clues as to what I am.

It was amazing how little thought I had put into my environment after coming back from the dead. Though, waking up in a body that wasn’t mine probably had something to do with that lack of observation. Better late than never, I figured.

The light glare that had nearly blinded me earlier had come from a piece of broken glass lying on what appeared to be a stone floor. It was a couple feet away from a broken window. Said window broke the monotony of the stone wall around it. It looked like the sun outside was moving down, so that probably meant it was the afternoon in whatever this place was.

The best educated guess I could make was that I was in a building with stone walls, broken windows, and decorative stone pillars that had vines growing over them.

…

“Well, that gets me absolutely nowhere,” I scoffed, though it sounded more like a snort.

“Heh,” I smiled wryly, “That sound is a good indication that I’m some type of horse.”

And the pitch of my voice was a sign that I had lost the key aspect of what I used to be. However, it gave me an idea.

“I am the night,” I whispered, “I am the terror that runs like the wind. I am… Bat Mare!”

The echo was the only audible audience I received for such an amateurish performance.

Okay, Shier, I exhaled, You’ve had your fun, but now it’s time for some serious planning. What are you going to do?

Idly, I took a few steps forward through the long, stony room. Walking was easier than I thought it was going to be.

This place clearly isn’t helping you figure out where and what you are. So, the best solution would probably be getting out of here and finding somebody else to question.

I spotted a staircase at the end of the room and decided to walk over to it.

---

After getting out of the stone building, I found out that it overlooked a cliff area. I spied a bridge a few meters away.

Man-made structures usually pave the way to civilization, I conjectured. So, I went over to the bridge.

The bridge consisted of wooden planks tied by ropes to either end of the drop. I spotted a loose rock and kicked it over the edge. I tried to listen to the impact after the rock passed the layer of fog under the bridge. I didn’t hear a crumble, though.

“Watch your step,” I told myself as I walked along the planks of the bridge.

It sagged a little under my weight and started to wobble a little around the half-way point. On instinct, I reached out two arms to the ropes on either side of me. I breathed a sigh of relief when the wobbling slowed down considerably.

Wait a minute, I thought. When I looked down at the planks, the hooves that should have been my arms were still planted firmly on one wooden plank. What am I holding the ropes with?

Two quick turns of my head to either side revealed a pair of feathered appendages. Each was gripping the ropes in a manner similar to how fingers would. I was so befuddled and dumbstruck.

Wings, I thought, I have flipping wings!

The slowly swaying bridge shook me out of my disbelief.

Right! Cross bridge first. Question anatomy later.

---

I was never afraid of heights, per se. I was afraid of potentially falling from said heights. So by the time I had scampered the rest of the way across the bridge, I was breathing heavily out of relief just as much as I was in exhaustion.

That would’ve been anticlimactic, I thought with a shaky smile, Escaping from Hell just to die from a bridge fall.

I sat my hind quarters down while I caught my breath.

All right. Now that that’s over…

I once again stared at the arm-wings that were spread out on my back. They were the same shade of onyx as the rest of my body. I’m not sure how I flexed and bent some of the larger feathers, but there were clearly nerve signals working in those things. Like the wrist joints in my hooves, they made absolutely no sense.

How does a horse have wings? I wondered, The only time I’ve ever seen a horse with wings was that one page in mythology about the Pegasus.

I let out a huff.

Just more questions. Like, if I flapped these things hard enough, would I actually take…?

At that moment, I noticed that the feeling of being on the ground was disturbingly absent.

“… flight?” I squeaked.

I looked beneath myself. I could see an expanse of green treetops. The path I was on looked a lot smaller. A quick look behind me confirmed that simply flapping my wings enough times was keeping me airborne.

Oh crap! Oh crap! Oh crap! I did not think this through!

That thought somehow activated a folding reflex. My wings snapped close against my sides and I felt a rush of air passing me. Clenching my teeth, I ended up acting on some unknown instinct for the second time today. A feeling of stretching arms led to a much slower descent. I held my wings out a straight and wide as possible.

My trip to the ground was delayed and my body was taking a slight detour. In translation, I was gliding forward. I let out a breath that I had been holding.

“I guess that answers if I can fly,” I remarked, “The answer is ‘kind of’.”

The air passing me from the front felt kind of nice. I could have fallen asleep if I wasn’t holding out my wings for dear life. Still, it seemed like gravity was no longer going to be my executioner. Although, there was one new worry I had.

“How am I supposed to land?”

---{Narrator}

A purple sea serpent was running a comb through his magnificent, orange hair. He had just finished aligning his scales and they shimmered like glitter. Nothing really bothered him in this river, at least not on a regular day.

“Woah!”

“Hmm?” Steven Magnet looked around for the yelp.

What he saw was rather puzzling. It looked kind of like one of those ponies he had met a while back. But when the mare’s hooves touched the ground, they slid underneath her. She tumbled head-over-horseshoes until she eventually plopped into the river with a small splash.

Curious, he stashed his comb away before sliding over to check on the poor darling. He was glad to see her raise her head out of the water, gasping in air. Upon closer examination, he could see the pony’s black body with rather garish adornments on her head, chest, and hooves. Though he cringed a little at the sight, he shook his head and decided the stranger’s overall health was more important at that moment.

“Are you all right, Miss?” he asked politely.

---{Dilan Shier}

I spat out water before regaining some semblance of breathing. Who put that water in my targeted landing zone? I shook my head a bit before standing up. Whatever this body of water was, it was thankfully shallow.

“Are you all right, Miss?”

“Huh?” I snapped my gaze over to the source of the voice. “Woah! A talking water dragon!”

“Actually, I prefer ‘sea serpent’, if you don’t mind,” the water dragon replied in a flamboyant guy’s voice. “You took quite a tumble just now. Are you hurt?”

It’s a giant talking sea serpent, I thought, What am I supposed to make of that? Wait, what did he ask me?

Oh, right! Was anything hurt? I decided to give my body parts a quick once-over via small movements of each.

Let’s see. Front hooves? Check. Hind hooves? Check. Tail? Check. Wings? Check.

“I believe I am okay,” I answered.

“That’s good,” the sea serpent smiled, “It would be a shame to meet a new face that’s been injured.”

“Yeah, that would certainly be,” I chuckled nervously.

I’m actually conversing with it, I thought in disbelief, I’m holding a conversation with a mythological beast of the ocean.

A light bulb clicked on upstairs.

Wait a second. This is another sentient life form in this world. That might mean I can get some answers!

“Listen, um,” I paused, trying to think of the right way to phrase what I was going to say next, “Where exactly are we?”

The sea serpent looked surprised at my question, but he answered all the same.

“We’re in the Everfree Forest, Miss.”

Everfree? I pondered, Never heard of it before.

“Has anything strange been going on around here?” I pitched.

“Well, not until you stopped by,” it- er, he responded, “I don’t think I’ve seen any ponies visit this river since those other six mares came by several months ago.”

Ponies, huh? I echoed, I guess I’m not quite as big as a real horse. Wait… other six?

“Do you know where those other six came from?” I asked, almost feeling guilty for asking so many questions.

“Since they came along that path,” he pointed at the path that continued on the other side of the river, “I’d wager that they trotted over from Ponyville.”

A village just for ponies? I held back a chuckle. That probably would have been more surprising if I wasn’t talking to a giant sea serpent.

“Thank you,” I told him, “I should probably get going now.”

But before I had taken three steps through the water, I was suddenly lifted up by a giant, scaly tail.

“Allow me, Miss.”

I had no objections to the kindness of a stranger, especially when said stranger looked large enough to gobble me up if he was ever angry. I was gently lowered to the dirt on the other side. I shook off some of the water that hung on my hide.

“Thank you again,” I said as I turned around and trotted away.

“No problem,” he insisted, “Take care now!”

---

As the available sunlight grew dimmer, I picked up the pace. I didn’t know a whole lot about this world in which ponies and sea serpents could talk. However, I did know that it wasn’t safe to be lost anywhere late at night. I didn’t want to know what lurked in these woods. Unfortunately, a loud roar decided to show me anyway.

My whole body shook as I slowly turned my eyes to see… the lion.

“Oh… crap,” I muttered.

I thought it was a lion, but its bat-like wings opened up and a scorpion’s tail straightened behind it. My mind was shaking too much for me to draw out the right mythological memory.

A chimera?! I internally screamed, Oh, double crap!

I mustered up the most courageous action that I could take.

I ran.

---{Narrator}

A manticore’s roar interrupted her brew. She sighed as she thought of one more thing she had to do. The zebra resident of the hut in Everfree opened her door to take a look see. She was surprised and opened her eyes wide to the pony being chased by the beast outside. Grabbing her cloak and her pouch of dust, she galloped out to declare the statement that she must.

“Kuwa wamekwenda mnyama mchafu!”

The green smoke produced an illusion of terror and fright. It convinced the manticore to retreat into the night. But the pony she had saved fell faint in trembling. Her adrenaline burst must have caused some mental disassembling. With a huff and a puff and a plop on her back, the zebra carried the stranger into her shack.

---{Dilan Shier}

I didn’t know when or how long I was asleep. But at some point, I woke up. I was in a bed no less. I almost thought that the recent events had been a dream. However, a quick look at my not-hands and the dark muzzle in my lower vision quickly invalidated that theory. Having lost the battle for reality, I looked around the bed I was on.

My surroundings were unfamiliar. It kind of looked like the interior of a house. There were hanging vines and masks around the walls. They kind of reminded me of this one guy’s Jamaican souvenirs. My fascination with the décor was quickly forgotten when I felt something missing. Actually, I was missing a lot of somethings.

I raised a hoof and felt my head without the metallic clang. My black chest was without the armor-like cover. To top it off, all four of my blue hoof bracers were gone. I was completely naked.

Fortunately, it didn’t take long to see all of the pieces of armor about a foot away from the bed. I sighed in relief, though I immediately raised an eyebrow at my own relief.

Why do I even need that stuff? I wondered before thinking, Oh, right. It would be nice to have some kind of protection against monsters like that chimera.

Satisfied with my conclusion, I rolled off the bed. I felt impact with the floor, but I was okay to stand up. I reached over for the helmet, but then paused.

How exactly am I going to grab this? I don’t have fingers.

As if to prove my point, I continued moving my hoof toward the helmet. When contact was made, I lifted up my hoof expecting the helmet to slide back to the floor. To my surprise, I felt something akin to fingers grasping that piece of metal and it lifted in conjunction with my hoof.

What… is this? Are my hooves magnets or something? Weird, but it feels so much like grabbing with hands.

I let out a frustrated sigh.

“The more I find out, the less about this world I understand,” I remarked.

I turned the helmet in my “grasp” so that I could slide it over my head. It briefly caught on something before sliding on snugly.

What was that? I wondered as I felt around for any obstacles above my head.

As it turned out, there was a bone-like protrusion. The sensation was almost chilling. I could feel my hoof with the protrusion just as much as I could feel the protrusion with my hoof.

A horn? I guess that kills my Pegasus theory. But then, what exactly am I?

There were just more questions without answers. Sighing in defeat, I turned my attention to the rest of my outfit. It seemed the other pieces also responded to my “grip”. It made me wonder if phantom phalanges were a thing here. Though, it required a bit more effort to lift and adjust the chest plate. I guess difference of weight still applied for this bizarre form of grabbing.

Four aligned steps later, I had all of my hoof bracers in place and tightly clamped. I felt a bit safer. As usual, however, my mind decided to conjure up a new worry.

Who undressed me in the first place?

The only way out of this bedroom appeared to be by way of an opening covered by an old drapery. I walked in that direction and lifted the curtain. What I saw next made my eyes open in awe.

This second room had shelves aligned with bottles filled with several different liquids. Most of which I had no clue of the true contents. In the center was a bubbling cauldron, like those found in a fairy tale about witches. Sitting off to the side at a circular table was… a black-and-white creature with a Mohawk. The creature was sipping a drink in a coconut half.

It had the stripes and coloration of a zebra, but I had never seen a zebra that looked quite like that before. It paused in its sipping and its eyes looked at me. The silence was so thick that someone could have cut it with a knife.

“Ah, good,” it said with an accented woman’s voice, “You are awake. Might you have a moment I may take?”

She motioned with her free hoof for me to come closer. I gulped before walking over to the table. All the while, I tried to calm my nerves.

Come on, Shier, I thought, You talked to a sea serpent with a mustache and walked away from it. How dangerous can a zebra with a Mohawk be?

Despite my comparative argument, my legs still felt stiff as I eventually arrived at the table. The zebra made another motion with her hoof. I felt compelled to sit down and I did so.

“I did not think we would meet so soon,” she says with a neutral expression, “What brings you back, Nightmare Moon?”

I blinked. “What’s a nightmare moon?”

I wasn’t sure what I had said to cause her to perform a spit take. But the wall to my right was immediately coated with a fresh coat of hot water. Soon, her confused blinking took the opposite pattern to my confused blinking. For a few seconds, she leaned closer and stared. I didn’t like this invasion of personal space.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” I asked with a hint of warning in the womanly voice I had.

Two more seconds passed before she finally leaned back to her original sitting position. She closed her eyes and hummed in thought. I was about to ask her what that was about. Then, she opened her eyes.

“Your soul is visible by the windows called your eyes,” she recited, “Yet unlike hers, yours is one free from deceit and lies.”

I tilted my head, still very much confused. “What?”

“Perhaps the beginning is from where we should start. Introductions are in order so that I may understand your heart.”

“Do you always have to speak in rhyme?” I asked while scratching my neck.

“No,” she answered.

The thick silence returned.

“O…kay, then.” I decided to break the ice first, “I’m Dilan Shier.”

“Zecora is what you may call me,” she responded, “How did you enter Nightmare Moon’s body?”

“You’re saying this body belongs to someone named Nightmare Moon?” I reiterated.

Zecora nodded sagely.

Nightmare Moon, huh? I mulled.

“I don’t know for sure,” I admitted, “That’s what I’ve been trying to figure out ever since I woke up in this world.”

“This world?” she echoed, “Are you saying that you are from another?”

I nodded. “That would just about sum it up, brother.”

My eyes snapped wide open and I held a hoof in front of my mouth.

Did I just finish one of her rhymes with a slang title? I wondered.

Zecora, however, didn’t seem fazed in the slightest. In fact, she was still sitting there as if expecting me to continue. I lowered my hoof and sighed.

“I’m from a world in which humans are the dominant sentient species,” I explained, “At least, that was the world I knew before what I assumed was my death. After that, I wandered through a darkness shrouded plane that I guessed was Hell.”

I looked up at the decorative ceiling.

“Some unknown amount of time later, another presence came flying in and was screaming. A strange force pulled me up as the other presence caught on flames.”

I turned my gaze downward and shivered.

“It was a horrible sight. I would’ve vomited if that were possible in Hell.”

I looked at Zecora again.

“When I woke up, I was in an old stone building and in this body.”

Zecora sat there with her eyes closed. Again, she hummed in thought. I couldn’t tell if she believed me. I knew I couldn’t believe me. This all sounded like someone’s idea of sick humor. Finally, she set her cup down on the table and stood up on all fours.

“I know of many things regarding magic and lore,” she stated, “But your case is one I have never heard before.”

I didn’t need a translator for that rhyme. She didn’t know what I was either. Still, she seemed determined to do something. On one of the shelves, several books rested. She grabbed one in her mouth and walked back toward me. I noticed it had a picture of a unicorn’s head on the cover.

“In these pages covered by a hardback,” she explained, “You’ll find some information that you lack. While the answer you seek is not crystal blue, the tale of Equestria’s heroes might give you a clue.”

She turned the cover with that creepy phantom finger touch. (The one where it looked like there was nothing there, but the object responded as if she were touching it with fingers.) The first page held cursive words that were surprisingly in English. I thought this was going to be in some weird symbolic writing that I wouldn’t be able to read.

Eh, what the heck? I shrugged. I’ve got nothing better to do.

The Mare in the Moon (Updated)

Once upon a time in the magical land of Equestria…

---

And the new bearers used the reconstructed Elements of Harmony to cleanse the malice and hatred, restoring to the world the younger sister and the true Princess of the Night.

I flipped the page, but I was already at the back cover. I had no idea what to make of this story. It seemed so unreal, and yet the details taken into crafting the plot and setting made it believable. The only thing I could really find fault with was the fact that I had no frame of reference to imagine how the song by ‘Pinkie Pie’ went.

“You have many questions,” commented Zecora.

I looked up to see Zecora carrying in a wooden tray with several items on it. She set it down on the table after moving the book slightly out of the way.

“That is good, but right now I think you need some food.”

A grumbling noise vibrated my belly.

My gosh, I thought in whisper, How long has it been since I’ve eaten anything?

Saliva started dripping from my mouth as I looked at the tray in front of me. I didn’t even care that it was all vegetation. With my state of hunger, Zecora probably could have placed liver and onions in front of me and I still would have drooled.

Without a second thought, I dug right into the tray’s contents. A red sliced fruit full of seeds got devoured in a couple seconds. Strips of what felt like cabbage were gone in an instant. Cherry tomatoes were popped in and vanished. A whole apple? Chomp! Gone.

Sooner than I would have liked, the plate was empty. Luckily, my stomach was in the opposite condition. A satisfied burp escaped my lips. I slapped a hoof over my rude mouth.

“Excuse me,” I muttered.

Zecora chuckled at my enthusiasm in eating. I joined her, though only briefly. I still had questions.

“Was that story fiction?” I asked.

“Non-fiction,” Zecora replied while shaking her head, “and an inspiration to us all. For it shows us that true friendship is the power to make evil fall.”

This world consciously seemed impossible. Yet, everything I experienced in it felt just as real as my life on Earth. So if sea serpents could talk, chimeras hunted, and ponies could fly, was it really all that difficult to believe that an intangible concept such as friendship could be used to vanquish the darkness?

Well, kind of, but I was a bit low on counter-arguments at the moment.

“But then where do I fit in?” I asked aloud, “How has Nightmare Moon’s body returned and why am I the one controlling its actions?”

“To help you search for those answers, I will do what I can,” she said while donning a brown cloak, “But to find and reach that goal is one that is up to Dilan.”

I couldn’t believe she found a way to be so cryptic and still rhyme with my name.

How the heck does she do that? I wondered.

“If you are ready to seek a thrill, perhaps you would like to accompany me to Ponyville.”

Ponyville, I echoed, That’s the town that the sea serpent mentioned.

“I suppose that’s as a good a starting point as any,” I nodded. Something else occurred to me, though. “Wait, I look like the bad guy… er, girl. Won’t that attract unwanted attention?”

“It is healthy to acknowledge a warranted fear,” replied Zecora as she opened the door to the outside, “But overcoming it will show greater courage, Shier.”

She did it again! I mentally exclaimed.

She was right, though. Sitting around and being scared of the unknown never helped anyone. It was better to know if I would face shame sooner rather than waiting around for it to bite me in the butt.

“Lead on, Zecora!” I told her as I stood up from my seat.

---

Ch. 2: The Candle That Burns

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The Candle That Burns

---{Narrator}

She couldn’t sleep.

It was the proper hour to do so. Her sister’s sun was already warming up the morning air to just the right, comfortable warmth. She had already taken in a healthy serving of dinner (and the extra sweet that she always swiped from the other plate never gave her stomach any troubles before). Plus, she had already finished a warm cup of straight, black decaf. (Coffee didn’t give her hives like tea did.) She should have already been resting so that she could aid her little ponies’ rest the next night.

Why could she not sleep?

An uncomfortable chill made her hide crawl. An unusual burning sensation ruffled her feathers. She twisted and turned on her personalized bed. But the discomforting temperatures would not leave. She let out a rather un-princess-like grumble and trotted over to the window.

A lark fluttered by and tweeted a greeting. The princess forced a small smile and nodded once in response. Only after the early bird turned around and went on its way did Luna resume her frown of discomfort.

This impending feeling… she thought, I haven’t felt this way since…

She shook her head.

No, that’s impossible. I have already been cleansed of that darkness.

She looked across the landscape in the direction of a small, familiar village.

So then why do I…?

She couldn’t ignore the signs anymore. With a gentle nudge, she magically opened her bedroom door a crack. Even though she couldn’t see them both through the crack, she knew her guards were standing there.

“Spirit Sword, Faith Shield, I am going out for a while,” she declared as she physically shoved her outward-opening window.

It took one second for her to take flight. It took another second for the stallions she had addressed to realize the weight of her words. It only took a half-second more for them to abandon their imitation of the London guards.

“Your Majesty, wait!” exclaimed Spirit Sword as Faith Shield slammed the door open.

But the princess had already flown far away, barely visible from the window.

“What should we do?” asked the confused Faith.

“Follow her of course,” answered his partner.

“But Her Majesty’s previous orders were to always stay…”

“Forget the orders!” exclaimed Spirit, “Her safety is top priority.”

“Hoo boy,” Faith sighed, “Fine, you lead the way. But first, I got to take a leak.”

---{Dilan Shier}

The Everfree Forest was about what I expected from a wooded area. Crooked trees, wild vines, and bushes of thorns were spread out as far as the eye could see. I had Zecora to guide me, but I still felt nervous. If a manticore prowled nearby her place at night, what else did I have to look out for? I needed a distraction.

“So what kind of pony is Nightmare Moon?” I inquired.

“She is the blend of hatred and jealousy,” Zecora replied, “the emotions that led to the night’s treachery.”

“I meant her species,” I clarified.

“Strength of earth, Pegasus flight, and magic unicorn,” she continued without skipping a beat, “These are the physical aspects of an alicorn. Do not touch that plant of blue, unless you want a joke on you.”

Surprised at her change of subject, I barely avoided stepping on a striped, blue plant. I wasn’t a plant specialist, but its shape kind of looked like poison oak. Though, I’ve never seen it in quite that shade of blue before. By joke on me, I assumed Zecora meant a rash. Yeah, I wasn’t really in the mood to deal with nature’s itchiness. I saw some more of the blue poison oak scattered along the sides of the path and stuck as close to Zecora’s trail as possible.

“An alicorn?” I echoed, “I was under the impression that that was the name of a unicorn’s horn.”

“For an alicorn, the pony types are in unity. It is a name that defines all-in-one harmony.”

“I guess that makes sense,” I shrugged.

“We are here, Dilan Shier.”

---

So this is Ponyville, huh? I observed.

The whole town looked like a lot of houses all crowded around each other, at least from the angle I was looking. There were trees of various types scattered between some of the houses. I thought I could see an orchard somewhere to the right. Zecora was trotting ahead, so I followed.

On the ground level more within the town’s streets, I saw rather vibrantly colored creatures. Were these the pony residents? They looked a little different from ponies back in my world. But then, everything looked different from my world. I guessed that wasn’t such a good frame of reference.

Further in, I saw some stands that resembled farmer’s market stalls. Zecora said something about getting supplies and that I should stand and wait. At least, I thought that’s what she told me. Sometimes, it was really hard to tell what she was saying.

Trying to understand her rhyming accent was the least of my problems. Ponies from all over the color spectrum (and some not on it) were staring at me. Tall and black really stood out, I guess. Some quick glances by other ponies turned into double takes. The stares became filled with much wider eyes.

Then came the screams.

“Nightmare Moon!” some lady yelled.

“It’s Nightmare Moon!” shouted a guy.

“Run away!” screamed an older woman.

The rest of the voices were drowned in a combination of “Aaaah!” and “Aiyee!”

The locals ran around in panic. One stall got knocked over. Several doors slammed. I even saw a cloud flow away that was composed of nothing but wings and left hooves. (How the heck I was able to tell which side hooves they were, I’d never know.) A falcon screeched somewhere I couldn’t see.

“I can’t say I haven’t seen this before,” Zecora sighed.

“You’ve previously brought in villains of lore?” I inquired.

She shook her head. “This town has a habit of shunning things it doesn’t know. The very first time I came here, they shut all their doors and windows.”

“Oh, well, uh,” I paused, “I’m sorry to hear that.”

“Do not worry yourself with history,” she said while her iris moved to the corner of her eye, “For right now, we have company.”

I looked to where her gaze was indicating. Another winged pony swooped in and stomped the ground upon which she landed. She was much taller than the locals, almost as tall as me. Right then, I made a fairly good imitation of a deer staring at headlights.

---{Narrator}

At that moment, Princess Luna realized the source of her body’s earlier discomfort. She clearly saw it in front of her. But she couldn’t believe it. Rather, she didn’t want to believe it. But the evidence was undeniable.

Nightmare Moon was back.

“This cannot be,” Luna said as she stared at her darker half, “How have you returned?”

The monster said nothing and simply returned her stare.

“Well?” she continued, “Don’t you have anything to say?”

The armored mare slowly blinked. Was it trying to test Luna’s patience? Was it trying to make her break into emotional despair so that it could take her heart again? Well, it wouldn’t work! Elders darn the day that the darkness claimed her a second time!

---{Third-person}

Meanwhile, a pony staring around the corner jumps into the air and takes a long gasp before racing away in a zip line fashion.

---{Dilan Shier}

Clearly, the pony standing before me was frightened. Yet, she commendably stood her ground. Eventually, my eyes remembered how to blink. She… wanted to know if I was going to say something. Well, I really only had one thing to say at that moment.

“Who are you?”

I could have sworn I heard two objects hit dirt. I thought I saw Zecora and the other pony hold all their hooves in the air for a brief second. But then they resumed their standing positions so quickly. I was convinced that my eyes were playing tricks on me.

“Do you jest?” she sputtered in a flabbergasted sort of way.

Hold on. I looked her over again. There appeared to be a small black tiara and hoof attire that resembled glass slippers. This must be one of the royal sisters.

“Oh!” I stamped the ground in lieu of a finger snap, “You must be… Princess Celestia!”

In the corner of my vision, I saw Zecora use her hoof to perform a facepalm. I didn’t even think facepalming was possible with hooves. Looking back at the princess in front of me, however, quickly changed my fascinated smirk to a concerned frown. She was holding her head down and somehow shielding her eyes from view with nothing.

“I see what you’re doing,” she muttered.

“Huh?” I blinked in confusion.

“You’re reenacting the opinions of the ponies that didn’t appreciate my night.”

“Wait, what?”

“By pretending not to recognize me, you hope to tear open the wound in my heart that I thought had long since healed.”

I was still lost.

“And when I let you gain even a foothold in my mind, poisoned by your lies of help, that’s when you’ll step in. You’re trying to win me over through madness again.”

Her eyes came back into view. Staring at them literally made me short of breath. Those were not just the eyes of some angry lady. Those were the white, burning eyes of righteous fury. She was ready to end me.

“Princess Luna?” I whispered.

“Well, it won’t work!” she exclaimed, “Since you’ve been gone, I have gained friends in my little ponies. I have made amends with my sister. They mean the world to me.”

I was certain that the entire atmosphere shook with her next words.

“I WON’T LET YOU TAKE THEM AWAY FROM ME!”

My hooves stepped back a pace before I could tell them to do so. I couldn’t breathe. My heart was beating so loud that my ears were burning. I was wrong before. Princess Luna wasn’t ready to end me.

She was ready to erase me.

---{Narrator}

“Your Majesty!”

The familiar stallion’s call snapped Luna out of her Canterlot Voice tirade. She slowly turned to her head to face the source. Spirit Sword flew in followed by Faith Shield no more than an inch behind. As they fluttered down for a landing, Luna stood surprised.

“W-What are you doing here?” Luna stammered, “I thought I gave you standing orders.”

“With all due respect, Your Highness,” Spirit stated firmly, “You are more important to Equestria than your empty sleeping quarters.”

“He’s right, you know,” Faith agreed, “Whoever heard of ponies put in charge of guarding absolutely nothing?”

“What my partner is trying to say is that you should be willing to trust us,” said Spirit after rolling his eyes at Faith’s terrible joke, “Let us take on the weight of the responsibility that you place in our hooves.”

Luna’s eyes softened. The loose atmosphere that was shaking in her earlier fury returned to its original position. She breathed a little deeper and smiled. Sometimes, her guards… her closest allies knew just the right words to say. She nodded once to Spirit Sword and once to Faith Shield.

If I had unleashed my wrath on Nightmare Moon right then, she thought, That would have proved nothing. I could’ve even harmed some pony innocent in the surrounding environment.

“Thank you,” she said, “both of you.”

Spirit Sword nodded once. Faith Shield let out a quick, sheepish chuckle.

I’m not alone anymore, Luna realized, I don’t have to bear all of this weight on my own, either.

---{Dilan Shier}

Breathing became a much less straining task. After having a short coughing fit, I was able to look up again at my soon-to-be executioner. But she wasn’t alone.

Woah! my mind exclaimed, Vampire ponies!

There were two armored ponies that had bat wings, slightly furrier ears, and golden eyes with slit irises. They were even a pale, gray color.

Wait, don’t vampires burst into flames in sunlight?

I wondered if it had suddenly turned nighttime while I wasn’t looking, but a quick look around proved that these were clearly still daylight hours.

Don’t tell me that mythology breaks its own rules in this world, I internally groaned, Well, at least they’re not ridiculously sparkly.

“As long as you’re here,” Luna said with a hoof pointed in my direction, “I order you to apprehend Nightmare Moon.”

“Yes, Your Highness,” said the two vampire ponies as one.

They flew over in my direction, bat wings flapping about. They started circling around me in a very quick, dizzying pattern. Before I realized what was going on, a black leathery wing swooped by. I heard the swipe of metal nicking flesh. I clenched my teeth in response to the new stinging pain in my neck.

Augh! What the heck?! I held a hoof bracer against the hurt spot. When I pulled it away… Blood? Does that vampire have a knife hidden in his wing or something?

The other vampire pony came in for a pass. I barely leaned over to avoid whatever lethal force was hidden in his wing (or wherever he was hiding it. I didn’t know).

Okay, let’s see what happens when I take to the air!

I gave my wings that felt like arms a couple flaps. The resulting force sent me above their heads. The vampire ponies slammed headfirst into each other. They shook their heads from the dizziness before their golden gazes locked on me. They were flying up almost as fast as their horizontal flight speed.

All right, keep those arms steady to maintain altitude. My wings stayed mostly straight while flapping sparingly. Meanwhile, use these arms… I held out my front hooves. To do… something else.

Granted, I never had that much understanding of martial arts. However, I did get some brief tips in the past about how to do anything that I could with my arms and legs to defend myself when the situation called for it. Getting attacked two-on-one definitely called for it.

When one of the vampire ponies came close enough, I delivered a jab to his uncovered face with each of my front hooves. He went tumbling backwards as the other guy looked in surprise. My left hook punch caused him to twirl like a ballerina. They quickly straightened themselves out and flew close again.

I felt two more stinging pains somewhere along either side. But with the vampire ponies so close, I was able to swing my right back hoof into a roundhouse kick. (I was not ashamed to admit that it didn’t look nearly as impressive as a video game fighter.) On the other guy, my left hoof was close enough to slam him down with an ax kick.

Worst… leg pain… ever.

Ow, okay, bad idea, I acknowledged while wincing. I saw the vampire ponies crash into two different places along the ground. I took a few breaths to try and steady myself.

*Bzzrt!*

“Wah!” I yelped as I saw the bolt of lightning barely miss my head and wing.

That zap had come from the ground going up. I didn’t think it was possible for lightning to travel in that direction. I chanced a glance toward the direction from where it came. My eyes opened wide at the sight of Princess Luna.

Her horn was practically cloaked in electrical sparks.

She can shoot lightning?! I sputtered, How is that fair?

Another bolt headed my way. In response, I folded my wings for a split-second before opening them again. The bolt whizzed over me, and my heart started beating loudly again. But the princess wasn’t done yet.

---{Narrator}

“Spirit Sword! Faith Shield!” cried Luna as the respective guards crashed into the ground.

She clenched her teeth. Even though she couldn’t release her full strength without endangering the town, there was something she could do in controlled bursts. She centered her focus and released her magic in a straight line.

“Wah!” yelped Nightmare Moon, evading the spell by less than an inch. She slowly turned to face the caster. Her eyes were wide in disbelief.

So, you thought I couldn’t cast this spell without your power, huh? asked Luna silently, That was your mistake.

She sent another few bursts up to the sky. Nightmare Moon awkwardly flew out of the way as if she were a young Pegasus filly unfamiliar with flight muscles. If she weren’t so busy being serious, Luna would have chuckled at the sight.

It appears you were wrong when we first met, thought the princess, It was not I who was nothing without you. It is you who is nothing without me.

Spirit Sword and Faith Shield slowly stood up and shook off the rubble that had covered their hide and armor. In spite of their bruises, they flew up and around the current enemy. By passing by swiftly and sharply, they managed to get in a few more hits.

Nightmare Moon’s hooves hung limply as she struggled to maintain flying and dodging. One more bolt flashed up and actually managed to strike her.

---{Dilan Shier}

Gahhhh! That bites! I screamed on the inside. Electrocution was no more fun in experience than it was to hear about it. The only consolation was that it wasn’t a lethal shock.

My limbs had been cut to the point where it was unbearably painful to swing them around at my attackers. My eyes closed at the rest of my body’s pain, but I had to keep one open for the sake of looking at my situation. The only limbs that I could tell if they worked were my wings, but I was losing altitude. I was low enough that the next charge from the vampire ponies was coming above me.

All of my hooves are numb, I thought, And I can’t effectively whack these guys with my wings without screwing myself up.

The vampire ponies were flying in for the kill.

Darn it, I closed my eyes in frustration, What am I supposed to do now?

A sudden feeling of another arm swept up around me and collided with two other objects.

---{Narrator}

“Seriously, Pinkie, what’s going on?” asked the befuddled Applejack.

“Yeah,” nodded Rainbow Dash mid-flight, “Because all you said at my place was, ‘Trouble, Nightmare, Twilight, Friends, Elements,’ and, ‘Stop her!’ in that order.”

“Not quite enough details to work with, darling,” commented Rarity.

“Hasn’t Nightmare Moon been dealt with already?” asked Fluttershy.

“Exactly,” agreed Twilight Sparkle, “Besides, we just saw Princess Luna the other day.”

“And why did you want me to come along?” piped in Spike, riding on Twilight’s back.

“Because, Spike,” stated Pinkie Pie very seriously, “You’re my friend.”

“Oh.” Spike blinked. “Well, uh, thank you.”

And no other explanation was given during that gallop.

---

No… Luna thought with watery eyes, What have I done?

She was charging up one last lightning stun bolt to knock Nightmare Moon out of commission. Spirit Sword and Faith Shield had been charging in for one last attack. But neither the guards nor Luna had remembered the most important thing when dealing with the Mare in the Moon.

She had the power of darkness.

Her defeated look had been a façade. Her smoke-like tail had whipped around and snatched both of the guards and held them immobile in her grasp. Lightning traveled faster than any counter-spell Luna could have performed. As a result, the two stallions had taken the worst of the blast.

Nightmare Moon was standing on shaky, bleeding hooves. She looked at her own smoke-tail with mouth open, like she was surprised at her own abilities.

---{Dilan Shier}

What in the world is this power? I shook at the sight of the unconscious vampire ponies that I was ‘holding’.

---{Narrator}

This can’t be happening, Luna thought, trembling, I’ve hurt them… again.

---{Dilan Shier}

Why am I doing this? I asked, without an answer, I should’ve just run.

---{Split-screen}

What have I been fighting for?

---{Narrator}

“Princess Luna!” called Twilight as the seven friends approached. Though, they all soon came to a screeching halt.

“What in tarnation?” Applejack did a double take. All of them looked at Luna, then at Nightmare Moon, then back at Luna.

“Am I the only one seeing double?” inquired Spike.

“No, I’m seeing it too,” affirmed Rainbow.

“Oh, good. I thought it was just me,” muttered Fluttershy.

“Pardon my Prench, but what the flying feather is going on here?” asked Rarity.

“Yeah, how are there two of them in their different forms?” wondered Pinkie, “Did she try using the Mirror Pond? It was a lot of work covering that thing up!”

Luna looked over as if just realizing the other ponies’ arrival.

“Twilight Sparkle,” she said in a soft, solemn tone.

She looked at each of them and noticed the six Elements of Harmony items were adorned. A sigh both of relief and of sadness left her mouth.

“Please, help me to overcome her again,” she begged, “I realize now that I cannot do it alone even when we occupy different spaces.”

While she really wanted to ask about the scientific impossibility of two Lunas existing simultaneously, Twilight Sparkle (for once) saw the importance of a friend in need first. Placing a hoof on the shoulder of her fellow princess, she nodded and wore a brave smile.

“You can count on us, Prin-… Luna,” she answered before turning to her friends, “All right, every pony! Get in position!”

“Right!” the rest confirmed.

---{Dilan Shier}

I don’t want to do this! I screamed in my head, Stupid tail-thing, let go!

The resulting mental signal caused the smoke-tail to fling its unconscious quarry off to the side. I felt like I was going to hurl. But my body was too busy using that energy to remind me of the rest of my problems.

Blood was dripping lightly from various places. My hooves were so shaky that I could barely hold up the rest of my weight, let alone walk. I had moved my wings a lot just to avoid the worst of the hits. I wasn’t ready to put the hope of my life into a tail that attacked without command.

It was about then that I saw the newcomers. I also saw their various forms of jewelry.

A tiara? I blinked. And five necklaces? Weren’t those the shapes described in that book?

That book came from… wait.

Where’s Zecora? I looked as far as my panned vision could see, but she had up and vanished.

“To help you search for those answers, I will do what I can. But to find and reach that goal is one that is up to Dilan.”

Oh. Then, I got it. She agreed to help me take on the first step on this quest to do whatever it was I was supposed to do. She didn’t say anything about tying my shoes for me. (Well, ponies didn’t wear laced shoes, but the point still stood.) This was something I had to do.

“Well, if anyone deserves to judge me while I’m in this world,” I muttered, “it might as well be the ones who saved it.”

I watched them all rise into the air, carried by the very light energy of their necklaces. The eyes of the pony with the crown glowed white. A light-based bridge was formed between the six jewels. I could actually feel the pupils in my eyes widen at the sight of the rainbow-colored geyser flowing into the sky.

Then the light headed down toward me.

This is going to hurt, isn’t it? I figured.

Soon, I could see nothing but a full display of the visible light spectrum that spun around me like a tornado. Yet it didn’t really have the pulling sensation that normal wind had. It felt more like my body was getting hit by a pins-and-needles feeling like a foot after coming in from the cold, warming up, and recovering its nerve signals. I also heard some gentle voices of various pitches.

I’ll stand by you, no matter what happens.

Hope you feel better soon.

Here, I’m giving this to you.

You have my word.

Don’t feel blue. Feel pink!

Together!

I wasn’t breathing so hard anymore. My pains from earlier almost felt like they were being washed away. I closed my eyes and smiled lightly. Whatever I was going through, it felt really good.

I’ll take this kind of death over the Ford any day, I decided.

---{Narrator}

The midday sun shined through the sky as the Elements of Harmony finished their spell. Their bearers were dropped to the ground on their hooves. The exception was the bearer of Loyalty who preferred to stick to the air if she could help it.

“Another job well done, girls,” Twilight told the group.

Spirit Sword was starting to come around and he let out a groan. With a gasp, Luna quickly rushed over to his side. The concern was written all over her face. Even though Spirit’s mouth didn’t immediately smile, his eyes twinkled with happy life.

“Ever at… your service, Your Highness,” he coughed.

Meanwhile, Faith Shield was trying to stand. His legs buckled beneath him, however, and all he could manage was a sort of bowing position on his knees.

“Yeah, what he said,” he panted, “Man, my throat is killing me. I need a drink.”

Some of the doors in town opened. Scared ponies took a peek outside. Everything seemed to be right with the world again.

“Wait, look!” exclaimed Spike while pointing a claw.

The rest of his group looked to see what he was shouting about. All of their eyes opened wide at the sight. Luna looked just as horrified, if not more so. In spite of their pain, the guard ponies also turned their necks to see what the fuss was about.

Nightmare Moon was still standing.

At least, she was until she toppled over onto her side. Her eyes were shut, and one could barely see her chest expand and contract as if she were still breathing.

“I don’t get it,” commented Pinkie Pie, “The last time we used the Elements of Harmony on Black Snooty, we were able to dispel the dark magic that had enclosed her and simultaneously released Princess Luna and Celestia from captivity.”

Every pony shifted their stares to her.

“Oh, wait! This time Queen Meanie was a completely separate entity, thus tricking the Elements’ magic to assume that everything was already in order and just calmed her down instead of getting rid of her. Now I get it!”

It took her until right that moment to realize that every pony was staring at her.

“What?”

“When did you become the biggest egghead?” asked Rainbow Dash.

“Silly, Dashie!” chuckled Pinkie, “I told you before that my head is more shaped like a grapefruit.”

“Yeah, but… you… ugh,” stammered Dash.

“Questionable paths of deduction aside,” Twilight quickly changed the subject, “She may be right. Since the darkness hasn’t taken over Luna directly this time, it may be that the magic of the physical Elements didn’t see a need to remove Nightmare Moon from existence. We may very well be dealing with an entity that has no idea what she did as Luna.”

“A pony that’s Nightmare Moon,” reiterated Rarity, “and yet at the same time isn’t?”

“How can something be and at the same time not be?” asked the confused Applejack.

“I don’t know for sure,” admitted Twilight, “In any case, we should probably let Princess Celestia know about this.”

“Way ahead of you, Your Majesty,” interrupted Faith Shield.

Stares turned to him as he pointed a wing to the sky. Pulling an empty night chariot were two bat pony guards. Behind them, two Pegasus guards pulled the sun chariot. Riding that was Celestia herself.

“I figured one of the other guards on duty would eventually get word to the other princess,” smirked Faith.

“You told me you needed to take a leak,” said Spirit with a raised eyebrow.

“I did,” affirmed Faith, “and I still do.”

Before Spirit could make a comment about the other guard’s impressive bladder control, the separate chariots landed. Celestia ran over to her sister immediately after hopping off the chariot.

“Luna, are you all right? How are you feeling?” she asked as she placed her head next to her sister’s.

“A little bit shaken at the sight of another me,” admitted Luna, “But otherwise, I’m as dandy as a daffodil.”

“Another you?” echoed Celestia before eventually turning to see Nightmare Moon lying a few feet away.

“We’re not entirely sure what that pony is,” pointed out Twilight, “But it might be an entity that’s completely separate from the Nightmare Moon that we’re familiar with. The Elements of Harmony couldn’t touch her.”

“Really?” pondered Celestia, “That’s quite the conclusion you’ve come to, Twilight Sparkle.”

“Actually, it was Pinkie Pie’s idea,” admitted Twilight.

“I’m a grapefruit head!” pitched in Pinkie.

Celestia chuckled, “Yes, you are.”

She looked over at the sleeping pony that looked a lot like her sister had looked once before. The very appearance was bringing back some painful memories. It was very difficult to hold her poker face at that moment.

“I know you’re watching,” Celestia said to the air with a warning tone, “Is this your handiwork?”

“Me?” answered the air playfully, “Why, Celestia, I’m appalled that you would even suggest such a thing.”

A flash of light revealed the recently reformed master of chaos.

“Besides,” Discord continued, “bringing back an antagonist of old would be far too boring. Honestly, where’s the fun in bringing back an enemy that you can beat without a challenge?”

“I’m not hearing a ‘no’,” pointed out Celestia with a firm tone.

He pulled in a random teacup filled with mud and sipped it, completely ignoring the implicit accusation. His drink was immediately interrupted by a deadpan look of his first friend.

“Discord,” said Fluttershy with folded hooves, “Did you or didn’t you have anything to do with this Nightmare Moon?”

Under normal circumstances, he would have continued messing with other ponies at his own pace. However, recent events convinced him to be more direct and open with Fluttershy. With a sigh, he sent back his cup and its contents to where he got them from.

“I promise that I am telling the truth,” he said while crossing his heart and then placing a literal cupcake into his eye socket, “I had nothing to do with this.”

“Thank you,” nodded Fluttershy.

“That will be all,” added Celestia.

With another random flash of light, Discord vanished.

Luna cleared her throat. “So, what are we going to do about this?”

Celestia looked to her guards. “Load her onto the other one.”

“What?” asked Luna.

“There are many things we don’t understand right now,” Celestia pointed out, “For now, we should take her into proper care. Then, we’ll see about asking her what she knows. I assume you probably have more to ask her than I do.”

Luna didn’t really have anything to argue with that. The healthy bat ponies went about loading Nightmare Moon into the lunar chariot. Meanwhile, Luna used her magic to lift Spirit Sword onto her back. Celestia did the same with Faith Shield.

“Thank you, Twilight Sparkle and all your friends for your help today,” acknowledged Celestia.

“Thank you very much,” added Luna as she and her sister climbed into the solar chariot.

The other ponies bowed as the two chariots flew off to Canterlot. Afterwards, Pinkie Pie held a rather serious look in her eyes. Her tongue was sticking out of her mouth as if she were in deep thought.

“Are you still thinking about grapefruit heads?” inquired Rarity.

“It’s not that.” Pinkie shook her head. “If Applejack the bearer of Honesty could find a loophole around a Pinkie Promise, how much easier would it be for Discord the master of Chaos to do the same thing?”

“He’s not going to get that loophole,” Fluttershy stated.

“How can you be so sure?” Pinkie turned to look at her.

“Because my friends always keep their promises,” Fluttershy said with all the seriousness her face could muster.

---{Third-person}

Where the heck did Zecora go?

---

Ch. 3: Twice As Bright, Half As Long

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Twice As Bright, Half As Long

---

The moon arose into the sky before its appointed time. In doing so, it blocked out the sun’s light, creating a mournful orange as if the very sky was screaming in agony. Plants began to rot. The seas flooded. All the while, I heard my own laughter, the laughter of malice and megalomania.

But it was quickly drowned out by a strange wind. It blew the scene before me away and replaced it with a hallway. This corridor was aligned with doorways. Along either side, every other doorway was occupied by some pony standing there.

All of their eyes held disappointment and pity as I walked down the hallway.

“You think you can just waltz in and make it nighttime forever?” Rainbow Dash fumed.

“How can you be so selfish?” Rarity asked.

“You’re a liar,” muttered Applejack.

“A deceiver,” added Twilight Sparkle.

“You cause innocent lives to suffer,” accused Fluttershy.

“You’re a meanie-stinking-doo-doo-head!” yelled Pinkie Pie.

The corridor and every pony in it were whisked away by the wind from before. Now I stood at the foot of the throne where the other princess stood.

“Sister,” I addressed with sorrow.

“I don’t know what you’ve done to Luna,” said Celestia, “But you’re no sister of mine.”

She and her throne shattered into pieces as the whole world faded into obscurity.

---{Dilan Shier}

I blinked the blurry image out. Some distant ceiling came into view. I tried to move, but a slight stinging prevented me from rising very quickly. I managed to take a look at some of myself. It looked like someone got fancy with their roll of bandages. I was covered with the white cloths all over the place.

There was a soft mattress underneath me as far as I could feel. It seemed I had once again been undressed while I was sleeping. But this time, I didn’t see the blue armor pieces anywhere nearby. So instead of rolling off the bed, I lied there and shuffled through my memories.

I was… overtaken by… a rainbow, I thought, There was a strong feeling of virtuous attitudes. Was that the power of… (What were they called?) the Elements of Harmony?

For some reason, my left hind hoof decided to remind me that it existed with a sharp tingle of nerve pain. I turned my legs so that I wasn’t laying so much of my weight on it. Of course in doing so, my right front hoof felt the pain of colliding with the bed.

Okay, I get it, body. I clenched my teeth. Those guys cut me up a lot during that battle.

I took a few breaths before resuming my train of thought.

If I read that legend correctly, shouldn’t the Elements of Harmony have destroyed Nightmare Moon? How am I still here?

I looked around the rather bland room. The curtain that surrounded the bed seemed like something that belonged in a hospital.

Where is ‘here’ anyway?

The curtain suddenly slid open on its own.

---{Narrator}

The dream that Luna had been observing had just ended. It was easy for her to figure out that the sleeping pony had woken up. She trotted quickly to the castle’s medical ward. Once there, she magically slid the current open to find the bandaged patient lying on the bed.

“P-Princess Luna,” stammered a startled Nightmare Moon.

“I need to have a word with you,” Luna stated curtly, “Can you stand?”

The injured pony didn’t seem so sure.

“Well, I could certainly try,” she finally answered.

She winced as she rolled over and dangled her hooves to one side of the bed. As she landed standing up, she clenched her teeth. A high-pitched scream that couldn’t be heard was released from the confines of her voice box. Apparently, the pain in her legs felt worse than it looked.

It almost felt like a victory in Luna’s mind. After all that time, Nightmare Moon was finally being faced with some kind of retribution after all the suffering she had caused. On the other hand, it didn’t feel like a victory at all. A pony in pain was still some pony in pain. Luna sighed as she levitated a pair of crutches over from the other side of the room.

“Here,” she said, “Use these to keep the weight off of your other two legs.”

---{Dilan Shier}

Round tap-dancing table! I screamed in my head, It feels like I’m standing on poison darts!

Maybe I should have just given her a ‘no’ instead. But out of respect for an authority’s request, I had rolled over and stood up anyway. As I continued to stand on my hazardous stilts I called hooves, a couple of wooden objects floated out in front of me.

“Here. Use these to keep the weight off of your other two legs.”

I knew those were crutches that were floating there. What I didn’t understand was how I was supposed to use something that had human shape in mind for its design. But when the crutches floated themselves underneath my wings, a moment of realization hit me. It started with a little awkward wobbling. Between my left front hoof, my right back hoof, and the crutches, I was able to hobble forward at a comfortable pace.

“Follow me,” said Princess Luna. It wasn’t a request.

Entering the large expanse outside of the room, I decided my earlier assumption that I was in a hospital had been incorrect. The high ceilings, huge hallways, and the occasional armored pony standing at attention proved that.

“Where are we?” I asked.

“This is the castle in Canterlot,” answered Princess Luna, “I shouldn’t expect you to know that. You did disappear before I came here for the first time.”

That particular phrasing sounded weird. I disappeared? Did she mean that this was also her first time in this location? She either didn’t notice or deliberately ignored my pause in motion because she kept walking. I knew we got off on the wrong foot when we met for the first time, but I had no idea that her hostile attitude would continue for so long afterwards. I hurriedly hobbled after her.

---

She led me to a balcony that overlooked the much larger city. Based on her earlier statement, I guessed that the multitude of tall and fancy structures was the heart of Canterlot. The view made me breathless (the good kind). I wondered why it was so much bluer, when I looked to the sky and noticed the moon and the stars.

“Man, did I oversleep,” I chuckled, “It’s already night.”

---{Narrator}

“For ten hours and not a minute more,” Luna added firmly.

She wasn’t about to let Nightmare Moon try anything funny to extend the night for a longer duration than the land could bear. So, she made a point of trying to debunk that dream before the black mare could even suggest such a thing. However, instead of an angry retort, Nightmare Moon simply looked at her with confusion. Luna was convinced that the other mare was trying to trick her again, but she no longer understood the motive for the longstanding act of ignorance.

Perhaps Luna needed to ask a more direct question to end Nightmare Moon’s game.

“Why have you returned?” she softly demanded.

“Why indeed.” Nightmare sighed. “I was kind of hoping somebody else could answer that for me.”

Still pretending not to know? thought Luna, I already told you that it won’t work.

“How did you come back?” she asked.

“I’m afraid the details are a bit sketchy to me,” Nightmare responded as she looked past the railing, “All I know for sure is that something gave me a shove from the depths of Hell. Next thing I know, I woke up in this body.”

This body? Luna squinted, Are you saying as opposed to overshadowing my body?

---{Dilan Shier}

“It’s kind of funny,” I continued, “Twenty-six years is enough time to see a lot of impossible things become reality. But this particular change still caught me off guard.”

“It’s only been one and a half years since I was you,” Princess Luna said.

I turned to look at her deadpan face.

“Since you were Nightmare Moon,” I corrected, “I really doubt that you were ever me specifically.”

Now it was her turn to be confused. I couldn’t blame her. I was still having trouble wrapping my head around this whole thing. How could I effectively explain it to someone else?

“Very well then, humor me,” she said with her eyes narrowed, “Who specifically are you?”

“I’m Dilan, Dilan Shier,” I said while extending my not-so-pained hoof, “Nice to meet you.”

---{Narrator}

Dill Anne… Shear? Luna raised an eyebrow and tilted her head, What kind of name is that? Furthermore, what kind of nonsense is this identity? I would’ve expected this kind of headache from dealing with Discord, not some pony like Nightmare Moon.

Luna blinked a couple times, unable to register this new information.

I mean, she is… was me, right? Surely there must be a hint of my methods to her madness. Why can’t I understand her?

She looked uncertainly at Nightmare’s extended hoof. Slowly, she moved her own and met her hoof shake.

“This is the part where you tell me who you are,” Nightmare said with a small smile.

“You already know who I am,” Luna pointed out.

“I’ve read your name in a book, but I have yet to hear you actually use it.”

Really? thought Luna with a sigh, Oh, fine.

“I am Luna, Princess of the Night,” she said with more flair than she had intended. But Nightmare’s smile didn’t waver.

“Charmed,” she replied.

---{Dilan Shier}

The handless handshake promptly ended, but it was nice to hear her introduce herself in a civilized manner. By civilized, I meant ‘not shaking the earth, sic’ing vampire ponies on me, or shooting lightning at me’. I kind of wished I knew how to make her smile, though. Switching between seeing her serious frown and confused frown was very disheartening.

“What’s on your mind, Princess Luna?” I asked.

“Just stop it,” she whispered.

“What?”

“Just stop,” she said more firmly, “Stop this game of yours. I’m not playing.”

“I’m afraid I don’t follow, Princess,” I responded.

“You’re lying to me again,” she accused, “You’ve been lying to me for over a thousand years! How can you stand there and pretend that you don’t know?”

Oh dear, I thought, She’s getting dangerously close to how angry she was last time.

“Your Highness,” I started, “maybe you should take a moment and calm down.”

“Oh, you’d like that. Wouldn’t you?” she scoffed, “Listening to you is what caused such a strain between my sister and I in the first place!”

“Wait, what?” I interjected, “I thought you and your sister were cool now. Did something happen?”

“Did something ha-?” She cut herself off as she echoed the question. “Where was your attention span during that time where we were a single entity?”

I gave her an incredulous look.

“I can’t help but think that we’re both missing some context,” I motioned.

“Does the phrase ‘The night will last forever’ ring any bells?” she threw her words.

“Well, the book I read about Nightmare Moon did have her say that quite a number of times,” I admitted.

“Oh, yes.” Her tone fluctuated a lot more. “A book is such a more reliable source than your firsthand utterance of that phrase.”

“I’d don’t think I’ve ever said that personally.” I shook my head. “I might have joked about something with similar words, but that was just the night before one of my college finals.”

I couldn’t really tell through her dark blue hide, but I think I saw a blood vessel threatening to boil over and explode.

“That’s it!” Princess Luna yelled, “I am through trying to understand your game!”

“P-Princess,” I stammered.

“Good night!” she cut me off as her horn wrapped itself in sparks.

Oh, gosh! Not more lightning! I internally screamed.

Her bolt collided with me, but I didn’t feel the burning of electrocution. Have you ever felt yourself blink out of existence before coming back into reality? Well, I didn’t really have any other way to explain what I went through. One second, I was in a bright, white light of nothingness. The next, I was inches above the medical bed. The second after that, my back landed on the mattress.

The impact was met with a cracking noise.

Please tell me that was one of the crutches, I pleaded as something on my back felt like it was being pinched really hard.

I slowly moved both of my wings to a more open position. The pinching stopped and I watched four irregular-shaped pieces of wood fall to the floor on either side of the bed.

Oh, thank gosh, I sighed in relief as I laid my head against the pillow.

---{Narrator}

“Good night!” Luna yelled as she cast her teleportation spell on Nightmare Moon.

Then, she was standing alone on the balcony. She had accomplished what she set out to do. She had asked all of the questions she felt she needed to of Nightmare. Yet, she was more frustrated and confused than before she had asked. The answers she had received weren’t satisfying in the least.

Does Tartarus really have such a brain-damaging effect on the souls that wander in? Luna wondered, Her answers seemed ridiculous enough.

Dill Anne Shear? Twenty-six years? A complete denial of the two of them ever being one and the same pony? None of it made any sense. She began to suspect that this was Discord’s work after all. It fit right up his alley.

No, she shook her head, That’s an empty excuse. He only said a vague message when Celestia and I sealed him the first time. It was I who entertained the idea of not trusting my sister. Nightmare Moon and all of her subsequent actions were my responsibility.

She looked up at her night sky. Somewhere nearby, a cricket started chirping a beautiful melody. Luna sighed.

So why does she act like she doesn’t know? Her experience with Equestria was less than my own, certainly. But she still should have been able to pick up the signs. How can any pony just forget that long passage of time and everything that impacted her within it?

She chuckled humorlessly.

Maybe I can convince Celestia to find a way to send her back into the moon. I’ve received several ponies’ opinions that they rather liked seeing the image of the Mare in the Moon.

She rested her chin on the railing.

Oh, who am I kidding? Celestia no longer has enough magic to perform a spell of that magnitude and the current Element bearers can’t do anything more than calm this Nightmare Moon down.

She turned around and trotted back inside.

I need coffee… and a donut.

---{Dilan Shier}

The rest of that night had been relatively silent. I slept some more, but I didn’t have any more weird dreams. Sunlight changed the darkness under my eyelids to red, encouraging me to open them. It was weird that in all the excitement last night, I didn’t see that window there. Additionally, the pain that hindered my limbs yesterday felt a great deal better.

Was it really only a few hours ago that they hurt so much? I wondered.

I heard the door creaking open and I looked over to see. A small cart was pushed in, followed by the pony pushing it. If her cap was anything to be believed, she was a nurse. I was surprised that she was able to walk on just her hind hooves while her front hooves leaned against the cart. As I shuffled into more of a sitting position, she took notice of me.

“Ah, you’re awake,” she said with a small smile, “Good morning.”

“Morning,” I echoed.

Without warning, her horn started glowing with light, though she didn’t seem to notice. At the same time, the tray on top of the cart lifted into the air and floated over until it stood over my lap(?). It was about then that I noticed the contents on the tray: a glass of juice, a decorative daisy, and a spoon for the bowl. The bowl was full of what looked like oatmeal and it smelled like heavenly cinnamon-sugar.

“That smells great,” I breathed.

When I noticed that the nurse’s attention was elsewhere, I followed her gaze.

Oh, right, I remembered, Those.

“Did you have an argument with the crutches last night?” she asked.

“Er, no…” I paused.

How was I supposed to properly explain the circumstances that led up to falling from a few inches above the bed on top of the crutches? Nobody would believe something as crazy as teleporting in out of flipping nowhere.

“I, uh… had a bad dream,” I said lamely.

I wasn’t completely lying. I did have a relatively sad dream during the night. However, it didn’t really relate to how the crutches broke and I didn’t really answer her question. I chalked it up to a tally of more good karma I’d have to build in order to make up for concealing information.

The nurse chuckled, “That’s funny, Nightmare Moon having a nightmare.”

“Heh, yeah,” I returned the chuckle.

“I’ll bring the doctor in once you’re finished,” she informed me as the broken crutches lifted by themselves and followed her out the door.

As I returned my attention to the breakfast tray, a thought hit me.

How do I go about eating this?

Then, I immediately thought back to how that nurse’s horn lit up at about the same time that the tray had started floating. I remembered that Zecora had said something about unicorns and magic. Was that it? I knew I had a horn. I just didn’t know what to do with it. Maybe magic worked in this world in a ‘mind over matter’ kind of way.

Going on that assumption, I focused my attention on the spoon. I closed my eyes, visualizing the utensil lifting into the air. For a while, nothing happened. Then, I started to feel some kind of arm reach out and grab hold of what felt like the spoon. I cracked an eye open. Then, both eyes snapped open.

My smoke-hair was reaching around my head. A section of it was curled like two fingers and had the spoon in a firm grasp, clearly no longer on the tray.

Hmm, I thought, That’s not quite what I had in mind, but I’ll take it.

Aside from my hair touching the spoon instead of a hand, I went about eating my oatmeal in the same manner I had back on Earth. The cinnamon-sugar tasted as good as it smelled. The hot cereal warmed up my throat. In a matter of minutes, I had finished the entire bowl and the juice as well.

I swore these ponies were psychic or something. It hadn’t even been a full two minutes after I set my empty glass down before the nurse came back. She took away the cart and tray (I assumed with her magic) as some other pony walked in. There was just something about his eyes that said “male”.

“You’re in luck, Miss Nightmare Moon,” he told me, “The bandages can come off today.”

As long as I look like this, I’m going to have to roll with that name, huh? I held back a grumble.

---{Narrator}

Keep it together, she thought, It won’t do to break down in front of her. Just because she looks like Luna did, doesn’t mean anything. Twilight Sparkle already verified Pinkie Pie’s conclusion.

Apparently, her student’s stress at being less than perfect wasn’t just a genetic trait. Perhaps Twilight had picked up some of her teacher’s habits subconsciously and assumed them to be the norm. Well, there was nothing she could feasibly change about that. Right then, her attention to this matter was crucial.

The appearance of a second Nightmare Moon was out of the blue. Celestia didn’t really know what to expect when questioning her. All she could do for now was to ensure that the other mare was in top physical health. With a little luck, mental health would follow example and she could get as complete an understanding of the situation as possible.

I shouldn’t worry about it, she thought, The Elements of Harmony did nothing to her. That’s proof enough that she’s not a threat to Equestria… right?

She stepped as swiftly as she could while also trying to maintain her regal air. The guards standing around at various places hadn’t said anything. Though, they rarely said anything, so that wasn’t a very good indicator.

Before Celestia knew it, she was standing outside of the medical ward.

---{Dilan Shier}

Well, that was a weird way to send me off, I thought.

As soon as the doctor could see that I was standing and walking around without trouble, he had shoved me into the hall and slammed the door behind me. I would have understood if I were coming out of an E.R. and if they were bringing in another patient immediately after me. But neither of those conditions had been met. So there I was, sitting outside the medical bedroom wondering what in the world had just happened. Was the castle on socialized healthcare or something?

Next thing I knew, there was a pony slightly taller than me standing there. She had a mostly white hide. But her mane… I had no idea you could fit that many shades of blue and pink into a single hairstyle. It was almost hypnotizing to stare at it. Her attire gave away her position. In contrast to Princess Luna’s black tiara, this princess wore it in gold.

There was no mistake. This was Princess Celestia.

“Uh…” I uttered.

Way to go, champ, I thought sarcastically, Smartest choice of spoken words ever.

---

Ch. 4: Curse Not The Darkness

View Online

Curse Not The Darkness

---{Narrator}

“At ease,” insisted Celestia.

Nightmare Moon awkwardly rose to stand. It was a little strange how seeing some pony even more nervous than herself made Celestia relax. Though, tension on either side would make any line of questioning difficult. Perhaps a change of location and subject was in order.

“Would you mind if we moved somewhere else?” the princess asked, “This hallway isn’t exactly the best place for a one-to-one.”

“W-W-What?” the dark mare stammered as her cheeks suddenly turned red, “One-to-one?”

Celestia blinked. “Well, yes. I have a few questions to ask. I’m sure you have questions as well.”

“Oh, right.” The redness left as Nightmare slapped her own head with a hoof. “Questions. Yes. Of course. Those I have.”

What in the world did she think I meant? wondered Celestia. She didn’t press the issue, however, and trotted down the hallway.

---{Dilan Shier}

Why in the world did I imagine her on top of…? I wondered. I shook my head before following Princess Celestia.

“Your Majesty!” called a young man’s voice.

Both of us turned to look. The pony that had called looked rather shaky, trotting along. He was wearing a red cap and a red button-down vest.

Is that a… bellhop? I blinked at the sight.

“Ah, I knew I was forgetting something,” muttered Princess Celestia.

It was about then that I realized the bellhop was carrying something on his back. It was my armor… all six pieces of it. I couldn’t help but gasp. This guy’s back strength and balance was amazing.

“Thank you, Atlas,” the princess told him.

“But of course, Your Highness,” he said while bowing.

A glow of radiant gold light surrounded the armor as it was lifted into the air. I saw a similar glow surrounding Princess Celestia’s horn. Was that how normal magic worked in this world?

I might have to ask her to teach me how to do that, I thought, Of course, that’s assuming she doesn’t get upset with me like Princess Luna did.

Atlas turned around and left. Aside from a couple guards at either end of the hallway, it was just Princess Celestia and I.

“I had these get polished while you were recovering,” she mentioned, “Would you like to put them back on now?”

Her question snapped me out of the awe of her golden magic. I took a quick look down at my bare, black hide. I struggled for words as my face suddenly felt very hot. My front hooves instantly snapped into a folded defense over my chest. I had completely forgotten about my… er… modesty.

“Yes, please,” I squeaked.

---{Narrator}

Strange, thought Celestia, She’s all jumpy and she’s turning red again. I hope she’s not coming down with a fever. I’d hate to get on that doctor’s case about not performing a proper diagnosis. More importantly, though, an ill mind may produce inconsistent answers during our discussion.

She levitated the blue armor so that it was within range of Nightmare Moon. The other mare looked at her questioningly. She did know how to grab something out of someone else’s magical hold, right?

---{Dilan Shier}

How am I supposed to get dressed if you keep floating it in the air like that? I wondered, but didn’t voice, Oh, wait. I guess I could…

Using the same mental will from earlier, I slowly raised my smoke-hair up. I felt a little off balance holding more than one or two objects in it. But I managed to bring them within range so that I could start grabbing the items with my hooves’ invisible finger touch.

---{Narrator}

That shadow magic mane still unnerves me. Celestia shivered.

---{Dilan Shier}

As the last piece of my armor snapped around my hoof, I let out a pleased sigh.

“That feels better,” I commented.

I was no longer completely indecent in the presence of royalty.

“Ready to go?” asked that royalty.

“Yeah,” I affirmed.

---{Third-person}

Let’s jump ahead a few minutes.

---{Narrator}

“Wow.”

That was Nightmare Moon’s first word upon seeing the castle garden. Celestia turned to look, trying to gauge her expression. She was surprised that Nightmare’s voice sounded like a whisper of amazement. But her eyes didn’t lie. Nightmare was genuinely taking in the sight before her.

---{Dilan Shier}

Words failed me. Yet, they didn’t give up trying to describe the scenery to my mind. The green leaves, the vibrant flora, the glittering fountain, the quiet chirps of various animals… all of this and more was spread before me. I was afraid to breathe lest I were to disturb this vision of serenity.

“It is quite a sight, isn't it?”

I flinched in reflex at the princess’s question. I had briefly forgotten that she was here. I cleared my throat to regain my composure.

“Yes, it is,” I answered, “Words simply cannot do it justice. I feel like I could stare at this place for hours on end.”

Of course, I knew I couldn’t. Straight answers for any discussion required constant eye contact. Maybe I could get away with taking a side glance every once in a while. But there was much I needed to find out. I had no idea how long I was going to be stranded in this world. Like it or not, I was going to have to find ways to adapt.

Still, it felt right to give Princess Celestia’s questions precedence. After all, I was the foreigner in this scenario. Respect went to authorities and whatnot.

After taking a couple breaths, I asked, “So, how do you want to start?”

“If you wouldn't mind, I'd like to start with what you know,” said the princess.

“What I know,” I echoed, “Anything specific?”

“Let’s start with Nightmare Moon and the past events regarding her,” she clarified.

“If by past you mean several years, I don’t really know much beyond what was described in a book. I think the title was something along the lines of The Mare in the Moon, Updated Version.”

“An excerpt from The Elements of Harmony: A Reference Guide.” Princess Celestia nodded. “Go on.”

“I guess the reality has yet to sink in that I’m in her body. I know her story, what led to her ‘birth’, and how she was defeated. But it’s all second-hand information. I mean I remember waking up in the middle of a forest called Everfree, finding out that I can fly, going into Ponyville with Zecora, and leading up to getting hit by the light of the Elements. But, before all of that, I wasn’t even Nightmare Moon.”

“When you say, ‘before all of that,’ what do you mean?”

“How do I put this?” I hummed. “I was a human, living in a completely different world.”

“A human?” Celestia tilted her head before shaking it. “Sorry. Please continue.”

“One drunken night, I got hit by a Ford. Next thing I knew, I was wandering the dark emptiness of Hell.”

---{Narrator}

Celestia barely hid her gasp at that last word.

Few ponies know of the older name for Tartarus, she thought.

Though, the would-be Nightmare moon hadn’t heard the gasp.

She continued, “That’s when things got really weird. A cloud that looked like smoke, but felt as solid as a brick slammed into me from nowhere. It caught on fire and I saw a woman’s face screaming and melting inside.”

Nightmare put a hoof over her mouth. Her cheeks briefly expanded before resuming their usual shape. As she pulled her hoof away, she closed her eyes. Her breaths sounded quick and anxious.

“The memory still sickens me,” she muttered.

As not-Nightmare Moon stood there panting, Celestia was momentarily lost in her own thoughts.

That cloud she described while in Tartarus, Celestia pondered, Could that have been what was left of the Nightmare after Luna was freed? Why would it run into a human’s soul? And that description of a fiery woman’s face… What is going on?

However, she also wanted to deal with the current situation. Some pony, or perhaps somebody, was about to lose their breakfast all over the trimmed lawn. She didn’t want to keep this lady thinking about something that induced sickness. She also didn’t want to add more work to the gardener’s clean-up list than what was necessary. A change of subject was in order.

---{Dilan Shier}

“While I can’t claim to know what all of that means,” interrupted Princess Celestia, “These small bits of information may eventually help build the bigger picture.”

Darn it, stomach, I thought, still distracted by the Hell image, Don’t make me vomit my own esophagus.

“Now I suppose it’s my turn.”

“Your… turn?” I didn’t quite catch her meaning.

“I’ve asked for at least two questions’ worth of knowledge from you,” she pointed out, “It’s only fair that I allow you to ask me.”

Well, I did have a few things I wanted to know.

“I got the impression from Princess Luna that we were in the city of Canterlot,” I began, “Where is that?”

“Canterlot is the capital city of the nation Equestria. It’s in the mountainous region a little northeast of Ponyville.”

“If this country’s name is Equestria, what is the world that it is in called?”

“That’s actually been up for debate for centuries.”

Did I just see her hide a blush? I blinked.

“You see, most ponies refer to the world as Equus,” she explained, “But as this world is occupied by much more life than just ponies, some of the neighboring countries are still insisting on calling it other names. These names have ranged from everything as elaborate as ‘Orion’s Orb’ to something as mundane as calling it Equestria, exactly the same as the country.”

“Interesting,” I commented, “So what do you prefer to call this world?”

She smiled fondly, “Well, I’ve always been somewhat partial toward the name…”

---{Third-person}

A gust of wind prevents anybody else from hearing Celestia’s answer except for herself and Dilan Shier. Oh, don’t give me that look. Where’s the fun in life without a little mystery in the mix?

---{Dilan Shier}

“That’s a… rather unique name,” I remarked after a pause, “I’m not sure I could pronounce that even though I just heard you say it.”

“And that’s what I like about it,” she said while still holding that silly, little grin.

“All right, now for a slightly harder one.” I looked straight at her. “When I spoke with Princess Luna last night, she gave the impression that she disliked me with great intensity. Why is that?”

The grin vanished. Princess Celestia held her lips in a neutral position.

“I can’t speak directly for her,” she admitted, “but I imagine it’s because you look like some pony she’d rather forget. She literally was Nightmare Moon for so many years.”

“One thousand years,” I idly commented as I closed my eyes, “Most of the people in my world don’t even live past one hundred. I can’t even begin to grasp the amount of changes that one would go through living for over a thousand.”

I opened them again. “How do you keep your sanity for so long?”

“It helps to find outlets,” she answered, “Find ways to unwind. Save a little time on the side to do something completely out of the norm, within reason of course. I find it helps when I have numerous friends that I can talk to. Even when they don’t fully understand, I find that just having some pony nearby that can listen really helps me to calm down.”

“Huh,” I said, “That’s kind of like what I did with my friends.”

“I believe it is your turn again.” Her gentle tone returned to one of less wavering. “I know very little about humans aside from a few myths. How would you describe them seeing as you were one to begin with?”

“You know, that’s a really good question,” I acknowledged, “Any answer I could come up with probably wouldn’t do my whole species any justice. Um… I guess I could start with a few simple sentences.”

I lifted my hoof, imitating Hamlet’s skull-holding pose. “Sometimes we’re up. Sometimes we’re down. Sometimes the world goes round and round. Sometimes we have it. Sometimes we don’t. What matters most isn’t our physical quote. If you just take a look inside our soul cards, you’ll find that we’ve got a lot in common.”

My hoof was starting to ache in that position. So, I put it back down. “Sure, there have been a few more slip-ups than most of us would care to admit. But that’s only when you read Chapter Black. On the whole, I’d say the human race has taken quite a few leaps from the hunting and gathering Homo Halibus.”

I never thought I was going to be a philosopher/lecturer, yet here I was.

“In a world where magic is considered little more than a performance, we’ve done some things that were originally thought impossible. Humans have developed long distance communication via phone calls and email. Long distance travel was made easier with cars on the land and planes in the air. Speaking of long distance, we got a man to land on the moon.”

I pretended to cover the side of my mouth while whispering, “Don’t let the naysayers tell you otherwise with their so-called ‘conspiracy theories’. It was so a giant leap for mankind.”

“Anyway,” I resumed normal speaking volume, “That’s barely a scratch in the technology. The human race has come a long way with their psychological diagnoses too. Did you know it wasn’t until just recently that Asperger’s and autism were acknowledged as genuine conditions? Then, they came up with whole social group settings to help these people interact with a more neurotypical society without completely destroying personalities in the process.”

---{Narrator}

Several key terms went right over Celestia’s head. Yet, she couldn’t help but be fascinated by this one human’s enthusiasm in this discussion topic. It was like she was listening to Twilight Sparkle all over again.

“And oh my gosh, the internet,” not-Nightmare continued, “That’s something that the more developed countries couldn’t live without. It’s become like a replacement for libraries. Almost anything that there is to know is on there and it can be checked relatively faster than opening a book. It’s absolutely crazy.”

She suddenly stopped, as if realizing something.

“I’m sorry. I completely forgot that you were standing there.”

“No, not at all,” Celestia insisted, “It’s all very interesting.”

Not-Nightmare scratched her neck and chuckled sheepishly.

“By the way, what is your name?” Celestia inquired, “You’re certainly not the same Nightmare Moon that I knew for so long.”

“Oh forgive me, Your Majesty.” She cleared her throat. “I’m Dilan Shier.”

---{Dilan Shier}

“That’s a nice name,” she commented.

“I’ve been meaning to ask something else,” I pitched in, “You’re the older of two sisters, right?”

“Yes.”

“But you both hold the title ‘Princess’.”

“That’s right.”

“In the kingdoms of my world, the oldest woman in a royal position holds the title of ‘Queen’. Considering your age, aren’t you technically Queen of Equestria? Why don’t you hold that as your title?”

“Well…” She paused. I assumed she was searching for the right words.

But before she could finish her train of thought, something popped into existence right in front of her face. I performed a double-take. A small rolled up piece of paper resembling a scroll literally popped into existence. It then followed gravity’s pull to the ground in front of her.

I… that… what? My thoughts failed me.

Fortunately, Princess Celestia held slightly less surprise at this defiance of the law of conservation of mass. She picked it up in her golden magical aura.

“The Crystal Empire?” she muttered.

As the scroll unrolled, I noticed a uniquely patterned seal on one end. Was that how she determined from the where the scroll had originated? Her eyes were busy swiveling left and right along whatever was on her side of the parchment. She let out a gasp.

“W-What is it?” I stammered.

The scroll quickly re-rolled itself.

“An important matter has come to my attention,” she replied, “I’m afraid we’ll have to catch up with each other at a later time. I must leave immediately.”

Crap. What could be so serious? I had no idea.

“I’ve already let the guards know that you’re a guest of the castle,” she added, “Feel free to explore at your leisure.”

With that, she flapped her wings and took to the skies. Almost two seconds after that, she seemed to vanish into a sun’s flare. As I stood there staring blankly, a random hummingbird decided to fly in close and stare at my chest piece.

“What in the world was that all about?” I asked it.

The rapidly flapping bird simply hummed and went to a patch of flowers on my left. I guess it didn’t know either.

---{Third-Person}

If the mind-swap verse is a multi-verse where a verse or two’s in mind, how much in a mind-swap verse does a universe not wear a verse to mind?

---{Dilan Shier}

The course of history has produced a number of fascinating results from people who were bored out of their skulls. My case was less than anything groundbreaking. The first hour or so consisted of my reaching with my various ‘arms’. I didn’t mean just my front hooves. My wings stretched out and I could sort of grab some of the grass with my mane.

Of course, there was also that tail I had that seemed to work on its own time. When I focused certain muscles, I could swing it all the way out in front of me. It even made a whip-cracking sound if I moved it fast enough. But when I didn’t focus on it at all, it floated out just slightly around my back hooves. What was the point of this tail? I wasn’t going to go out of my way to wander the unknown world that I couldn’t pronounce and fight criminals or something. That kind of thing only happened in video games.

Well, it also happened in some questionable fan fiction where Cloud and Sephiroth… and I quickly focused my attention on a nearby rose bush.

“Huh,” I muttered, “Those flowers smell good.”

They really did. I was surprised that I could recognize their scent from this distance. Before I knew what was happening, my eyes were caught in a reddish-pink haze. I felt like I was floating even though I knew my wings weren’t moving. My mouth began to water as I imagined the taste of soft, dark chocolate.

“Good roses, aren’t they?”

“Hrm?” The vision popped. I turned to look for the voice. The pony I saw looked older with his gray mane, battered hat and rake.

At that point, I felt something was occupying my mouth. I looked down as best as I could at my muzzle. I saw red, chewed up petals. Somehow, I had walked over to the rose bush without even realizing it.

Am I… eating… a rose? I wondered, Why does it taste so good?

I swallowed the mouthful and chuckled nervously.

“Y-Yeah, they are,” I stammered.

The old man-pony just smiled back.

“I heard you’re the Princess’s newest guest,” he commented, “If you’re hungry, why don’t you head into the dining hall? They can probably serve you a little better than this outdoor salad.”

Word gets around fast, I thought, Didn’t Princess Celestia just tell me about being a guest several minutes ago?

“Thank you, sir.” I nodded to him. “I may just do that.”

With that, he went back to doing his task of raking some leaves. Where did those even come from? I didn’t see that many trees around, let alone with those broad leaves. One of these days, this world was going to give me a real headache. I attempted to forget about illogical foliage by heading back inside the castle.

---{Narrator}

Luna’s eye opened slightly, interrupting her sleep.

Why do I have a sudden craving for rose water syrup? she wondered.

The moment didn’t last long as she soon went back to sleep.

---

Interlude: It's Not Over Yet

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A/N: Warning: may contain trace amounts of "Dark". Proceed with caution.
---

Interlude: It’s Not Over Yet

---{???}

The Crystal Heart acts as a beacon. Its power may be that of love and hope. But inadvertently, it acts as an attractor to the very opposite power. True, the crystal ponies can use it to repel entities of evil. However, when they let their guard down, it will return. Even though light and darkness cannot exist in the same space, one cannot be recognized without its opposite.

That… is what he uses to justify the means of his return. What his former slaves don’t know is the Heart’s other power. What happens when a brighter light shines? Does it not cast a longer shadow?

---{Narrator}

A lightning bolt crashed as a haze of dark clouds rolled over the sky. His fanged mouth curled into a smirk. The darkness was his ally and the crystals were his slaves. His most recent victim, a pale unicorn with a face of terror, was trapped in large, black crystal case. The best part was that his prey never saw it coming.

It was almost touching how helpless and pitiful Prince Shining Armor was.

The rest of the castle’s guards were even weaker. All dressed up in armor pretending to be soldiers and what did they do? They just stood there, trembling in fear in his presence. It was just the way he liked it. All was as it should be.

Citizens all over the Crystal Empire shivered at the wrongness of the evil cackling they heard. After all… they had never heard such malice and ruthlessness in the laughter of the Crystal Princess.

---{Celestia in the 3rd P.O.V.}

The letter had insisted that something was very wrong with Princess Cadance. The message also lacked a signature, meaning that it had been sent in a hurry to avoid detection. Celestia had no time to waste. Her wings beat against the air behind her. She had to conserve her magic. Who knew what force was terrifying enough for some pony to send such a rushed message?

“Sister!”

Celestia turned to see who could call her while she was flying at this pace.

“Luna?” she asked.

“I sense a dark presence up north,” the younger sister replied, “I’m coming with you.”

Celestia chuckled to herself. “I don’t suppose an offer of an extra-large sundae would be enough to convince you to go back to the castle, would it?”

Luna let out a chuckle of her own. “No, but I’ll still be happy to take it when we return.”

Well, that bribe didn’t work. Celestia saw no point in trying further discouragement.

“Then let us make haste,” she said.

Luna nodded an affirmative.

“By the way,” Celestia added, “I figured you would be the most concerned about leaving Nightmare Moon on her own. Are you sure that joining me is such a good idea?”

“I've already given orders to Spirit Sword and Faith Shield to keep an eye on her,” Luna answered, “This time, I’m not alone. So they won’t worry about my safety or abandon their assigned posts.”

“Clever girl,” Celestia muttered even though her calm smile never left.

---

The atmosphere left a most disturbing feeling as the sisters flew over the Crystal Empire. The structures looked relatively untouched, but there were very few crystal ponies out and about. The lack of storm control didn’t help matters. It was midday, yet you couldn’t tell with the large, black overcast.

Celestia and Luna barged into the main castle, ready to face just about anything. The key words were “just” and “about”. They weren’t expecting a hallway lined with the Crystal Guard ponies trapped in crystal cases. Each of them was frozen in place. Some had their eyes open wide. Others had their jaws dropped. But they all shared some expression of confusion or terror.

It was also disorienting to see such a finely lit room cast a shadow over the back wall. A silhouette shrouded in that shadow looked like some pony sitting on the throne.

“Well, well, if it isn’t the Sisters Royale.”

Both of them let out a quiet gasp. The voice they heard sounded calm enough. The problem was in its inflection. It sounded too coaxing and mocking for that particular pony to be speaking. In fact, it sounded a little too close to another time in which someone had used her voice to say such horrible things. Specifically, some changeling.

“Princess Mi Amore Cadenza, what is the meaning of all this?” demanded Luna.

“Oh, Auntie Lu Lu, you know I don’t like that full name,” the recipient replied.

Luna immediately tensed up and glared into the room.

She never calls us that name… or “Auntie”, Luna thought suspiciously.

“What have you done to Princess Cadance?” asked Celestia softly but firmly.

“Oh, not much,” insisted the voice as the silhouette stood up and slowly trotted forward. “I just laid her down for a little nap.”

A fanged smile and two glowing, red and green eyes became visible in the one shadow in the room. Celestia and Luna stood with their best hooves forward. It was clear now that Sombra was somehow back. Well, he wouldn’t be sticking around if they had anything to say about it. But when the former king trotted out of the shadow, their looks of determination changed to looks of horrified shock.

The red horn, dark magic eyes, and crooked smile were most certainly his. The rest of his body, however, had too many shades of pink, purple, and white.

“By the Elders, no,” whispered Celestia.

“What kind of abomination is this?” Luna choked on her own spit.

Sombra let out a loud, feminine cackle that echoed across the Empire.

---{To be continued…}

Ch. 5: Better to Light One Candle

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Chapter 5: Better to Light One Candle

---{Dilan Shier}

I looked to the left. A stoic gaze stared at me from that direction. I looked to the right. A slightly less intense, but equally serious stare came from that direction as well. One sweat drop hung against my head and refused to trickle down. I closed my eyes and sighed.

If there was one thing that these vampire ponies knew how to do, it was how to make a guy feel awkward. Or… were they technically making a girl feel awkward? I didn’t even know anymore. Either way, the tension in the air was making lunchtime an uncomfortable time.

They told me that Princess Luna sent them to watch me and to not take their eyes off of me, I remembered, I didn’t think they meant that so literally.

Did I mention how creepy it was to have two guys staring at me? Well, it was flipping creepy being stared at by these two men with their piercing golden eyes. Not to mention, my growling stomach wasn’t helping to lighten the mood. I needed something to break this tension.

I cleared my throat. “So, how are the wife and kids?”

I could have sworn the vampire on the left had jumped out of his skin. Though, the mental image was immediately replaced with him resuming his glare. The vampire on the right produced a slightly less dramatic visual picture, simply tilting his head in confusion.

“I don’t have a wife… or kids,” he said after a pause.

Well, my joke was an epic fail, I thought while rolling my eyes, Pan-flipping-tastic.

I tried for a more pleasant approach. “It wouldn’t do for me to keep calling you ‘you’. What’re your names?”

“You can try all you like, Nightmare Moon,” replied the vampire on the left, “You won’t be getting that kind of information from us.”

“Faith Shield,” answered the vampire on the right.

Faith Shield? I wondered, Like the shield of faith?

The one on the left sputtered. “What are you doing?”

“We’ve got nothing to hide,” commented Faith Shield, “What’s the big deal?”

The unknown named vampire lowered his voice to a whisper, “The big deal? She’s the enemy. You don’t just hand your identity over to enemies.”

“She’s not setting our lands on fire,” Faith Shield whispered back, “If anything, giving her our names would actually prove that we’re better ponies than those that hide in shadows.”

“This isn’t a debate about honor,” the other one pointed out, “This is a safety precaution and you just threw yours away.”

“Kind of like how you threw your standing orders away yesterday?” Faith Shield chuckled.

“It’s not the same thing!” hissed the other.

“You guys do realize I can hear everything you’re saying, right?” I asked out loud.

The nameless vampire returned to his creepy staring position and cleared his throat.

“Be that as it may,” he stated, “my colleague and I will just have to agree to disagree on what we disclose to you.”

“He’s Spirit Sword,” said Faith Shield.

“Faith!” the no longer nameless one yelled.

“What?” asked Faith Shield before saying, “You should wear your name with a sense of pride.”

They proceeded to argue further, but I tuned them out.

Wait. I blinked. That’s his actual name, Spirit Sword? Huh. I guess that kind of makes sense, guys having the names of weapons and armor and girls having names that sound like they belong to foodstuffs. Although, that begs the question: where did names like Celestia, Luna, and Nightmare Moon come from? Those are clearly not food. Heck, the word “Rarity” isn’t exactly limited to something one eats.

My stomach growled again.

Ugh, I can’t think about the nature of names on an empty stomach.

“Excuse me!” I called out to what looked like a dressed-up pony on standby.

“Yes?” she asked in a gentle voice.

“Could I get something like a… rose petal sundae, please?”

“Certainly, Ms. Moon,” she answered before trotting through a doorway that reminded me of a kitchen door in certain restaurants.

Suddenly, I was very confused. I raised an eyebrow and placed a hoof brace just in front of my mouth.

A rose petal sundae? I thought incredulously, Why did I say that? That was literally the first thing that popped into my head. And she just went along with it. Does that mean something like that is an actual thing in this world?

Well, it was too late to take back the order. I figured it was something that had to at least be edible.

If I were to ingest something harmful to my health, would that kill me again? I pondered, As much as I want to try and get back my humanity, there’s no guarantee that a second trip to Hell is the answer.

I sighed as I lowered my hoof back to my side.

I suppose I’ll just have to play it by ear.

“You’re making this a bigger deal than it needs to be,” said Faith Shield.

“I’m giving it the amount of thought that it requires,” countered Spirit Sword.

Maybe when Princess Celestia comes back from her urgent business, I can ask her about other unusual events. Clearly, this world doesn’t get that many people repossessing bodies of its former adversaries. Otherwise, there’d probably be at least one million other guys in my exact, same situation.

“Fine, fine,” Faith Shield conceded, “You can have the last word.”

“I wish you’d give this more seriousness than what you’re giving it now,” said Spirit Sword.

I can see it now: all the big baddies you’ve ever known now under the control of humans without a clue. Man, that would be the worst movie ever. Hmm, actually that could work if it was a comedy. Nah, that would still be pretty bad.

“Here you are, mademoiselle.” The maiden from earlier had returned and she set something down on the table in front of me.

“Oh, thank you,” I complimented.

The forenamed rose petal sundae was a rather pretty sight. At first, the shade of pink made it look like strawberry ice cream. But upon closer inspection, I could see the physical red petals spread throughout like small sheets of chocolate. The ice cream was decorated with a translucent syrup topping, some rainbow sprinkles, and a mint leaf. It was so simple, yet beautiful.

Without even thinking, I had already grabbed the nearby spoon in my mane-hand. The very top bite was where I started.

Was it possible to describe a new, likable taste with proper descriptors in the moment? Here was what I came up with.

“Gah.. la la… ahh… hm.”

Yeah, now that was an expert food critique. But seriously, the flavors just swam in my mouth for an amount of time I couldn’t determine. I could hear myself sighing and I was pretty sure my lips were smiling. For the longest time, though, I couldn’t figure out why.

Sooner than I would have liked, the ice cream creation was no more. I rolled my tongue around the inside of my mouth. But my efforts were in vain. The sweet dream was over.

---{Narrator’s view inside the Crystal Palace}

They knew perfectly well that they couldn’t afford to expend their strength. If they pushed even a little over half of their magical reserves, the cost of the effort could be the very things that they were fighting for. The Crystal Empire, the little ponies within, Cadance… all of it would be wiped out. So in spite of what others would have called common sense, Celestia and Luna held back.

Still, their current foe wasn’t exactly making the right choice look very smart. Dark crystal shards were tossed around the room. Shadowy pillars grew out of various walls whenever one of the royal sisters flew too close to the side. At least three feathers got plucked off Celestia’s right wing before her shield could intercept the pillar behind her.

Luna was having her own problems. Every time she thought she had successfully shielded against a barrage of shards from one side, another wave of pieces came from behind her. In a flash of white light, she teleported to the opposite end of the room, but more jagged crystals were already waiting for her. This cycle of defending and dodging couldn’t last forever.

Something had to give.

One of the sporadically growing pillars eventually drilled hard enough to break through Celestia’s defenses and collide with her cheek. The sudden impact distracted her focus long enough for a ceiling-bound pillar to deliver a downward smack. She lied down on the floor, though not by choice.

Just when Luna thought she had figured out the attack pattern, the crystals changed direction. Her focus of defense was in the wrong direction and she received a full pummeling against her backside. She ended up lying on the floor about eye level with her sister.

---{Dilan Shier}

“Augh!” I yelped.

My back! Where the heck did all of this numb, burning pain come from? I thought that doctor said I was clear. What was all this painful feeling about?

“Uh, hey.” Faith Shield took a break from his bickering. “Is she okay?”

“Don’t change the sub-,” Spirit Sword started before looking at what his partner was staring at. “What is she doing now?”

My wings were cramping up. My spinal column felt so pierced. I didn’t understand at all. This was just so sudden. I would have expected an ice cream headache from eating too fast, but not this kind of pain. Why did I feel like a living pin-cushion?

I sort of remember falling next to the chair I was on, but the room started to wobble around. It kind of reminded me of that one cruise ship I had been on during a collision with a huge wave. The motion of the room was deliberately slow. To make matters worse, my vision was blurring and my eyes were having trouble staying open.

“What’s… happening… to me?” I asked, though I sounded like I was talking into a drinking glass.

---{Narrator, Crystal Palace interior}

Sombra just stood there with a wicked smile. His previous defeat against the princesses was but a fluke. They were too weak to even realize that all they had to do to destroy his power was to kill his host’s body. It was pathetic.

He was about to laugh at their weakness, but a sudden movement made him frown confusion. In a fluid, almost ethereal spin, one of the princesses was back on her feet. There was something… strange about her eyes. They weren’t just white like how a unicorn’s were while casting a powerful spell. They were a tint of white beyond comprehension.

Her older sister also stared in bewilderment.

---{???}

I was… and yet I wasn’t. No, that didn’t describe my circumstance correctly. I was incomplete. A piece of me was missing. My time was limited with this imperfection. I decided that was fine. It was more time than I needed to rid the dark one’s presence from that heart so innocent and pure.

A few previous vessels tried to carry the power that I wielded. None had succeeded in tapping it fully. They weren’t meant to. No life should have had the burden and curse that was mine alone. Sadly, it was too late to limit the holders. However, I could still aid the removal of another foul presence.

Quietly, I stepped in front of the abomination. I leaned my vessel forward and made the mind link. Dreams eventually made way to the subconscious memories… the ones that were locked up… the ones that the dark one thought he could remove simply by existing.

---{Cadance}

This is…

Everything flashed by so quickly. Green fire burned. Shade led to the underground caverns. Hearts ached and feelings were hurt. My first love’s eyes were so vacant and drained.

But then tears watered the garden. My faith in the magic of love led to my ascension. I had so much fun caring for that one foal. And thanks to her, I met the one pony who could reciprocate my passion and true feelings.

Shining Armor.

---{Narrator}

The host body screamed as the light burned the possessive demon Sombra. Waves of blue light spread out in ever-growing spheres. The black and purple crystal shards were wiped clean. Crystal pillars crumbled. Frozen prisoners in the shaded rocks were freed.

Even some of the pain had lifted. Celestia found that she could stand without trouble. She looked on at everything around her before looking at the center of the room. An image of Sombra’s face glazed over in blue light before shattering completely.

Cadance and Luna landed on the floor on their hooves. Luna held a front hoof to her head.

“Princess Luna?” Cadance asked in surprise, “What just happened?”

---{Dilan Shier}

The strange, dream-like visions started to fade. When I came to, I was standing in the dining hall again. The ponies present hadn’t changed at all, but the expressions on the faces of the two vampires did. Spirit Sword looked absolutely pale. I tried to look at Faith Shield, but I was distracted by the sound of trickling water somewhere right behind him.

There was no fountain behind him, so that just confused me even more.

My back no longer hurt, but I held a hoof to my suddenly aching head. Now, that I could probably diagnose as brain freeze.

---{Spirit Sword}

What trickery was this mare of shadows up to? Little more than one minute ago, she was pretending that she was in pain. Next thing I knew, she was shaking with so much mana that my hide crawled. Being in the same room with her actually felt suffocating.

Beyond that, I could not say. As quickly as it began, Nightmare Moon's magical surge ended. Now, she was holding her head in pain. The faint scent of soiled armor came from Faith Shield's direction. But that wasn't what worried me at that moment.

Since when was Nightmare's tail red?
---

Author's Notes:

Okay, I think I've got a plan now.
Kind of. Sort of.
Well, I know what point "B" is.
What I don't know is how much of the rest of the alphabet I'll have to go through to get there.
I'm not even sure what tags would match that journey. "Adventure" is like, what? Travelling between three destinations for non-slice-of-life events?
~~Also, no one's technically dead (aside from Dilan) or mentally *eff*ed yet. So "Dark" doesn't really fit.~~ I don't feel like crying, so it can't be "Sad" or "Tragedy". "Crossover"... with what? I've been keeping outside source material references to a minimum and I intend to keep it that way. "Alternate Universe"? It's still Equestria, albeit a bit limited by my personal bias and understanding of Equestria. I've already got "Human", and "Comedy" still fits the first couple of chapters. I might add "Random", but that seems like such a cop-out considering every other story I submit has that tag.
...
I'm rambling. Great.

Ch. 6: Your Tail Is Red, So Beautiful

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Chapter 6: Your Tail is Red, So Beautiful

---{Dilan Shier}

Two days ago, I was concerned about being in the body of a black horse. Yesterday, I was concerned about wearing the form and voice of a pony that was considered armed and dangerous to the locals. Neither of these past couple of days prepared me for the concern I had today. Getting kicked out of Hell by a screaming woman was perfectly reasonable. I could accept winding up in a world where magic was commonplace and friendship was one of its most powerful forms.

A tail changing from purple to red was crossing the line!

So it was kind of puzzling why my only reaction was to stroke a hoof along it making sure that it still felt like it did for the last couple of days. It didn’t feel any hotter, so it couldn’t have been on fire. I was also doubtful that I was turning into a cardinal for no reason. I even tried touching the tail with my mane to see if that did anything. The response was inconclusive as my mane remained purple and the tail remained red.

“Do you have any idea what’s happening to me, Spirit Sword?” I asked.

The addressed vampire pony simply harrumphed. I would have asked Faith Shield, but he ran off. I wasn’t sure why, but I thought I heard the words “spare” and “armor” muttered. The smell of a restroom left when he did, so I couldn’t investigate that anymore.

I also still had a headache. I would have pinned that on the ice cream, but the earlier back pain didn’t match the diagnosis. Why did this world have to be so complicated? It was frustrating enough being somebody else.

“Could you at least get me some aspirin, please?” I asked while holding a braced hoof against my helmet, “I’ve got a headache, something fierce.”

Spirit Sword snorted, but then he nodded to a clean-cut stallion in the room. Said stallion responded with a slow nod before galloping away. The maid pony from earlier chose that moment to trot out of the dining room as well.

Before I could ask what was going on, Spirit trotted over. His golden glare was averted as he reached a wing down to his side.

That pouch is so small, I thought, I didn’t see it strapped to him before.

“Remove your helmet,” he told me even though his eyes were still looking off to his right.

“Huh?” I blurted.

“That wasn’t a request,” he added.

“Uh, okay.” I nodded quickly. The mistake of that action was that doing so made my head briefly hurt worse. In hopes that I wouldn’t make this guy angrier than he was, I pulled off the blue metal headpiece. It landed with a loud bang next to me.

Darn it, I thought with a wince. As if my headache wasn’t bad enough without the ringing noise.

The pain suddenly halted. I felt something relatively cold and soft against my forehead. I opened my eyes to see a black, leathery limb. Glancing up, I saw it was holding a small, white cloth against my head. Looking forward, I saw the top of the vampire’s head was at my eye level.

“Hold still for a minute,” ordered Spirit, “Retlaw will be right back.”

“Retlaw?” I echoed.

He sighed. “The butler pony.”

“Oh.” I nodded in understanding.

“I said, ‘Hold still.’”

“Right, sorry.” I quickly feigned an extreme interest in the banner over on the opposite wall. Though, that interest was quickly replaced by confusion. “Wait, what happened to keeping identities confidential?”

“A certain partner of mine decided that that policy was too hard to uphold.” He gritted his fangs.

“Faith Shield?” I hazarded a guess.

“No, Iron Bagel.” He rolled his eyes.

Okay, I deserved that sarcasm, I admitted, You don’t usually have more than two people when it comes to partners in any sense of the word.

After a while, the clean-cut Retlaw returned with a small bottle in his mouth. Spirit took the bottle and held it in his hoof. Using his other hoof, he uncapped it before proceeding to shake a couple blue pills out. All of this was going on while his wing still held the white cloth against my head.

This guy has an amazing sense of balance, I marveled.

“I’m not feeding you,” he said.

“Huh?” I then noticed that he was still holding the pills in one hoof.

Oh, right, I realized, I’m supposed to take those.

I held up my own hoof before he placed the pills on top. Trying not to think about the phantom fingers that were holding things in place, I plopped the pills into my mouth. After I heard the sound of my own swallowing, Spirit pulled his wing away. He twisted the cap back onto the bottle before hoofing it back to Retlaw.

The pain was starting to return. But as soon as it started, it stopped again.

“Wow.” I chuckled. “Advil’s got nothing on this.”

Spirit Sword gave me a weird look before looking to the open doorway. When I looked that same direction, I caught a glimpse of the other vampire pony guard and the maid before they slipped out of view.

“How long have you been standing there, Faith?” called Spirit.

“N-No, I just got here,” his partner called back.

“That wasn’t really a yes-no question,” I pointed out.

The stammering vampire slowly trotted into the room. His sheepish smile did not match his slit, golden irises and shiny fangs. Spirit’s accusatory glare wasn’t faltering, however.

Faith let out a submissive sigh. “For the last five minutes.”

I didn’t know what I expected. I guess Spirit didn’t know what he expected either, because he rolled his eyes and went back to staring at me with the serious look from earlier today.

“Maybe he was right,” Faith muttered.

I turned my head to look at him. “About what?”

“Did you use any hypnosis spells recently?” he asked, “Spirit rarely uses his personal temp-ice-fabric for any pony, even for himself.”

Temp-ice-fabric? I wondered.

“Don’t be ridiculous.” Spirit closed his eyes. “I don’t succumb to simple sleep-inducing magic of any kind.”

“So then why did you help her?” Faith inquired. “You seemed adamantly against offering her help before.”

Spirit opened his eyes and looked straight at his partner. “I took a precaution. A headache would cause any magical misfire to be less predictable and more dangerous. At least if she’s in control of her head, the risk is a known variable.”

“I don’t even know how to ‘fire’ magic in the first place,” I pointed out.

“All the more reason to get prepared for that chance now,” insisted Spirit.

“Sure, whatever, Sword.” Faith gave up.

The resulting silence got awkward after about thirty seconds.

“So,” I interjected in hopes of changing the subject, “Can anyone tell me what’s happening to me, specifically my tail?”

“No clue.” Faith shrugged one hoof-shoulder. “Maybe it’s possessed by a demon pony that turns red whenever it gets angry.”

“Shield,” Spirit interrupted, “I told you to stop reading so many horror dramas on your off-hours.”

“Hey, we all need a hobby,” defended Faith.

As they began a new argument, I tuned them out. With a little encouragement fed into my nervous system, my tail flowed around until I could see the smoky limb in front of my face. It was still as red as it was a minute ago.

An angry demon, huh? I thought, I wouldn’t put it past the devil to leave some trace of himself on my way out of his domain. Still, I don’t know for sure.

“Wait, I think I’ve got it!” exclaimed Faith, interrupting my thoughts.

“Got what?” Spirit looked at him incredulously.

But Faith’s attention was focused on me. “This happened right after you ate that rose petal sundae, right?”

“Yeah,” I replied, “Why?”

Faith grinned. “I have an idea.”

---{Dilan Shier (some time later)}

The sound of my own chewing was a lot louder than it usually was. After swallowing, I let out a sigh.

“So, did it work?” Faith asked.

I lifted my tail for all of us to see.

“No.” I shook my head. “It’s still red.”

“Nuts, I thought I was onto something.” He frowned.

I almost stuck my tongue out in disgust.

---{Princess Luna 3rd P.O.V.}

“I don’t even like violet petal sandwiches,” she said.

Their walk down a crystal hallway was abruptly halted, when all eight of their hooves stopped in place.

“What?” Celestia asked while turning to look at her sister.

“I… I don’t know why I said that,” Luna responded with her eyes open wide.

An awkward silence passed between them.

“Let’s go home,” suggested Celestia.

“Yes, let’s,” agreed Luna hurriedly.

---

Ch. 7: Like A Fallen Angel In Disguise

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Chapter 7: Like A Fallen Angel In Disguise

---{???}

Ponies have hopes. Ponies have dreams. But do they have ultimatums? None can wield this power properly. Yet, power must find a controller. Power must find a host. This power cannot act on its own. It must be taken hold of by strong hooves, by strong wings.

Whose dreams soar above the clouds? That is where this power shall proceed. That is where her hopes... shall crumble beneath the soft ground upon which she sleeps!

---{Dilan Shier}

"I think this 'color of food equals color of tail' theory can be discarded," I regretfully informed the ever-hopeful vam-pony guard, "I mean the first time I actually ate red rose petals was out in the garden. Nothing happened out there."

Faith Shield's ears flopped down. The corners of his mouth followed suit.

"Sorry, uh, Mr. Shield," I stammered. "I didn't... What I meant to say is thank you for trying."

"S-Sure, no problem." He rubbed a hoof against the back of his neck sheepishly.

Spirit Sword coughed. "So, what will you do now?"

I sighed. "I don't know. At this point, I'm just sort of making things up as I go."

As if to answer an unspoken prayer, an orb of light shone forth and burst in the middle of the room. I may have gone blind, or perhaps it was just that bright. Either way, the flash ended as quickly as it began.

"Your highness!" Spirit Sword exclaimed before taking a bow.

"And your highness," Faith Shield added before following suit.

Sure enough, both of the princesses I had met today were standing right there. I could have sworn I saw Princess Celestia taking heavy breaths while Princess Luna was holding her own chest. Though, the supposed actions quickly ceased and they resumed what must have been their regal stances. I also thought I saw a couple of scuff marks along their hides.

"At ease, gentlecolts," said Princess Luna.

Both of the vampire guards stood back up.

"How do things fare in the Crystal Empire?" inquired Spirit Sword.

"It turned out to be a minor issue that has been dealt with effectively and swiftly," responded Princess Celestia.

Princess Luna looked like she was going to add more, but decided against it. "How about the happenings around here? Has she caused you any trouble?"

Everyone present easily saw where her hoof was pointed to when she said "she".

"Nothing we couldn't handle," Faith Shield offered with a smirk.

"Care to elaborate?" Princess Luna followed up.

"She showed signs of an unusual backache and headache," told Spirit Sword, "Additionally, her tail has become an odd shade of crimson. We haven't yet determined the cause or reason for the change."

That seemed to perk Princess Celestia's ears. "Crimson?"

I chose that moment to turn a little so that my tail was in view. "It's about as red as the color red can get."

Princess Luna narrowed her eyes. "What kind of trickery is this?"

In lieu of arms, my wings shrugged for me. "Your guess is as good as mine, your majesty."

She bit her lip. A couple feathers on her wings scratched her sides rapidly. She closed her eyes. She breathed rather loudly. I wasn't sure, but I think I saw a blood vessel threatening to burst on her forehead.

In contrast, Princess Celestia lacked any forehead wrinkles at all. Her eyes were closed too, but her lips were neutral. I couldn't even hear her breathing. Was she meditating on her feet or something? I didn't know.

"I can't deal with this right now," muttered Princess Luna. She marched over to the table's end and promptly sat in one of the large seats. (Holy sleet! How did I not see those chairs when I first came in here?) "Rose petal banana flambé, and make it drown!"

"But of course, your highness," responded the maid mare as she trotted into what I could only assume was the kitchen.

I heard someone else sigh. I turned to look, but the only one in that direction was Princess Celestia.

She opened her eyes and shook her head. "I guess she doesn't want that ice cream after all."

"Huh?" I tilted my head. Then, I quickly shook it dismissively. "Princess Celestia?"

"Yes, Dilan Shier?"

"May I ask where you went?"

"No need," she insisted. "I'd be more than happy to talk to someone about today."

---{Luna, third P.O.V.}

Thankfully, her subjects were punctual with meeting her requests. The blazing dessert was slid on the plate in front of her. Upon her earlier command, extra rum was poured onto the burned slices and petals. She had been warned about the dangers of intoxication previously. However, she was not in the mood to speak with her health advisor anytime soon. Food and drink stood no chance against her Royal palate.

With nary a second thought, she levitated a spoonful of the sweet dish into her mouth. Her pupils briefly dilated before expanding over her irises. Warmth spread throughout her body. Her legs felt heavy. Yet her magic was still shining brightly. Another spoonful of banana goodness was shoveled down her throat.

---{Dilan Shier}

"So even Princess Luna doesn't know how she defeated this Sombra guy?" I reiterated.

"I'm afraid not," Princess Celestia confirmed.

"Well, that's a -hic- bummer." I immediately lifted a hoof to my mouth. What the heck? Where did that come from? I smacked my lips. And why does it vaguely taste like rose petals... and beer?

My hoof fell back to the floor. My whole body felt heavier all of a sudden. My cheeks felt like they were burning up, but they felt good. I could have sworn that I was wearing the most spit-faced grin right then. The room felt like it was wobbling around me. I struggled to keep my head straight.

"Are you feeling all right?" asked the blurry after-image of the princess in front of me.

"Uh-huh," I mumbled back, "In fact, I feel really... mellow for some reason."

My left leg slipped from under me... or was it my other left leg? I didn't know. I could have been hallucinating. Perhaps it was a right leg that someone slapped onto my left side. But that was okay. The floor wasn't that painful on my heavy chin. In fact, I was able to stand shakily back up in less than a second. It was all good.

"Dilan, have you been drinking?" Princess Celestia was giving me a combination look of confusion, concern, and worry.

"That's not possible, Cinpress Lecestia." I shook my right wing for a no. "I-I-I haven't had a shingle drop of booze for the past week." A hiccup betrayed my trust. Well that's just fan-tipping-flastic. Why is my body trying to make a liar out of me?

"Mm-hm," she murmured, though her deadpan face said otherwise.

Maybe I heard the other princess sighing in relief. Maybe I didn't. I couldn't tell in the blurring sound of nonexistent background music. I didn't understand her. Why had she set perfectly cooked food on fire?

"I fell into a burning... ring of fire." I reminisced before giggling.

---{The sober ponies, third P.O.V.}

Celestia watched her sister continue to indulge herself with the spirit-possessed fruit. Her eyes kept scanning back and forth between Luna and a loopy armored mare in front of her. It appeared that with each of Luna's bites, Dilan Shier the Nightmare Moon showed another sign of intoxication. Though how this transference of effects was happening, she couldn't quite fathom a reason.

Meanwhile, Faith Shield had already rushed over to his princess. His temp-ice-fabric was in wing before slapping it onto Luna's forehead. While that was going on, Spirit Sword was trying to hold her back.

"I believe you've had enough, your highness," Spirit stated unquestioningly.

"No! Your princess commands you to let us eat our sweets in peace!" Luna swatted with her hoof, but all she hit was thin air.

"Princess, you're drunk." Even Faith couldn't find this situation funny.

"I'll get as want as I drunk-a be." Luna let out a most unroyal belch.

As the other night-related alicorn fell onto her side, Celestia promptly trotted over.

"It's getting late anyway," she pointed out. "You should get some proper rest."

"I don't wanna," moaned Dilan, shaking her front hooves as if competing in a slap fight. Her opponent, however, turned out to be nothing but the air next to her.

"Dilan, you're inebriated," Celestia said while standing safely out of hoof-range.

"But I wanna stay up late, Mommy," not-Nightmare whined.

"Mommy?!" Celestia's eyes snapped open. She actually flinched her hoof in front of her. Just how out of her mind is she right now?

"Oh, why must I be punished?" asked Dilan.

"Your mind is clearly in a confused state." Celestia regained her composure. "You need to rest."

"Okay." The not-Nightmare smiled. In a split second, her muzzle collapsed against the floor. Her eyelids snapped shut. A loud snore buzzed.

Celestia sighed before concentrating her golden magic. She lifted Dilan up and over herself. She then looked back at the guards and their lady. By this point, Luna had fallen asleep with her mouth open.

"Could I trust you to take care of her?" Celestia asked.

"Do you even have to ask?" Faith Shield smirked.

"This isn't the first time we've had to assist Princess Luna move to her quarters," added Spirit Sword. "It won't be the last, either."

"Thank you." Celestia nodded.

---

Celestia quietly closed the door behind her. She closed her eyes and audibly exhaled.

"Princess Celestia?"

She opened her eyes and looked around. "Oh, Faith Shield. Where is your partner?"

"Last I checked, Sword was undressing Luna," Faith replied.

Celestia's mouth twisted uncertainly. "Uh..."

Faith facehooved. "Yes, yes, I realized it the moment I said it."

Celestia coughed. "She's sleeping that deeply, huh?"

"Yeah, I'm afraid so."

Celestia took a moment to concentrate her magic aura. To the onlookers of the outside world, the evening sky gave way to pale moonlight. The small cycle barely took more than a few seconds.

"Sorry that you had to raise the moon by yourself again."

Celestia waved a hoof dismissively. "You don't have to worry about that. I completely understand how Luna can be when she's... indisposed."

"Speaking of drunkenness, how did Nightmare Moon manage to get wasted?" Faith wondered. "I was watching her all afternoon and she didn't so much as look at one drop of a hard drink."

"Well, don't quote me on this," she spoke softly, "but I might have seen a clue as to how that happened."

"You have?" His ears perked up.

"Just before Nightmare started behaving in such a manner, Luna was devouring a large quantity of rum. Normally, the alcohol would have been cooked out by the fire of that dish, but she had specifically asked for extra liquid after the fact."

"But what does Luna's poor choice of meal have to do with Nightmare's health?" He tilted his head in confusion.

"First, let me ask you this: While you were watching her today, did she happen to eat a violet petal sandwich?"

Faith's eyes widened before blinking twice in rapid succession. "Y-Yeah. How did you know that?"

"Call it a hunch," she continued, "After we had our encounter in the Crystal Empire, Luna made a stray comment about how she disliked the taste of a violet sandwich."

Faith put a hoof to his muzzle and lowered his head. "Come to think of it, Nightmare looked pretty disgusted after she was done eating."

"I believe that my sister and Nightmare Moon have a connection tied by their very souls," Celestia proposed. "One of these connections resides in their taste buds."

"And another is in their sobriety?" he reiterated as he looked back up. "That seems like a bit of a stretch."

"If it were just one coincidence," interrupted a new voice, "I'd be inclined to agree with you, Partner."

Celestia and Faith Shield looked to the side. Spirit Sword trotted over toward them.

"However, multiple coincidences seem to make such a magical connection more likely," he concluded.

"I don't know, man." Faith scratched the back of his neck. "It's a bit of a shaky premise."

"Do you have a better explanation?" Spirit asked rhetorically.

Faith shrugged with one hoof and his opposite side's wing. "My angry demon theory is still on the table."

To this, Celestia raised an eyebrow. She stared at Faith Shield before turning her eyes to Spirit Sword.

The latter closed his eyes and waved his hoof dismissively. "Trust me, your majesty. It's best if you don't ask. He'll end up talking about his horror drama novels all night."

---{Dilan Shier}

*Drip!*

I scanned my dark surroundings. I didn't understand why everything was so dark. Clouds of various shapes floated around before leaving my sight completely. An arch, a lightning bolt, and the outline of a Pegasus were among those cloud shapes. After that came some whispers. They sounded like gusts of wind, yet I could still make out some of the words.

"Name's Lighting Dust."

"Squirt, what's wrong?"

"I'm not brave like you are, Rainbow Dash!"

"Couldn't someone else be your jousting partner?"

"No pony beats Rainbow Dash, not even some pony that looks like me!"

"I'm an egghead."

"That's Commander Hurricane to you!"

"Let's show them how to party, Ponyville style!"

None of them really made sense to me. Though, if I was picking up the slight inflections properly, then it stood to reason that these were somehow related to Rainbow Dash. The strange wind in this dark realm was picking up speed. Either that, or I was floating forward a lot faster. A giant obstacle came barreling at my face and I only had a split second to form a thought.

Is that a Darkwing Duck mask?

*Poof!*

---{Luna}

She could sense that there was trouble originating from this pony's dream. Even so, she hadn't expected the subconscious entry to be quite this shaky. This didn't feel like the solid barrier of a pony using mind protection spells. The entrance had felt more like strong turbulence than anything else.

Some pony has purposefully allowed me in while trying to reduce my powers inside this dream, she thought. Well then, they will be quite disappointed.

---{???}

Are you really okay with how they think of you?

"Huh?" Rainbow Dash looked around the sky. "Who said that?"

Was it truly you that needed to learn the lesson?

"Show yourself!" She jabbed a few empty sockets of air. "I'm not scared."

Not even of your friends?

She lowered her hooves while her wings kept flapping. One eyebrow rose. "What the hay are you talking about?"

The sky changed drastically to midday. Dash widened her eyes when she saw the ponies floating around her.

"Aren't my hooves the strongest you've ever seen?" An Applejack look-alike was wearing a sneer and a full Mare-Do-Well outfit.

"Can you name any pony else with the Pinkie Sense?" A Pinkie Pie double with the same outfit grinned wickedly.

"Isn't my magic the best?" Twilight Sparkle asked mockingly.

"I can just fly by better than you." Fluttershy waved her hoof frantically and energetically.

"My costume design is simply perfect." Rarity stood on a stone hill looking down.

Dash felt very cold all of a sudden. She could even see her breath as she wildly turned her head to look at the ponies all around her.

"What the feather?" she wondered, "What are you guys talking about?"

"It's perfectly fine when we show off," Twilght's voice lectured.

"But when you brag, it ain't," claimed Applejack with half-lidded eyes.

All five of the Mare-Do-Wells laughed into a cacophony.

"That doesn't make any sense!" Rainbow shouted while pressing her hooves against her head.

The scene spun around her into a blurry mess. Meanwhile, a cloudy figure floated down and rested on Dash's shoulder.

Why didn't they trust you enough to at least try to talk with you first?

Dash lowered her hooves and her head. "Well, I am kind of a fetlock head."

That doesn't mean you never listen.

She rose her head back to normal eye level. "That's right. When it really counts, I am willing to listen."

Doesn't it upset you that they would go for the error through example approach rather than starting with a talk?

Dash nodded. "Yeah, it does."

Doesn't their message contradict their actions? They brag about their accomplishments and then claim that you shouldn't.

"Yeah! They're such hippo... hypacro... er... They're such dips!"

Are you angry?

"I'm firing mad!"

Do you hate them?

"I was going to say, 'I really, really, really, really, really dislike them,' but that works too."

Stew on that hatred for a while. Let it build up and consume you. I will guide it to a good use.

"By the way," Dash paused, "you never told me who you are."

Me? Oh, I'm just a friend to the poor, unfortunate souls.

---{Dilan}

I didn't know why, but I couldn't move and couldn't speak while the whole debacle took place right in front of me. A bunch of storm clouds were circling that cyan Pegasus. Simultaneously, strangely colored sparks were pulsating all around her. I'm pretty sure I saw some erupting from inside of her.

"Rainbow Dash!" called a familiar voice. In spite of the rest of my uncooperating body, I was able to turn my head enough to see Princess Luna flying into view. She didn't look very happy when she spotted me.

"What have you done to her, Nightmare Moon?" she demanded, "Answer me!"

"Me?!" I exclaimed, "I didn't do anything! She was like this when I got here."

Oh hey, my voice is back, I thought, Though, that would've been nice about ten seconds ago.

*Kra-kow!*

The sound effect of a lightning strike caught the attention of the princess. She and I turned to look at the cloudy pseudo storm. The sparks seemed to be erupting at a much faster rate. Seeing what happened next didn't make me feel any more at ease.

Rainbow Dash's mane and tail looked like they were losing solidity, a hairy sublimation. Her hide started to turn a much darker shade to the point where blue was no longer visible. I wasn't quite sure from this angle, but she looked like she was growing taller. The cutie mark symbol faded from a white cloud with a red, yellow, and blue lightning bolt to a gray cloud with a green, purple, and orange lightning bolt.

Her eyes snapped open. Even from here, I could see that her magenta irises were slit.

What the heck? What the heck? What the heck? I floated there, not knowing what else I could do.

"No!" Princess Luna shouted as she flew down toward the storm. But before she could do whatever she had in mind, a gigantic lightning bolt lashed out from the clouds. She was pushed back, beyond the dark sky and out of sight.

"Princess Luna!" I yelled. I turned back to the conglomeration of Rainbow Dash and the storm. Her giant wings opened wide and flapped once. I could feel the power of the wind she had made. I didn't know what being in a tornado felt like, but I'll be darned if this wasn't a close second. I held up my front hooves defensively, but the guard movement didn't do squat against the wind's sheer pushing force.

To put it lightly, I was flung for a spin.

"Aaaaaaaah!"

---{Split-screen, Dilan and Luna}

Her eyes snapped open.

The Element of Loyalty is in danger!

---{Dilan Shier}

“Me?” I choked on my own breath. “What do you want me to do?”

“For the time being, you shall accompany us for observational purposes only,” explained Princess Luna, “Whether your presence aids or hinders the nightmarish entity will mostly depend on you. If you can somehow weaken or remove the Nightmare layer that exists over Rainbow Dash, then that would be appreciated. On the other hand, your dark energy may attract the essence and you'll become a disposable target. The situation is win-win.”

“That doesn't exactly sound like a victory.” I grimaced. I would have crossed my arm-hooves, but I quickly remembered that I needed at least one on the ground to remain standing.

“It won't come to that.” Princess Celestia gently shook her head. “Luna has a very dry sense of humor.” She smiled, though I couldn't immediately tell if it was genuine or forced.

“Yes,” muttered Princess Luna through gritted teeth, “That must be it. Dry humor.”

Nobody in the room laughed, unless one counted Faith Shield’s nervous coughing as laughter. Said vampire tossed a blue helmet my way. I had nearly forgotten about that thing. With a touch of hoof and mane, I was about as covered as I was going to get.

At that moment, Spirit Sword cleared his throat. “Your Highnesses, the emergency?”

“Of course,” Princess Celestia said with a nod, “This won't take more than a moment.”

Her golden magical aura shimmered along the outline of her horn. Simultaneously, a white light blocked out my vision of anything else.

---

Why do I feel weightless? I looked down. Oh.

"Woah!" By some miracle, my wings remembered how to recover and maintain my altitude. "How did we get up here?" Though when I looked up in front of me, that question was quickly replaced with a different level of surprise. "Woah."

It looked like a huge storm. But I don't think anything that I could say would describe what I was seeing with justice. There were giant clouds raining, hailing, and snowing all around a much larger black, cloudy fortress. A few waterfalls were scattered around the floating structure, but they looked like one of those awareness raising banners. How did this water capture the full visible light spectrum?

"Dill Anne."

I turned to see Princess Luna and the others. "Yes?"

"You will go in first," she said without request. "Spirit Sword and Faith Shield will cover the sides."

"Understood!" reported the guards in unison.

Right, Princess Luna considers me expendable, I remembered. Here goes something.

Like rotating arms, I flapped my wings and advanced toward the fortress of storms. Immediately, I had to squint as I was bombarded with a harsh downpour. Immediately following that, a barrage of hailstones came. They weren't much larger than pencil erasers, but all of them together added up to total pain.

"Ow! Ow! Ow!" I exclaimed after getting passed that cloud. I muttered, "Why didn't Nightmare Moon think to forge some armor for her backside?"

I caught a glance of the vampires following me. They somehow timed their wing flaps to cut through the clouds and avoid the worst of the solid precipitation.

Show-offs. I smiled wryly before returning my gaze to the floating structure in front of me.

"Well, what do we have here?" asked a calm, almost seductive voice. "Some pony to gaze upon my awesome sky?"

My smile vanished and my eyes opened wide. There, standing at the doorstep of the cloud fortress was that creature from the dream.

"R-Rainbow Dash?" I presumed.

The shadowy creature shook her head. "Rainbow Dash is no more. You may refer to me as... Nightmare Spectrum."

While my wings were occupied with keeping me airborn, I scratched my neck with a hoof. "Yeah, that name doesn't really work when compared to Nightmare Moon."

"Ah, yes." The creature smiled. "The young Pegasus' memory feeds me well. You were the cause of commotion the other day." A single flap from her giant, dark wings brought her up close and at eye level. "What's your reason for being here, impostor?"

"Impostor?" I echoed as I leaned my neck back.

"I can tell that you aren't really me," continued not-Dash. She started circling around, riding on some invisible current. "Your body may resemble my original form, but that heart and soul of yours reek of innocence. It's disgusting."

To that comment, I raised an eyebrow. "How the heck do you know what my heart and soul smell like?"

Nightmare Spectrum rolled her eyes as she resumed floating in front of me. "It's a figure of speech. What I can sense is simply from your eyes. While the draconic stare is pretty, your gaze lacks hatred... jealousy... any thirst for power. All I can see when I look at your eyes is a sense of foalish curiosity."

"Hey, I hate plenty of things," I countered, "like clams and the Teen Wolf series... and dubstep."

The black Pegasus simply stared back with a tilted head, as if she were saying, "What the heck are you talking about?"

Wait, why am I defending my inner hater? I thought, I just recently escaped Hell. I should cherish any signs of innocence I have left.

After an awkward pause, I tried changing the subject. "What happens now?"

"Now?" The confusion left Nightmare Spectrum's face as she chuckled. "I'm going to spread my thunder!"

The unnecessary flashes and booms from the nearby clouds emphasized her point. A couple quick, white bolts decided to literally drive the point into me. I couldn't exactly describe what happened during that time other than saying that a lot of 'g's and 'j's escaped my throat just then.

Isn't there some scientific law that I can't be struck by lightning twice? I lamented as I lost altitude. I crashed onto something soft, yet weight-supporting. I felt the worst burst of static ripple through my front right hoof. I only hoped it was that electrical spark that I was hearing and not a bone cracking. Considering the status of my struggling nerves, I couldn't verify one way or the other.

"Not so fast!" called Spirit Sword as he zoomed by. It sounded like his sharp wings sliced through something. A yelp from Nightmare Spectrum verified his successful attack. However, her form quickly blurred out of sight. Both the vampire guard and I gasped in shock.

"Not so fast?" echoed the mare's disembodied voice.

A shaded, yet colorful trail passed by Spirit Sword. He winced. The rainbow-ish trail rushed by again... and again... and again. Soon, the trails were crossing him from every thinkable direction. As quickly as they came, however, they stopped passing. Spirit groaned and held his front hooves against his stomach. Behind and above him, the current enemy reappeared.

"I've taken control of the fastest flier in Equestria!" Nightmare Spectrum cackled. "But if you really want things to slow down, I suppose I can help you oblige."

She flew up and pulled down a small, dark gray cloud. Then, she proceeded to hop up and down on the cloud. A large cluster of snowflakes poured out of the cloud at once. How did snow even work like that? In any case, a recovering Spirit Sword took the full blizzard all over himself.

The impromptu snowstorm ended almost immediately, but I let out another gasp at the effect. Spirit was encapsulated in a block of ice. With his wings stuck in a fixed position, his frozen body fell. Luckily, it wasn't any further than I fell. Though, I'm not sure how he didn't fall through the cloud we were lying on.

Wait, I'm on a cloud?

I looked down. Sure enough, the soft ground I was resting on was a pile of dark fluff that resembled the other light gray clouds in the general vicinity. The sight surprised me enough that I leaped to a standing position. However, the occasional electrical shock that zapped me earlier gave each of my legs an unpredictable wobbling pattern. To say that my stance was shaky was an understatement. My left eye shut as I gritted my teeth against the shock.

"Hold on guys!" called Faith Shield. "I'm coming!"

I looked up to the other vampire pony. But a certain dark pegasus materialized in front of him before he could get any closer. It made him jump back in the air while gasping in surprise. His golden gaze was filled with worry.

"Where do you think you're going?" asked Nightmare Spectrum rhetorically while staring at the stallion. "You'll miss out on the next cold front."

I didn't know why, but Faith Shield reminded me of a scared puppy. I couldn't just stand by and watch this puppy be cornered like this.

Move, Dilan! I internally screamed at myself while whipping my tail in a moment's frustration.

---{Third Person Narrator}

Nobody could have anticipated what happened next. Just as the Nightmare controlled Rainbow Dash was about to strike Faith Shield, something towered over and struck her away. Faith blinked at what he saw. Spirit Sword's eyes moved around to peer through his icy containment. Nightmare Spectrum shook her head and held a hoof against it while wondering what hit her.

They all stared in shock at the tall, dark crystal structure growing out of a cloud. Although, none of them were quite as shocked as Dilan. She struggled to find words as she gazed the length of what had just been conjured. Eventually though, she averted her gaze and focused instead on her long, smoky, and red tail.

"Okay, angry demon," she addressed her initial doubt, "who are you and what do you want with me?"

The deep, graspy male answer was not what she wanted.

"Fill... me... with... her... hatred."

Ch. 8: Hatred Is A Shut Door

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Chapter 8: Hatred Is A Shut Door

---{Dilan Shier}

I rapidly shook my head. "I'm sorry. What?"

Though, whatever had answered me decided not to repeat himself. All I heard was the somewhat stormy cover in the background that had cut us off from the princesses. I eyed my tail with uncertainty.

Well that's just fan-tipping-flastic, I thought. Apparently there is something living in my tail that turned it red. Great... as if I didn't have enough demons to face.

A dark, yet multi-colored trail swept passed the corners of my peripheral vision.

Speak of the devil. I clenched my teeth against the force of the wind.

Nightmare Spectrum was back on the offensive, and her snarling face was anything but happy. She swiveled around a couple nearby clouds. She then proceeded to turn around and slam her back hooves into them. Lightning bolts surged out of the clouds and joined together.

Letting out a yelp, I quickly urged my tail to whip the cloud area in front of me. A second crystal pillar quickly grew out. I didn't understand how I was doing this, but I was content that I could do something. Boy, did I do something. That giant lightning bolt crashed right into that crystal and the electrical energy seemed to dance around before travelling down the crystal's length. I saw the energy surge into the cloud underneath before it dissipated.

A cloud acts as a ground for the current? I sighed. Is there any law of physics that this world won't defy?

The world didn't seem interested in answering my question. Next thing I knew, I was getting my head dragged across the cloud with some pony's hoof pressing against my neck. I'm not sure how long that lasted, but the lack of breathing ability made it feel like hours.

When the sliding sensation finally stopped, I struggled to open my eyes. My sight was a bit blurry, but I could identify the seven colors of smoke in my attacker's mane.

"You're beginning to annoy me," huffed Nightmare Spectrum. Something slapped my face to the side. It might have been her wing, but it stung so much that it might as well have been her hoof. Another swatting motion forced my head to turn the other cheek. My helmet was doing nothing to protect my muzzle. My nose was running, probably with blood.

Did I mention that I couldn't breathe? I couldn't breathe. I attempted to say something, anything, but all I got out were a few noises like those of a guy being strangled.

...

What? Have you ever tried to come up with a proper simile while you're choking to death? It was impossible for me.

---{Narrator's POV}

Faith Shield smacked himself in the head. This snapped him out of his fearful stupor and allowed him to take another look at the situation. Though, it wasn't much better than before Nightmare Spectrum was threatening to freeze him. His partner was still incapacitated and Nightmare Moon was currently getting an unpleasant face remodeling.

"Come on, Shield," the stallion critiqued himself, "Get a grip! This is no time to be pissing yourself."

He forced his bladder to hold it in and prepared his wings to dive.

"Let's do this." He licked his lips and whooshed into a descent. "Leeroyyyyyyy Wingkins!"

---
(Meanwhile, at the Wonderbolt Academy...)

"Achoo!" A blonde-maned, brown Pegasus pony sneezed. He looked around his sleeping quarters, wondering what in the world made him sneeze himself awake. He shrugged his wings and rolled over, pulling his covers up.

---

No, Faith! yelled Spirit Sword mentally, because his ice cube prevented him from yelling any other way. Don't be a hero! Of course with the adrenaline rush Faith was on, he wouldn't have been able to hear Spirit even if he had been able shout.

Nightmare Spectrum's ear flicked, causing her to stop her wing in mid-slap. She slowly turned her head, wondering what that noise was. She didn't even get to blink before a gray hoof made an impactful punch with her face. The unexpected, new contact forced her into the air.

---{Dilan Shier}

I inhaled sharply. I could cough properly since the enemy's hoof was no longer crushing my windpipe. Sweet oxygen, the air tasted great! I could have done without the liquid iron running over my lip, though. I quickly rolled over so I could stand.

I turned to look at the man of the hour. "Nice work, Faith Shield."

He seemed to be having trouble catching his breath. "Yeah... that felt... good."

A loud stomp echoed through the sky. Faith and I opened our eyes wide. Slowly, we broke our unofficial staring contest as we turned to look. Sparks were dancing around the approaching pony. The deathly gaze was made all the more intimidating by the pools of magenta. Several short 'uh' sounds repeated from Faith's mouth. That was more impressive than my stunned silence.

Now, I know what one or two of you might be thinking. Dilan, why were you scared of a black Pegasus with a rainbow aurora for a mane? You've seen Princess Luna with a desire to destroy you. Shouldn't you be over this fear by now?

To that one or those two people, I would reply, "I don't get more interested in dying when exposed to danger. I get less interested in dying. So as long as a threat exists, I will continue to fear for my life."

Nightmare Spectrum was pissed. There wasn't much left I could think to do. Faith Shield must have used up all he had saving me from the choking fit. I was pretty much drained after the fight of regaining respiration. Spirit Sword was still fighting winter paralysis. To top it all off, I had no way of feasibly returning a scouting report to the princesses that were patiently waiting outside of the storm cloud barrier.

"Repulsive colt!" shouted Nightmare Spectrum, "I'll flatten you where you stand!"

The dancing sparks started to flash more rapidly near her front right hoof. A couple beats from her large wings launched her forth. It seemed she was intent on retaliating with a variant of her attacker's move. The poor thing wouldn't be able to move in time on his own.

Gosh darn it. I silently moaned. "Move!" With both front hooves, I shoved Faith Shield a few feet along the cloud. Though in doing so, I ended up right in the path of Nightmare Spectrum the instant before she made contact. My voice was filled with 'g's and 'j's. How I hadn't fried my brain on all of this voltage, I had no idea. But, I still didn't appreciate all of this pain.

"... Perfect."

Just like that, a switch had been flipped. The electricity stopped flowing and I could open my eyes without flinching. I exhaled my confusion before turning to look at my electrocutioner. I'm amazed that my eyebrows stayed on my head when they were raised so high.

Nightmare Spectrum had her mouth wide open with her tongue sticking out. She was letting out several choking noises. The red, smoky appendage around her neck was likely the cause.

My tail! I stared unblinkingly. But, I'm not doing this. What's going on?! I half-expected myself to scream, but I couldn't. My voice was trapped somewhere in my throat.

"Yes... Yes... Yes... I must have it."

I gasped. It's that voice again.

Then, the color started draining from the Pegasus' face... literally. The blackness itself was retreating, revealing a much lighter cyan color underneath. I followed the retreat with my eyes. As the color divide receded to the middle of her body, her wings shrank a little. Her hooves shortened as well. When the pony's hide was almost completely cyan, her mane started twitching. It looked less like an attachment of smoke and more like solid hair.

"Give... it... all... to... me..."

Stop it! You're killing her! I tried moving the muscle that must have been in my tail, but its grip wouldn't falter.

Soon, the Pegasus' hooves were short enough that the red tail was dangling her just a bit above the cloud. The magenta irises shrank, allowing way for more white eye. The slits reshaped into black dots. She let out one more choking fit before her eyelids shut. With its task complete, the red tail finally loosened its grip and dropped Rainbow Dash onto the cloud.

Oh my gun. I sat on my haunches and stared at the little pony. In my peripheral vision, I saw the clouds separating into smaller clumps. Some of them disappeared while the rest turned a more pleasant white. The cloud fortress no longer looked that intimidating. In fact, it almost resembled a white mansion complete with rainbow waterfalls. The clear, night sky actually helped it stand out.

But the storm might as well have stayed. I felt something flowing down an emotional drain. I didn't feel comfortable looking at Rainbow Dash, but I couldn't look away.

Finally, my vocal chord worked out a whispered, "What have I done?"

---

I don't know how long I sat there looking at the poor thing. Next thing I knew, I was getting patted on the back by Faith Shield's wing. I knew because it was enough of a touch for me to turn my head and see him. He gave me a reassuring smile, but I couldn't bring myself to return it. To his right, Spirit Sword was standing, though he was shivering a lot. I guess the icy blast hadn't quite worn off yet.

I heard a couple of steps to my left. When I turned to see, Princess Luna's expression was unreadable. I think this was the first neutral expression I had ever seen from her. It was actually a bit more unsettling than her angry face.

Meanwhile, Princess Celestia was trotting over to the body of Rainbow Dash. She knelt her head down. I felt like doing the same thing.

"Princess, I'm sorry. I-"

She raised her head back up and looked straight at me. "If you're worried about having taken this little pony's life, then stop worrying."

I lifted my gaze almost immediately. "You mean...?"

She nodded and gently smiled.

"Whatever you did inside that storm seemed to do the trick," commented Princess Luna, while holding her expression. "Now the only thing left to do is monitor you until you betray us."

"Luna, aren't you laying down the dry humor a bit thick?" inquired Princess Celestia.

The younger princess clenched her teeth. "Sorry, Sister. I'll try to hold it back more."

Ah. I half-smiled. There's the look of frustration I know and dislike.

Rainbow Dash floated in a golden aura before being gently plopped onto Princess Celestia's back.

"I'll take her to the nearest hospital," she insisted. "Why don't the rest of you head on back to the castle?"

Without waiting for an answer, she quickly flapped her wings and went on her way.

Princess Luna turned to look at me. "For the record, I wasn't joking."

"Yeah, I'm pretty sure we all got that," I affirmed. I then promptly fell onto the cloud completely.

---{Narrator's POV}

Luna blinked twice, then sighed. "She fell asleep. Didn't she?"

"Out like a light," confirmed Faith Shield. "Considering how crazy that battle was, I'm not surprised."

"Right, how exactly did she defeat the Nightmare that possessed the Element of Loyalty?"

"It's like I told you before, your highness. She summoned crystals to fend off lightning strikes, saved me from certain death, and finished it all up with a strangle tail."

"And there's nothing else of interest that happened?" Luna raised an eyebrow.

"Well, I'm not going to tell you how Spirit went down in the earlier round and how heroic I was when I smacked Nightmare Spectrum in the face. That would just embarrass him."

Spirit Sword's teeth chattered while he crossed his wings in front of himself. "Th-This is a v-v-very enlightening convers-s-sation, but can we p-p-please move it t-t-to the n-n-nice warm c-castle?"

"Quite so," agreed Luna. With but a blue spark, the four ponies disappeared from the cloud.

---{???}

Perhaps there's something to you after all. A soul that clings to innocence can actually guide power toward a cause. A cause is typically better than flying forth without passion.

I'll let you have some of my power for now. But do you have what it takes to recover the rest of my strength? Can you handle my entirety? That remains to be seen.

Good luck... human.

---{Dilan Shier}

"Wait!" I raised a hoof. "What do... you... huh?"

I took a slow inventory of my surroundings. I was lying on a bed. The room was full of relaxing shades of blue, white, and pink. I could see sunlight leaking in from a nearby window. Did I just wake up from a dream?

I moved to a more upright sitting position. "Spectrum, what were you trying to tell me?"

But the dream was already fading quickly from my memory. I rubbed my wrist against my face and sighed. It was about then that I noticed the gauze wrapped around my neck.

"I'm no doctor," I admitted, "but I think I've worked long enough in medicine to know that this isn't an effective fix for neck injuries." On that note, I used my bare hoof's phantom fingers to pull the poor bandaging off. "Come to think of it, my neck doesn't even feel so bad."

I went ahead and eyed the rest of myself. My wings could move just fine. Each of my hooves felt fine. My horn was still little more than a fancy door ornament, but otherwise it was fine.

My mouth twisted into an uncertain frown as I looked at my tail. Whatever had caused it to act independently from me yesterday seemed to be dormant, if not completely gone. I thought about moving that limb like the extra arm that it was. It responded to where I 'told' it to go without hesitation. I still looked at it warily before deciding to slide off the bed.

Nightmare Moon's armor pieces were sitting against the nightstand in an orderly fashion. I went ahead and shuffled into the chest plate and helmet. Then came the leg bracers: back right, back left, front left, and front right.

*Bzzrt!*

"What the...?" I felt a short zap from that leg piece, almost like static. I lifted my right hoof and turned it palm-side up. My eyes snapped open at the sight. Instead of blue, the underside of the metal bracer had green, purple, and orange strokes.

What is with all of these color changes? I silently asked while looking between this bracer's underside and my tail. What's next? Is my hide going to turn pink or something? I slammed my hoof down enough to make a loud tap. If Princess Luna finds out about this, will she drink us both into a coma again?

It was a long conversation yesterday before Princess Luna and I managed to tell her guards and Princess Celestia about the Element of Loyalty's danger. One of those topics turned out to be a theoretical soul chain. That's how I found out about the shared sobriety and taste. Even though a bunch of magical explanations ran the order of this world, I still questioned how drunkenness could work like that. Unfortunately, I was short on other ideas.

Back in the present, I heard a knock at the door. Shaking my head quickly, I trotted across the room. When I opened the door, I didn't know who I was expecting.

"Hey, Nightmare... er, Dill Anne," he greeted.

"Oh hi, Faith Shield," I returned the greeting. "How are you doing?"

"A lot better today, thanks." He smiled briefly before changing to a look of concern. "Yourself?"

"I can safely say I've had worse," I replied with a light chuckle, "I've had broken legs before. Compared to that, I'm the picture of health."

"I'm glad to hear that." His smile returned.

"So, what brings you by today?" I asked.

"Well, I just received word that I've been given a week of vacation, starting today."

"Oh?" I blinked. "That sounds great. Does Spirit Sword get the week off too?"

"About that... Princess Luna did give him the offer but..."

---{Faith Shield's flashback}

"You've worked so hard already," insisted Luna, "You deserve time to relax more than any pony else I know."

"Be that as it may," said Spirit, "I can't in good honor leave you without knowing that you have some form of guard."

"Come on, buddy." Faith gave a playful whack with his hoof. "I haven't seen you in a chugging contest in over a year."

"That's because I understand my limitations now," Spirit responded flatly.

"Would it change the matter if I gave you an order to take some time off?" wondered Luna.

"Not one bit, your highness," the unflinching guard pony replied.

Luna stared at him for what seemed like forever. Then, she sighed. "All right, that's your choice." She then turned to the other guard pony that was releasing a breath. "In that case, Faith Shield, I have a request while you're away."

Faith smiled wryly. "You want me to take Nightmare Moon with me so that we can keep an eye on her, right?"

"Actually, we've been referring to her as Dill Anne, and-" Luna paused and actually leaned her head back. "Have I become that easy to read?"

"Like the Juvenile Monster series." He nodded.

Spirit Sword performed a facehoof and quietly groaned.

---{Dilan Shier}

"Wow," I commented. "If there's one thing to admire about the guy, it's his diligence."

"Yeah, heh," Faith chuckled.

"Wait." I looked down slightly. "If I go out into the city, won't all the ponies just start screaming and running around in circles as soon as they see me? I... kind of don't want to relive the my first time to Ponyville."

His golden eyes widened after I said that. He then proceeded to scratch his chin thoughtfully.

"I may have an idea of where that won't be an issue." He turned around and motioned with his wing. "Follow me."

---

A cloud of steam briefly blocked out my sight of anything else before evaporating.

So, this world has train stations, I observed. Huh. Well, I guess that's not too unusual, but could they have chosen to make a train that didn't resemble gingerbread? I turned back around to see Faith trot over to the main building.

"Two please," Faith told the pony behind a window. He then proceeded to pull out a small, purple gem and pushed it through the slot. A couple of yellow tickets slid back out the same way. "Thanks, ma'am."

"There seems to be an awful lot of ponies crowding the last car," I noted aloud. I didn't think it looked very comfortable for so many ponies to sit, stand, or press themselves against the confines of that gingerbread-colored passenger car. There were also a lot of eyes staring at me through the window.

"Eh, they probably just want to hoard all the food in the dining car," Faith said dismissively, "Let's go."

"If you say so." I was still uncertain, but I followed him on board anyway.

The inside of the train was less edible looking. The front car in particular had what amounted to couch seats with emerald green backs. I couldn't see how that would be particularly comfortable. But we weren't stopping here. Faith Shield was already heading into the next car back.

This one had sliding doors that led to the seating inside miniature rooms. Faith trotted back to the second door on the left and slid it open.

*Woooo!*

---

The cart attendant seemed a bit tense as he offered Faith some donuts, but otherwise didn't say anything. After Faith tossed a couple of gold coins, the other pony practically galloped away. It was making me feel more uneasy about coming on this trip. Faith offered the dark brown circle in his hoof and I grabbed it with my left hoof's phantom fingers. My internal worries regarding the scared ponies were interrupted when my taste buds were suddenly introduced to the pastry.

Wow! I hummed in delight. That is rich. No wonder I never eat these anymore.

"So," Faith said between bites, "I went ahead and gave a friend of mine a call. He's going to meet us at the station."

I practically gulped my entire donut. "Oh, yeah. You never said where we were going exactly."

"It's a bustling city that gets less than three hours of sleep at night," he stated proudly.

I held my hoof right in front of my face as I looked down. That sounds an awful lot like a slogan I know. I can't seem to place it, though.

"We'll figure out what to do after we get there," he said reassuringly.

And... I lost my train of thought. I gave up and set my hoof down. I settled for listening to the clickety-clack noises from the rails as the travel continued.

---

The train came to a screeching halt. Through the window, I saw nearly all of the ponies from the back car frantically race away. I supposed that they were all late for something, but I couldn't tell what. As Faith and I made our way out of the train, he started taking a careful panned view of the station area just before the exit stairs.

"Faith, there you are!"

Upon hearing that voice, Faith's expression immediately brightened up. He practically galloped down the stairs to what looked like a chartreuse stallion. I trotted along after him, though with less haste.

"Good to see you, Pine Apple," Faith greeted.

"It's been too long, man," the other stallion said with a smile. He didn't have anything other than hooves and a tail. Earth pony, I guessed. "How's Luna been treating you?"

"Can't complain," Faith answered with a grin, before motioning for me to come closer. "Pine Apple, this is the mare I told you about over the phone."

"Oh, hey," Pine Apple greeted me with surprisingly zero tension, "I'm Pine Apple."

"Dilan Shier." I returned his hoof shake. "Pleased to meet you."

He took his hoof back and waved it once around himself. "Lady and gentlecolt, welcome to Manehattan!"

My ears perked upon hearing that. Did he say... Manehattan? I took another look at the buildings along this street. Wait, this city is called Manehattan. It's full of skyscrapers. Faith said it's a city that lacks sleep. That can only mean...

"Hey, lady!" A sudden blot of brownish-orange was in my personal space.

Darn it! There it goes again. I exhaled in resignation. "What?"

The brownish-orange blot turned out to be a small filly with a sort of faded red mane. She seemed to be intently scrutinizing every inch of me. She scampered around me a few times before rubbing her chin.

"That's an okay Nightmare Night costume," she finally concluded, "but your cat-eye contact lenses are way too obvious and the tail color is all wrong. Keep trying." She then flashed a confident smile.

I blinked a couple of times, uncertain of what I just got critiqued about. "Uh..."

Pine Apple chuckled. "I see you've gotten acquainted with Babs Seed."

"That's Babs?" Faith Shield whistled. "Wow, she's growing up fast. I remember when she was barely tall enough to bite my ankles."

"Not for lack of trying." Pine smirked.

"For hay's sake, Dad," Babs Seed remarked, "I said I was sorry that they looked like Turkish Delight."

"I wasn't even mad." Faith shrugged. "I was impressed that you knew what Turkish Delight was back then."

Babs didn't comment further. Instead, she blew a bit of her mane out of her face.

Pine clapped his hooves together once. "Well, that's enough standing around for now. Who's ready for some lunch?"

It was weird how having devoured trans fat on the train only made me feel hungrier. I heard my belly gurgling audibly despite some of the background noise in this city.

"Great!" Pine nodded. "To Messy's Hall!"

We power walked over to the corner of the street. I performed a double-take at the vehicle in front of me. It had the yellow and black appearance of a taxi, but it was open in the front. Not to mention, a uniformed pony was hooked up to it. What was the point of carriages if the population was entirely consistent of ponies? Trains were a thing in this world. Why weren't cars?

Pine grabbed a 'door' that was on the yellow carriage's side. He started to climb on before another pony came in out of nowhere and pretty much shoved him away. The mare then climbed in while giving her demands for the address to go. Pine seemed resigned to the barger and he sighed. Something ticked me off about the mare's scissor imitation, though. Without thinking, I trotted closer.

"Hey!" I hollered, "He had this cab first!" A random lightning bolt crashed in the sky, but I paid it no mind.

"Hmph," harrumphed the sitting mare with her nose up while swatting her mane. "Pics or it didn't happen."

I leaned back while gaping. She didn't even flinch when she saw me. I don't know whether to be relieved or insulted.

With that, the taxi puller galloped off, carrying the pushy mare with him.

Babs hurried over and helped her dad back to his feet. "You alright?"

"Yeah," he answered. "We'll get the next one."

---

As it turned out, Messy's Hall was a retro-styled diner. The image was complete with rollerblading waitresses. Our meals consisted of fried hay and veggie burger sandwiches. At first, I thought it was weird that ponies would cook anything like fake meat. But that was dismissed by a thought that it was made of tofu anyway.

The guard off duty and I took off our respective headgear and set them aside while we ate. Faith practically threw himself into his platter, but I was distracted by other thoughts and ate rather slowly.

"What's on your mind, Ms. Shear?"

I looked down at Babs. "What makes you think something's on my mind?"

"Because you've been sucking on that catsup bottle for the last two minutes."

I looked over at my hoof. Sure enough, there was a red squirt bottle instead of my beverage.

"Huh." I smiled humorlessly. "I thought my raspberry shake had too much tomato in it." I shoved the bottle away before actually looking and grabbing the cup with my drink in it. I resumed my slurping of deep thought.

"So..." Babs made circular motions with her hoof expectantly.

I gulped the contents that were in my mouth and sighed. "It's that pony from the taxi earlier. Who does that? Who pushes someone else out of the way when it's obvious who had it first?"

Faith paused in his engorging and swallowed. "That's part of life in Manehattan for you. Every pony feels that they are the most important being in the world and they all have to be somewhere at a certain time. No pony else's schedule matters."

"I heard that the locals wouldn't even let Princess Twilight get a cab when she needed it," added Pine.

"Get out. Really?" Faith shook his head as he grabbed his shake.

Wait. I opened my eyes and stared upward. Now I remember what I was thinking. The city is full of skyscrapers. It's called Manehattan. It hardly sleeps. Babs has a Brooklyn accent. The ponies that live here are jerks that won't even budge for royalty. And... and...

"Random question," I piped up, "Is there a green statue near here depicting a pony carrying a torch?"

"You mean Freedom Mare?" responded Babs, "Yeah, she's on that little island right in the bay."

Freedom Mare... as in Lady Liberty? The dots connected and they were even in order from zero all the way to one hundred. I'm in New York City.

I could feel the smirk gluing itself to my face. Snorts were bubbling up in my throat. Mt. Cackle became active and I was right at the epicenter of the eruption.

"Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!"

"Uh, Dill Anne?" inquired Faith.

Ow, my sides. I had both of my front hooves grabbed around my belly. I felt tears streaming through my eyelids. But I just could not stop laughing.

"Does... that happen often?" wondered Pine.

"No, I've never seen her act like this before," Faith insisted.

"New York City! Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha! Woah!"

Hello, linoleum. Nice to see you again. Light blurred out.

I could of sworn I heard a faint last word from Babs. "Nyeh?"

---

Ch. 9: Faith Shield's Vacation

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Chapter 9: Faith Shield's Vacation

---{Narrator POV}

(Day 1)

"Man, she is a heavy bastard," muttered Pine Apple.

"Oh, this is... nothing," commented Faith Shield while grunting. "Try lifting the princess after she's had a frustrated drinking binge. Then we'll talk about heavy."

After Dilan Shier knocked herself unconscious by way of a laughing fit, the two stallions and filly decided to carry the burden together. Though, it wasn't easy. Faith had to carry their helmets under his wings. The other ponies had strength, but Nightmare Moon's body was in a really awkward position to carry.

"Come on, you big pussies," grunted Babs Seed, "Put your backs into it."

"Yes, ma'am," answered Pine half-sarcastically, though it was difficult to tell against his straining.

---

All three of them panted heavily. Sweat was dripping down all of their heads. Faith pulled out his temp-ice-fabric and dabbed it against his head a few times. Pine held one hoof against the couch for support while catching his breath. Babs blew a wet mass of her mane out of her eyes.

Currently, Dilan was sleeping soundly along the length of the couch. Her snoring was... less than pleasant.

"I thought we'd never make it back to the apartment." Pine slumped his head. Faith offered his fabric, but his friend responded with a dismissive hoof wave.

"She sure knows how to make a first impression, though," continued Pine, "What was all that about a New Yolk City or whatever?"

"Hay if I know." Faith shook his head. "When I was first assigned to watch over her, she seemed a lot more reserved and distant."

Pine stood up and headed for an open doorway. "I'm going to go take a shower. Babs, why don't you head on out? You said you had some special work tonight."

Babs gasped. "I completely forgot about that plan!" She turned and galloped through the room's door. "Nice seeing you again, Mr. Shield. Gotta go! Bye!"

Faith's eyes followed the filly until she was out of sight. He then turned to look at the other stallion. "What's this special work that she has planned?"

"Cutie Mark Crusaders: Manehatten Squadron," Pine recited with a smirk. "Ever since her visit with the family in Ponyville, she's been reaching out a hoof to the blank flanks in our neck of the woods. They try whatever they can to reach their goal of earning their cutie marks."

"Sounds like fun," commented Faith, "But doesn't that get in the way of actually discovering what they're good at?"

"Personally, I'm just happy that Babs is making some friends," Pine stated, "She knows that the agreement is to be back by 11:30. I'm not worried."

"All right, then," concluded Faith.

"Feel free to help yourself to a wheat ale in the fridge," hollered the resident before water started running.

Faith took a long, calming breath before looking at the apartment's other guest.

---{???}

Lightning is a strange element. Magic composes of many opposing forces trying to correct themselves. Not least of which are the components of light and dark. Pegasi naturally carry the ability to split their inherent light while flying and their passive dark into storms. When these two forms of magic clash back together, it results in a quick path of energy.

Observe as I demonstrate on you!

---{Dilan Shier}

"Jumping junipers, not again!" I yelped. A floor collided with my left side. "Ow."

"Father of Celestia," breathed Faith Shield, "What is going on with you today?"

I turned my head to look before turning over to stand. "Faith Shield? Where are we?"

"Pine Apple's apartment," he answered. "We decided to carry you here after you conked yourself out at Messy's."

"Conked?" I echoed. "Ugh, no wonder my head feels like it's been hit by a 9-iron."

Faith had something in his grasp and lifted it into view. "Maybe you should keep this on for purposes other than the battle field."

I accepted my helmet by way of my hoof's phantom touch. "Yeah, I had no idea her head was so fragile."

"Her head?" he echoed. "Wouldn't the word be 'my'?"

I situated the helmet on to slide down my horn. "Well, it belonged to Nightmare Moon first. Technically, everything but my mind and soul was hers."

The vampire pony guard's eyebrow raised. "But... you are Nightmare Moon, Dill Anne."

"Oh, wait, that's right," I said in realization, "You never heard the full story that I told Princess Celestia."

It was about then that I heard the sound of a water source halting. Rubbing a towel all over his head with one hoof, the chartreuse earth pony stepped into the large room. He then proceeded to yank the towel off before shaking his head. His mane straightened out, only slightly wet.

"Morning, sleeping beast," he said with a smile. To that, I let out a quick laugh.

"Hey, you're just in time," Faith chimed in, "Dill Anne here is about to tell a story that got Princess Celestia's attention."

"Is that right?" Pine responded. "I'll drink to that." He trotted over to a refrigerator. "You guys want one? There's plenty to go around."

"All right!" Faith smiled.

"Eh... I'll pass." I waved a hoof dismissively. "Princess Luna consumed enough alcohol for the both of us the other day."

The glass bottle in Pine's hoof slipped a bit. He flailed around against that and the fridge door, as the bottle juggled in place. He finally managed to hold it still as he turned to look at me with wide eyes. He didn't see Faith hiding his chuckling behind a wing.

"Really?" Pine managed to say, "It sounds like a fun tale, and I'm only hearing the preview." He grabbed another bottle's neck between his teeth. He then trotted back the way around the couch.

"Well, yeah." I took a few steps. "In fact, it starts out on the day I died."

---

"That's when I left my fate to the judgment of the Elements of Harmony."

I left my entire audience (all two of them) speechless. One had his jaw daring the floor to come closer. The other had his mouth closed with the only visible shock being in his eyes. Try to guess who was who.

Pine looked down at his ale bottle in disbelief. "How is the cap still on this thing?"

"Let me get this straight." Faith waved his hoof around. "You're actually... a colt?"

"Well... yeah," I confirmed.

"And you're trapped in Nightmare Moon's body," Pine continued.

"Looks that way." I scratched my neck.

Faith stood up from his seat on the couch. "Excuse me. I need to drop something." He then proceeded to grab a nearby trash bin. He tossed his full ale bottle into the bin and resumed his open-jawed look of bewilderment.

Pine took a slightly subtler approach. He set his bottle on the floor in front of him. Following that, he used a hoof to shove the ale to his right.

"So," he said with a cough, "what's it like being a girl?"

"Honestly," I said with a winged shrug, "I don't really see the difference except for my voice. Sure, there's all the pony anatomy that I didn't have before, but I don't think that's enough to qualify as a gender-specific viewpoint."

"Uh-huh." Pine rubbed his chin. "Why is your tail red again? Last I checked, Nightmare Moon had a purplish night sky for both her tail and her mane."

"There's an angry demon living in her tail," Faith remarked snidely.

"No, seriously." Pine deadpanned.

"Actually, that may be closer to the truth than you think." I curled my tail around to bring it to the forefront. "When we were dealing with the corrupted Element of Loyalty, I heard a deep voice talking to me. My tail seemed to act with its own goals, not bound to what I wanted it to do."

"Seriously?" Pine's eyes opened wider.

"Still, it managed to release Rainbow Dash," I admitted. "It's probably a lesser evil even if it is a demon."

"So..." Faith paused. "Just don't show any hatred and it'll leave us alone?"

"That seems to be the case," I answered with a nod, "I don't sense that presence at all right now." I wagged my tail a little for emphasis. Nothing spoke. No dark crystals were formed anywhere.

The front door rattled. Someone trotted in all covered in what appeared to be blue-stained splotches. The door quickly turned shut as she entered. When she pulled her goggles off, I recognized the spring green eyes.

"My goodness, Babs Seed!" I exclaimed, "What happened to you?"

"What? This?" she responded, "Oh, nothing. The C.M.C: M.S. just got through realizing that paintballing isn't any of our special talents." She smiled around the blue splotches. "On the bright side, we've got something fun to return to in the future."

Pine looked to an analog clock on the opposite wall. "Is it that late already?" He didn't wait for an answer. "Huh. I guess it is."

"I'm going to go freshen up," declared Babs as she stripped a paint-covered vest off and tossed it to the side. She then proceeded to what I assumed was the direction to the restroom.

Pine stood up and stretched. He then walked through the doorless doorway.

"The guest room's through the first door on the left here," he called over his shoulder, "Goodnight... boys." I could have sworn I heard him chuckling under his breath.

Faith sighed. "Sorry about that. Pine can get a little... um..."

I shrugged my wings. "I'm not even mad."

The sound of water cutting off indicated that Babs was done with her shower.

"Well, that's good," Faith continued, "Besides, I think Nightmare looks good on you."

I tilted my head while looking at him. "Huh?"

The vampire pony's golden irises showed in full. His wings scrunched tightly to his sides. A slight tint of red appeared on his left cheek. I was reminded of that look one of my coworkers had when they talked about my boss only to realize at the worst possible instant that he was right behind her.

"Feathers, I just said that out loud. Didn't I?" he muttered. He quickly performed a faux pas yawn. "Well, heh heh, it's been a long day. We've got so much we can do in this city over a week. Don't want to be too tired to experience it. Right? Goodnight!"

Just like that, I was looking at an empty couch.

Where did he learn to run so fast? I wondered as I saw the trail behind him. And what was that all about? I sighed. He has a point, though. I am tired. I guess exposition will do that to me.

I decided to head to the restroom. There was a nightlight of sorts to guide nighttime wanderers to its location. There was still a bit of steam wafting about from a filly's shower, but it was otherwise clean. For the first time in what seemed like forever, I looked at my reflection in the mirror.

Wow, that's... somewhat intimidating. I leaned in a bit closer. Yeah, those are draconian slits. I opened my jaw and wiggled my tongue around. Sheesh, look at those fangs! No wonder Ponyville was so scared of my smile. I probably looked like I was going to bite somebody's head off. I rubbed a hoof under my chin and hummed. Yet Manehatten seems to be immune to that kind of intimidation. I set my hoof down and nodded. Yep, I'm in New York all right.

After taking some usual bathroom actions, I wandered back into the living room. The couch was so comfortable the first time that I slept in it. I didn't want to change a good thing.

---

(Day 2)

I was having trouble understanding one little thing. Was hay supposed to be a side dish, a main course, a milkshake ingredient, or breakfast cereal? Because in the less than one week long time span that I've been in this world, I've seen it served in all four forms. I understood that a vegetarian menu was limited, but did that really call for dried grass to be in everything? I thought fruits and veggies existed all across the color spectrum.

Meh, whatever, I decided with spoon in mouth, I guess it's no worse an idea than several cardboard cereals I came across back on Earth.

"Morning, folks," greeted Pine as he reached for a seat. "Sleep well?"

I buzzed my lips. "More or less."

"Was there another dark premonition in your dream?" inquired Faith.

I shook my head. "Not so much a premonition. It was more like an affirmation of what already is. I heard that demon's deep voice again. It didn't say anything coherent. Rather, it just laughed in the background in an echoing kind of way."

"Sounds like it's satisfied laughing in its little corner with whatever menial secret it knows." Faith gave a reassuring smile.

"There was something else, though," I said after swallowing another mouthful of hay flakes. "I can't quite pin down what it was, but there was another, fainter whisper. It felt... well... different than whatever's in my tail."

"Different good or different bad?" Pine asked while poking a juice box.

I illustrated my uncertainty by lifting my front hooves and imitating a weighted scale.

"Different neutral," I finally went. "I didn't really get a sense of what side she was on. I just felt the faint presence there."

Pine paused mid-sip. "She?"

"Well, the whisper sounded feminine," I set my hooves down as my mane picked my spoon back up. "I don't know. I'm still new to how dreams relate to reality in Equestria."

"They don't always have to," pointed out Faith, "Perhaps you're just stressed with all the other things that have happened recently and the dreams decided to grab something random to cope with it."

"Sure," added Pine, "Take your time. Relax a little. This is practically your vacation too. Isn't it?"

I looked down at my empty cereal bowl and chuckled.

"Yeah, you're right." I managed a smile and looked at these ponies. "Thanks."

"No problem," returned Pine, "Offering advice is the least I can do for a pony close to Faith... no matter which way he swings."

I performed a double-take. "Wait, what?"

Faith, on the other stand, did a loud spit-take with his coffee. "Pine Apple! It-quay the inging-sway."

"All right." Pine lifted his hooves in mock defeat. "I've got to head to work anyway. See you two later."

I was looking at an empty seat.

Seriously, how do these ponies vacate the premises so quickly? I wondered.

Meanwhile, Faith Shield was busy guzzling the milk out of his bowl. Was this normal behavior for pony men? I honestly had no clue what they were doing or talking about anymore. He slammed his dish down (amazingly without breaking something) and cleared his throat.

"So... how about we go fly around Central Park?"

Well, my fear of falling from heights seems to have been desensitized with all of my airborne struggles.

"Okay."

"Great." Faith scratched his neck briefly before turning his attention to the apartment's other resident. "See you this evening, Ms. Seed."

The filly seemed preoccupied watching an electronic screen and holding a... video game controller.

How does dexterity work with such a device? Wait, stupid question. Phantom phalanges. Forgot about those for a second.

When Faith called to her, she popped out an earphone from the obviously named body part.

"Huh? Oh! See you Mr. Shield and Ms. Shear." She then promptly returned to her gaming session. "I've got you this time, Shaded Fox!"

A few dishes in the sink later, Faith and I were heading out the door.

---

The actual 'flying' around Central Park barely lasted the first few minutes. Shortly thereafter, we were sitting on a wooden bench. Faith looked preoccupied, so we ended up sitting with our bodies turned away from each other. It was a relatively nice day, what with the sun shining and clouds almost nonexistent against the blue sky.

So, it's not very authentic to bustling city atmosphere, I thought. Wait, this is technically a real city. I just implied that... ugh. I've got to stop trying to force Earth standards onto the standards of this planet called-

A random baby cried in a stroller while the mare pushing said stroller was doing her best to shush the noise.

The only thing that way of thinking is going to get me is a huge headache.

A small crowd of ponies gathered around what looked like a hot dog vendor. Wait, could ponies actually eat hot dogs? Although upon more scrutiny, they looked more like full carrots... with the tops still on... covered in condiments... in a bun. I guess that was one way to avoid dealing with health and safety regulations.

There were a few fillies running around while tossing a frisbee back and forth. One of them even performed a cartwheel before catching it.

"May I ask a bit about yourself?"

I turned my head around. "What's that now?"

"I mean, you told me about your after-death experience," Faith continued, "and I can piece together the parts that I lived alongside, but I've yet to really know you." He turned back to face the same direction as the rest of his body. "Sorry, you don't have to answer that if you don't want to."

I blinked, rubbed my chin, and cleared my throat in that order. "I guess I hadn't really decided what I wanted to do in life until after my first university semester. Helping others feel better just appealed to me. I didn't exactly want to be forced into the blood department. I never went after that Ph.D. I settled for Master's. Medical clerk was the highest position I aimed for."

At some point, Faith decided to return his eyes to look at me.

"I didn't have many hours dedicated to free time, but occasionally when I did have it, I'd play a quick game. The other times were dedicated to hanging out with my weird friends... that I liked hanging out with."

My eyes followed a nearby hummingbird, but I wasn't actually looking at it so much as giving my eyes a point of reference.

"What about you?" I asked, "What can you tell me about yourself?"

"Gee, where would I even start?" wondered Faith.

"Eh, maybe around five years ago," I commented with little forethought, "or before you were Princess Luna's guard. Whichever came first."

"Well, I learned most of what I know about combat from... my... dad..." He looked down at the walkway. "But it wasn't until my initial training in the Royal Guard academy that I met Spirit Sword." Light returned to Faith's eyes. "He helped round out some of the edges in which I was rough. In return, I helped him develop a tolerance."

"A tolerance?" I echoed.

"Yeah," Faith affirmed. "It was an unofficial test. If he could put up with me, then he could put up with any pony. After all, my sense of humor would kill the unsuspecting."

A snort escaped me. I chuckled into my own mane.

"See, you can withstand it because you've been around me long enough to develop that tolerance."

A pony wearing sweats and a headband jogged by.

"You're the laid back, patient defense. He's the serious, straight lined offense." I closed my eyes. "A shield and sword. Your specific tasks may be different, but you both protect."

"Hey, I can be serious too!" he insisted.

"Well, yeah," I agreed, "When you need to be. But you don't always have to be. Being able to rest is just as important as being able to work when you are called to do so."

"So... do you think Spirit can find a laid back side?" Faith wondered.

"You've known him longer than I have," I pointed out. "I'm sure you'll be able to find something safe to tick."

The sun had moved a considerable distance since we sat down. Just how fast was time passing?

I stood up and hopped off the bench. "We should probably head back soon."

"Yeah," he agreed as he got up and spread his leathery wings.

---

(Day 3)

"How did I get roped into this?" I wondered.

Somehow, Faith and I had become members of the gym down the street. He literally shoved me the distance between the apartment complex and the gym. I think he said something about wanting something else to add to his bragging rights when he went back home. I don't know. That little detail got lost in a number of other topics that I couldn't keep up.

So, there I was with one of the gym's trainers showing me the rundown of push-ups... with her wings. I don't know how that works either. Wings could be used to do push-ups. Well, considering quadrupeds don't have arms to bend in the traditional sense, I guess ponies had to improvise their workouts.

"Lift with your carpus feathers," the trainer told me. When I attempted to push, she shook her head. "No, not your alulas. Your carpus feathers." I tried shifting weight to a slightly broader side of my wings. "That's better. Now keep it steady."

I snuck a glance over to where Faith was. He seemed to be busy in an alternating weight-lifting. Pull with one hoof, release that one hoof's weight, pull with the opposite side's hoof, and release. I could've sworn that I had seen this scene before, but I couldn't quite place where.

---

Gears whirred, fans blurred, and my trainer told me she'd be right back. I was literally trotting nowhere. But then, simultaneously moving and remaining stationary was the whole point of a treadmill. My wings were killing me, but onward I stepped. I even chanced a slightly more rapid pace for the belt that I treaded.

I felt my heart pumping faster and the sweat building up all over me. It sounded as though a horse were galloping right where I was running. I suppose that was appropriate considering what I was and what I was essentially doing.

When I started hearing irregular whooshing noises, I chanced a glance down at the ends of my hooves.

Are those sparks flying? I wondered.

Suddenly, bluish-white sparks were racing all over this little machine. Before I could say 'short-circuit', the wall that was about ten feet in front of me decided to introduce itself to my head and my back. The worst part about that greeting, though, was that my wings' soreness decided to check on everyone.

At least I had my helmet on this time, I thought before falling from my awkward position to the floor. Ow.

"Dill Anne!"

I heard the clanging noise of metallic pounds dropping before the only guard pony in the gym rushed over.

"Are you okay?" he asked as he brushed some of the wall debris off of my neck.

"I've had worse," I replied while my wings winced slightly. "I consider being conscious after an accident to be an improvement over my last record."

It was about then that I took a good look around the place. Ponies in various attire were staring in bafflement. The wall had an impression of a Pegasus in an upside down crucifixion pose. The treadmill's belt was at a standstill while the occasional spark raced along the top. To top it off, my trainer chose that moment to walk in calmly... only to drop her cup of smoothie mid-sip.

Nervously, I trotted over to her. "Um, thank you for your time today. It was a great workout. But, uh... I'm going to call it a day. 'Kay, thanks. Bye!"

I think I discovered how Pine and Faith could so quickly vacate the premises when they wanted to. That, or I just ran out the door really, really quickly.

"Wait for me!" called Faith as he followed in full gallop.

---

(Day 4)

Pine Apple was up early today. He was done cooking a large stack of pancakes by the time I got up. There was even something sizzling that looked like bacon. Though when I tried a strip, it kind of tasted more like someone had poured salt all over some hay. It wasn't bad. It was just... different.

Whatever it was, Babs Seed couldn't get enough of the not-bacon. She scarfed it down like there was no tomorrow. Meanwhile, I took my sweet time buttering my pancakes and eating small forkfuls. Faith, however, seemed distracted by something outside the window.

"Has any pony else noticed that the moon is still out this morning?" he asked.

Pine instantly shut the stove off and ran over to the window. "What?"

"Well, that's not so unusual," I commented after swallowing another bite. "Back in my world, the moon could still be seen partially during a clear day."

Faith pointed at the window. "This isn't partially."

I stood up and walked over to that window and looked around at the outside. The sky's colors were divided into equal halves. The sun was up in the blue half. A full, glowing moon floated in the purple half. It was like looking at one of those expressive paintings.

"That's... not normal," I admitted.

A puff of blackish-blue smoke suddenly materialized in front of Faith's face. There was a popping noise. A scroll dropped that was tied by a pin with a design carrying both Spirit Sword and Faith Shield's cutie marks. You'd think I had gotten used to magical paper, but I hadn't.

Faith quickly undid the seal and unraveled the scroll. His eyes scanned back and forth across the parchment. He let out a gasp. He then hurried over to the table and gulped down a whole pancake.

"Well, Pine, good buddy," he said, "thanks for letting us stay."

"Hey, thanks for sticking around," Pine returned the gratitude.

"Come on, Dill Anne," Faith motioned with a wing, "We've got to catch the next train!"

"Wait, wait, wait," I interrupted, "What the heck is going on?"

He held the door ajar.

"The princesses have vanished."

---

Faith Shield,
Princess Luna and Princess Celestia have vanished without a trace. On top of that, the Everfree Forest has apparently sent an invasion of plants.
Get your flank back to Canterlot right now!
Spirit Sword

Ch. 10: You Know, I Think I Would Have Preferred Snakes

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Chapter 10: You Know, I Think I Would Have Preferred Snakes

---{Dilan Shier}

The return train to Canterlot was a little different than the train to Manehatten. In the part that we entered, there were seats along the sides of each car right next to some handlebars to hang on. It was like riding in one of those shuttle buses. It felt like it was going a bit faster than the other train considering how I had to strain my hoof to hold on.

"According to Spirit's letter," explained Faith Shield, "The Everfree Forest has invaded Canterlot. Possibly all of Equestria, too."

"Can a forest really invade a country?" I raised my eyebrow at the idea.

"I wouldn't put that plan past it," he answered with a nod. "That messed up woods has 'unnatural' written all over it. If the animals from the Everfree are capable of fending for themselves, then is sentient plant matter so far behind?"

I tilted my head. "Wait, so you're saying that other animals in Equestria can't live in the wild?"

"Certainly not," he said while readjusting his hoof's hold on his handlebar. "Animals are naturally cared for and protected by the ponies of the land through their various forms of magic. To send an animal into the harsh wilderness is like sending it to its grave."

Dang, I thought, If that isn't extreme domestication, I don't know what is.

"But we should think positively," insisted Faith, "For example, I doubt that the invading forest would think to take over the train station."

There was a sudden shaking. I was abruptly launched into the handlebar on my side of the train car. Faith merely lost balance for a second before steadying his posture.

"That's strange," he commented, "We're not supposed to arrive at the station for at least another five minutes."

"Does this train make any stops between Manehatten and Canterlot?" I inquired while rubbing the sore spot on my shoulder.

Faith shook his head. "Not unless some pony pulled the emergency stop lever."

I wasn't entirely sure what happened next. It sounded like a crash. It looked like something broke through the floor of the train car's rear end. But it was difficult to comprehend exactly what that something was aside from black, prickly, and wearing a face that only Cthulhu could be proud of. Strike that. Cthulhu would be pretty pissed at the comparison.

"Get to the door. Get to the door!" shouted Faith.

I slammed the door open and galloped the heck out of that train. Faith immediately followed after me. However, this unexpected stop wasn't the only unpleasant surprise. I gasped at the sight as I surveyed the location. In almost every direction, more black, prickly tangling things were growing. Even the clouds overhead seemed to be infected with the black pricklies. Behind me, the vines were covering the express train entirely.

I was so engrossed by the instant vineyard that I was caught off guard by a new vine sprouting underneath. In one split second, it had both of my front hooves ensnared. I will shamelessly admit that I yelped like a little girl.

"Hang on!" hollered Faith in a gallop. He opened his wings with what sounded like a sword being drawn. In a second's flash, he cut through the immediate threat and the vine's pieces fell to the ground unmoving.

"Keep your guard up," he advised, "We don't know what these things are capable of."

Another vine with a wide, mouth-like appeared soundlessly behind him.

"Heads up!" I yelled as I whipped my tail around. The red limb collided with the vine, causing said vine to close its mouth. What happened next was somehow weirder than the mutant vines themselves. A large, purple crystal grew out of the space just above the vine before gravity kicked in and pulled it to the ground. The mouthed vine squirmed around underneath the dark rock before ceasing to move.

I blinked, unsure about what happened. However, I had an idiot savant idea.

"Stay back, you thorny plant monsters!" I hollered while holding my tail in the most threatening pose I could think of. "I've got a demon-possessed tail and I'm afraid to use it!"

"Don't you mean you're not afraid to use it?" questioned Faith.

"I know what I said!" I slammed a hoof down for emphasis.

It was wrong of me to rely on the devil that I knew slightly more than the devil I didn't. But at that moment, I was really hoping that this demon could do something about this malignant matter of Mother Nature. Unfortunately, I didn't hear his confident voice that sought to devour hatred. The only sign that he still existed was the fact that I could conjure crystals with my tail. That could help deal with one or two, but we were in trouble if the vines decided to gang up on a single target.

"We need to make a path to Canterlot," Faith declared, "Let's stay close and keep the worst of these vines off each other."

"Got it!" I nodded in firm determination.

Without another word, we went. I galloped at a substantial pace, keeping neck-and-neck with the guard pony. Several vines curled up and over him. His wing slashed through them. Another handful of vines snaked towards me. They all got a beating from my Red Tail of Crystal Crushing (TM). After slapping each vine, large crystals grew out and flattened the thorn ridden branches.

This went on for a long time. Of course, when one runs for their life, any amount of time seems long. Anyway, just when I thought we had reached a reprieve in the weeds, it turns out that there was a huge clump of vines crawling tall and around a dead end in the shape of a cul-de-sac. No matter how many times Faith and I whacked the darn clump, it just grew another extra vine to cripple my crystals and drive back the bladed wings.

"Fan-tipping-flastic," I muttered, "Now what?"

Faith looked around a bit and hummed in thought. He looked back and forth at a couple of points before hopping up.

"Uh, Faith?" I inquired, "Any particular reason you're standing on my back? Your boots are kind of cold."

"Whip that ground beneath you into shape!" he ordered.

...

"What?" I turned my head to look at him like he was nuts.

"Just do it!"

"All right, fine." I gave up. Not quite understanding where he was going with this, I slapped my tail against the ground underneath me several times in succession.

An earthquake rattled me with a severe case of the shivers. This continued as a pillar so wide rose up and launched us high into the sky. I couldn't even hear myself scream against the force of air that this crystal was displacing. As quickly as the shaking and rising started, it ended. Thankfully, I no longer felt cold boots on my back.

"Looks like we're above the spiked clouds," commented Faith while flapping in place.

On the other stand, I was busy performing a scientific experiment. From what elevation could I deposit stomach fluids out through my chompers after so much vertical acceleration in such a short time? What was the result of that experiment? Well, I think one of the vines near the bottom of the pillar got burned by the acid. I couldn't tell for sure, though. It was a fairly long way down.

I took a few deep breaths. "Never let me let you convince me to do that ever again."

"No promises," Faith replied with a smirk.

I shook my head before flapping my wings to follow. It was just in time, too. Some of the vines were already worming their way around and through the crystal pillar's base. Cracks started forming all throughout the artificial structure before it went toppling to the ground in large smithereens.

"I wonder which idiot decided that putting steroids in the fertilizer was a good idea," I muttered before catching up to Faith.

There was still quite a bit of sky to cover from here to Canterlot.

---

The capital city wasn't looking much better than the railroad. With all the wild vines and thorny clouds covering the place, I was willing to call this a situation "flipped up beyond all retrospect".

"Over there!" called Faith, grabbing my attention.

The other vampire pony that I knew was in a bit of a bind. His was cutting through vines around him just fine. But his back hooves were latched onto by some smaller vines. They were in a position that he couldn't quite adjust his wings to reach.

Faith dove down with his wings wide open. Upon hitting the ground, he used his momentum to slide across the way. The little vines around Spirit's back legs were quickly slashed apart.

"You're late," commented Sword.

"Sorry," apologized Shield, "Traffic was terrible."

"But you took the train."

Faith scratched his neck. "Yeah, funny thing about that. It turns out that these plants were smart enough to cut off the rail routes. I had to wing it half the way."

Spirit sighed. "That figures."

The two guards stood back to back as various vines grew around and started closing in on their position.

"What's the plan, partner?" Faith asked.

"Strike down as many of these invaders as possible," answered Spirit.

"I could've thought of that."

Spirit rolled his eyes. "Good. That means you're ready."

Oh, no! They're surrounded! I thought while edging myself forward. I've got to do some- Wah! Where did you come from?

I had to halt myself to avoid crashing into a couple of thorn-covered clouds. How they managed to sneak up in front of me, I'll never know. But then, a third cloud burst in right in front of my face. I yelped and waved a hoof in front of my eyes instinctively.

Upon hitting the closest cloud, I heard a loud zapping noise. I think I saw an electrostatic discharge racing around the cloud. It then gave off a 'poof' before evaporating. The solid thorns fell to the ground with no cloud to hold onto.

"Huh?" I looked down at my hoof cautiously. A few sparks were dancing around the green, purple, and orange streaks on that hoof's metal bracer.

A lightning punch? I wondered. But that move belongs to... Spectrum...

After an awkward pause, I slowly said, "O...kay then. Tail, say hello to your new roommate." Since I was kidding, I was glad that neither of my body parts said anything. "As long as it can deal with these pokey clouds, I'm not complaining."

---{Faith Shield and Spirit Sword, third-person POV}

Their wings created a 'shing' sound when sliding against each other. They bent their hooves and prepared for the worst. One vine came straight for their center. Spirit took a step to his left before brandishing his wing at the offending plant. Another plant with an open mouth launched down at the guards. Faith backflipped, kicked, and sliced the mouth in half. He then took a step to his left before slashing another vine that had come an inch too close.

The two of them continued to circle each other, never exposing their backs to the enemy. Their counterattacks flashed in the simultaneous sunlight and moonlight. Their golden eyes constantly scanned, always anticipating the next strike. With each second that passed, another two vines met their end.

---{Dilan Shier}

"Wow," I murmured, "That fluidity with their fighting style, it's almost like I'm watching one pony."

I then returned to the task of electrocuting the swarm of clouds ganging up on me.

"Ra-Zam!"

More thorns fell through empty sky.

"Come on, you cumolnimbi!" I taunted, "Who's next?"

All of a sudden, the rest of the dark clouds faded in a wave of bright light, thorns and all. I looked down and saw a the same phenomenon happening to the vines all over the city. Spirit Sword and Faith Shield looked just as surprised as I was that the enemy was fading away.

"Um, all right," I said, still confused. "That works too."

---
(The next day...)

So that was the Summer Sun Celebration, huh? I don't know. It seemed a little out of place for a star pattern to appear at the crack of dawn. I mean, shouldn't a representation of the twilight hour happen at... well, twilight?

Still, I thought as I gazed through the window, it is pretty to see.

---

Ch. 11: Mandatory Pointless Side Quest

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Chapter 11: Mandatory Pointless Side Quest

---{Narrator}

Rainbow Dash was doing everything but foaming at the mouth in her excitement for the next installment of the "Daring Do" series. In a push to find the author and figure out the reason for the delay, she convinced Twilight to look up the home of A. K. Yearling. Cross-referencing various locations of last sightings, the two fans and the rest of their friends departed on their long and epic quest. Pinkie Pie cleverly marked their entire path, creating an actual paint mark to be observed by map viewers above. The rest just tagged along for in-case-of-emergency support.

But this is not their story.

---{Dilan Shier}

There were three persistent bangs at the door. Half-asleep, I crawled out of bed and dragged my hooves along the floor. Even though I had night sky for a mane, I was almost certain that some of it was in the messed up style of bed hair. Honestly, couldn't the knocking pony at least wait for me to take a decent shower first? Understanding an implicit 'no', I eventually opened the door.

"Oh hey, Princess Luna," I greeted while forcing a small smile, "What's up?"

"That way." She pointed a hoof toward the ceiling. "Though, that's hardly why I dropped by." She set her hoof down and looked at me with her usual combination of 'professional' and 'I-want-to-strangle-you' face. "You haven't been doing anything lately. With a slight chance of butchering a metaphor, you're practically a roommate that doesn't pay their rent."

I shrugged a wing. "It's been a couple weeks since the last nationwide disaster. Besides, neither you nor I have sensed any dream fear-visions during that time. What could I possibly pay you back with other than through service?"

"That is why I have prepared a small task for you to keep out of trouble." She shuffled around her left side before floating a translucent box in her magical aura. On the inside, it looked like there was a small corsage of flowers inside. Though, I hadn't seen that type of flower before.

"What's that?" I asked the standard question.

"This is a petrified Heart's Desire flower," answered Princess Luna, "It was my mother's favorite. I want you to take this to the old castle in the Everfree Forest, find her nightstand, and place this on top. Oh, and don't forget to give her my regards. Today is her birthday."

"And you won't do this yourself, because...?" I swiveled the wrist area of my front leg.

"You have more free time than you know what to do with," she pointed out, "In contrast, I can always find some other responsibility to task myself."

I woke up to about three quarters of the way. "Isn't the Everfree Forest supposed to be dangerous for pony kind, what with the wild plants that threatened Ponyville and Canterlot just a while ago?"

"The direct path between Ponyville and the castle is safe now, thanks to the fully restored Tree of Harmony's magic," she reminded me.

"Oh, right." I nodded. "The Elements were returned to their source. I still can't believe it."

"Hopefully, some pony won't get any bright ideas in the Elements' absence." Princess Luna gave me a stinkeye.

I shook my head. "Wouldn't dream of it."

"Yes, I was rather surprised that you didn't dream of such things," she muttered to the side. After clearing her throat, she added, "I have informed Spirit Sword that he shall accompany you on your journey to ensure that you follow my instruction."

"Wait," I interrupted, "Isn't he the one that flips over his head if he doesn't ensure that you're protected?"

"It was... difficult," she admitted, "but we managed to negotiate. To satisfy his desire that I'll be out of harm's way, Faith Shield will stay by my side."

"Well, I guess that's everything," I declared. I used my mane's grabbing ability to take hold of the levitating corsage in a box. "I'll be back soon."

"Don't hurry," Princess Luna insisted before trotting out and slamming the door behind her.

"A safe Everfree Forest," I commented again as I gathered my garments, "That isn't an oxymoron, but it sure feels like one."

---

The flight from Canterlot and across Ponyville was mostly uneventful. At one point, I thought I heard a couple of screams about Nightmare Moon, but they didn't set Ponyville off. I must have slowed my pace in the middle of my thought. Spirit Sword told me not to dally.

"Or have you already forgotten the task that you were assigned?" he added.

"No, I haven't forgotten," I answered as I flew a little faster, "Step one: Head to the old castle. Step two: Look around the inside for a nightstand. Step three: Place this corsage and pay respects. Step four: Triple the question marks. Step five: Profit."

Spirit gave me a deadpan look. "This is hardly a capitalist venture."

"No, no, no. See, the joke goes... You know what? Never mind." I shook my head and continued the flight in silence. "Point is, I know what I'm doing."

He simply grunted while nodding in affirmation before turning his attention forward again.

At the edge of the forest, we touched down on the dirt path. Princess Luna had said not to hurry. So, the trot along the path was slow. I could hear our hoofsteps follow a specific rhythm. I glanced around as we went.

Is it just me, or does this forest seem a lot... brighter since I was last here? I wondered. Then again, all I have to compare it to were the times I traveled through during late at night and early morning. Maybe the word I'm looking for is... 'inviting'. The atmosphere of this place is definitely more inviting today.

---

And yet, you, I referred to the ruins of stone in front of me, don't look as inviting.

I could have sworn that this place was bigger than it was on the day I had woken up inside its walls. Maybe it was because I was more focused on finding out where I was that I didn't really get a good look at where I was. But that was then. This was now.

I cleared my throat. "So, you want to go in first?"

"This is your search, Dill Anne," reminded Spirit, "Besides, it is proper etiquette for the woman in the group to take the first entrance."

I sighed before exhaling, "Sir, yes, sir."

My stepping was a bit stiff, but I slowly made my way inside. I looked around the huge hallway as Spirit calmly trotted behind me. My ear twitched. I heard a creaking noise further back. Spirit and I swung around just in time to see the large double doors shut themselves. Their slam left me with unsteady footing.

"Well, that's flipping ominous," I decided.

Spirit turned around again to face the rest of the hallway. "There seems to be something else going on here besides growing moss and rust. Watch yourself."

"Yeah, really." I nodded vigorously before turning around myself. "So... which way would Mama pony sleep?"

"If this castle is anything like the one in Canterlot," figured Spirit, "then the master bedrooms would most likely be in the same general areas." He pointed a hoof straight out. "Let's try the last hallway on the right." He trotted briskly in the direction he had pointed.

"Sounds as good as any other idea." I power walked after him. I caught a glimpse of the slightly broken throne next to the mostly intact one before moving along.

---{???}

...

You've returned.

...

I've been waiting.

...

---{Dilan Shier}

I stared down the spiral that was shaped like a staircase. Spirit Sword flew down about three-quarters of the drop before flying back up. He came back to the same solid floor that I was standing on.

He put a hoof to his chin. "Then again, I distinctly recall her highness saying that she always went upstairs to her parents' side."

"Yeah, unless they're from an underground colony of mole people," I joked, "or gamers in their basements. I don't discriminate."

Spirit stopped scratching his chin and looked at me with a tilted head. "Your world sounds strange, Dill Anne."

"That's the understatement of the millenium," I said while shaking my head.

We headed back through the hallway. The sight of so many torches that had burned out so long ago was kind of depressing. Fortunately, it gave way back to the barely depressing throne hall. For the first time since we arrived, I looked up. I was surprised to see blue sky.

"Huh," I uttered, "I didn't realize that this area was that open."

"Yes, that ceiling does look like it needs a full replacement," added Spirit.

This time going through, we tried the last hallway on the left. All the while, we kept scanning the place for abnormalities. It was quite difficult, considering that I was unfamiliar with this place's norms.

---{???}

...

Take me back.

...

You need me.

...

---{Dilan Shier}

This looked slightly better. The staircase at the end of this hallway had two platforms and went up from the ground floor. Though, it probably could have done without the broken chandelier resting on the first platform. Spirit and I carefully flew over it before stepping at the top of the staircase.

There, a large door with big ring-shaped handles stood in place. Spirit grabbed the handle on the left and pulled. I gazed inside.

"Oh, yeah," I said with a nod. "That is a master bedroom."

Although covered with the occasional dustball and large cobweb, the contents of the room otherwise said "bedroom". A desk standing on its three remaining legs was off to the right. A stone chair was toppled to the side just in front of that desk. More toward the back center of the room was a set of purple curtains surrounding what might have been a canopy bed. I say "might have" because there were only two horizontal bars left in the canopy part. Just to the left of that was...

"The nightstand!" I exclaimed with a triumphant smile.

I quickly trotted across the room. As I approached my target, I noticed the painted image of a dark-colored pony wearing red garments. It kind of gave off an old touch of British vibe. Anyway, I shuffled the boxed flowers out of my mane and set it gently on the nightstand.

"Your daughter Luna sends her regards," I said while bowing my head. "Happy birthday, Artemesia."

---{???}

...

You will help me speak to her.

"What? Who's there? Show yourself!"

Let me in.

"Yaaaaggh!"

---{Dilan Shier}

My head snapped back up as I spun on my hind legs. "Spirit Sword? What is it?"

He trotted in slowly. Actually, I don't think trotted is the right word. It was more like a trudge. His motions were sluggish at best. I was getting a bit creeped out at how low his head was hanging. Though, it quickly snapped up to stare at me directly.

When I saw his purely yellow eye sockets, I wished he had kept his head down.

"Uh... heh... heh..." I chuckled nervously, "and Faith said you didn't have a sense of humor. Heh... heh..."

My hope that this was all a terrible joke was in vain. The reply I got was not in the vampire's own voice, but in a whisper that sent chills through me.

"Don't leave again."

Come to think of it, I actually wrapped my tail around my chest to try and stop the cold feeling from piercing me. I figured it wasn't working since the rest of my body still shook in place. With my only idea of defense gone, I decided to do what I did before my fight with the Everfree vines. I held my tail just above and beside my head in a sword-ready position.

"Who are you and what have you done with Spirit Sword?" I asked as loudly as my nervous throat could muster.

"You are my source. Come back."

What the heck is this thing talking about? I wondered, None of what it just said makes any sense.

There is a bud of hatred.

I clenched my teeth. Oh, so you're still there. You had me worried.

But it only covers his surface. It does not pool from within. The incompatible souls interfere with each other.

"Return to me. Give in."

I ignored the external demon and tried to concentrate on the internal voice. What do you mean 'surface'? Does that mean you can't get rid of it through a simple strangulation?

My tail's occupant went silent.

Gosh darn it.

Whatever was controlling Spirit let out a high-pitched wail. My ears flopped down as my tail moved to cover them.

"Ow!" I grunted. "Where are my earplugs when I really need them?"

The battish pony took flight inside of this terribly large bedroom. It swooped all around the place in a sporadic zig-zag pattern. Before I knew it, my side had a painful do-over of my first scuffle in Ponyville. Having the cut happen again didn't make it any more bearable or desirable.

"Gah!" I cried out, "That stings!"

"Let us be together."

The yellow eyes' host received a quick buck upside the head.

"Sorry," I commented, "but I don't swing, full stop."

The ghost quickly recuperated its puppet and headbutted me. That was followed by another series of zig-zagging around the room. I got another cut in the opposite side. Then, the guard's jaw somehow caught my neck. Just because his teeth weren't really a vampire's didn't mean that they were any less painful and annoying.

"Okay, this is getting too weird for me," I said while raising a hoof high. "Sorry, Spirit Sword, but I know for a fact that you can shake off the pain from this!" I went for a hook-shaped punch.

It was about when I saw sparks dancing around a squirming pony that I realized the mistake I had made.

Oh, crap! I forgot about Spectrum's hoof!

Spirit fell to the floor just in front of me. I was about to mourn over my most recently prepared barbeque, but then something else happened. A dark shadow emerged from around the pony and rose just above him. The shadow stared with yellow lights near where eyes should have been. I couldn't really tell, but the shadow almost looked like the right size and shape for... Nightmare Moon.

"Just what... are you?" I inquired with my eyes wide.

Now, there is nothing to interfere.

I was so caught up in the shape of my newest foe that I was surprised by the smoke of red that rushed past my head. My tail grabbed onto thin air, but it seemed to be effective. The yellow lights in the figure shrunk and narrowed. Come to think of it, the entire shadow was shrinking.

Within a matter of maybe twenty seconds, the yellow-eyed shadow ceased to be. I felt disturbed and relieved simultaneously. My tail returned to its default position and length. Spirit rubbed his head and stood up.

He groaned. "You really took a gamble with that electrical punch."

"I panicked and forgot about it, okay?" I corrected him.

He shook his head. "You've already completed the tasks required of you aside from triple-question marks and profiting. Shall I wait for you to do those?"

"Those aren't actual steps." I rubbed my eyes. "Never mind. Let's get out of this joint."

But as I unfurled my wings, the cuts in my sides decided to remind me of their existence. Some power must have had a really bad sense of humor to make non-lethal wounds hurt the most.

---{Luna, Third-person POV}

The Princess of the Night was having trouble deciding. There were a few troublesome dreams happening from three different locations at once for the past couple of days. They weren't nightmares per se, but they were compilations of daily troubles and worries. The problem was, there was only enough time during the night to visit two of these potential dreamers. So, she was trying to keep a physical list of the various ways to settle the subconscious minds in the best managed time.

"Hey, Spirit!" called Faith's voice from outside her door. "How'd the job go?" The door opened a bit. "Uh, Partner? Equestria to Spirit Sword!"

She watched as her other guard walked in. Though, his hoof steps seemed a little exaggerated.

"Spirit Sword?" asked Luna, "Are you all right? Where's Dill Anne?"

That's when she saw his turquoise eyes.

"Princess Luna," spoke Nightmare Moon's voice, "I could use some help, please."

For a split second, Luna's eye twitched.

---

Ch. 12: Shadows Aren't So Dark

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Chapter 12: Shadows Aren't So Dark

---{Narrator}

"What trickery is this?" interrogated Luna, "Explain yourself!"

'Spirit Sword' scratched his neck. "Well..."

---{flashback}

"Let's get out of this joint," suggested Dilan. But when she opened her wings, she suddenly keeled in pain. Even if they were not the direct fault of Spirit Sword, his wings could still leave painful reminders of his ability.

"Maybe you should take it slow for now," commented Spirit, placing a hoof on mare's back.

"Yeah," she grunted. "Don't worry, though. I'll be ready in a seco-"

Her voice got caught in her throat. In a weird swirl of black light, her body suddenly vanished. Spirit backpedaled a few steps as he stared wide at the empty space. He then felt an eerily familiar feeling from not a moment earlier.

"Again? But how? Yaaaaagh!" he yelled.

The light dissipated and a high-pitched gasp escaped his throat.

"-nd. Wait. What just happened?" asked Dilan, looking around.

"Uh, Spirit?" she called out while raising a hoof next to her mouth. "Where'd you go? Huh?"

By this point, she looked down at 'her' hoof. There was something very wrong. First of all, the color of the hoof was gray. Second of all, her metal bracer was too lavender and it barely covered more than a horseshoe's size. In fact, as she took a quick full-body inventory, she found that her entire suit of armor had turned the wrong tint of purple. It looked an awful lot like... the armor of the vampire pony guards.

"Oh... oh... oh gosh..." She gulped. "I need to get help. I hope the princesses will know what to do about this."

She prepared to take flight, but her aim was a little off. She ended up crashing against one of the canopy bed's remaining horizontal bars.

"Oof!" She turned her neck to look behind her. "Man, flying with bat wings is harder than it looks."

She then proceeded to flap through the sky dizzily while letting out phrases short of screams all the way.

---{present}

"On the bright side, I placed the petrified flowers where you wanted me to," finished Dilan.

Luna rubbed her temples in irritation. "The Pony of Shadows. Wonderful."

"The... Pony of Shadows?" Dilan echoed.

"Wait," interrupted Faith Shield while poking his head inside the room. "That myth about a piece of Nightmare Moon staying behind while you were banished to the moon was for real? Some versions of the tale said that it had the strength to overpower the wills of ponies that wandered too close."

Luna sighed. "It's a forbidden spell: Overshadow. It gives the caster the ability to take on an intangible form and to take control of the actions of a nearby pony. I regret to say that I was practicing some less than pleasant tricks before trying to dethrone my sister."

"Um, that's all very compelling, your highness," Dilan commented, "but how do I stop overshadowing Spirit Sword?"

Luna closed her eyes. "Imagine yourself as a bowl of water and then pour yourself out."

"That's it?" the intangible pony asked while tilting Spirit's head.

"Yes." Luna nodded. "Releasing the grip on another's mind is actually much easier than searching for the correct wavelength to latch onto."

Faith Shield shivered and wrapped his wings around himself. "I'm beginning to see why that spell was forbidden."

---{Dilan Shier}

Well, here goes something, I thought. I closed my eyes and pictured a bowl being raised from a river. Then, I saw it tilt to the side as the water streamed out.

"Oof!" I landed on my side. I took a look at my hoof and saw the familiar black hide with blue metal bracer. Unfortunately, I also gained back my original side cuts.

"Yay, it worked," I said against the pinching pain. "Ow."

To my left, Spirit Sword shook himself fiercely. "That was most unpleasant."

"Wait, you were still aware of everything going on?" Faith inquired.

"I was," confirmed Spirit, "though, not being able to do anything about it felt horrid. It was like my thoughts were muted and couldn't be heard against the possessor's. This is one of those instances where I do not wish to try a third time for a charm."

"Now you've got me curious," Faith tapped his chin. "Hey, Dill Anne! Do me next!"

"What?!" I yelped. But then I inadvertently hit my left cut. "Ow."

"Absolutely not," Princess Luna denied while shaking her head.

"Weren't you scared of the prospect not one minute ago?" asked Spirit.

"Yeah, but I was just worried about the being overridden part," clarified Faith, "Now that I know that awareness isn't dimmed, I'd like to see what that's like."

"No," Princess Luna said with implied finality.

"Come on, you've already taught her how to reverse it," pointed out Faith. "It'll be fine." He trotted over to where I was struggling to sit up without flinching against the cuts. "How did you do it?"

"I really don't remember that well," I said while shaking my head. "I was about to fly out of the castle. My sides started acting up. Spirit Sword patted me on the back while telling me to take it easy... then, poof. Overshadow."

"Interesting," Faith commented idly while following his line of sight with a hoof reached out. "Did he touch this part where your mane looks black?"

I raised my eyebrow. "What are you talking ab-?"

There it was again. That feeling of ceasing to be just before blinking back in again.

"-out?" I finished asking before seeing a lavender shoe on an extended gray hoof. "Oh come on!"

"Enough!"

I was slammed into the floor by the sheer volume of Luna's royal voice. To his credit, Spirit only had to bend one knee against the force.

"No pony is to toy with the Overshadow spell again until further notice," she stated, "Is that clear?"

"Y-Yes, your highness," Spirit Sword stated.

"Crystal clear," I added.

"Good," Luna said before taking a deep breath. "Dill Anne, would you kindly release Faith Shield?"

"Gladly," I answered. I immediately thought of an upside-down bowl with water falling straight out. Apparently, the imagined pace affected my position upon release. This time, I was sprawled out on my back.

"Brrr!" Faith shook himself. "Pins and needles."

"Well, this is just fan-tipping-flastic," I muttered with my wings splayed out along the floor, "I stumble across a new power and I can't even control it."

"How is that any different from when you stumbled across your other powers?" Spirit asked while giving me an odd look.

I gave him a deadpan stare in return. "Touché."

---

A couple of days later, I was led to the garden by Princess Celestia. She didn't specify the reason. But then, I didn't think to ask her. Whose fault was that? In any case, the scenery was still as nice as I remembered.

"I suppose you're wondering why I brought you here," commented Princess Celestia as she continued to trot.

"I am," I confirmed.

"You're also wondering why it couldn't wait until after your injuries were fully healed."

I caught myself scratching the bandages. "That was somewhere on my list of questions, but not at the top."

She halted as we stood right in front of what looked like a bushy labyrinth. As usual, I couldn't read her emotions at all. I could only see her face the way she wanted me to see it. Right now, she wanted me to see gentle, serious attentiveness.

"Dilan, when you hear the word 'light', what's the first thing that comes to your mind?"

I blinked. "Uh... a personality test?" How does one just expect that kind of question?

The princess chuckled. "That's the first time some pony answered with that."

I shrugged my wings. "Well, is that what we're doing now?"

"Sure, let's call it that," she answered vaguely, "Now, with that in mind, what is the next thing that comes to mind when you hear the word 'light'?"

"Purity," I stated off the top of my head.

"What about... 'shadow'?"

"Darkness," I blurted.

"Hmm." She kept her smile neutral and closed her eyes. "Yes, these are typical answers."

"Is that bad?" I wondered.

"No, of course not." She shook her head before looking at me. "It means that you share a lot in common with the perspectives of others."

"Okay, but that seemed kind of short." I half-frowned. "Where are the pictures with ink blots?"

Sadly, my joke fell on deaf ears. "I would like a little more than a first thought this time," Princess Celestia continued, "Do you know what a shadow is?"

"Uh, yeah," I replied, "It's what's formed whenever light tries to shine through an object. The shadow is whatever the light doesn't touch."

"Mm-hm," she hummed, "That is the conclusion that many have come to as well. However, that's only partially correct."

"Huh?" I tilted my head.

"What a lot of creatures don't realize is that a shadow isn't the complete absence of light," she explained, "After all, you can shine a light at a chair and create a chair-shaped shadow. But increasing the intensity of that light only makes the shadow more prominent."

Where is she going with this? I idly flicked my tail against empty air.

"The reason is actually quite simple," she went on, "A shadow is the overlap of multiple light waves. What most see as an area untouched by the light is actually being covered by light with such a high frequency that it can't be identified with normal vision."

"I suppose," I said with a shrug.

"Unless you're dealing with dark magic specifically, all of the magic you actively and passively use is based on light."

"So, where's the punchline?" I lifted a hoof for emphasis.

"I had a quick chat with Luna yesterday, and she's agreed to allow me to show you something."

That got my attention. Something that requires the older sister to get permission from the younger? This, I've got to see.

"You now carry an ability that belonged to the Pony of Shadows," she reminded, "I'd like to present to you an alternative use of its power so that the Overshadow spell doesn't react whenever some pony gives you a congratulatory slap on the back."

"Yeah, it would be nice to not take over bodies just because I wasn't looking," I agreed. "So, what do I have to do?"

"The power I wish to demonstrate is called Shadowride. Although to add to what I was saying before, it's actually a hyper version of riding light."

"Riding light?" I echoed. "What does that mean?"

"You and I walk in the physical, three-dimensional plane of existence all the time without even thinking about it," she said, "In fact, everyone that traverses this is already a master of riding light."

"Okay," I said with a chuckle, "But how does that build up into this Shadowride power?"

"To ride the light with finer precision requires a slight alteration to one's perception of frequency," she answered, "In your case, I believe the Pony of Shadow's mane can help create the catalyst to that altered perception."

I willed my mane around to stare at that black patch. "All right, what do I do?"

"First, come over here." Princess Celestia motioned to the area to her left.

I trotted on over. "Yeah?"

"Now, lean down and listen to the earth."

I blinked. "Come again?"

"This step is crucial, Dilan," she insisted.

"Um, okay." I pressed my head sideways against the ground so that my ear was practically in the grass.

"Good, now get back up."

"Are you yanking my chain?" I inquired. "Well, all right. I'll- wait... What the heck is this?"

I tried to lift my head, but it felt like someone had put superglue in my hair. I grunted pulled against the invisible force, but it wouldn't let me up. In fact, it almost felt like I was... sinking. But how? This wasn't quicksand!

"Princess, what's happening to me?!" I yelled.

It felt like I was being sucked into a pool of molasses. I soon found my mouth covered by the feeling. My wings and neck followed suit. The last thing I saw was a ladybug flying off a blade of grass before my eyes sank too.

---

"Ugh, what happened?" I blinked, or tried to anyway. "Where am I?"

"You are now seeing things from the hyper light."

"Wait, Princess Celestia?" I found that I couldn't move to search the space. "What just happened?"

"Well, you're currently resting on top of my shadow."

"On top of... what?!" I exclaimed without actual breath. "How is that possible? ... and why can't I move?"

"This is the power of Shadowride. Instead of taking control of some pony's body, you passively copy the motions of their shadow. It makes a great parlor trick."

"So wait, I can only move if you decide to go somewhere? How is that effective?"

"It's best suited for stealthy reconnaissance. If you weren't talking so much and had I not seen you sink into the shadow, I would have no indication that you were even there."

"Stealthy reconnaissance?" I echoed. Suddenly, I felt my hooves moving on their own. "Woah, wait! Where are we going?"

"We're going for a little stroll."

---

We strolled through the maze for a few minutes. Correction, Princess Celestia strolled. I was pretty much forced to imitate her motions throughout the trip. Though, the directions we took seemed to be more pronounced. I don't really know how to describe it. I just... knew every left and right turn that she took. While I was still trying to comprehend this amount of input, she wandered out the labyrinth's exit.

"All right then," she said while nodding to herself (thereby causing me to nod), "For the last part of today's 'personality test', I'd like you to get off of my shadow."

"Yeah, I'll get right on that," I responded, "Quick question: How do I get off?!"

"You're lying on your side right now," she pointed out, "Just stand up."

"Just... stand... up?" I slowly echoed.

"Here, I'll even give you a starting position." Princess Celestia bent all four knees and sat down.

I felt the crouched posture. When I tried to straighten out my legs, I was surprised to feel control return to me. In less than two seconds, I was standing tall to the right of a sitting princess. I looked down and immediately skittered away from her shadow.

"How are you so calm about all of this?" I asked, short of shouting decibels. "This is not normal."

"To calm my subjects requires a long time of practicing self-relief," Princess Celestia answered. "I just happen to have a few extra centuries backing me up."

"Oh gosh, why?" I muttered while wiping a hoof across my face.

She stood up and resumed her neutral smile. "Thank you for your patience today. With sufficient practice in the Shadowride, you'll be able to maintain the Pony of Shadow's power to when you want it to work and not at stray touches."

"I'm beginning to suspect that this world is crazy," I commented.

"Funny," she replied, "I know a pony who used to think the same way. Anyway, it's getting late. We should head inside for some food and rest." She started walking.

I quickly moved to catch up. "When was the last time you used the Shadowride personally?"

"That, Ms. Shier, is the right question." She then proceeded to hum a few bars.

Is there no end to how vague an individual person or pony can be? I groaned, shook my head, and continued trotting.

For some reason, I was feeling a strong craving for a "drowning" rose petal banana flambé.

---

Interlude: Mountains & Myths

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Interlude: Mountains & Myths

---{Narrator}

"Ollie Ollen! Free the oxen!"

"Oh, drat," Spirit Sword muttered before asking aloud, "Is it that day of the month again?"

"One two three, not it!" Faith Shield hollered before hightailing it out of there.

"Traitor!" remarked Spirit, "You agreed to alternate with me when this happens!"

The door slammed open behind him as did the eyelids on his face. He shivered and looked at the growing figure behind him.

"Ah, Spirit of the Sword! Delighted you could attend!"

Artemesia, have mercy on me, he thought as beads of his sweat trickled down.

---{Dilan Shier}

"All right," I nodded. "After twenty rounds with each of the inanimate objects in this bedroom, I feel confident in my Shadowride."

I spent at least five hours each of the last six days practicing Princess Celestia's alternate ability. Granted, I did get stuck in that one statuette's shadow for four hours the first day. But it was a learning experience. When Faith Shield dropped by yesterday and patted my mane, I was able to resist the Pony of Shadow's repossession instinct with minimal effort.

I... wasn't really sure how the two techniques could help counterbalance each other. But I was happy with my progress.

A rapid knocking on my door interrupted my reminiscing. I walked over to see the matter. Before I could even touch the handle, however, the door slammed into the room. A very frantic vampire pony guard charged in and slammed the door again behind him. His head jerked this way and that while his eyes kept darting in the opposite direction.

"Faith?" I asked, "What's gotten into you?"

"Got to hide! Got to hide! Where's a good place to hide?" His words raced as quickly as his body turned.

"Woah, slow down." I held up my hooves defensively. "What's the matter?"

He sputtered like a struggling car's engine. "'What's the matter?' she asks. I'm trying to protect myself from the greatest threat that Equestria's ever faced! That is the matter!"

"A greater threat than an everlasting night that eventually starves a nation due to a lack of sunlight-grown food?" I asked skeptically.

"Worse," he answered with a furious nod, "Much worse."

"What is it then?" I waved my hoof, motioning that I wanted more details. "Did that Sombra guy come back to life?" If I wasn't so busy staring at Faith, I might have noticed that my tail briefly shook involuntarily.

He shook his head. "Worse."

"Did one of the other Element of Harmony bearers get taken over by another fragment of the Nightmare?" I scratched my neck while expressing confusion.

"It's even worse."

I swiveled my wings around to look like the universal hand-sign for "I give up".

"Oh, there!" Faith exclaimed before traversing impossibly fast to my bed's underside.

"Could you please stop my guessing game and just tell me what the problem is?" I said while leaning down to look at his scared, golden irises.

"It's... M and M..." he shuddered and the bed shook with him.

I blinked. "Wait, the candy or the white rapper?"

I nearly jumped out of my metal bracers when my door slammed again. I slowly turned around to find out who the second intruder was. There was something very wrong with the picture I was seeing. It was enough to make me feel my slits for pupils shrink.

Princess Luna is smiling. I felt sweat dripping on the underside of my helmet. Princess Luna never smiles.

"Hello, Dill Anne of the Shear," she... cooed. (Princess Luna never coos either!) "I could have sworn I saw Faith of the Shield come this way."

"P-Princess," I stammered, "What's going on? Are you all right?"

"Oh ho ho, Dill Anne," she snorted. "You mustn't worry about my welfare. I'm simply marvelous."

Okay, that right there confirms it. Something is clearly wrong here. But it can't be hatred. My tail didn't react.

"May I... ask what you need Faith Shield for?" I hazarded the question. The bed behind me shook a little.

"Oh, we're going on an amazing adventure and I don't want him to feel left out." Princess Luna's wings spread wide when she said "amazing".

I glanced at the golden eyes hidden underneath the bed. I looked back at Princess Luna. I looked back at the hidden Faith Shield. I looked back to the princess.

I took a deep breath. I'm going to regret this, but I've got to save Faith Shield from whatever he's afraid of.

"Maybe... I could accompany you in his absence?" I suggested, leaving the question in the air.

When she turned to stare directly at me, her lips shrunk to a small hole on the front of her muzzle.

Did that cure her? I wondered hopefully.

A scarier sight soon replaced the initial terror: a smile twice as big as the first.

How many teeth are in that mouth of hers? My left hoof shook into a sporadic tapping pattern against the floor.

"Why... yes, Dill Anne." Princess Luna swung her hips as she trotted toward me. "I believe you'll make a perfect addition."

"Uh, in addition to what?" I asked.

In an instant, both of her front hooves and wings were slapped on top of my shoulders.

"Wahhhhhhhhh!"

---{Narrator}

"Wahhhhhhhhh!"

"Oh no," Princess Celestia whispered with eyes wide open. Her quill that was in the middle of a signature dropped to the floor, splashing ink over a spot.

---

"Wahhhhhhhhh!"

Zecora's pole slid from under her upside-down meditation. "To break my poise, what was that noise?"

---

~And now alone I stand

And now alone I stand~

"Wahhhhhhhhhh!"

Rarity looked back and forth in the rain. "What in the world could that be?"

---
(In the way too distant future...)

"All right," muttered a faded blue mare to herself, "I've reloaded my firearms, wiped off most of the blood, and packed enough medical supplies to last until at least tomorrow night. I guess my next plan should involve helping this town look for a sheriff."

"Wahhhhhhhhhhh!"

In response to her ears twitching, she looked up into the orangish sky. But as quickly as it cried out, the scream ceased to be. She looked back down at about eye level. Her mouth scrunched up as she raised her eyebrow.

"The hell was that?" she asked.

---{????? ?????}
(Current era)

I heard a droplet echo. But I struggled to open my eyes. The view was dark, blurry, and unfamiliar. Another echo carried the sound of water splattering off a rock. I moved to stand on all fours. I looked around. A row of stalactites and stalagmites went as far into any direction of this cavern as I could see.

I quietly trotted over to the blue pool. I gazed at my reflection. My pink face was mostly hidden by my shrouded hood. Aside from that, I could peer through the opening in my mask to see my red left eye and my white right eye. Everything looked normal.

I sighed. "We need to get moving."

I treaded lightly back to the makeshift camping spot. My current ally was snoring rather loudly. In this situation, I had no choice but to kick him awake.

"Gen, get your lazy flank up," I commanded.

Genuine Soul grunted, putting a stop to his noisy slumber. Assuming that he was awake, I moved on and gathered my gear and equipment. My compressible crossbow went onto my right hoof. My dagger had its own sleeve on my left. The rapier was strapped to my back. My smaller assorted gear went into the small pouch just behind my left shoulder.

Gen held a hoof to his side while gathering his own gear. "Talis, remind me again why we decided to travel these mountains together."

"One simple reason." This wasn't the first time I had answered his implied question. It wouldn't be the last. "It would be a waste using our talents to kill each other."

Genuine Soul was a paladin of the Celestial Order. I, Talis Daemon, was a rogue who owed allegiance only to the gold. Normally, there would have been no reason for such opposing objectives to form an alliance. However, there were times when I needed his boldness and strength against the more damnable foes. Similarly, he needed my expertise in avoiding the traps and getting through locked passages that lacked a tangible key. For one of us to slay the other would lead to diminished effectiveness.

"I swear I didn't mean to look at your cutie mark," he told me again.

"And I already told you that I wouldn't do anything to you as long as you preserved that secret," I stated.

He went silent as he levitated his greatsword onto his back. This conversation was over.

I felt a twinkle against my red eye. I quickly raised my crossbow and shot twice above our heads. One vampire bat fell dead to the floor. The other landed on its feet with a crippled wing. Gen took a long swing with his greatsword, pummeling the animal into the ground.

"How did you know there were bats?" he wondered out loud.

I shrugged. "It probably had something to do with that natural twenty."

---{Dilan Shier}

"Don't break character," advised Princess Luna, "It's unsportsmanlike and dishonors the spirit of the adventure."

The princess had practically whisked me into her attic room. I didn't even know she had an attic. Although, Spirit Sword was already there with his wings tied up to a chair. His barely visible tears showed that he was not comfortable. In front of him was a table full of various papers and a bunch of weirdly shaped dice. All of which differed in color as well as shape.

I was shoved to the table before a page with the bold-print words "Character Sheet" was levitated and slapped into my face. Things just got weirder from there.

"But I don't do theater," I defended, "How am I supposed to know how this character acts?"

"Let it flow through your veins and consume your very being," Princess Luna responded in that creepy smiling way.

I was beginning to see why Faith Shield thought that this was worse than a normal invasion.

I coughed. "I'll just... keep trying, then."

---{Talis Daemon}

I briefly pulled down my mask to spit at the corpse. I put the mask back up before I said, "Sorry, what I meant to say was that I heard their beating wings from about thirty feet away."

Gen nodded. "We should probably get moving."

With that, we galloped through the rest of the cavernous expanse. When we arrived at this tunnel's exit, Gen practically threw himself into the daylight against the ground.

"Oh, glorious day!" he praised, "How I've missed you so!"

I rolled my eyes at his enthusiasm and kept walking along the dirt path. I didn't notice anything out of place along this rocky terrain, but one couldn't be too careful. As if to prove my point, the sound of flapping wings perked my ears. I knew for a fact that neither Gen nor I had wings. So a possibility of a nearby threat warranted guarded stances. I grabbed my rapier, pulling it partially out of its sheathe.

"Why are you pulling out your sword?" wondered Gen, "Wouldn't your bolts work better against winged foes?"

"Not when we're out in the open like this," I answered while shaking my head. "Stay sharp."

Gen held his weapon in magic, waiting for the new potential enemy. Slowly, we trotted further down the path. Waiting and watching was something I had grown used to in the cavern. My ally, however, was getting a bit restless. But I still heard the wing beats.

"I don't hear them anymore." Gen apparently could not. He set his sword back onto its fixed back position.

"Gen, look out!" I yanked my blade out the rest of the way, but I wasn't quick enough. The new foe whacked the paladin in the back of his head before I could react.

Harpies! I clenched my teeth. Four of them hung out in the air. Their faces were pony enough, but the rest of their bodies were akin to really large falcons. There were slight variations in their plumage color, but none that helped determine their threat levels. I was about to thrust my weapon at the closest harpy, but I was interrupted.

"Halt!"

One of them had spoken. Normally, this would not have given me pause. But seeing as they had done little more than kick Gen's helmet, like I would've every other day, I had reason to believe that a fight was not our only option. Cautiously, I lowered my rapier.

"Whoever wants to cross these mountains alive, must first answer us these questions five."

A riddle? Of all the times not to seek aid from a scholar... I took a deep breath. "Very well. Ask away."

This first harpy asked, "What... is your name?"

"I am Talis Daemon."

The second harpy asked, "What... is your quest?"

"I seek the rumored treasure at the end of the Harped Range."

The third inquired, "What... is your favorite color?"

I raised my eyebrow at that before cautiously answering, "Golden yellow."

The fourth one asked, "What... is both pony kind's biggest goal and biggest burden?"

I scratched my chin for this one. "Power."

Then, all four harpies asked in unison, "What... is the quickest way to a stallion's heart?"

"Wait, a stallion's heart?" I echoed. "How am I supposed to...?"

"Buck Florist's fetlocks," muttered Gen rather loudly. I saw him lumber next to me earlier, but I didn't consider it a big deal at the time.

Now, however, I stared at him incredulously. "Huh?"

"That is... correct," replied the first harpy, "You may pass."

Two torches lit up right near the next cave's entrance. I looked back at Genuine Soul.

"How did you come up with that answer?" I asked.

"Buck Florist... is everywhere, mare," he answered vaguely. He then proceeded to shake the dizziness from his head. "In Celestia's name, we carry on!" He trotted lively down the rest of the path. I quickened my steps to keep up with him.

Buck Florist's fetlocks, I repeated while shaking my head. I don't get it.

---{Behind Talis's back}

"That last question was far too easy," remarked Harpy #2.

"I told you we should have changed it," insinuated Harpy #4.

"Well, whatever," shrugged Harpy #3, "Shall we go pester that buffalo elder again?"

"Ah, yes, that sounds wonderful," said Harpy #1 with a smile and a nod. The harpies then proceeded to fly away.

---{Talis Daemon}

Therein lied the treasure we sought. Standing on a grandiose pedestal at the end of this long passageway was the instrument of our client's choosing. This... was the Harp of Enlightenment.

"Huzzah!' exclaimed Gen, "Triumph! Other positive nouns and adjectives!" He prepared to run forward.

"Wait!" I slapped a hoof in his way, though that inadvertently led to him tripping over it. "Usually when a prize seems too good to be true, that means it is." I took one of my loose crossbow bolts and tossed it toward the center of the opening. A stream of flames shot out of the wall and melted the bronze into a pile of goop. I then leapt over to a slightly narrower ledge against the passage's rightmost wall.

"Don't take another step," I warned, "I'm going to see if I can't make your travel a bit less lethal."

"I yield to your judgment for now, Talis," he relented while brushing himself off.

Slowly but surely, I shimmied along the ledge. All the while, I searched for something, anything that could turn off the flame that blocked the main route. I really didn't want to have to haul the prize through this narrow section. As I stepped lightly within the vicinity of the harp, I saw it.

A small tile was marked with the ancient symbol for 'rain'. I tapped my left hoof against the tile twice and it lowered an inch into the floor. Meanwhile, the ceiling of the passage let out a cloud of mist that that further released a light shower. The wet environment soon made the flame a miniscule light against the wall from which it originated. I motioned with my other hoof.

Gen stepped lively through the rain to where I was standing. He pulled out a burlap sack and proceeded to carefully place the treasure inside. With possible water damage no longer being a worry, he quickly galloped back out of the passage. When I pulled my hoof up, the cloud vanished and the flame stream started again. I had to resort to my little ledge to get back.

Finally, we made our way back to town.

---

"Thank you ever so much for retrieving this for me." The client bowed in respect. He then handed a smaller pouch to Gen. "For your troubles."

Levitating the pouch, Gen poured its contents onto his hoof. Two rings of a standard, precious metal were adorned with small cuts of emerald. By my rough estimate, they looked like they would cover at least a few nights' rent at the tavern, if not a few of pieces of better equipment.

"And so concludes another successful quest."

---{Dilan Shier}

"I hope next month will be just as wonderful!" beamed Princess Luna. The lamp shining on the table ticked off as a slightly more room-covering light turned on. I felt the need to rub something out of my eyes. I turned to Spirit Sword. Luna's magic was already at work untying his wings.

"Well... that was... interesting," I admitted.

"Some pony just vanquish me," responded Spirit with a sore throat.

---

After trotting down the hall, I practically tripped onto the bed. I heard someone shuffle around before they came out of hiding.

"Thank you," whispered Faith Shield.

"Yeah, don't mention it," I mumbled. I turned my head and added, "Seriously, don't."

---

Ch. 13: The Spirit is Mightier Than The Sword

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Chapter 13: The Spirit is Mightier Than The Sword

---{Faith Shield, Third-person POV}

Some time passed after the end of his worst possible thing happened. After that, the days proceeded as usual for this particular night guard. Her highness had calmed down. His partner was too serious again. Everything was right with the world.

Well, most everything was right with the world. Her majesty had called in Spirit Sword for a private conversation. Now that in itself wasn't unusual. What was unusual was the topic of discussion that his fuzzy ears picked up through the doors.

"May I confide in thee, Spirit?"

"I presume that you'll speak with a sense of decency."

Faith Shield's face went a bit pale as some invisible timer went off.

"Erm..."

"It was a joke, your highness."

There was a sound of Luna coughing. "Oh, of course."

Sword, you really need to work on altering that tone if you're going to pull that kind of stunt. As he let out a quiet sigh, Faith fought the urge to facehoof.

"Dill Anne Shear," she continued, "What are your thoughts about her?"

"I see the spitting image of Nightmare Moon," he answered, "sans the eternal night."

"No, not the external appearance. I meant other thoughts."

That seemed to halt Spirit's words. "Your highness?"

"What I mean is, have you garnered any sort of bond with her?"

"Not unless you count being possessed by the Overshadow spell that you described."

"I see," said Luna, "In that case, would you be up for a challenge?"

"That would most likely depend on what the challenge is," answered Spirit.

"A just response," she admitted. "Here's what I want you to do."

---{Dilan Shier}

I stood there outside of the door where the princess of everything but the day kept to. She said something about late morning sleepers' dreams. I couldn't remember.

"Hmm," murmured Faith.

"Hm?" I shifted my eyes to look at him.

"Hmm-mm!" He shook his head.

"Hmm." My eyes shifted back to the floor.

"Hmm," he murmured.

I sighed. "Do you have any idea why she wanted me here like this?"

"Not really," he answered, shifting his eyes away.

My gaze went back down to the lavender hoof bracers.

Last I checked, Princess Luna was adamantly against using this power, I thought, Now, she has some test that fully depends on the Overshadow? I don't get her. I reached out Spirit Sword's right wing. I shook it around a little before folding it back up. Besides, she must remember that this is uncomfortable for both the possessor and the host. Yet, she specifically gave the order to stay in for a full twenty-four hours at least. I gave Spirit's left wing a quasi-shoulder roll before resuming the stationary posture.

...

"Urgh," I grunted while tapping Spirit's hoof. "How do the guys in London put up with this?"

Right then, the door nudged open. Princess Luna trotted out of the room. She let out a sigh.

"Why must so many dreams involve food-related depression?" she asked more to herself than anyone else. She then continued on her way. "Come along, boys."

"Yep," answered Faith.

"Uh, right then," I added.

---

"Was this always here?" I wondered.

A sliding glass door somewhere near the end of this hallway opened up to a large, open room. Various equipment was laid out in specific spots. Archery targets lined one wall. Straw-filled dummies set up on polls were in a corner. A bunch of other things were here that I couldn't identify. To top it off, rings of varying size were hanging from the ceiling.

"Gentlecolts," Princess Luna addressed, "who is ready for a little game?"

"It's not another round of Attic Hostage Situation, is it?" I asked half-seriously.

"Oh ho ho, you're funny," she responded before deadpanning. "No. We'll be performing an old, traditional ritual of the dance of the épée." She pointed to a rectangle, lined out of a section of the blue floor. "Also known as 'Fencing'. Have you ever fenced before?"

"Can't say that I have," I said while shaking my head.

"What a shame," she commented.

A long, sword-like object was suddenly flung through the air. Faith Shield let out a surprised exclamation as he scrambled to juggle the unexpected object. He managed to find a grip within the next second and then sighed in relief.

"Then, you'll have to keep your eyes open and learn," Princess Luna decided, "Faith Shield, you and I shall begin post-haste."

"With all due respect, your highness," Faith piped up, "I don't want to hurt you."

"Don't worry." She trotted over to one of the ends of the marked rectangle. One of those thin swords was in her grip already. "You won't."

---

"Ahhhhh!"

In reaction to the sound of wood breaking, I looked away while flinching. Dots spun around Faith's head as he lied there among the debris. A ping-pong ball bounced away from the crash site.

"That table tennis court is coming out of your pay," remarked Princess Luna.

Faith only groaned in response.

"Parrying alone doesn't win you a duel," she added while lowering her épée. "No matter how perfect your defense may be, a lack of offense only prolongs the inevitable." She yanked another of those blades from nearby and tossed it. "Prepare yourself, Dill Anne Shear."

"With all due respect, Princess," I pitched in, "I don't want to hurt Spirit Sword."

"Well then, you'd better not make a misstep," she told me as she stood at her end.

I could just politely refuse and leave, I thought, She didn't exactly order me to fight her. Yeah, I'll just tell her...

*ba-thump*

"Don't worry. I won't."

Wait, what?! Why did I say that?

"Ah, growing a backbone are you?" The princess chuckled. "I'll feel much better about breaking you down."

I trotted over to the position. "Your celebration is premature, your highness."

Mouth, stop it! Why didn't you politely bow out like I told you to?

On the bright side, my hooves were still shaking with the nervousness that I was feeling. Although when I thought about it more, the side wasn't that bright.

"En garde!" cried out Princess Luna as she began her charge.

I tried imitating what I saw from Faith, swinging my weapon in a z-shaped parry. It knocked her sword away briefly, but the next part of her move was coming in too fast.

*ba-thump* *ba-thump*

Suddenly, my vision was filled with an all-encompassing flash of blue. I covered my eyes with one hoof. Though in doing so, I was startled to see my usual blue bracer against my black hoof. I lowered my hoof and was startled again to see my opponent. It wasn't the princess.

"Huh? Spirit Sword?" I quickly looked around, seeing darkness where the open room should have been.

"Yes, your highness," said Spirit, "I've taught you everything you need to know. However, I didn't teach you everything I know."

The tip of the épée he was holding brightly glimmered against the darkness. Quickly, I rushed in to stop whatever he had planned. But before I got the chance, he whacked my blade away. I tried to guard this way and that way, but his full attack was happening faster than I could parry. Within the next instant, his full force struck my chest. I was sent flying, with my back parallel to the ground.

Spirit's voice echoed against the darkness. "Strike-and-Parry Breaker: Thousand Years of Judgment!"

---{Narrator}

"Uwah!"

Princess Luna was flung out of the boundary line. She collapsed against the floor. Her épée bounced along the floor beside her. She strained her neck to look at her opponent. Despite her new cheek bruise, she smiled.

Golden irises stared back at her. "A lack of offense prolongs the inevitable. That's true. But power without focus will miss its mark." Spirit held his sword to the side. "You couldn't defeat me six months ago, your highness. You still can't beat me."

"I suppose not," she admitted in defeat.

The standing stallion winced as his right eyelid shut. When it forced itself open again, a turquoise iris was staring out.

"How is this... possible?" asked the voice of Nightmare Moon as Spirit Sword's body breathed heavily.

"That will be enough Dill Anne," implied Luna, "You can come out now."

The essence poured out like a flowing creek. The armored mare came into solid view, lying on her side while clutching her chest. Her breaths were a bit shaky as she stared at the pony she had just left.

But, I couldn't even sense his presence back when I overshadowed him in the old castle, thought Dilan.

"How did you find a way to resurface?" she asked in between breaths.

"It wasn't enough for me to desire freedom from the Overshadow," stated Spirit, "I bet that in order to truly overcome the binding of my mind, my heart needed to be exposed to something in which I felt true strength."

Luna nodded. "The mind is easy to sway..."

"... but a strong heart is unwavering," finished Dilan as she stood up straight. "You guys know that proverb too?"

"Many know it," answered Luna as she brushed herself of dust. "Few understand it."

"Hmm," hummed Dilan. "Oh, is Faith going to be okay?"

The other guard pony was still amidst the table tennis debris. The only indication of life was his groan every few seconds.

"I've got this," sighed Spirit. "So, Faith! I was just reading book seven. Did you know that...?"

"Augh!" Faith clamped his hooves against his partner's mouth. "No spoilers!"

The not-Nightmare rapidly looked back and forth between the two places in the room. "But... you... there... here... and... but... tennis... what?"

Meanwhile, Luna's thoughts were on something else. "I thought you didn't like the Juvenile Monster series."

Spirit shrugged one wing as he lightly shoved Faith aside. "I don't read it for pleasure. I do so to stay current."

"Ah." Luna nodded in understanding. "Well, I believe you've won my challenge. By the terms I laid out, what would you like more than anything else (within reason)?"

"To be honest..." Spirit looked away in embarrassment. "... there is that one thing I'd like."

---
(5:00 somewhere...)

"Ah ha ha ha ha ha!" cackled Luna while lying on her stomach, "We are the undefeated champion of the fermented beverages!"

"No -hic- fair, Linpress Pruna," grumbled a blushing Dilan on her back, "W-W-We agreed to split the...the... drinking fifty-fifty. I wanted to be at least -hic- mostly responsible for my own drunkenness."

"Thou shalt show us more respect, Fair Dill Anne!" demanded the first mare, "Don't you know who you're talking to?"

"Of course!" yelled the other, "Presenting her majesty: Queen Lifter of the ball of light that's most likely made of cheese!"

"Oh, shtop it, you two," mumbled Spirit with eyes swimming. "You're both equally royal pains."

All three ponies yucked it up in the back of the open carriage. The driver, however, was rather miffed. He briefly looked back at the bar shrinking in the distance.

Why did I have to be the sober one tonight? grumbled Faith silently. I haven't had a good daiquiri in forever.

---{???}

Soon, the hard work shall be done, carving out the light from sun. They delude themselves to think they've won. But the truth is that it hasn't even begun.

---

Ch. 14: Simple Ways, These Are Not

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Chapter 14: Simple Ways, These Are Not

---{Dilan Shier}

When I placed my breakfast order this morning, I was kidding about the choice in question. But surprisingly, the chef had managed to do the impossible. There were rose petals in the pancakes. They taught me a valuable lesson about passion today... and it was delicious.

"Ah! Such wonderful flavor and texture," I beamed, "Where have you been all my life?"

The next bite danced in my mouth and I savored every second of it.

"Mare-that's-done-eating says what!"

I spun around on the spot. "Huh?"

"Eh, close enough."

I heard fingers snapping. Wait, fingers snapping? Who the heck has fingers to snap around here?

"Hm, you know," muttered a nearby chewing mouth, "I don't see what you find so great about these. I mean in the end, you could make the rose another name and it would still taste as torte."

I looked back in front of me. My merely half-finished breakfast plate was suddenly empty... and the culprit was floating above the table with his upside-down face right within a few inches.

"Hey!" I exclaimed.

"No, pancakes," the whatever-it-was said. "And it's rude to think of somebody as a 'whatever'. I'll have you know that I am a draconequus."

I blinked. "A... dragon horse?"

He started counting on his claws... which were somehow multiplying beyond the four I had originally seen on that limb. "Dragon, horse, snake, lion, eagle, antelope, wabbajack, wangdoodle, bat, flamingo, and approximately 105 percent vermicious knid, give or take a few immune system organs."

Did... I just hear my brain short-circuit? I wondered. "I... uh... what?"

"Oh, dear," the whatev- I mean, draconequus said, "I seem to have this impression on new ponies that I meet all the time. Here!"

He then proceeded to pull out an old toy hand-crank from nowhere. Then, he somehow shoved it into my back and wound it clockwise about three times. It started slowly spinning left a couple of rotations before vanishing completely.

I shook my head and pointed both of my hooves forward. "Okay, stop. Who are you?"

He curled around the air in every inconceivable way. "I've gained a number of names over my time. The Riddle-Pusher. Nuisance. Downright Evil. Dee Que. The Manipulator. But you, my dear Nightmare Moon may call me Santa Marr Ee!"

I leaned back a bit. "Uh..."

He held up one claw. "But, only if you're partial to having your ribs plucked out one by one, dipped in acid, and then have your soul ripped out before your remains are fought over between a vulture and a quarry eel."

While he was saying all of that, he was also demonstrating everything literally with his own body parts. The vulture and a giant red eel popped in out of flipping nowhere.

...

I really hoped Princess Luna had some extra free time tonight. I'm pretty sure those mental images were burned into my irises, my pupils, my retinas, and the rest of the parts of my eyes.

"Otherwise, call me Discord," the draconequus continued, "The Master of Chaos and Disharmony."

"But... you were... just..." I pointed at where I thought the madman's corpse was, only to find nothing out of the ordinary in that part of the dining room. How? Just... how?

"Well, this isn't going to be much fun if the toy keeps breaking," grumbled Discord. "Maybe it just needs a little oil."

He snapped his talon. A small, pink cloud suddenly poofed into place right above me. Before I could think to react, it started raining on me. But it wasn't normal rain water. It was too much of a dirty brown color to be rain water. Soon, I felt completely soaked by whatever this was.

I let out a groan.

"Oh, relax," Discord waved dismissively, "It's only chocolate milk."

"Then why does it smell like old gym shorts?" I inquired before spitting out a bit of the 'milk' that had squeezed its way into my mouth.

Within an instant, I felt a bit drier. I was about to question the instant vaporization of the shorts-flavored, lactose product. However, a bunch of playing cards flying around in front of my face before returning to Discord's lion paw quickly stole away any question that was on the tip of my tongue. Heck, I think I saw letters spelling out my question swing away from my mouth before being slapped onto the fifty-four cards.

How is it that a conglomerate creature such as this makes less sense than ghosts, magic, flying, electrical blasts, celestial bodies that are physically raised and lowered, and souls connected by the flavor of a rose? I couldn't even begin to follow this guy's behavior.

"Care to play a game?" he asked with a one-fanged smirk.

"Not... really," I muttered as I slowly... quietly... ran for the door!

I never got anywhere close. The draconequus poofed in a white light right in front of me. He somehow halted my advance with what looked like Force Persuasion. I was trapped.

"Oh, come now, Dill Anne Shier," he insisted, "I just got over a Tatzlwurm green flu and I've been dying from boredom."

I shook where I stood. "Aren't there... any other, um, friends that you could play with instead?"

"Well, normally I would be more than happy to pop by Fluttershy's for a visit," he pondered, "But this week, she and the rest of the gang are helping put together the Ponyville Days festival." He poofed out and back in with his neck practically scraping against mine. "Now, I may be new to friendship, but even I can respect a few traditions if it makes them happy."

I scooted a few inches away from him so that he wasn't breathing down my neck. Then, I weighed my options.

He can somehow bend reality to his whim and he can conjure whatever he wants, wherever he wants, I guessed. Even if I were to try and run away, there's nothing that can guarantee a safe way to escape. So, the only other option is to play along and hope that he is eventually satisfied enough to move on. I sighed. Why am I getting the crappy end of the stick?

"All right, Discord," I resigned, "What game do you-?"

"You lose!" he cheered. "Lol! I'm so random."

I blinked before clearing my throat. "So, what do you want to play then?"

---

"How did I get dragged into this again?" asked Faith Shield.

"No clue," I answered with a wing shrug.

Giant platforms were raised in the middle of a huge, chasm. Faith and I were standing on a platform at one end of the giant space. Discord was flying inches above another platform at the other end. A bunch of stone bleachers made up a surrounding stadium. Several other whatev- er, I mean draconequuses (draconequi?) were sitting in these bleachers in various attire holding various sports fan paraphernalia.

One draconequus was wearing a bra (I don't know why. She didn't have anything there to cover.) and held onto a hanging microphone. I'm not sure what it was hanging from. This space had no conceivable ceiling.

"Welcome, fillies, gentlecolts, and those of unspecified gender!" she announced. "Today's turnout looks outstanding for this once in a fictional lifetime, sure to be explosive game!"

I heard what sounded like a static-filled sound clip of the crowd cheering wildly. Maybe the real crowd was cheering. I couldn't tell for sure, though.

"And in this obtuse angle, we have our reigning champion." She pointed her lion's paw. "It's the wonderful, whimsical, all-around dashing, good-looking Master of the hectics himself: Discord!"

Discord bowed in ways that would probably break a normal person's back, duct tape itself, and break it again.

"In this circumference, we have our challengee." The announcer moved her paw to point at my platform. "Taking up the mantle of the late Nightmare Moon, give it up for the rookie: Dilan Shier!"

"Wait, hold up," interrupted Faith, "Did she just give the introductions in reverse order?"

"And why didn't she call them 'corners'?" I added. "Wah!"

A rectangular light suddenly flashed against my left hoof. It solidified into some unidentifiable, mechanical device. Another glow of light solidified into a smaller item hanging out from a slot in the hoof device.

Is that a deck of cards? I wondered.

A whooshing noise brought my attention and I looked up to see similar items in Discord's possession.

"All right, if our warriors and our audience are ready..."

"Let's Card Buddy Fight!"

"Card what?" wondered Faith. "Woah!"

A blinding light surrounded the vampire pony guard. I held up my hoof to preserve my ability to see. When the light finally started fading, I lowered my hoof.

...

There's a giant gray dragon standing next to me.

...

"Holy crap!" I screamed, "It's a giant dragon!"

"What? Where?!" the dragon joined the chorus.

I gasped. "Wait a minute. That voice... Faith, is that you?"

"Y-Yeah," the dragon stammered, "At least I think so. Why in the hay am I so bulgy?"

Once more, my attention was brought to Discord's end as a huge, green dragon appeared by his side. It roared, shaking the air around it and making my ears flinch. But then, I got another look at the details. Both Faith and the green dragon had their own sets of armor. The design and placing of pieces was a bit different, but they were definitely wearing plated armor.

But they already have scales on their skin. I stared uncomprehendingly. Why would they even need armor on top of that?

"Okay, fighters!" called the announcer, "Go ahead and draw your first four cards."

"You mean from this deck?" I asked while looking down at the weird hoof gear. "Um... all right." I reached down my right hoof and pulled out four cards. I held them up to see what was on the cards' faces. "Now what?"

"Toss them up!"

"Huh?" I titled my head at her.

"Like this!" called out Discord. He threw his cards up. Just above his head, they somehow expanded into four translucent rectangles. But, I could only see the cards backs being projected through those rectangular panels.

With uncertainty, I went ahead and thrust the cards in my grasp into the air. Similarly to Discord's cards, these floated to above my head and expanded into somewhat translucent rectangles. But unlike his cards, I could actually see these cards' faces. Some of them looked like cartoonish monsters. One of them, however, looked more like a picture of a sword.

"Oh, and before I forget, the game starts with both players having ten hitpoints. First one to knock their opponent to zero wins!"

Two giant numbers suddenly popped into being right at the edge of our platforms. They read as "10".

"This is way too complicated," I groaned while holding my head.

"Here," offered Discord, "Chew some gum. It really helps."

"Wah!" I exclaimed. "When did you come over here?"

"I didn't!" he called from the other end's platform.

"But I... you... ugh," I exhaled heavily before chewing the piece of gum Discord shoved into my mouth.

Suddenly, the game itself was more comprehensible. Oh no, I still didn't get the multitude of draconequi in the audience or any of the things they did. But this Card Buddy Fight game... something about that gum made the rules click.

I harrumphed. "Still seems a bit too complicated for a trading card game, but whatever."

"Erm, I still have no idea what's going on," mentioned Faith Shield the dragon.

"Just stay where you are right now, Faith," I requested. "I've got an idea."

I set my hoof against the top of my deck.

"First turn!" I hollered out. "Draw!"

I flung the top card over to the rest of my floating panels. I grabbed a hold of two of the cartoonish monsters' pictures and aimed forth. It was like throwing a couple of frisbees.

"BB Dragon: Terrabiter and Pea-shooter Dragon: Piacus to the left and right respectively!"

Two tiny dragon-like creatures appeared and stood on the platforms that were closest to me. They stared ahead with anticipation. Though for now, the safety on their weapons was on.

"Additionally," I declared while reaching for the 'Equipment' card that depicted a sword. "I equip the Pinnacle Épée."

The thin, but long fencing blade appeared in my grasp. Then, I took a brief flying jump to the centermost platform nearby the one that Faith Shield was standing on.

"Okay, boys," I called out to my units, "Light him up!"

The small dragons clicked off their weapons' safeties and pointed some small rounds against Discord's number. The "10" exploded into a "9". That "9" immediately exploded into an "8". I followed up by flying up and forward, with the Épée in hoof. I took a swinging slash against Discord's personal space. The "8" exploded into a "7" before it became a "6" and then a "5". I leapt back to my center platform.

"Turn end," I relented.

"Watashi no turn!" Discord called. "Tiro una carta!"

Um... bless you? I tilted my head at his strange choice of words.

He seemed to be carefully examining his giant panelled cards. But then, he placed a trout in his mouth and started smoking it. So, maybe he wasn't really concentrating on that. I couldn't tell for sure.

"First comes my move that can only be activated during the standby phase," he said before slurping up his fish. "Madness Maelstrom!"

"Say what?" I frantically looked around as the platforms were suddenly being shaken by a strong, purple wind. Terrabiter and Piacus warbled a bit before they screamed. My units were swept into dusty particles. My blade soon followed in their non-existent footsteps as I was tossed back.

I was caught in Faith's huge wing. "Hang on!"

I shook my head a bit as the stormy gale died down. When I straightened myself out, however, I noticed the "10" in front of me exploded three times, counting down until it reached "7".

"Oh-ho-ho!" chuckled the announcer, "With the champion's hit points halfway depleted, he gained access to his game breaking power of the Madness Maelstrom! That ability let him wipe the field clear from all of Dilan's units and equipment."

"Urgh." I clenched my teeth. "To top it off, I lost a point for every card destroyed in that way. I got too caught up in my attacks last turn to think of the side effects."

"Now, head for the right," commanded Discord, "Missile Launcher: Bodragion!"

A giant, turtle-shelled monster appeared on the platform furthest away from me to my left. Though, that distance wouldn't matter in a bit. Those lit fuses didn't look like they had much string to burn.

"And I'll equip the Leech Party Favors!" he chortled while grabbing one panel. Upon use of the card, three wiggling things floated nearby his face. He then snapped a claw before teleporting to his center platform.

"Fill up this stadium with your fireworks, Bodragion," he requested.

The turtle-dragon did as was asked. The fuses suddenly raced into its three missiles as they launched in my direction. Sad to say, I couldn't move on my opponent's turn. Even though I knew they were missiles, their impact let off the ringing of a flashbang grenade.

*6* *5* *4*

I wobbled around in place while the dots in my vision started to fade. Unfortunately by the time I was ready, Discord was already in my face. His equip card made the noise of party blowers, but their bites felt acidic. My skin burned while it felt like my very life force was draining out of me. My "4" dropped to a dangerous "1".

His "5" on the other hand exploded in reverse, causing it to rise to a "6". The crowd went wild. He kissed his paw and waved at the other draconequi.

I breathed shallowly while my legs shook. One of my knees threatened to buckle. Faith lowered one of his clawed limbs and helped me stay upright.

"We need to stop this game right now," his voice growled in sympathy, "You're not looking so good."

I shook my head. "I'm afraid we're in too deep as it is." I gently pressed against his limb with the intention of pushing it aside. "If I forfeit now, the suffering will never end. I need to finish this here."

"I guess that's enough for now," sighed Discord happily, "You're up."

"I draw!" I called. Three panels now stood on my board. But none of them had enough kick to deal enough damage. Plus, Discord's right side was guarded by one of the strongest units in the game. I chuckled humorlessly.

"When I'm on my last legs," I said between breaths, "I can call my 'Buddy' into the fight." I turned to look. "Faith, I'm counting on you."

He nodded in reply. "Just say the word."

"Okay!" I stomped my hoof against the platform. "Faith Shield, head to my right!"

The armored, gray dragon let out a roar as he made the short flight. He landed with a thud.

"What's this?" asked the announcer rhetorically. "Instead of calling her buddy to the center for a smart defense, she's sent her dragon to the right leaving herself wide open for the champion's final turn. What is she thinking?

I took a deep breath.

"It wouldn't have mattered anyway," I mutter. "What would be the point of surviving until next turn? These cards alone wouldn't come anywhere close to Discord's current formation." I opened my eyes, certain that I heard a flashing sound effect. "It's all or nothing. Tension Limit!"

The rectangular panels in front of me shattered into shards.

"Oh, wow! Dilan Shier is taking a huge gamble. With her health well below half-empty, she can ditch her board and instantly equip one random item card from her deck. But will it be enough?"

The giant panel floated around the airspace. It soon swooped down within a hoof's reach.

"This is it!" I cried out. Light flashed and blinded some of the crowd. I had my new equipment and immediately flew to my center platform. "Pinnacle Épée!" I pointed my device-strapped hoof. "Faith Shield, cut through with your wings!"

"Heh, give me a challenge," he said with a toothy smile. Even with all that dragon bulk, he dove in faster than a perfect pitch. While Discord didn't move, his number sure did.

*5* *4* *3*

"Now, to bring it home," I said before taking flight myself. "Haaaaaaa!"

In a weird, last-ditch effort, Discord started throwing his leeches in my direction. Since it was my turn, I could dodge these rogue, harmless equip items. I then proceeded to swing with as much speed and repetition as I could while I was in front of him.

"Courtesy of the best in the Night Guard," I addressed my move, "Parry Breaker: Hundred-Year Judgement!"

Slowly, but surely, Discord's hit points exploded into a giant "0".

I landed back on my own platform. "I'm no Spirit Sword, but he did teach me what I needed here."

A loud foghorn blared throughout the area. A large, holo-image appeared in the center of the arena. It depicted Nightmare Moon's smiling visage and it the word "WIN!" was flashing underneath it in bold letters.

Then, the whole place got swept under a giant rug.

---

Faith Shield shook himself at his normal height. "Whew. Having extra digits on my hooves felt weird."

I looked around the dining room in confusion. "Hey, where did Discord go?"

It was about then that I saw the plate of freshly, steaming pancakes sitting on the table. Some kind of message was embedded in their surface with rose petals.

Thanks for the fun.

I smiled lightly... until one last leech party favor popped out of the dish a mere millimeter from my face. Instead of falling on my back unconscious, I screamed and fell onto my back scared stiff.

Faith sighed. "I'll get the ice bucket."

---{Third-Person Narrator}

No pony at the castle saw the obnoxious colt in the streets using his wings like a motor to propel himself faster on his dirt bike. His girlfriend was leaning on the back of the frame as she rode her avatar: Blaster Blade. They were really revving it up, much to the shock of the bystanding upper class ponies.

---

Interlude: Wearing Emotions On Your Sleeve

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Interlude: Wearing Emotions On Your Sleeve

---{Chrysalis, Third-Person POV}

All right, so she made a slight miscalculation... a few educated guesses that turned out to be wrong. She lost a few of the more diligent workers. Those could always be replaced. There was nothing to worry about there.

Wait... Was her neck joint still loosely crooked? She thought she'd fixed that.

Well, no matter. She had waited patiently for about five hundred years before her first attack against Canterlot. She was patient enough to wait another five hundred. It wasn't like Equestria found every single changeling within its borders. There were still plenty of outlets where love was pouring in.

Several drones pinged. One of the Recon was checking in ahead of schedule. She allowed a moment to slide a hoof down her face.

For holes' sake! I don't have the patience to deal with this right now, she thought in the one private corner of her mind.

She sighed before forcing a neutral frustration to cover her fatigued irritation. If she didn't show the one speck of competence in this hive, then who would? Certainly not the mindless drones. But she digressed as she turned to face the opening to her chamber with as close a look to disinterest as possible. The buzzing of one of her subject's wings quickly grew in volume as they came into view.

"Rancid," addressed Queen Chrysalis, "I've already explained how you're supposed to do your job on nine separate occasions. I can't be bothered to hold your tail for you everywhere you go."

"What?" asked the subordinate in confusion. "Oh. No, it's not that. I have news, Your Majesty!"

The queen raised the patch of skin where her eyebrow would be. "Really? Well, then spit it out. What's so important that it couldn't have waited until tonight's usual report?"

"Luna has been spotted on carriage, en route to Pit Stop."

Pit Stop? Surely the maggot had developed a sense of humor. No one went to Pit Stop unless they wished to discuss mutual terms. Aside from love being channeled one way, the changelings and ponies had nothing to gain from each other. But there was something else that was bothering Chrysalis.

"Who is Luna?" she inquired.

Rancid's eyes suddenly widened. Clearly, she hadn't anticipated such a question. "Uh... the younger princess that rules Equestria. You know? The one that moves the moon?"

"There's a third princess now?" Chrysalis blinked twice. That can't be right. As far as I could tell, the only princesses of Equestria were Celestia and Mi Amore Cadenza. Where did this 'Luna' come from?

Now it was Rancid's turn to lift skin in lieu of an eyebrow. "Are you feeling okay, Queen Chrysalis? Equestria's had four princesses for the past few moons now."

Chrysalis stared straight at her scout with scrutiny. "You're kidding. You're kidding, right?"

"Not remotely, Your Highness." Rancid shook her head. "Celestia is the oldest and guides the sun through the day. Luna guides the moon and dreams by night. Cadance (the one you took the guise of) is charged with the Crystal Empire in the Arctic North. Lastly, Twilight Sparkle was crowned most recently."

The queen's face went through surprise, anger, confusion, and bafflement. But no matter how she twisted herself, she could not sense the littlest hint of anything amiss with her subject's emotions to suggest falsehood or any kind of joke.

"By Cypris, you're not kidding," muttered Chrysalis. "How in the world do you know something that I don't?"

Rancid shrugged. "I guess I was fortunate enough to be tasked with seeing the outside world."

Chrysalis cleared her throat. "Well, I suppose somebody needs to go find out what Luna wants."

Rancid patted a hoof against her chest. "I'll send word to the battalion drones at once."

"Wait, Rancid." Chrysalis motioned for her subject to stop. "I have another idea."

---

Ch. 15: Seconds Of Fame

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A/N: Warning! This chapter may contain some spoilers to the Season 4 Finale "Twilight's Kingdom". Reader discretion is advised.
---

Chapter 15: Seconds Of Fame

---{Dilan Shier}

Where would I even begin to describe what happened over the last month? I wouldn't really know. When I tried to fully recall, all I could visualize was a blur of fencing training with Spirit Sword and Faith Shield, rose fruit salads, table badminton and/or war checker games with Discord, and a new spell that Celestia called the "Shadow Sprint". I was beginning to think that I had grown accustomed enough to this world that nothing could surprise me anymore.

Oh, Dilan you were so naive.

I was taking my fifth knockout that day via Spirit's blade when the glass door slid open. Princess Luna briskly trotted into the big room. Her frustration looked like it was on the brink of my first encounter with her atmosphere-crumbling shout. This time, however, she kept her volume at an even level.

"Dill Anne Shear, may we have a word in private?"

To that, I blinked. "You're asking for my permission? This is new, Princess."

"I'm being genuine," she insisted.

"I'm serious too," I said as I stood up.

A large, feathered wing shoved me toward the door. "Move it, smart-alec."

After the glass door slid shut, I could have sworn I heard a muffled comment to 'hit the showers'. But I was kind of distracted by Princess Luna giving me the look.

"So, what's the word, Your Highness?" I asked.

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. When she opened them again, her expression was less of a death glare and more of a neutral indifference.

"How well does your Shadow Sprint fare?" she inquired.

"Uh, I've been able to directly ride from one shadow to another in less than a second," I answered before scratching my neck. "Though, I still need to be able to see the next shadow before advancing." I set my hoof down. "Why do you ask?"

"I need you to follow Discord tonight."

Inside my mind, I heard something akin to glass breaking. "Eh?"

What followed was a well-prepared explanation about past and present events. There was an entity called Tirek who was banished to Tartarus for his actions against Equestria. Apparently, he had come back and was stealing the magic of ponies and making himself stronger. Due to these magical fluctuations, Discord was the most feasible candidate for tracking down Tirek and taking care of him. However, Princess Luna had her misgivings toward the master of manipulation.

"So, how am I supposed to track him down?" I asked with an eyebrow raised. "And if this Tirek guy is as strong as you say he is, wouldn't he just steal my magic as soon he knows I'm there?"

"That's why I want you to go in the shadows," explained Princess Luna, "Nightmare Moon's domain is the darkness. You should be able to look around the city undetected. I pray that my suspicion of Discord is unfounded speculation, but if you see anything that should prove otherwise, report back to me immediately. Do not engage Discord and Tirek directly."

I chuckled. "Well, no worries there. Neither one of them is my type."

Princess Luna deadpanned.

I cleared my throat. "I mean, I'll be on the lookout. As soon as something happens, I'll be right back."

With that said, Princess Luna nodded once. She then proceeded to head back through the glass door. I turned around and trotted off to find the castle's exit.

---

"Ms. Nightmare Moon," stated one of the gate guard ponies.

"Sir," I nodded back. I'm considered one of the regulars now. Super.

As I crossed the bridge outside of the castle, I turned my gaze up to the night sky. The bright full moon and the twinkling stars felt comforting. I closed my eyes and took a calm, collected breath. Then, my work began. I let the Pony of Shadow's magic pull me in. My body followed my mane into the earth.

The great thing about the ground at night was that everything was in a shadow. It was simultaneously mind-boggling and liberating to know that once I rode a shadow, I could be anywhere I wanted to be in an instant. So, that's where I went: everywhere in Canterlot I could go in about five seconds.

When I spotted the back of a caped figure in an alleyway, I stopped sprinting. Quickly, I hid myself in the shadow of a nearby barrel. It was then that I noticed who the figure was facing. The draconequus that Princess Luna was so worried about had a rather disappointed look on his face. When he snapped his talon, a set of metal chains trapped the shackled claws of the caped figure together. I mentally sighed in relief.

So he's not evil. I was then caught off guard by seeing his head literally split apart to avoid an orange laser beam. Woah, that's pretty cool. Though, I can't imagine what kind of headaches that would eventually cause.

For the first time, I heard the caped figure's voice. "You're not saying you're friends with ponies?"

"Surprise!" Discord shouted popping out of a random cake. Some of the frosting landed on my hiding spot.

Aw, man. I hope shadows can't get food stains. In my internal worries, I almost missed the figure's next words. Oh, hold on. This sounds important.

"Freedom. Once I've stripped these ponies of their magic, nothing would give me greater pleasure than to see this world turn upside down."

I wished I had a physical hoof at the moment so that I could cover a physical gasping mouth. There was little doubt in my mind that this was Tirek talking now. He was practically giving the whole devil's temptation package.

"Unless of course pony errand boy is the role you've always wanted to play."

Discord broke eye contact and started scratching his chin.

No, it can't be. He's actually considering the offer? But...

Tirek was suddenly stuffed into a top hat adorned by Discord. The draconequus had donned a rather convincing Houdini outfit.

"You drive a hard bargain, Tirek," he said with a chuckle, "Let the T & D partnership begin."

I didn't bother forcing my gasp to be inaudible this time as I quickly sprinted across the shadows to the other side of Canterlot. Once outside of the castle, I stopped long enough to imagine the pouring bowls of water. Though not short of breath, I still panted out of shock and worry.

"Princess Luna!" I shouted as I galloped into the castle.

---

A day passed. Perhaps it was due to the heaviness of the situation, but it felt like the longest day I had ever been through. Not knowing where the magical siphon and chaos duo would strike next might have had something to do with it. All I had for sure was the occasional update from Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. Tirek and Discord seemed to be striking targets all over the map.

The Crystal Empire's princess arrived at some point, though I can't remember the actual hour. We didn't really speak to each other. It was mostly an awkward staring contest with both of us breaking the 'no blinking' rule after the first two seconds. Eventually, the other princesses directed her into the main throne room and that was that.

When the Element of Magic arrived, it was slightly less awkward staring. It was more like her face was trying to decide whether to look suspicious of me or surprised at me.

"Nightmare Moon? You're still here?"

"I guess so." I shrugged a wing. "I'm still trying to figure out if I'm a house guest or a volunteer worker." I tried changing the subject. "Sorry, I can be terrible remembering names at times. Are you... Rarity by chance?"

"Not quite," she said in negation. Her face finally made up its mind to look at me with suspicion. "Are you working for Tirek?"

My eyes widened. "What? No! Of course not!"

"Uh-huh," the lavender alicorn muttered with a deadpanned glare.

Is it getting warm in here? I wondered as I tried fanning myself with a wing.

I coughed. "Uh, did you have an important meeting here today or something?"

The question seemed to snap her out of anger and into a look of panic. "Shoot, that's right! I can't waste time here. I've gotta go!" She started galloping down the hall before abruptly stopping. She gave one last glance of suspicion in my direction. "For the record, we're not done with this yet."

I gulped and replied with a nod. Thankfully, she turned forward and continued her gallop. As soon as she was out of sight, I let out a sigh.

How in the world is a little pony like her so intimidating? I wondered. It almost felt like I was seeing Princess Luna's eraser gaze. I shivered. A second Princess Luna... I don't think this world is ready for that.

A light tap on the shoulder interrupted my train of thought. I blinked before turning to see what it was.

"Come on," insisted Faith Shield, "Let's go see what this is about."

Spirit Sword was standing right there as well. He seemed a bit less enthusiastic than Faith. The serious vampire pony had his eyes closed. I could have sworn that I saw a dark spiral floating above his head. But it disappeared the instant I tried to take a better look at it.

"Go see what?" I replied.

"A meeting between all four of Equestria's princesses must be something important," Faith elaborated.

"Such important meetings give them a right to privacy," commented Spirit.

Faith turned to look at his partner. "Aren't you curious about what they're going to talk about?"

"I can't say that I am." Spirit turned his head to the side.

"You can't say it because it's true, right?" Faith smirked.

Spirit's eyes snapped open as his professional expression briefly took on the guise of shock. He then recovered by faking a slight cough.

"The longer we stand here gives the meeting more time to conclude before you get there," he pointed out.

Faith gasped. "You're right." He grabbed my hoof with his. "Let's get going!"

"Hey, wait!" I yelped as I was half-dragged, half-galloping beside him. I faintly heard Spirit exhale before he followed after us.

---

"Ponies will no longer be in control of their world," Princess Luna's voice leaked out through the crack in the door, "That power will belong solely to Tirek."

I think I heard Princess Celestia add something, but it was muffled.

"What did Celestia say?" I whispered.

"Shh!" hushed Faith.

"Once it is in his possession, his power will know no bounds, and all hope will be lost." Princess Luna's words shake me with their morbidness.

"I don't see the point in this eavesdropping," muttered Spirit, "All of this is information that we already know."

Before Faith could tell him to shush as well, Celestia's voice was raised to a much clearer volume.

"We must rid ourselves of our magic before Tirek has the chance to steal it from us."

Not-Rarity gasped loudly. Meanwhile, the three eavesdroppers reached a hoof to cover the other pony's mouth. If we hadn't done that, our cover probably would have been blown.

Get... rid of it? I stood there in bewilderment. Surely they don't mean to destroy the Element of Magic itself.

But on the receiving end of a statement by the bearer of Magic, Princess Luna had a way to alleviate those worries.

"You misunderstand. Our magic cannot just disappear into thin air. Somepony must keep it safe."

The implications seemed to point to the lavender alicorn. Somehow, Tirek was unaware of the fourth princess. It would buy the world some time while he wondered where all of the magic went. I also overheard this princess's real name: Twilight Sparkle.

"Having to single-hoofedly hold responsibility for all of that power," Faith marveled.

"Geez, no pressure or anything," I added my two cents of sarcasm before putting my ear back to the door.

"Then we must begin at once," declared Princess Celestia.

What followed, I couldn't say for sure. It sounded like a large collection of whirring, sparks, and rushing wind-like noises. What was going on in there? Briefly, a flash of light outlined the edges of the doorway before the noises stopped completely. After what seemed like forever, a pattern of hoofsteps sounded like it was quickly approaching.

The vampire ponies quickly scrambled into a position of attention at either side of the door. Just as quickly, I used my Shadowride on Faith's shadow. The door opened as Twilight Sparkle trotted out the throne room. For someone who had presumedly taken on a lot of extra magic, she didn't look that different. Unless, you counted Twilight's teary-eyed face as the big difference.

As soon as Twilight had left, another set of hoofsteps could be heard. These, however, were much slower and sounded a bit more deliberate... or heavy. A few struggling breaths were given before I saw who they belonged to.

"Dill Anne Shear," Princess Luna panted, "I know you're there somewhere. Listen carefully because we don't have much time."

"Your Highness!" exclaimed Spirit as he rushed to his princess's side. From my two-dimensional position, I saw what might have caused him such worry. Princess Luna's flowing mane had halted to a standstill. Additionally, the crescent moon that was her cutie mark was either invisible or completely gone.

With his mouth open, Faith merely pointed a hoof before lowering it. I don't think any of us could believe the tragic sight before us. In spite of our respective forms of shock and emotional breaks, Princess Luna continued talking to me directly.

"Go to Pit Stop, find the nearest rock formation, and grovel," she said between pants, "That's the signal for our allies." She then turned to look at her two guards. "I'm leaving you two in charge of escorting her."

"W-What about you?" stammered Faith.

She managed to collect herself, what was left of herself. "My sister, my niece, and I must remain here. Tirek will undoubtedly come after us. It is our role as princesses to hold him off here for as long as possible."

"But you'll be completely defenseless," argued Spirit, "I should at least stay here for your protection."

Princess Luna shook her head. "No, Spirit Sword. If you stay here, then Tirek will gain the magic of one more pegasus. Our task will be difficult enough without the extra help." She then proceeded to hobble back into the throne room.

"I am not going to abandon you again," he said. Were those... tears? No, they couldn't be. But there they were, glistening at the bottom of his eyes.

"You're right. You're not," commented Princess Luna, "I have to leave you this time."

Spirit shook on the spot. "I... I won't..."

"GO!"

Involuntarily, I followed along the floor of the hallway as Faith was sent hurtling through the air. When he landed and tumbled, I felt some of the impact. It didn't hurt a lot, but it was enough to recognize some form of collision. He groaned while looking over at Spirit who was in a similarly tumbled position.

"So her voice isn't contingent upon having alicorn magic," I said as I stood up from the shadow. "Learn something new every day."

But the ponies I was talking to were preoccupied with other concerns.

"Partner?" Faith asked, "Are you okay?"

Spirit didn't really answer. Instead, he slowly got up on his hooves. He used a wing to pull out his temp-ice-fabric and wiped away the half-existent tears on his face. He stared toward the castle's exit. His look wasn't seriousness or irritation. It was... empty.

"We have our orders," he stated flatly, "Shear, let's get you to Pit Stop A.S.A.P."

After opening his wings wide, he flew over the stairs going down. I shook myself out of my stupor and followed his path.

"R-Right," I stammered.

"Hey, wait for me!" called Faith as he trailed behind.

---

At a place that reminded me a lot of Stonehenge, we landed. I trotted over to the center of the circle of stones. It was about this time that I had no idea how to go about grovelling like Princess Luna asked me to do. So, I did the next best thing I could think of. I lifted my hooves up in surrender before imitating a rigorous bowing exercise.

After about fifteen repetitions, I heard a garbled chuckling noise. I also heard several insect wings. Before I knew it, several entities were in the surrounding area. They all resembled an illegitimate love-child of a beetle, a unicorn, and charcoal. Needless to say, it was a surreal and bizarre sight. I stood up straight as the largest bug-pony-briquette floated down in front of me.

Now I knew what a fanged smile looked like from the receiving end. To say I was unnerved would be an understatement.

"So, the time has come, has it?" inquired the apparent leader with green, slit irises as opposed to the other bug-pony-briquettes' solid blue eyes.

At this time, Spirit Sword stepped forth and procured what looked like an old-style photograph. The bug-pony leader took hold of it with green levitation magic. After a quick once-over of the photo, her eyelids fluttered down half-way.

"Give me a challenge. Why don't you?" she mocked as her body was suddenly enveloped by a green blaze.

What I saw in her place gave my jaw a reason to reach for the ground.

---{Narrator}

As the mighty Tirek finished his latest growth spurt, he stomped further into the land. Sure, no pony really liked what was in the Everfree Forest, but no life deserved the kind of brutal destruction that Tirek was forcing it to suffer. Meanwhile, Discord was offering a genuine gift of friendship.

"You think that might be the last one we need?" asked Applejack hopefully.

"Freedom!" called Twilight Sparkle's voice. But even she looked up into the sky in surprise.

"What...?" started Applejack.

"... the...?" added Rainbow Dash.

"... feather...?" Rarity said questioningly.

"... in...?" Fluttershy squeaked.

"... Celestia's...?" Pinkie Pie piped in.

"... mane...?" Spike continued.

"... is...?" Discord inquired.

"... that?" Twilight finished.

The sky that was a deep, evil orange had just been filled with lavender... lots and lots of lavender. Several fluttering ponies that looked exactly like Equestria's fourth alicorn princess were looking down with various expressions of happiness and fury. At the one Twilight look-alike's call, Tirek stopped his rampage and looked up. He tilted his head in confusion at the sight.

"All right, my loyal subjects." The speaking Twilight pointed her hoof with the order. "Charge!"

The red centaur soon found himself peppered with several bursts of green energy against his hide. To this, he let out a yowl. It couldn't be said if he was actually getting hurt by the barrage. However, he was clearly irritated at the number of annoying bugs buzzing around his body.

Meanwhile, the primary Twilight Sparkle shook herself out of her stupor. "We have to get to the chest."

This seemed to be enough to wake up all of her friends from their daze. As soon as she took off galloping, the rest ran after her. Apparently, this was timed perfectly to the distraction caused by the army of Twilights. In a rage, Tirek started blasting magic from between his horns in every which direction he could. Unfortunately for him, this only caught one of the pests. Where the burned carcass of one changeling crumbled to the ground, three more Twilight clones rammed and blasted at Tirek's tush.

"It's hero time!" shouted one while surrounding herself in a green blast shield.

"Wheeee hee hee hee hee!" giggled another as she flew around the centaur's large ears.

"Equestri Arion Zintros!" exclaimed a clone blasting a beam of green.

Tirek roared as he swung his arms around and slammed the ground. The resulting shockwave caught some of the lower flying Twilights in a rock smash. A small swarm of changelings reverted back to their default colors.

"I wish this didn't hurt so much," groaned one clone before her flames returned her true form.

---{Dilan Shier}

I was impressed with how well these changelings were holding up. They came from outside of Equestria Proper. Therefore, Tirek was unable to steal their magic completely like the rest of the ponies. They said that love hurts. I guess they weren't kidding.

The giant monster currently had his back to the three of us. Faith talked Spirit and I into following through with a plan so stupid that it just might work. How he managed to convince us, I'll never know. He took a flying dive toward the target as we did the same. Unfortunately, Tirek chose that very moment to whip around and psychically fling one of the Twilight copies over our heads. As he did so he saw us and opened his mouth hungrily.

"Shield," said Spirit Sword, "If we survive, remind me to smack you upside the head when this is over."

"I second that motion," I said with a hoof raised.

"What?" sputtered Faith Shield.

Then, I saw an orange light stream surround all of us. As it flowed toward the behemoth, it felt like something was eating away at my insides. It felt like the cold fires I had witnessed the first time I had been in Hell. Seriously, how does one properly explain having their life force being sucked dry?

As I felt like I was going under, a brief tingling pinched my flank. Then, darkness swallowed my vision.

---{???}

I opened my eyes. Instinctively, I opened my wings and swung around. Catching both of the falling thestrals in my forehooves, I forced our fall to be more horizontal rather than completely vertical. I sighed before setting down his allies on a patch of ground far enough and out of sight of the centaur. The human probably would have found a way to kill me if I allowed them to die.

Speaking of which, how come he didn't have dominance of the body right now? I didn't have a clear-cut answer. But I had a good hunch about the cause of this problem, and it was currently slamming Chrysalis against a cliff. Grunting, I started rubbing my hooves together, watching the sparks dance along the ends of my legs.

There was one good thing about being in charge: I had full access to my top speed. From my brief contact with Rainbow Dash, I could fly as fast as she could. I managed to land a few punches into the centaur's side before zipping around. I was satisfied to hear some of the guy's pained yells. However, my satisfaction must have distracted me. Within a few seconds, my entire body was trapped in a giant hand.

A magical stream left my wings feeling awfully heavy. My eyes followed suit.

---{???}

...

Master is sleeping.

...

Then I must take the initiative.

...

With a foe so large, his shadow is more than enough to work with.

...

Tendrils of darkness rise up to ensnare him with the intent to strangle.

...

I underestimate his absolute force.

...

Another parasite takes hold of Master's body. In my current state, I am helpless to stop it.

...

---{???}

Heh heh heh heh heh. Oh, that giant miserable fool. The stronger the hatred I can feel, the more power I can call upon, and this 'Tirek' is practically a fountain of hatred for the ponies around him. It didn't take any effort to stand up. His delicious hatred was building up from the end of my tail to the tip of my horn. With this power, I was a god.

"Ha ha ha ha ha! Dark crystals, rise!"

My pillars grew without even breaking a sweat. I rode my beautiful crystals far above the fool's large head. He was angry, but he was also surprised. Good. It appeared that the other weaklings inside of me made him ill-prepared for one such as myself, the King of the Crystals.

Still, he resisted.

---{Narrator}

The evil centaur slammed his fist into the side of the crystal pillar. It shattered at the point of impact and cracked everywhere else. The evil pony leapt from his perched position as another crystal pillar grew to meet his jumping height. Tirek's power beam struck down this pillar as well as the next three pillars that the pony was jumping across.

On his next elevated pillar, the ex-king lifted up several large boulders composed entirely of grayish-purple crystal. They were flung and crumbled against Tirek's hide. He didn't appreciate that. He smartened up and levitated the pony up. He held his fists around this interloper to ensure that he would suck the magic dry this time.

What the centaur failed to see was the pony's tail clenched more tightly around one of his fingers. As Tirek's usual power of stealing magic streamed into his mouth, a much darker and redder stream flowed from his hands into the pony. This cycle of stealing power from each other was happening at a consistent rate.

Tirek growled while he continued his absorption. He couldn't understand why he wasn't feeling any more strength or where this pony had a seemingly endless supply of magic. Meanwhile, Sombra was chuckling at the constant hatred that his victim was channeling toward him.

A bright white light in the corner of their vision stopped them. Both of these evil entities turned and were surprised to see the ponies that were inside of this intense magic. In that instant, Tirek weighed his options and decided to toss the irritating threat aside... literally. Sadly for Sombra, this left him with the headache created when crashing through three sturdy trees in a row.

With the nuisance out of the way, Tirek focused his power on obliterating the bright light. He was pretty miffed that his attack had little if any effect.

"How is this possible?!" he shouted, "You have no magic!"

"Wrong, Tirek!" declared Princess Twilight Sparkle, "I may have given up my alicorn magic, but I carry within me the most powerful magic of all!"

Well, you all know how this song and dance went. Tirek was forced to taste the rainbow. It was too bad for him that it was an acquired taste.

---

With the power granted by the Harmony Box, the bearers of Harmony flew across the land, restoring magic, flight, and strength to all of pony kind. They even managed to restore some of the destroyed landscape. Although, the same could not be said of every foreigner in Equestria. The changeling queen may have survived with little more than a bit of pain, but the casualty count of her subjects was in the double digits. Her wounded soldiers amounted to an even higher two-digit number.

My children, Chrysalis addressed the swarm as a whole, Those of you who are able to move, gather our wounded comrades. Our work is done here. We're going home.

As one, the still moving changelings nodded their understanding. It was going to be a long flight home.

---{Dilan Shier}

"Did anyone get the number of that car that ran over me?" I asked weakly.

I turned over to stand up. Immediately, though, I had to clench my teeth. My entire body was aching. After a couple forced breaths, I slowly opened my eyes. I was only a little surprised at the broken tree in front of me.

Man, I must have gotten my butt kicked pretty hard, I thought. I can't even remember anything that happened after that failed sneak attack. I looked around my surroundings. Speaking of which, where are Faith Shield and Spirit Sword at anyway?

I flew up a little to at least clear the canopy level and to get a better look of where I was.

"Dill Anne!"

I whirled around. I smiled at the approaching vampire pony guards.

"Are you all right, Shear?" inquired Spirit.

"Other than feeling like I've been tossed around a clothes dryer, yeah," I answered. My hooves ached and flinched.

"So, we survived," commented Spirit. "Are you forgetting something, Partner?"

"Hey." Faith held up his hooves defensively. "Who's dumber: the idiot or the ponies that follow the idiot?"

Try as we might, Spirit and I couldn't come up with a good enough counter for that question.

"Touché," I resigned.

Before Faith could celebrate his logical victory, a shaking noise resounded from far away. I turned to look and saw some kind of star-shaped object rising up. No, not just a star. There were several bright limbs growing up to support it. Was that a... tree? But it looked more like a supersized castle.

What the heck is that thing? I thought while staring from midair.

"What the hay is that thing?" blurted Faith.

"Perhaps we should go find out," suggested Spirit. He flew ahead.

As Faith and I raced after him, I could've sworn that I heard a heartfelt solo somewhere in the distance.
---

Ch. 16: The Calm Between Storms

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Chapter 16: The Calm Between Storms

---{Dilan Shier}

Seconds ticked by on the analog clock. Beeps followed a slightly different beat through one of the walls. Drops of water leaked in the distance. A woman's voice spoke calmly and professionally in one of the rooms. A pen scribbled details against paper and a clipboard. It was a typical day in my line of work.

I guess I couldn't say that everything was the same. For one, I didn't have a keyboard or monitor in front of me. The important notes I took down were being written by hair or whatever my mane was actually made of. But aside from that, it almost felt like I had my old life back.

What felt like an hour ago had really been seven.

---{Dilan's Flashback}

"While the physical damage that Tirek inflicted on the land has been erased," said Princess Celestia, "the mental scars on some ponies may take longer to mend."

"Quite," confirmed Princess Luna, "The experience of losing the very thing that makes up one's self can have a gripping and crippling effect on the victim."

"Dilan," addressed Princess Celestia.

"Yes, Princess?" I responded.

"You said before that you worked as a medical clerk, correct?"

I nodded. "Yeah, I was pretty good at keeping records straight."

"Would you be willing to offer your experience to assist the local doctors?"

"Well, I'd certainly help if I could," I answered, "but I'm afraid I've yet to comprehend the correlation and differences between human and pony medicine."

"I'm sure that won't be a problem," Princess Celestia insisted. "All it really stresses is one's memorization and coordination."

"Or you could just sit on that pink bed all day like the moocher that you are," proposed Princess Luna.

I was starting to think Princess Luna had something against me. Ha ha, no, that's a lie. I've known since my first conversation with her that she disliked me. All these months passed and she still hasn't come to terms that Nightmare Moon and I were two completely different entities regardless of my similar appearance.

"You know what, Princess Celestia?" I addressed. "I'll take you up on your offer. It would be good to refresh some of my old knowledge."

"I'm glad to hear you say that," said Princess Celestia with a smile. "Now, to ensure that the doctors and patients don't get intimidated by Nightmare working in their presence..."

---{end flashback}

I had a pink nurse's cap on instead of the full body armor. Additionally, I had a pair of contact lenses that were specifically crafted to make my eyes look like a normal pony's green eyes. Fangs weren't a problem. I had practiced smiling with closed lips so many times that I had nearly forgotten how to give toothy grins.

Besides, I was too busy switching between desk work and power walking to really smile.

"Dill, could you bring patient #902's record over here, please?"

"Sure thing, doctor," I had said.

"Ms. Shear, what was the diagnosis for a... Tiara Turner?"

"Let me see, Coldheart." I shuffled through the files. "Oh, here it is."

"Make a note of this, Dill Ann. 'Will require a liquid diet for the next two days'."

"Got it." I jotted down the side note.

"Did you see where I put down the form for...?"

"Right where you left it, Mend Heart," I said as I held it up for her to see.

---

The favors and requests slowed down at about twelve thirty that night. I stretched out behind the counter to stave off weariness for a little while longer. I stood back upright and let out a tired sigh.

"Thank you for your help today."

"You're welcome," I replied with a slow nod. "Good night."

My footsteps echoed through the hallway on my way out.

---

In the darkness of what I could only assume was a dream, I saw two entities. Their eyes shone brighter than anything else I could see. One pair was vibrant magenta. The other pair was solid yellow.

"Who is there?" I asked.

"I think you know darn well who we are," remarked the magenta stare.

I gasped. "Spectrum?"

"'Sup?" Her eyes narrowed ever so slightly as the rest of her body came into view. The roy-g-biv smoke mane made her identity all the clearer.

The other entity took a loud breath. "I am here as well, Master."

It's that pony of shadows, I realized as I stared at the three-dimensional shadow.

"Wait," I said while raising an eyebrow. "How are you both here?"

"Considering what your ally inside of your tail did to us, I'd be more surprised if we weren't here."

I glanced back at my red tail before returning my gaze. Nightmare Spectrum's eyes dimmed to their natural color before she started trotting through the space. A shelf materialized in front of her and she pulled out a book. It seemed like more of a distraction than anything else, since her eyes zoned out on a single, blank page.

Pony of Shadows drew my attention with another loud exhale. "Master cleansed us of our darkest hatred. Now, our powers belong to Master."

I interrupted with a hoof wave. "Hold on. I'm nobody's master."

"That's just Posh's word for the mind in charge." Spectrum flipped to the next blank page.

"Posh?" I echoed. "Is that supposed to be short for Pony of Shadows?"

"Well, duh." Even from this angle, I could see her eyes roll. "What else would it stand for?"

Spectrum abruptly shut the blank book. She slid it back onto the shelf and sighed.

"And she's right," she said while turning around. "With the exception of when you fall unconscious, our powers are at your mercy."

I looked down at my right hoof and watched the dancing sparks.

"Did you guys somehow get free when Tirek took my magic?" I wondered as I looked back up.

"I wouldn't call it 'free' per se." Spectrum shook her head while waving a hoof dismissively. "Our actions in the driver's seat are still guided by your morals." A miniature image of Spirit Sword and Faith Shield flickered underneath her hoof. "Whoever you consider an ally, we'll protect." The image faded before a red centaur took their place. "Whoever you consider an enemy, we'll attack."

Posh finished Spectrum's point by stomping Tirek's image out of existence.

"So, you two are like my extra lives," I said while scratching my chin.

"Not Master's lives." Posh took another loud breath. "Master only has one life."

"It's probably better to think of us like bursts of adrenaline." Spectrum flew around three times in blurs of multicolored light. "We can keep the body going in a pinch." She landed behind me loudly and I had to turn my head to see her. "But if you do something really stupid and get yourself killed, then there's nothing we can do."

"Right, so no committing suicide. Got it." I nodded firmly.

"The fourth summer passes."

"Huh?" I turned back to look at Posh. She seemed to be fixated on her faded hoof.

She breathed again. "The fifth winter approaches. How many more Nightmares must Master face? Even I do not know."

"What are you talking about?" I raised my eyebrow.

"At first, I thought my plans only involved the six Elements of Harmony." Spectrum trotted up beside me. "But Posh was unaffiliated before you reclaimed her. Other remnants of Nightmare... remnants of me... may still linger in this world." She sighed and looked at me directly. "And they will more likely than not seek out pony hosts to prey upon."

My eyes sprang wide open. "There are more of you... and I have to find you all?"

"Hey!" Spectrum punched me in the shoulder. "You put me down a peg just fine. What's a few dozen or more?"

"Wow." I chuckled. "You're brimming with confidence."

"Well, I was a part of the fastest flyer in Equestria," she bragged.

"Fair enough," I conceded.

---

Ch. 17: Berry Punch and Mistress Vine

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Chapter 17: Berry Punch and Mistress Vine

---{Third-person Narration}

This was her moment. This was her plan. Through the endeavor, she made no error to soon understand. For what was division of good from the bad? What divine choice separated the have-nots and had? Today, she would find, as the clock winds, her eureka or egads.

No pony could stop her. No pony could know. For if she would triumph, they would all rise up and stay for the show. This was the moment that discovery would shine. For who would have guessed that the mixture was best served inside a wine?

She thought, This moment is mine.

Down the hatch, her concoction dripped. But upon smacking her lips, her gripping hoof slipped.

---{Dilan Shier}

Metal clanged against metal and boy did it ring. The pattern of stabbing, I thought the swords could sing. But as my opponent kept choosing to defend, I held an image of how this would end. The swing that went this way would not let him back, because I was already on the attack.

"Parry Breaker: Hundred-Year Judgment!" I quipped. Faith Shield backpedaled and backwards he tripped.

"That's fine against him," admitted Spirit Sword, "but do you think that's the strongest foe you'll have to ward?"

"No, of course not," I spoke unto him. Then back into the card, the Pinnacle Épée dimmed. It was a belated un-birthday gift from Discord. Though, I was wary when I accepted the sword. It hadn't reacted in any way malicious. But considering him, that was most suspicious.

It was about this time that I felt something off. Normally, I would have let it slide with a scoff. But considering what I'd been through the past few days, I couldn't just brush it off like an exchange of épées.

"Do you either of you hear music somewhere?" I asked while helping Faith to stand fair.

"Music? I don't hear a thing," Spirit said.

Faith only responded with a shake of his head.

Weird, and it sounds so familiar, I thought. But I couldn't find the instruments no matter where I sought.

---{Third-person, ????? ????}

The pieces of glass were spread on the floor, but she didn't care about that anymore.

"What's this feeling?" she asked, "I feel... alive. I've never felt so wonderfully alive."

She felt she could conquer the moon and the sun. The power in her hooves would give her the best one. She felt liberated, her lusting unsated, and bated breath waited for fun. She grabbed an old drape, turned it into a cape, and wrapped some of her mane in a bun.

"Is this what it feels to be alive? I can feel it! I feel so alive!"

She galloped out of the house, stepped on the tail of a mouse, and thought how best she could thrive. But before she could plunder, a heartbeat made her wonder what was left inside.

"What's this?" She gently rubbed her chest. "Sweetness? I thought I had lost you. But no matter. Sleep tight, Berry Punch. For this night belongs to Mistress Grape Vine!" She laughed a quick laugh before resuming her evening gallop over fences and rooftops.

"I will vanquish all who dare to cross me with the Queen of Lies herself by my side. There is no one better, or leaves the ground wetter than Vine!"

It was the feeling of being alive. Tonight was the night for being alive. She crushed veggies and lost stands, and made her plans for the next target: chives. But the night was still young and she needed a show from crushing a pony's dream right next to the potatoes.

"It feels so good to be alive!" she shouted as she licked some red juice from her face. She slipped into the alleys away from that place.

Meanwhile, Roma laid there on the ground. Though her eyes were wide open, she made not a sound.

---{The next night...}

The door slammed open to reveal the caped mare. The most she got from the peers was a rude glare. A stallion nearby trotted into a bar. Needless to say, he didn't get very far. The rest of the customers kept distant and alert. They were rightly afraid some pony would get hurt.

"The house special, if you please," demanded Grape Vine. A bartender came forth, but not with the wine.

"You're not welcome here, Mrs. Vine," she declared. "Of the destruction you cause, don't think we're unaware."

The caped pony studied the aproned mare from bottom to top. In the corner of her eye, she saw somepony dialing for a cop. She let out a harrumph before kicking her cape. Perhaps it was time for a strategic escape.

"Fine, I see how it is," said Vine. "But before I go, here's a round of mine!"

A broken bottle half in her telekinetic grip was sent flying over heads. The wallpaper ripped. Then she galloped out of the tavern. In the distance, there was already a siren. She wasn't entirely fond of the law. Still, she would have to avoid the town's claw. It was too early to call it a night. But at least as Berry, she could stay out of sight.

---{A few nights later...}

She was tossing and turning in her little bed. A disturbing hallway haunted the dreams in her head.

Was she a good mare? Was she a mad mare? Regardless, it was over now and done. No longer would Mistress Grape Vine have her fun. She hoped she'd never see her again. Unfortunately for Berry, it wasn't an "if" but a "when".

Vine's voice called, "Do you think I would ever let you go? Do you think I'd ever set you free? If you do, I'm sad to say it will never be so. You will never get away from me!"

Berry shook her head and said, "All that you are is a face of reflection, I turn around and you vanish from sight."

"I'm what you face when you face your reflection. You can't escape from my lasting might."

"I don't need you in the way that you need me! I will rejoice as you dance with death and I'll enjoy you take your final breath!"

"I can live inside you forever."

"No."

"The Queen of Lies herself by my side."

"No!"

"I'll take pride because they'll never be able to separate Berry from the Vine."

"You cannot choose but to fade deep inside me. You're but a memory lost. Parlez-vous?"

"Oh, I'll be able to speak. Don't you worry. I'll devour your soul and then I'll be you!"

"Darn you, Vine! Let me be!"

"Can't you see? You are me!"

"No! Curses be upon you, Vine! Take your wicked deeds and rot in Tartarus!"

"I'll see you there, Berry!" yelled the Mistress.

---

Berry awoke from the dream with a start. The bitter aftertaste in her mouth was quite tart. Had she been drinking more of her potion? At this point, the act was an involuntary motion. She knew she needed some kind of medical help, but she worried that Vine would treat any doctor like a whelp. But the longer she waited, the window of intervention would narrow. Little did she know danger would come in her sorrow.

"Do you wish to be whole and one again?" asked a smooth voice.

Berry sighed and stared at the dark figure. "Do I even have a choice?"

"Of course," it insisted, "you always have a moment to decide."

Vine shook her head. "I've already made up my mind."

---{Dilan Shier}

There it is again, I thought inside the shadow. But Luna didn't hear me since I was so far below.

She chose to directly fly to the source that night. I was told to hold onto her shadow. That was all right. Riding a flyer's shadow was easier than it sounded, even though she was in the air and I was still grounded. What I could describe feeling might have filled pages if I wasn't so distracted by someone yelling.

"My cabbages!"

Looks like that's our lead, I heard Luna's thoughts say. It was too bad that I couldn't use telepathy that way.

She flew down low. I rode on in tow. That's when we saw the source of the fray. Lots of dark vines the size of a great serpent, tossed grapes around, crushing carts and buildings wherever it went. A black unicorn rode on top of the plant, using hooves to crush what I had assumed the vines can't.

I said, "Yep, that's got Nightmare written all over it."

Luna said nothing, instead opting to spit. She approached the monstrosity in a calm manner, even though a nearby pony tripped into a banner. It looked like Ponyville had more trouble afloat. Luna looked up and cleared her throat.

"Stop at once," she said in Royal Canterlot, "unless you wish to face the wrath I have brought!"

Some of the vines hissed and strayed from the path. It made me uncomfortable, like I needed a bath. The dark mare appeared within a faint glow. Perhaps this was a pony who liked to give a show. This newest incarnation of the Nightmare laughed out loud. I was disgusted by the fact that she sounded so proud.

"Well if it isn't Luna come to ruin my fun. What's wrong? Couldn't bring the ruler of the sun?"

"Celestia doesn't need to be everywhere at once," Luna calmly spoke as if addressing a dunce. "Now, what name shall I call you upon your defeat?"

"Well, you still aren't missing a beat," said the fiend to the moonlit princess divine. "Call me your Mistress. I am Grape Vine!"

I had to silently admit that was unique. Without a "Nightmare", she set herself apart from the clique.

"You defeat me? That's cute." Grape Vine laughed. "Hope you've already written your epitaph."

"I am not the one that you should have fear," said Luna before shouting, "Now, Dill Anne Shear!"

Out of the shadows like a ninja, I leaped. I had a hoof full of lightning for this creep. But Grape Vine's surprise didn't last long enough. Her quick improv shield made of vines was too tough. I grunted as I flew up out of the row. Meanwhile, Luna kept her busy below with a spell made of lightning that cackled and burned. Hopefully, that would provide distraction to allow my next turn.

"Pinnacle Épée!" I shouted as I pulled out my card. With sword in grasp, piercing vines wasn't hard.

However, I was so caught up with the enemy in sight that I wasn't prepared for a sneak attack's might. Four vines quickly wrapped around all my hooves. They pulled me away from the main Grape Vine's moves. I snuck a quick look down below to see that Luna was in a similar position as me.

"I'm more powerful than the moon or the sun!" claimed Grape Vine proudly, "I've already won!"

I struggled and squirmed against the vines' might before it hit me that we were fighting at night. I kept my face neutral in a poker face as I snuck my tail into the two-dimensional space. It was hardly a tickle, hardly a peck before Grape Vine realized she was tied around the neck.

"I guess I should thank you for rampaging at night," I said as Vine's slit eyes showed her first signs of fright. "You have made it much easier for me to use Shadowride with just one limb, not my whole body."

As the demon inside my tail fueled up on hatred, the dark mare's horn actually shrunk on her head. The plantation of vines seemed to shrink from the town. It wasn't long before I could set all four hooves on ground. As the last bit of this pony's Nightmare did leave, I slipped my sword-card back into its sleeve.

The pony we rescued had a light purple hide. She had two types of berries marking her side. She was breathing peacefully there on the ground. All the nightly strollers started coming back around.

"Berry!" shouted a girl as she scampered toward us. About that time, the mare woke up to the fuss. The filly wrapped her hooves around the first.

"Colada?" was the first word from her mouth that burst. Still, she smiled wearily while returning the hug. It appeared they were sisters.

I swatted a bug. I returned to Luna's shadow for then. Introducing scared ponies to Nightmare Moon, this wasn't the when. Luna gave a faint smile and a nod at the two before flying away and teleporting too.

So ended another night in the pony kingdom. But I still had one question.

"Where is that music coming from?"
---

Interlude: Without Z

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Interlude: Without Z

---

Big-Shot Rap Duels of Everfree

N. A''ight-Mare

vs.

Dilan Shier

Begin!

Have you come tonight to this duel prepared?
For inside the fog, intruders must beware!
Everyday nonsense is the rule of these woods.
Your lack of proper tools will do you no good.
Your form is Nightmare's yet your soul is clean.
You think you can impress me making that kind of scene?
I think you may be fighting right out of your league.
But maybe you can entertain my sense of intrigue.

Wait, hold on! What's going on? What the heck is this?
It's more screwy than a unicorn or Pegasus.
Why are our words rhyming all on their own?
Is this some cut off sector in the Twilight Zone?
What do you even know about my soul anyway?
It's not something that can be read like the time of day.
I can't even imagine what the heck I would find
If I were to try to see the depths of your mind.

You say you cannot understand, but that is the point.
Improvisation is the key to stay and form a joint.
Very well, you are doing fine for a rookie,
But it's hardly worth an Oscar, not even a cookie.
Let the words flow out of you like Spectrum's speed.
You can take as much or as little time you need.
But even less than the needles on the pine,
Make sure you say what you want in just eight lines.

Spectrum? Where did you learn about that name?
She was a part of the Nightmare. Are you the same?
If that's the case, then I have no time to waste.
I've got to take the measures to put you in your place.
Shadowride, Shadow Sprint, shatter points, and a blast
From the sword swings I've learned in the recent past.
But you're dodging every which way without batting an eye!
How do I fight against someone who doesn't even have to try?

---{Dilan Shier}

"Oh my gosh," I exhaled heavily as I laid there on the ground.

My throat feels like it's on fire, I thought while I breathed. How in the heck did she make a rap battle to the death an actual thing?

After relieving a pony named Berry of her darkness, there was one more piece of the puzzle to collect that night. This second entity wasn't causing any physical damage per se, but she was creating a land-scale musical issue that couldn't be ignored. If there was a Nightmare that could influence minds by forcing song and rhymes to that degree, I wasn't about to let it stay in the wrong hooves for an extended period of time.

She conceded after I "entertained" her with a contest of rhyme-spitting. Compared to the others, this one had been more willing to release her host. I couldn't figure her out. Then again, maybe Zecora had some training in the mystical art of subconscious will that was beyond my comprehension.

Oh right, I forgot to mention that after resting my tail over the shoulder of my most peaceful opponent, it turned out that the zebra I had met in the Everfree was the victim. She was rubbing her head and I had so many questions I could have asked. However, my ability to think and conjure those questions was being subdued by my body aching for basic needs like air and water.

"Are you alright, brown mage?" asked Luna.

"Not necessarily at my best," answered Zecora, "but I thank you anyway for asking, Princess."

"Huh?" I asked between pants. "What's a brown mage?"

"I hope not to leave your mind shaken. But red, white, blue, and green were already taken."

"I don't understand," I whispered.

I heard Luna make a slight shushing noise while holding her hoof in front of my face.

"Rest now, Dill Anne Shear," she said, "You've had a long night."

Out of weariness, my eyes were compelled to oblige by the request.

---

Luna requested that I show her around my deeper subconscious. At first, I was a bit put off by the idea of letting her in. But, she was suspicious of me enough through her own assumptions. The last thing I wanted to do was give her more of a reason to distrust me. The dream led to a door that opened with a loud creaking noise.

I caught a glimpse of Posh meditating. In contrast, Spectrum was hovering in place, kicking a punching bag. Luna and I strolled past them without slowing down.

Then, we happened upon the newest residents. The first one seemed... distant. Her minion vines were no where to be seen. All that stood there was a dark unicorn staring into space.

I waved a hoof in front of her face. "Uh, Grape Vine?"

"What is it now that you want of mine?"

I yanked myself away a few inches. "N-Nothing. How are you?"

"Is this what you call a trick question?" she asked. "Our conflict is over. My story is done."

"Do you have any intention of repossessing the body you inhabit?" Luna asked.

"Princess!" I exclaimed while looking at her in disbelief.

"I have no intention of granting you my might," Grape Vine stated flatly. "Nor do I plan to interfere with your fight. I shall stand back and wait for this human to prove that he is worthy to wear the Nightmare's hooves."

"Uh... thanks?" I scratched my neck.

"Waste not either of our time with your gratitude. For that alone will not change my attitude."

Luna turned to the right. "And what about you?"

A hooded pony that went by the codename N. A''ight-Mare simply pointed a hoof to her side. "What she said."

Their sincerity looked like it satisfied the princess.

"I think we're done here," said Luna before turning around and hopping away in slow motion.

I opted to lag behind and trot against the nothingness for a bit. Spectrum just then made her punching bag spin around the bar, threatening to tear it from its support completely. I used this break of hers to walk over and tap her shoulder.

"Mind keeping an eye on the new girls?" I whispered.

"Sure," answered Spectrum indifferently, "Not like there's anything better to do."

"I appreciate it," I said with a nod.

A loud breath invaded my other ear. "Shall I assist in the supervision, Master?"

"Of course, Posh." I smiled at the shadow.

---

Ch. 18: Siphon

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Chapter 18: Siphon

---{Dilan Shier}

The faint sound of a clock ticking met my waking ears. The bedroom slowly blurred into focus. I wasn't sure, but I thought I saw Spirit Sword's eyes slowly moving left and right. It was about then that I saw the book in his grasp. I squinted to read the words on the cover.

"Juvenile Monster?" I blurted out loud.

Spirit's eyes suddenly widened immediately before the book was slammed shut. He shoved it out of sight before I really knew what was happening.

"I was just... keeping current," he said hastily.

"Um... all right..." I dropped that topic of conversation and gathered my armor. "Huh?" It was about that time that I looked at my back due to the sound of clicking and tapping. The tips of the feathers baffled me. "Have I always had these metallic feather attachments?"

"For as long as I've known you, yes," answered Spirit.

Hmm, I thought, not sure if I was that tired or a victim of another one of Discord's normal routines. I gave my wings a couple of strong flaps. My ability to fly hadn't changed in spite of the blue tips. Shrugging, I returned to the floor with a gentle plop.

Spirit cleared his throat. "Princess Luna has asked for your presence in her quarters."

"For what?" I asked.

"She wouldn't say," said Spirit, "Perhaps we should go find out what she wants."

He trotted out the door and I quickly followed.

---

"Thank you, Spirit Sword," said Luna, "Would you mind waiting out here?"

"I would mind, but I will wait anyway," replied Spirit.

Before the door was closed behind me, I faintly heard Faith Shield chuckling and whispering.

"I think I'm rubbing off on you, Sword."

"Oh, hush."

I don't know what I expected. Luna's room had a few flowers scattered around the floor. In one corner was a candlestick as tall as a coat hanger. In another corner was an open cage with several hanging bats, presumably sleeping at this hour of the day. A fire was lit in a furnace against one wall. Sitting by the opposite wall was a large canopy bed.

"Dilan Shier," said Luna. Her horn glowed as large curtains were drawn over the window. The only light against her form was the crackling orange from the fire.

"Oh, hey, you didn't pause in the middle of my first name like you usually do," I said gleefully.

Her eyes stared at me in silence.

"Sorry, Princess." I rubbed my left front hoof against the floor. "You were saying?"

"I've been carefully examining you over the past few months," she continued. "I'm guilty of actually wishing that you were the real Nightmare Moon."

I scratched my neck. "Yeah, you only said something along those lines a dozen times."

"No, it was seventeen- Shut up!"

I set my hoof back down. "So is that why you wanted privacy now? Apologize without ruining your reputation of hating the dark thing that I've become?"

"Not exactly," said Luna, turning her head so that I couldn't see her eyes. "Tell me, Shier. Do you even know where your power originates?"

I blinked. "Well, this is Nightmare Moon's body, right? Her powers came along with the package. I mean, I picked up a few others from those fragments of Nightmare that latched onto other ponies. But it's all her, right?"

I heard Luna sigh. "Such an innocent and naive guess. You're almost making me wish that this was just a private apology."

I tilted my head. "Then, what is it?"

She turned back around and her eyes moved closer to me. "We have a connection. Our souls are intertwined by your very existence."

"Right." I nodded. "Shared tastes and intoxication. I knew that already."

"Well, I'm tired of being stuck together in such a cruel way." Her eyes advanced again.

"What do you want me to do about it? I don't know how to safely sever a soul chain."

Her voice lowered to a whisper. "I want you to give me my soul back."

"W...What?"

"The power you possess is miniscule compared to the darkness that I've had to contend with each and every night!"

Suddenly, I was staring at a pair of slit irises. I wanted out of that room, but I couldn't look away. Something was holding every single one of my limbs in place. I could barely even breathe in the strange tightness of the atmosphere.

How could I even describe feeling my eyes shrink in their sockets? How could I explain the vacuum that pulled at my very life force, more coldly and painfully than Tirek had once before? I tried to scream, but all I could hear was a suffocated breath.

Something else decided to fill the silence with screaming in my stead.

"Ahhhhhh!"

"Yahhhhhh!"

"Urgh-ahhhh!"

"Uwahhhhh!"

"Nooooooo!"

My armor faded like it was never there to begin with. My bones almost felt like they were melting. It could have been five minutes or it could have been ten hours. All I knew for sure was that it felt like an eternity had passed by the time the painful surge finally ended. I was dropped to the ground. Trying to move my body, I felt numb pins. I could barely lift any of my limbs before gravity reclaimed them.

Blurriness currently resided in my field of vision. My breathing was short and erratic. My next thought was how fast the floor was coming up to greet my face. Then... darkness.

---

"Pr... ess..."

"I'm... g... help..."

"...una... Si..."

---

I thought I heard voices. But their messages sounded like the hollow echoes from the farthest end of a tunnel. Were my ears ringing? It was hard to concentrate on anything. I fought to open my eyes. Blurred splotches were all I could identify. I groaned and lifted a wrist to my head.

"Princess, you're awake!"

"Ow..." I winced at the sudden noise. "Faith, not so loud, please. Splitting headache."

"Oh, sorry," he said, thankfully gentler that time.

"Did anyone get the paint job on that cart that ran me over?" I asked half-seriously.

I knew I had to open my eyes eventually or it would just hurt more later. So in spite of the pain, I blinked the blurriness out of my vision until surroundings gained more solidified shapes. Spirit and Faith were standing nearby the bed. Against my tired instincts, I smiled lightly.

"Your Highness, how are you faring?" asked Spirit.

That question seemed a bit off. I turned my neck this way and that way. However, I couldn't see hide or tail of the four princesses anywhere. I was fairly certain that they wouldn't waste invisibility spells within the castle. Though, it wouldn't have been the first time my intuition had been misled.

"Um, Spirit? We're the only ones here," I pointed out. "Are you calling out to them behind the door or something?"

Now the bat-winged guards looked with confusion on their faces.

"Princess Luna, he's talking to you," Faith said while pointing a wing at... me.

These guys aren't making any sense, I thought as I looked down at my front hooves above the covers. Wait a minute... Since when are my front hooves light purple?

Hastily, I pulled off the blanket and saw that the coloration had affected my entire body as well. I let out an audible gasp before looking straight up.

That's right! I was talking with Princess Luna and then she started saying some things that weren't making sense. Then she... I jumped from the bed, frantically galloping to the nearest mirror. What did she do to me?

"Princess!" exclaimed Spirit, but I didn't even give him notice.

I was too busy staring at the potential damage that could have knocked me out. But rather than bruises or scars, I was shocked at a very different reflection. The irises contained round pupils instead of slits. The light blue mane resembled a human woman's hairstyle, no imaginary wind pushing it at all. The pony that was staring back at me had her mouth open wide enough for me to see relatively flat teeth. Turning slightly, I got a look at the reflection's cutie mark. The crescent moon was still there, but what should have been the purple splotch was completely black.

"Dear gosh," I finally managed to find the breath for words. "What did she do?"

"Princess?" asked Faith.

I turned one-eighty on my hooves. "Guys, it's me! Dilan!"

He shook his head rapidly while saying, "Brr-uh!" He looked at me strangely. "Dill Anne? But... Nightmare Moon is outside combatting Princess Celestia."

"What?!" I ran over to the window just in time to catch a glimpse of Celestia flying past. She was followed by a dark figure with very familiar, smoky hair. A few of the pegasi guards were flying around as well.

My mouth struggled to form coherent phrases. "But... I... that... she... and... huh?"

"Princess, you're in no condition to be involved with this," insisted Spirit, "Please, just rest here and..."

"Stop calling me that!" I demanded, "I am Dilan Shier. Princess Luna did something and she somehow has my body... er, Nightmare Moon's body... gah, whatever."

In a fit of frustration, I accidentally hit my head against the window hard enough to crack some of the glass. I heard the trotting of approaching hooves.

"So... you think you're Dill Anne," reiterated Faith.

"I know I'm Dilan," I told him once more.

"Alright, prove it," he said.

"What could I possibly do to prove that?" I asked while turning around.

"Let's try... something that the princess wouldn't have been around to hear from just you to me," said Faith, "What... was your gender back when you were a hoo-man?"

I sighed. "I already told you. I'm a male, the equivalent of a colt in this world... and it's human, not who-man."

"Okay, you're Dill Anne." Faith nodded.

"What?" asked Spirit.

"Her Highness always referred to Shear as a filly," explained Faith, "Never once did she make any mention of the fact that Shear used to be a colt. But this mare told me that little detail during a trip to Manehattan." He patted my back for emphasis.

"Yes, now that that's been cleared up," I pointed to the window, "can we possibly do something to stop that Nightmare Moon from attacking everything and everybody?"

"Sure," Faith said while putting his hooves up against the window. "You just have to open it like this."

The window folded outward, letting the rush of different temperature winds blow all around. I opened my wings, letting the metal tips ring like chimes. I dove to the outdoors before climbing on a cross-breeze.

"Wait!" called Spirit.

"Yeah, don't forget us," added Faith.

Sparks and beams were thrown through the sky like crazy. Part of me worried about the structural integrity of this castle under all of this constant pressure. The other part was busy flying around to catch up with the dueling alicorns. I glanced back and saw the vampire guards before I immediately focused my attention forward and around the next tower.

The external sight of what Nightmare Moon had become was horrifying, if one could forgive my understatement. The purple smoke that surrounded her pony body looked on the verge of becoming a tornado. A few wild vines were lashing out from her back. Lightning crackled to her sides, but not directly on her. A bit of red and black made up the outlines of what should have been her mane and tail.

Flying opposite to her was Celestia. Contrary to the Nightmare's grin, she appeared determined to put someone in their place. Her horn charged up a golden aura. It released a thin beam of the same color in the next instant. Yet, Nightmare somehow staved off the attack with one of the large vines and actually whacked the golden blast down to the ground. She deflected a few more beams in the same way, only at different angles.

Nightmare retaliated by focusing a magical laser of blue death forward. Celestia's magic projected a golden shield that stopped the blast. However, her back had somehow been left wide open for a sneak-attack, lightning strike. She lost a lot of altitude in a hurry. It only looked worse for her as a bit of solid purple smoke reached down and snagged her by the neck.

"Princess Celestia!" was called by all three members of my impromptu team.

The dark one apparently took exception to that by hurtling her prey in our direction. Before I could even blink in surprise, Spirit Sword was grunting while getting shoved back by a damaged Celestia. Next thing I knew, a wild vine had snagged and wrapped around my torso. I decided to give the plant a taste of Spectrum's lightning punch. However, the static wasn't building in my right hoof at all.

"Huh? What the...?" I tried jabbing the vine repeatedly to no effect. "Grr, all right. How about this?"

I hoped that Posh wouldn't mind being used for some tactical use in this shadow-covered battlefield. My concern wasn't needed. No matter how much I tried to concentrate or steady my breathing, the shadows would not allow me to ride them in any way.

The Nightmare Moon that held me tightly was laughing up a storm at my apparently dwindling list of options. Her vine sent a slight crushing pain into my sides and wings before it flung me through the air. Unable to change my course that quickly, Faith grunted as I was thrown into him. The resulting impact on the nearest tower's outside wall probably wasn't good for it.

On the bright side, the kitchen had a brand new view to the outside of the castle.

...

I'm sorry. That was dreadful.

Okay, ow, that felt like a misplaced rib, I thought while trying to ascertain my condition.

"Hey, Dill Anne," said a muffled Faith Shield, "Could you please get off of me?"

"Y...Yeah, sure," I grunted, "Hold on."

Oh my gosh! Rolling onto my back made it hurt worse!

---

Despite the injuries wrapped by what must have been magical healing bandages, I sat on my haunches. Though, I counted myself lucky. The other ponies present looked worse off considering some of the visible scrapes and dirt rubbings. I sighed at all of this.

"I don't understand," said Spirit Sword and he shook his head. "Why would Princess Luna swap bodies with Nightmare Moon?"

"It wasn't really a body swap," I said.

"How do you know that?" asked Faith Shield.

"Well, for one thing." I held up a hoof and panned it down my side. "Aside from the cutie mark, I don't look anything like Princess Luna."

"Actually," interrupted Celestia, "there was a short time where she looked exactly like what you look like now."

I looked over at her with an eyebrow raised.

"Shortly after the Elements freed her from the Nightmare the first time, her strength was severely weakened. She looked like any other little pony. It took several months just to regain her usual level of magic and power."

I opened my eyes wide and gasped. "So the reason I look like her weakened form was because she drained me." I let my head droop. "But that still doesn't explain why she did it."

Faith tapped his chin. "Maybe a fragment of Nightmare got to her again."

I shook my head. "No, I've been sensing those pieces just as much as she has. I would have felt the dark presence on her if there had been any before she called me into her room."

Spirit stomped a hoof. "Sham it! We're just going in circles with speculation. We need to find a way to save Her Highness before she causes damage in wherever the hay she is now!"

One of the white stallion guards galloped in. "Princess, the scouts returned with sightings of Nightmare Moon. She's headed into the Everfree Forest."

Celestia closed her eyes. "There are only two places that somepony with that much power would go for."

"The Tree of Harmony..." started Faith.

"... or the Ruins of the Castle of Two Sisters," I finished.

Celestia opened her eyes. "Thank you, Warrant Officer. Keep me posted."

"Yes, Your Highness," saluted the guard before he galloped back out the door.

Faith tapped a bandage on Spirit's shoulder. "On the bright side, we know where she is now."

I wasn't sure if Spirit winced more from pain or frustration at Faith's wit. Either way, Spirit countered, "But we still don't know what she's up to."

"Well, after we save her, how about we ask her directly?" asked Faith.

"That may be our best option right now," said Celestia as she stood up. "Urgh!"

She immediately held a hoof against her chest. The tension suddenly rose greatly in that throne room. I didn't want to believe it, but I was getting an uncomfortably familiar feeling that only got worse as I looked on. The sense didn't stay intangible for long. A small purple cloud started swirling in place against Celestia's chest and throat.

"No way!" exclaimed Faith. "It can't be!"

"It's gotten a hold of Princess Celestia!" shouted Spirit.

I don't really know what compelled my legs to stand and gallop. But in that instant, that's exactly what I did.

"No, no, no, no, no, no, no!" I rattled as I ran smack into her. Idly, I felt my tail brush past her leg. "It can't have you too!"

In spite of my refusal to allow things to happen, the cloud had other plans. As Celestia struggled to breathe and her eyes shrunk inside the whites, the piece of Nightmare spread down to her front hooves. I could also see it trying to work its way over her mouth.

"Darn it!" I squeezed my eyes shut, forcing some liquid from my tear ducts. "Who's going to save your sister if you lose here?"

A pin dropped in the distance.

"Huh?" Faith's voice broke the silence. "It's... shifting direction."

Spirit made another observation. "Dill Anne, your tail!"

My eyes popped open as I looked down to see what he was talking about. While I had been busy freaking out, my normal ponytail managed to curl around Celestia's leg. As I looked back up, I saw that the Nightmarish cloud was receding from the chest and mouth area almost completely into her leg. It was the same leg that my tail was around.

"Oh... crap..." I whispered just before the entire purple cloud poured itself out of Celestia's leg into my tail.

I don't have any of my Nightmare powers supporting me right now, my thoughts raced, That means Tail Demon isn't with me to absorb the hatred and keep my conscience at the surface.

I managed to uncurl my tail from the pale stump, but it was too late. The cloud was already working its way up my back. I shivered and squirmed. I actually tried running in circles, all the while unable to tear my stare away from the darkness that was consuming my entire body.

Will I just fall asleep like Spectrum and Posh, or will it somehow brainwash me into doing its bidding? No! I don't want to become an enemy!

This time, I did hear a scream... and it was mine.

---{???}

...

Is that your wish then? Fine. I won't lay a hoof on their hides.

...

But I will stop her.

---

Ch. 19: As the Moon Rises, So Does the Sun

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Chapter 19: As the Moon Rises, So Does the Sun

---{Narrator, Third-Person P.O.V.}

Deep in Hell's darkness, her screams died out. Another resonating voice called out to her. She couldn't see it clearly, but it drew her out of the emptiness all the same. Long, dry corridors gave way to dimly lit caverns. These further gave way to torchlit stalagmites.

Cerberus barked at the escaping flicker, but she ignored his warning. She was needed elsewhere. Lands blurred beyond recognition, until she eventually reached the source of the resonance. A pillar of dark magic fire reeled her in closer. Gradually, she helped to calm the screaming victim into a gentler, calmer sleep.

She opened her piercing eyes to the world.

---

Celestia stared wide-eyed and wide-mouthed at the dark pillar swirling before her. Right next to her, the two night guard stallions were busy covering their eyes from the dark glare. An unnatural wind blew all around the room. It was suffocatingly warm and unbearably chilling all at once.

Faith Shield struggled to keep an eye on everything in front of him. His efforts rewarded him with an unusual sign.

"Hey!" he yelled over the wind, "What's that up there?"

Celestia and Spirit Sword broke their gaze from the main pillar to follow Faith's direction. What had caught his attention looked like a small, orange shooting star. Whatever it was, it thrust itself right into the center of the swirling darkness and started overpowering the color. Additionally, the pillar was rapidly shrinking. In a matter of seconds, the darkness had become a very small layer of orange, quickly fading away.

The fading smoke revealed a somewhat taller pony shape in place of the Luna-shaped Dilan Shier. The black hide on the alicorn body was in the likeness of Nightmare Moon. However, that was where the similarities ended. This pony was wearing a set of off-white armor in a rather unusual design. In particular, the small spikes along its shoulders and back stood out along with a few orange stones arranged sparingly.

When she opened her eyes, they were bright orange orbs gazing at the space in front of herself. At least, that was the case until she turned to face the rest of the room's occupants. Celestia, Spirit, and Faith had been expecting some kind of menacing look from somepony who had been corrupted by the Nightmare. So, the disinterested gaze into space left the night guards baffled and encouraged Celestia to practice her poker face for the millionth time that year.

"Is this really what I've been asked to protect?" asked this Nightmare. She sighed and closed her eyes. "She heads to the old castle. I suppose it's only fitting that the criminal returns to the scene of the crime." She turned around and looked toward the throne room's entrance.

"Wait!" called out Celestia.

The Nightmare turned her head casually to glance behind her. "What do you want, Celestia?"

Celestia stood up straight in her usual authority. "You are controlling Dilan Shier right now. Are you not? We need to know your intentions."

The Nightmare blinked. "The one you refer to as Dilan Shier sleeps within me, yes. As for my intention..." She closed her eyes. "I'm going to stop Nightmare Moon no matter what it takes." She glanced back again, with nonchalant sincerity.

"Even though you yourself are a part of the whole Nightmare?" inquired Celestia.

"If you must refer to me by anything, call me 'Reflect Sun'."

"Reflect Sun?" echoed Celestia.

"I believe this form is what would have been had the merge between you and I been completed."

In spite of his tension, Spirit Sword trotted the few feet needed to stand to Reflect Sun's right.

"I'm afraid your intention won't be realized," said Spirit.

"Oh?" Reflect Sun looked at him. "And why is that?"

A twinkle crossed his determined eyes. "Because I'm going to save Princess Luna from her curse before you get the chance to have your way with her."

Faith Shield galloped to Reflect Sun's left.

"Yeah, that's right," he concurred with his partner.

"As will I," stated Celestia matter-of-factly.

Reflect chuckled as she faced forward. "Very well, I accept your challenge."

Both Celestia and her reflection focused their magic into a long-ranged teleport. All four ponies vanished from the throne room.

---

A burst of light deposited the four passengers inside the walls of a ruined castle. They were expecting to find Nightmare Moon at the center of the old thrones. So imagine their surprise when someone else was there instead. Well, Faith Shield was surprised. The other three looked more annoyed than anything else.

"Were you expecting someone else?" asked the changeling queen before laughing slowly and deliberately.

"Chrysalis," hissed Reflect Sun.

"Why are you here?" asked Celestia. "Where is Nightmare Moon?"

Chrysalis chuckled as the green from her eyes gave way to a much more prominent turquoise. "Now why should I give you the answers to that? There's no point in talking to somepony who's about to perish."

Reflect Sun squinted and hummed. "I see... that was part of Luna's original deal with you. The groveling was just a required performance after the real price had been paid. She gave you a piece of the Nightmare to hide deep in your conscience in exchange for your aid against Tirek. Only now, that piece is starting to seep out, compelling you to protect her."

"Wait, can Nightmare Moon do that?" asked Faith Shield.

"It isn't out of the question," admitted Spirit Sword. "We've seen her control multiple bodies and hosts simultaneously. She could use one of her hosts to distract enemies from the other."

"Which means... she's further inside the castle," concluded Celestia.

"Knowing that is useless to you, Princess," berated Chrysalis as she stomped her hoof once.

The small amount of Nightmare seemed to seep through her mane. Meanwhile, two armored changelings stepped out of the shadows. Their solid blue eyes had given way to a shade of turquoise similar to their queen. When they opened their fanged mouths, there erupted a sound that crossed chuckling with chittering. It was unpleasant to hear. The corrupted Chrysalis charged up her horn, causing humongous green flames to surround the throne room.

"She had measures in place against teleportation spells!" Celestia grit her teeth.

"Then our only option is to knock her out cold," stated Reflect Sun.

One of the smaller changelings stepped forward. "We will not allow you to harm our queen."

"Don't be so sure!" called out Faith as he stepped to the front of his group.

"What do you think you're doing?" asked Reflect Sun.

"What does it look like?" responded Spirit as he joined his partner's front line.

"It looks like you're committing suicide," answered Reflect.

"I prefer to think of it as strategic power placement," said Faith.

"You and Princess Celestia should reserve your strength," stated Spirit, "You won't be able to defeat or save anypony if you waste your magic on the Nightmare's bodyguards."

"He has a fair point," admitted Celestia with a sad smile.

"Their current injuries won't make them any more useful here than they would be against Nightmare Moon," said Reflect.

"I trust them," said Celestia meaningfully. "So does Luna. Dilan trusts them too."

Reflect sighed as she took a step back. "These Nightmare changelings are inferior fragments of the true fear." Her orange eyes flickered. "Give them Hell."

"If you insist," responded Spirit.

Both of the changeling guards hissed as they slowly came closer. Meanwhile, Spirit and Faith crossed their wings with a 'shing' sound. They held their ground with determined expressions.

"Kind of reminds you of the old training camp, doesn't it?" asked Faith a light chuckle.

Spirit spat to the side. "These guys aren't half as intimidating as that commander."

Their small trip down memory lane was cut short. The drones leaped into the air, fangs bared and voices hissing. Spirit and Faith spun in place just as the flying enemies passed. Leather wings sliced through exposed necks. The changelings fell head over hooves onto their backs and slid. It seemed as if the battle had already been won.

A rush of fire surrounded the drones. Slightly wounded facades of Sword and Shield stood up.

"Huh," huffed Faith. "I guess a small part of me always wanted to kick your butt."

Spirit held up his front legs hoof-side up and motioned toward his doppelganger. "Be my guest."

As the visage of four Night Guards squared off against each other, the light and dark halves of sun observed carefully.

"Why are they so oblivious to the danger that they're in?" wondered Reflect Sun.

"I'm afraid that was in part due to Luna's training regime." Princess Celestia closed her eyes and sighed. "By the time the recruits were ready, it was a joke among the Night Guard that any pony who could survive Exile Blade's wrath could survive anything." Even as the sounds of slashing wings cut through the air, her only response was to slowly open her eyes again. "So far, they have yet to be proven wrong."

"My memories of your life are brief due to the small contact, but weren't your guards better at taking matters seriously?" insisted Reflect.

"Maybe so," said Celestia in agreement. "However, they haven't been just my guards for several months."

Reflect turned her head to face her light self. "Are you saying that the guards' behaviors have rubbed off on each other?"

"It's possible." Celestia shrugged her wings. Then, she smiled lightly. "Say, I should introduce you to Tranquil Shoe sometime. He's a riot."

Reflect hummed with a deadpan expression. "I'll consider it." She turned back to the center of the room.

Faith was narrowly dodging Sword's wings. He seemed rather unconcerned with this impostor's attacks. In fact, he had both front hooves behind his back while casually walking backward in circles.

"Would you hold still?!" shouted Sword's voice.

In a spinning motion, Faith backflipped over. He swung out both wings simultaneously into the changeling's back and drew squirts of green across the floor. Deprived of energy, the flames revealed the changeling's true form as it fell face down into the ground. A small black cloud floated up and out of the defeated drone's body.

"Sorry, pal," said Faith, "but you don't have my partner's patience."

Metallic clangs could be heard in rapid-fire succession as Shield rushed Spirit. While wing strikes were flying from the impostor, Spirit was calmly parrying all of them. His eyes moved around with each strike. A split-second caught a glimmer from his golden irises. Suddenly, his wings seemed to be everywhere in front of Shield at once. The changeling was knocked right out of its disguise and flat on its back.

"Strike-and-Parry Breaker: One Thousand Years of Judgment!"

The turquoise tint left the changeling's eyes as a second small black cloud floated out of this body.

"You lack my partner's restraint," said Spirit while folding his wings.

"I got 'you' good, buddy!" hollered Faith.

"Correction: We got 'each other' good," said Spirit with an authoritative nod.

The dark clouds rushed over to the one side of the green, blazing arena. Reflect Sun hummed in confusion.

Celestia gasped in realization. "Dodge!"

Faith turned his head at the yell. "Dodge what?"

A big blast of green collided with him, sending him hurling through the air and then sliding across the floor. Less than a second had passed before a similar phenomenon happened to Spirit. Looking across the room, Reflect saw smoke coming off of the silently grinning Chrysalis's horn.

"And here's your reward," growled Chrysalis, "Death."

"Leave them be, Chrysalis!" demanded Celestia. She leapt forth and landed with a mighty stomp. "Your fight is with me."

"Well, Celestia," said Chrysalis while calmly trotting forth, "I hope you've brought something new in your repetoire. Last time we had a battle royale, you didn't fare so well."

"I'm better prepared for you this time," insisted Celestia gently and firmly.

"That remains to be seen," commented Reflect.

"Aren't you fighting too?" asked the queen.

"My other has already claimed this fight as hers." The dark pony threw her hooves up in a mocking surrender. "My hooves are tied."

Chrysalis giggled as she returned her look to the light pony. "Shining Armor isn't here to save your sorry flank this time, Princess."

Celestia's face remained neutral. "Funny, I could say the same thing about you."

The queen's expression slipped from arrogant to perplexed.

"I can't believe you just walked right into that one." Reflect gently placed a hoof against her forehead.

Growling, Chrysalis ignited her horn. A flurry of green bolts shot forth from the tip. In rapid succession, Celestia disappeared and reappeared all over the makeshift arena. Most of the bolts collided with the fiery wall. Reflect put up a small protection spell to ward off the few stray blasts that came in her direction.

The Nightmare-infected changeling queen flapped her wings and quickly propelled herself forth. Celestia gladly angled her head. Their horns collided as the two combatants grunted in a push-of-war. Some crunching noises could be heard as they backed up, clashed horns, spun around, and clashed again. With the way they swung their horns around at such angles, one could wonder how they weren't getting headaches.

Once more, Chrysalis took the initiative to change the battle pattern. She jumped back a bit before firing one large, dark, magical blast. Celestia immediately surrounded herself with a golden orb. The greenish spell bounced off this barrier into the arena's side. Soon after, the princess switched from defense to offense. A large golden beam collided with Chrysalis, sending her into a collision course with her own created cage. The queen fell and grit her teeth against the newfound pain.

"Yield!" shouted Celestia.

Despite its tattered state, Chrysalis's mane drooped over her eyes. "Well... all right. But there's just one other thing you should know."

"And what would that be?"

Just as Celestia asked that, Chrysalis slapped a hoof down into the floor. Something akin to a vein started rooting through the hard surface. Reflexively, Celestia set up another barrier around herself. But whatever this attack was simply dug under the ground before bursting underneath her legs.

"What?" Celestia gasped.

A splash of green gunk instantly covered her and the interrupted barrier spell popped. Celestia flailed inside the translucent substance, but couldn't effectively move. Chrysalis laughed even as she held a hoof to her torso against the pain.

"You aren't the only one who was better prepared," mocked the queen. "With this new power, my royal gel can bypass even Artemisia's defensive spells. You didn't stand a chance."

"Leave her mother out of this!"

A long, orange blade suddenly swept through. Chrysalis had a new open wound in her neck. She shakily looked over at the hilt of the épée.

"What happened to... your hooves... being tied?" she asked between shallow breaths.

Reflect Sun stared with furrowed brows and fire behind her slit irises. "I grew claws."

Chrysalis's breathing quickened. "Two... against one... isn't fair."

"You're complaining about being unfair?" scoffed Reflect. "You kidnapped ponies and left them for dead. You stole one of their identities and leeched off of her lover. You instigated an entire invasion. You just took down three ponies with nothing but that shard of Nightmare boosting your power. But now that you're losing, you have the gall to tell me that the fight isn't fair?!"

She pressed her blade's tip within paper-thin distance of Chrysalis's neck. The queen squeezed her eyes shut.

"Reflect Sun, stop!" cried out Celestia from inside that cocoon. "Don't make Dilan a murderer!"

The dark pony held her stance for a second, sighed loudly, and then pulled her sword away. The épée disappeared into a card. Exhausted, Chrysalis collapsed to her side. The fiery cage soon burned down to cinders around the room. Like a bubble popping, the goop split apart and allowed Celestia to move. She trotted forward and looked at her dark half.

Reflect looked away. "We should get going."

"What compelled you to listen to me?" wondered Celestia.

"Call it symbiotic respect," Reflect answered quietly. "You're a lot more disciplined than I would have imagined."

Celestia hummed before looking around the ruined castle's various corridors. "Any idea where to start looking for Luna?"

"Probably near the old six-jeweled apparatus," surmised Reflect. "That's where-"

A loud growling interrupted their conversation. They turned their heads to look at the slowly standing changeling queen. A bright blue light was shining from her eyes. She bared her fangs and flew forth. The moment of surprise was enough to tackle Reflect Sun to the ground. Chrysalis bit hard into her neck.

Despite the new pain, Reflect managed to open one eye and look at Celestia. She channeled a levitation spell on her helmet and flung it over. Celestia caught it in her own magic, though she looked between it and Reflect Sun in confusion.

"Sorry, but... I must entrust Dilan Shier's future to you," grunted Reflect.

"What are you saying?!" exclaimed the light pony.

The dark pony's entire body started glowing in an orange highlight. She turned back to her attacker and smirked.

"Gotcha."

Contrary to a certain baby dragon's theory, a pony can only explode once. This one happened to be tapping into a forbidden power, one that Celestia swore to never use. However, her dark half never made such a promise. So now, it was all Celestia could do to place up a barrier for herself and the pegasus guards behind her to protect from the dual-edged, sacrificial spell.

Supernova.

The intense light and heat burned through and destroyed the shard of Nightmare within Chrysalis, stripping her of that dark power. Additionally, it knocked a fallen pillar out through one of the windows that had been intact. Sadly, the fires also left some of the recently refurbished touches in ashes. But that wasn't the worst of the destruction.

When the light finally faded, Celestia opened her eyes to see nothing but the stray bits of armor where Reflect Sun had been standing just a minute earlier. There was really nothing to say, so Celestia opted to repeatedly exhale her awe at the event that had transpired. Her shields had already been dropped. The Night Guards were coming to and rubbing their heads.

"What hit me?" wondered Faith Shield.

Spirit Sword snapped to attention. "The changeling!"

All three ponies looked across the room. There, against a wall, lied the defeated Chrysalis. She looked rather beaten up and she wasn't stirring, save for a light rise and fall of her belly.

Faith limped forward up next to Celestia and looked around. "Where's Reflect Sun?" At this time, he noticed the floating off-white helmet in Celestia's telekinetic grasp.

She closed her eyes and exhaled. "She is... no more. She said she would entrust Dilan's future to me."

"You mean she...?" Spirit didn't finish and opted for a different question. "What did her wish mean?"

Celestia looked at that helmet a bit before shaking her head. "I don't know."

The golden glow around the helmet suddenly turned a light orange. Everypony gasped at the sight. Celestia even let go of her magical hold. However, the headpiece kept floating there. It moved an inch to the left and an inch to the right. It turned around and rushed forward... immediately fitting itself over Celestia's head. Her reaction was a vocalized yelp.

"Princess!" cried out both guards.

As she stood there gaping, they were completely stunned by what they were seeing. Some of her front teeth sharpened out into fangs. She opened her eyes wide and the pupils elongated into vertical slits. Celestia's head bobbed a little as she breathed loudly.

"Princess... are you okay?" asked Faith cautiously.

She let out one more slow breath before blinking twice. "Y-Yes... I think so."

"You sure don't look okay," commented Spirit. "In fact, your face looks a bit like one of the Nightmares'."

"Looks like...?" As Celestia heard those words, something else flickered in the back of her mind. "Could it be...?"

"Could what be?" asked Faith.

"Reflect Sun's essence." Celestia held a hoof against the side of her head. "It's very faint... but it's there."

"Are you saying she's inside of you now?" Spirit took a tentative step back.

"Is this what she meant?" muttered Celestia. "Take some of her power to ensure there's a small piece of him left?" She set her hoof down and closed her eyes. She opened them back up with a determined look. "Come along, gentlecolts. We still have Nightmare Moon to confront."

"That is true," admitted Spirit. "But are you sure you should be facing her in this condition?"

"Probably not." Celestia shrugged. "However, we made a vow."

"A vow?" wondered Faith.

"We gave our word to Reflect Sun that we'd save Luna no matter what."

Spirit nodded firmly. "Well said."

"Yeah!" Faith pumped his hoof up. "Crazy dark powers or not, we're going to save her."

"Then let us go," said Celestia, charging up a bright light. "To the old Elements' chamber!"

The teleportation spell swept them all away.

---

In another flash, they arrived. This large room in the back was barely lit, save for the occasional lightning bolt flashing from Nightmare Moon's mane. She smiled out of relief from her boredom. She leaned her back against the long-abandoned contraption that once held the jewels of the Elements of Harmony. Now, it was just an oversized, stone counterbalance.

"I'm so glad you could all join me this evening," she said with a hum. "But what's this? I do believe you're short one pony."

Despite Celestia's currently fierce face, she remained calm as she asked, "Just what are you planning, Nightmare Moon?"

"Planning?" echoed Nightmare mockingly. "I should think that's obvious, Celestia." She stood up and slowly trotted forth. "Or do I really need to remind you what you did to me during the night of the longest day?"

Faith Shield and Spirit Sword each turned slightly. They each held a wing in front of them defensively. The anticipation for an imminent battle was growing.

Celestia briefly closed her eyes. "You brought judgment upon yourself."

Nightmare spat to the side. "Typical, you never accept the blame for any of your own sins."

Celestia opened her eyes and stared.

"You sent your little pets to gather the Elements so that they could eliminate me," continued Nightmare.

Celestia shrugged. "Well, you threatened Equestria with a slow, cold famine, fear and torment, and you stole my sister."

*Clang!*

By the time Faith and Spirit turned around, Nightmare's blue long sword was already pushing against Celestia's golden battle axe. Somehow, a drop of sweat found time to roll down Faith's chin during that one second. He was having trouble comprehending how the princesses were capable of conjuring purely magic weapons in such a short time. But there they were, having a push of war.

"Besides," added Celestia, "it was the others who decided to actually be her friends, not me."

Nightmare grunted as hung there in midair, still trying to push. Something else within responded to her hatred. Two thorny vines snapped out of her back and rushed behind her. Spirit and Faith hopped up and swung their wings forth at a rapid-fire pace. The result was some finely cut vines that faded into shadows upon dropping to the floor.

Failing her sneak attack, she gave her wings a hard flap to gain some altitude. Celestia acted on a similar aerial climb while keeping her eyes focused forward. Nightmare's mane started circling around in a huge cloud cover, despite it being indoors. Some long-ruined pages of old books were tossed around in the twirling breeze. Lightning bolts crashed down upon Nightmare's chosen direction.

'Have some help.'

A faint whisper echoed in Celestia's head. Her magic channeled off into three waves. A golden orb appeared around her allies and herself. The resulting shields bounced the lightning safely away. Some of that electricity even raced back and zapped Nightmare.

"Now!" called Celestia as she called off her shields.

Spirit and Faith flew up and swooped in with simultaneous passes. Nightmare flinched as their wings sliced through her. Celestia flew in close and used her axe to knock away the corporeal sword. She floated her weapon fairly close to her opponent.

"It would be best for you to yield now," stated Celestia.

"Yield?" chuckled Nightmare. "Who do you think I am?"

Something launched out of the ground. It was as if the shadows in the very floor were attacking under Nightmare's command. Several dark tendrils grasped Celestia's legs, wings, and axe.

"You never stood a chance, Celestia," said Nightmare quietly.

The eyes inside of the orange helmet suddenly glowed white. For what seemed like a second, yet also an eternity, her mane turned into a wave of golden flames. They burned in several directions at once. The shadows hissed and burned away while Nightmare was forced back to the ground on her hooves. The combination of intense light and heat was draining her energy.

As soon as it had started, the display ended. Celestia's familiar hues of blues and pinks returned to her mane. She gently flapped her wings and landed a few feet away from Nightmare. Her eyes regained their usual appearance. She was even starting to feel her few fangs ebbing away.

While it wasn't very accurate to call an alicorn's mane a gas, the density of Nightmare's mane seemed to be thinning down. She stood there breathing heavily.

"Do you think you've won?" she hissed. "I'm invincible! I am Nightmare Moon!"

"You know, I'm not feeling so lively with you anymore."

All four of the room's occupants opened their eyes in surprise. They turned their heads this way and that way, looking for the new voice. A bit of Nightmare's fading mane looked like it was spilling over and being molded into a small pony shape. It wasn't anything solid, but it looked significantly more like a pony than a gas cloud.

Nightmare looked at the shape in scrutinizing confusion. "What do you mean 'anymore'?"

"This vengeance and eternal night spiel? That's what's getting boring."

A few more pony shapes emerged from the dissipating mane. With them, more voices added to the conversation.

"You are no longer fit to be Master." The third exhaled loudly. "I have new Master."

"I wasn't exactly fond of this gig. Ya dig?"

"It's tormenting. Your hatred is so close, but I cannot feed on what is already in the host."

Nightmare looked at each of those she had 'taken back'... those she thought had power that belonged to her. Her own shadows were... deserting her? She couldn't accept that.

Celestia pulled Reflect Sun's helmet off her head as the last of her fangs flattened out. "I'm beginning to understand."

"That makes one of us," commented Faith, still trying to figure out what the hay was going on.

The helmet floated right behind the shades of the pieces of Nightmare. The five that separated reacted like pouring water. Except in their case, they flowed upward. The helmet held in place as the fading clouds swirled underneath. Something was unravelling in reverse. As time went on, whatever it was looked much more solid.

Hooves clipped against the floor. Wings with metal feather-tips opened and flapped once. A red tail flowed out from behind. A horn protruded from the smallest hole in the helmet. Eyes opened to reveal one slit orange and one slit turquoise.

---{Dilan Shier}

"Whew, that feels better," I said while stretching my legs free from the fatigue.

I gave myself a quick once over. Let's see. Spectrum's in my right anklet. Check. Posh is in that patch in my mane. Check. Tail Demon is in the obvious place. Check. Vine and N. A''ight are... wherever the crud they are. Check. Oh... I tapped a hoof against my chestplate. Off-white, huh? I guess I know where Reflect Sun is. And... good to go.

My good mood was interrupted by the sets of eyes staring at me. "What? Do I have something stuck in my fangs?" I briefly rub my hoof against them, hoping that my phantom fingers don't find anything.

"D-Dill Anne?" stuttered Spirit. "Is that you?"

"Yep." I nod and set my hoof down.

"But how?" asks Faith. The poor thing looks so shocked. "You got overshadowed! ... and blown up!"

"Yeah, not going to lie," I said while rubbing the back of my neck. "That wasn't the most comfortable experience ever."

"Wait, how did you feel any of that?" asked Spirit. "I thought she said you were asleep."

"I don't fully understand the ins and outs of it myself," I admitted, "but during the time when I was nothing more than a headpiece, Reflect Sun managed to give me a rundown of what she went through."

"So that was what the whispers I heard were about," muttered Princess Celestia.

A low grumble interrupted our reunion. I looked over to see the noise, and I just barely had enough time to set up a defense against the incoming blue laser beam. After bouncing off my shield, the laser sort of bounced out through a large hole in the ceiling.

"You know how to use magic now?" marveled Faith.

"Well, just this round shield spell," I told him. "Remember that rundown I was talking about? Reflect Sun was able to help me figure out how to cast it."

The small remains of Nightmare Moon struggled to stand. She ended up falling again with loud breaths.

"All of that power is mine alone," she groaned. "It belongs to me."

At that moment, I decided to let the shield fade. I sighed and slowly trotted over to her. I looked at her eyes and saw traces of hatred and fear. Faintly, I heard Tail Demon nagging to be fed, but something else needed to be said first.

"Luna, I get it," I said gently, "You have a huge burden, and you can't help but feel solely responsible for it. But it hasn't gone away no matter how much you try to prevent others from carrying it. Maybe it's time that you tried something else, something that's sure to give a different result."

She looked at me uncertainly.

I put on my small smile. "Please, let me help you."

Tail Demon finally got his taste.
---

Epilogue: Worst Punchline Ever

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Epilogue: Worst Punchline Ever

---{Dilan Shier}

"So, yeah. That's about it," I said with a nod.

I wasn't entirely sure what drove the recipient to silence. Was it the sheer scope of everything that I told her, or was she still trying to figure out the best way to properly vanquish her first large-scale foe? My tail wasn't twitching involuntarily, so there wasn't any hidden animosity. Still, I couldn't help but feel my leg tensing up at the suspense.

"I still have a lot of questions."

I chuckled and shook my head. "That's not surprising. I would too in a reverse conversation."

"How exactly did dying in your world draw you to this one?"

I shrugged my wings. "I'm afraid your guess is as good as mine. If even magic can't answer that, I don't know what will."

"Why would a good pony be trapped in the deepest pits of Tartarus?"

I sighed. "I've started having doubts regarding how good and bad really work as far as the afterlife is concerned. I'd speculate that there's something even bigger out there. Beyond that, I guess it will demand some time for me to look into further."

"So, you really don't know why you were brought back as Nightmare Moon?"

I shook my head. "For all I know, I was randomly selected to act as an outlet for Luna's burdens. But that's just speculation."

"What about the other voices in your subconscious? Can they be trusted?"

"Those that I've spoken with have either promised to act according to my will or remain on the sidelines." I blew some of the steam off my cup and took a couple sips. "So far, none of them have broken those vows."

All the while, she busily scribbled some notes down. At least, I assumed they were notes. Maybe they were just scribbles and random illustrations. I didn't know and I wasn't going to pry.

"It's going to take me some time to consider you a friend rather than an enemy."

"Oh, no rush there," I insisted while waving a hoof dismissively. "It's probably best if you went about your days without my influence. Like I said before, I'll be spending most of my efforts helping out Princess Celestia and Luna as needed. I've got cover as a medical clerk anyway."

"Speaking of which, how is Luna doing?"

"Well, I spoke with her a couple of times during her rehabilitation." I chuckle once. "She ended both of those conversations with sarcastic remarks at my expense. She's fine."

She hummed. "Well, as long as somepony over there trusts you."

"Is there anything else you wanted to know?" I inquired.

She set her quill and paper down. "How do you deal with all of this? Your circumstances seem to be the result of somepony's sense of humor that's drier than Discord's."

"The Aristocrats."

She blinked blankly.

"Darn, that sounded better in my head," I muttered.

"I guess that's it for now. Just don't betray Celestia and Luna's trust. Otherwise, I'll be the first you answer to."

She's still the most intimidating princess I've ever met, I thought with a gulp. "Duly noted."

I felt a tap on my leg. "Nachos for the road?"

"Oh, thank you," I told the assistant, accepting the food box with my mane.

---{Third-Person}

The door closed as Dill Anne Shear was escorted out of the castle.

"What do you think, Twilight?" asked the assistant.

The lavender alicorn shook her head. "I don't know, Spike. I really don't know."
---

Ch. Extra: To Answer Your Question, No. They Don't.

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---{Dilan Shier}
Somewhere in a distant dream...

Several nights later, I was sensing something very strange. It kind of felt like a Nightmare fragment, but it felt... wrong. I wasn't sure how to describe it. Maybe it wasn't really a piece of the Nightmare at all. Whatever it was, it was making Posh breathe more erratically than usual.

"What is this tearing feeling that we are sensing?" If I didn't know any better, I'd have said that her hair was standing on end. "Is that another me? Does that other me possess more strength than me?" She growled simultaneously as her audible breath. "I have a sudden urge to eliminate myself!"

Spectrum hovered over and crossed her front limbs. "I bet I know who could tell us more." Next thing I knew, she punched me in the face.

---

"Wah!" I leaped out from under the covers. I was immediately re-introduced to my old acquaintance the floor. "Oof." Though, there was little time to rub off the pain as I remembered why it was so imperative to wake up. "Princess Luna!"

Using Posh's power in my mane, I slipped into the shadows. Sprinting in this form to Luna's room took exactly an instant. Though, I needed to stand back up to properly communicate. But as I stood in the middle of that room in Nightmare Moon's pony form, I noticed a distinct lack of Luna anywhere. Instead, there was a growing crevice in the middle of the air. It almost looked like a disruption in space itself.

That didn't surprise me nearly as much as what happened next. A large muzzle started flowing out of that crevice. It looked an awful lot like the Pony of Shadows. I stood wide-eyed with my mouth open. How could that be here? I already had Posh inside my subconscious. There was no way she could be here, too.

I shook my head and gave this leaking threat my best determined face. If this was another Nightmare fragment like Posh, I'd take it on and remove it using my secret weapon. I willed my red, smoky tail near that shadowy figure and let him go to work. ... Except, he wasn't doing his work.

"This... is not hatred," whispered Tail Demon. "This is... guilt. I cannot feed on guilt."

"Say what?!" I exclaimed. The doors slammed open after that.

"What's going on?" demanded Spirit Sword.

"What is that?!" exclaimed Faith Shield while pointing a hoof at that shady thing emerging from the crevice.

"I don't know!" I admitted. "I'm trying to get rid of it, but Tail Demon is saying he can't."

Spirit huffed, unfurling his sharp wings. "Then we have to take care of business the old-fashioned way."

"Sounds good to me," said Faith, opening his wings too.

The bat-ponies took flight and rushed forward. They sliced through the entity, leaving an X-shaped mark in it. I punched my hooves against each other before flying in with Spectrum's lightning punch. I was surprised when it felt like my hoof hit nothing but air. I yelped as I started falling through the crevice. I felt a strong grasp against each of my hind legs as well as the grunting voices of Spirit and Faith.

I struggled, trying to figure out what to do with my front half so I could help them pull me back. It was then that I gasped at the entirety of space that was on the other side of the crevice.

"Is this... one... giant... dream of... Ponyville?"

There were ponies flying around that shouldn't have been as well as costumes stranger than a Halloween role-playing convention. The rest of the shady entity was standing on this side, slowly trying to trot through. That was all I saw before the night guards managed to yank me back into the real bedroom. All of us groaned after the impact with the floor.

"Some pony should probably let Princess Celestia know about this," muttered Faith.

A night cap sauntered in, followed closely by a sleepy Celestia. "Some pony should probably let me know whaaaaaa?!" Any signs of being half-asleep evaporated from her features instantly, as did the night cap. Her eyes wobbled, as if she had taken a pounding to her heart. "Oh, Luna... why didn't you tell me?"

"Princess Celestia!" I called out, while pointing a wing in the shady figure's direction. "I can't seem to stop this Nightmare."

"That is no Nightmare. It is a parasite of oneself." Celestia lowered her head briefly, somehow hiding her eyes behind her mane. She slowly nodded. "I will do what I can from this end. But the rest is up to Luna."

"But where is Princess Luna, Your Highness?" wondered Spirit.

She didn't answer. Instead, she pointed her horn up. A thin, golden beam erupted. Her concentrated point of magic collided with the forehead of thing she had called a parasite. The rate at which the shady entity was sticking its head out of the crevice slowed down considerably. However, I could still see it advancing. Gritting my teeth, I called upon Star Bright's blue magic to try and float that shady entity back. Its advance slowed down even further.

I'm not sure how long Celestia and I spent holding it off. After what felt like forever, the parasite suddenly growled in a questioning tone before sliding all the way back. With nothing left for my magic to hold onto, I fell to the ground on my chest. I did manage to look up long enough to watch the crevice close itself.

"What just happened?" Spirit blinked uncomprehendingly.

"I don't know." Faith scratched his head in just as much confusion.

"Did... Luna do that?" I wondered. "And if so, from where?"

Celestia smiled gently and looked toward the bedroom window. "If I had to fathom a guess, she's having a sleepover with Princess Twilight and her friends."
---

Ch. Extra The 2nd: Something About This... Is Very Wrong

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---{Dilan Shier}

I had the weirdest dream last night. I was trying to swim against a really strong current. The stream was full of hourglasses and wristwatches and a few sticks that reminded me of the Hippocrates twin-snake symbol. It could only mean one thing, and I woke up with a frantic gasp.

"Bathroom!"

As soon as my blanket was shoved to the side, my hooves were pounding along the floor. In that moment, there was only one immediate need I had. I could not let it end with soiled bed sheets or a wet floor. I had to make it. I just had to.

When I shoved in the most sacred of doors that I had memorized, I was baffled as to how different it looked. Actually, it kind of looked like the mess hall. But I thought for sure... I shook my head and sighed exasperatedly. My little girl parts were not going to wait forever until I regained proper navigation of this castle.

With invigorated panic, I galloped through the hall. I checked behind every single door that I passed. It had to be around here somewhere. Where the heck was it? Surely Princess Celestia and Princess Luna hadn't restructured their entire castle while I was still sleeping in it. Well, maybe Princess Luna would have. But that should have taken at least two days to pull off, and I was not that heavy of a sleeper.

During my haphazard door opening, it dawned on me that it was still pretty dark in these halls. I wondered if I could... A mere thought was enough to tap into Posh's Shadow Sprint spell. As one with the shadows in this entire hallway, I instantly found some place that resembled what I was looking for.

I exhaled loudly as I sat down and relieved myself.

...

Feeling much better, I opened the restroom door with a tired smile on my face. Now I could go back to bed and not worry about that urge for the next several hours. That would give me plenty of time to get back through this dark... indigo... hallway. I looked around as my tired eyes slowly opened wider.

"W...Where am I?" This wasn't the Canterlot castle. I had no idea what it was.

"Your Highness!"

The new voice caught my attention back to about eye level. A pony in the Night Guard armor was quickly stepping over toward me. I didn't recognize this guard. Yet for some reason, she also seemed... really familiar. I couldn't place it.

"Princess, why are you walking around without your garments?" she asked.

"Well, I didn't really have time to grab my armor in my bathroom rush a-" I did a double-take. "Wait, what did you say?"

"Why are you walking around-"

I shook my head. "No, before that."

Dark pink eyes blinked back at me. "Uh... 'Princess'."

...

"Could you go fetch my armor? I'll just wait right here."

The guard saluted. "Right away, Your Highness."

She turned around and stepped lively away. That's when I saw her tail. It was red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple. But... that was impossible. It couldn't possibly be her. I thought she had a very different dream career. Why would she be wearing the Night Guard uniform?

I stood there for a while and held a bare hoof against the side of my head. I denied what I thought I saw. It simply could not be. There was no conceivable way for that to be. So then... why had I seen that?

"Sorry to keep you waiting."

The uncannily similar look-alike to that other pony came back. She dropped the anklets and chest plate on the ground and held the helmet up toward me. I was still lost in my impossible thoughts as I slid my headpiece down over my horn. I had put these armor pieces on so many times that I wasn't even thinking about my mane's grasp as I positioned my chest plate and anklets on tightly.

"Forgive me, soldier, but what's your name again?" I asked, taking a chance.

Again, dark pink eyes blinked at me through her helmet's view hole. "I am Rainbow Dash your sworn subject, Princess Nightmare Moon."

Now my ears were conspiring with my eyes. Either I was in a completely different reality, or someone was using extremely powerful magic to warp at least two of my senses... and I was not okay with that. If all of this wasn't right, then what else was messed up?

"Permission to speak freely, Your Highness?" Her voice shoved me out of my internal dialogue.

"Uh, sure, go ahead."

I cast glances to either side, hoping to catch at least glimpses of either Discord or Princess Luna. Call it a safe bet, but their history with using magic at me or around me spoke for itself. After all, she still had misgivings about me. Him, though... Well, there was no telling what he would do for kicks.

"You seem to be acting very differently than usual," said the self-proclaimed Rainbow Dash. "Are you okay?"

I sighed as my legs shuffled me forward and around her. "No. No, I'm not. Rainbow Dash, would you mind humoring me for a while?"

"Complying with your orders comes with the job, Your Highness," she assured me while trotting beside me.

"Okay, well... Please start by not using any fancy titles and just..." I shook my head. "Just call me Nightmare for now."

I swear I saw her about to trip, but she kept on walking as if she didn't. "I guess I can do that, P... Night...mare?"

Yeah, there's no need to confuse the girl any more than that by trying to have her say my actual name. "Next, I'd like you to pretend I've been living under a rock and summarize the events of the past few years in as much detail as you can remember."

She actually halted her trot for a split-second before quickly stepping forth to keep up the pace. "Sure thing."

---

"After you banished your older, foolish sister to the beautiful moon, you immediately set the peasant ponies up to repair the entire castle to reflect your amazing image."

No, no, no, this is all wrong. I bit my lip as she kept going and throwing in a bunch of adjectives. It was like she was trying to kiss up to me, er... to Nightmare Moon. These current events... none of this happened. Rather, none of it was supposed to have happened. Yet, when I peered at the moon out through the upper part of a window, there were Princess Celestia's mane colors painted all over the moon's face along with the dabbed in picture of an obscure pony.

Rainbow Dash was still going. "And Rarity was privileged to be your most recent servant in charge of dusting and adjusting the wonderful tapestries of your stellar throne room."

"Th-Thank you. That will suffice." I said while slightly waving a hoof to dismiss the rest of the speech.

"A thousand apologies, Nightmare." She closed her eyes and bowed her head slightly.

There was a sudden gasp. Two more ponies in the Night Guard armor galloped over and glared at Rainbow. They seemed really familiar, yet I was fairly sure I had never seen them before now.

"You dare address the Princess without using the proper title?" The one on the left was standing on just her front legs.

"I smell insubordination," said the one on the right with a more even tone than the other.

"W-Wait!" Rainbow waved her hooves defensively. "It wasn't like that!"

It was by my request that she had stopped calling me 'Princess'. She wasn't at fault. Yet the way these two other guards were telling her off, it was like they thought she had just promoted Kony's efforts in 2012.

"Enough!" I yelled.

I had to put my hoof down, and it just so happened to be Nightmare Spectrum's. In a flash of two waves, these newer guards were surrounded in electrical sparks and shook in place. I made my steps overtly audible as I approached the pair. They slowly turned their heads to look at me. Their expressions were absolutely terrified.

"The punishment for my subjects is mine to decide," I said while baring my fangs. "You two will not overstep these bounds again. Is that clear?!"

They both slammed themselves against the floor and groveled. It was difficult to tell what they were saying since their words were muffled between their front legs and the floor. But, I think they got the message. I heard some hasty apologies and pleas to be spared somewhere in the midst of their scared ramblings.

"Good." I nodded once. "Now... get back to work."

"Yes, Your Highness!"

"Yes, Your Highness!" They both quickly galloped up the hall.

That left me with the slightly shaking Rainbow guard. I closed my mouth and breathed deeply. I shivered once involuntarily. Just when I thought I was finished scaring myself, I came up with a new surprise. But I digress.

"Are you alright?" I asked.

"I... I don't understand." Her dark pink eyes were filled with curiosity. "Why are you being so... nice... to me?"

I turned my wrist over to look at Nightmare Spectrum's hoof. Even though her colors were absent from my gauntlet, I could still feel a faint presence. I still remembered the cyan pony that I had very nearly suffocated to death all the way back then. This wasn't exactly a favor repaid. Somehow, I'd have to make it up to Rainbow for real. But for now, I had to look for a way out of this alternate existence.

"It was just something I had to do," I replied as I set my hoof down. "Maybe it's best if I return to you the permission to say titles as you see fit. How's that sound?"

"I am unworthy yet grateful, Princess." She placed a hoof against her chest piece.

"Alright, so..." I smiled sheepishly. "What do I usually do at this hour again?"

"You stand in the darkness of your throne, waiting for a foolish pony to walk up to try their luck against your unstoppable power." She held a hoof to the side. "Shall I escort you there?"

"Please do," I said with a nod.

We continued our trot down the hallway. I swear some of the portraits on the wall were shooting disapproving glares as we passed. Could pictures snitch? I wasn't ready to take any chances and held my silence until the only thing that lined the halls were banners.

---

Oh, no. I sat in the spot that was darkest to any onlookers, but still provided me a clear view of what one of the guards called "tourists". No. The poor, dejected dragon only confirmed that his care was one and the same. No, no, no, no, no. I bit my tongue to avoid screaming as she came closer.

The most intimidating pony I had ever met was here. For this, I berated myself for never looking into how ponies could teleport themselves. There was no way to sneak out, either. The rest of this room was brightly lit with blue flamed torches. Maybe... I could try my Shadowride on Nightmare Moon's throne and just wait until she left.

"... changing the past, because every present I come to is worse than the last!"

Wait... what did she say?

"Time travel?" I blurted out.

Could returning to the reality I was supposed to be in be as simple as that? My unspoken prayer had been answered in the form of this lavender monster. Something cracked within me and I smiled... wickedly... with all of my fangs visible to an outsider. I don't why, but I just found the whole situation so funny that I laughed.

"Now that's something I'd be interested in seeing." I flapped my wings, leaped forward, and slammed down in front of the pony version of fear. "So tell me, how does this time traveling magic work?"

It was almost... satiating to watch Princess Twilight squirm at the sight of me instead of the other way around.

"The princess asked you a question!" reiterated Rainbow forcefully as she took off her helmet. "And unless you want to end up in the dungeon, you'll tell her everything she wants to know!"

If and when we get through this, I am going to figure out some way to reward you, Rainbow Dash. "The only pony who should be able to wield such a powerful magic in my kingdom is me."

"Your kingdom?" the dragon asked skeptically.

"Who else?" I practically scoffed at his disbelief.

"Uh..." He hesitated before saying, "Celestia, of course."

I laughed again, a bit more loudly than I had intended to. He was just so cute and naive that I couldn't help it. Sadly, I had to break the news to him about the reality that we currently occupied.

"My sister has been imprisoned in the moon for years!" I motioned dramatically to the artsy moon in the sky. "After all, she would have submitted me to no less a fate." I harrumphed as I fixed my gaze on Princess Twilight. "But you've stalled for long enough. Show me the source of time magic!"

The various Night Guard ponies had her surrounded. Me, I could understand, but could she really bring herself to attack and kill all of these ponies just because of who their apparent leader was?

After holding her eyes shut for a bit, she relented. "... Alright."

"Twilight, no!" pleaded the dragon.

"We have no choice, Spike." She hugged him, but ultimately pushed him to the side. "I can take you to it, but you'll have to get past the timberwolves."

I fought to hold back another round of laughs. Why was I so easily amused today? "Do you honestly think the power I already wield would be unable to deal with timberwolves?"

"No," she admitted with a straight face. "I know you can." She turned around, fully prepared to walk into the forest.

"But before we go," I interrupted, "there's just one thing that needs to be addressed." I leaned over to about Spike's level and whispered, "Do you want a ride, little dragon?"

"W-What?"

"Play along or we're all dead," I hissed before grabbing the top of his head and plopping him on my back. Then, I looked back at Twilight. "Take me to that source."

---

I had never been hunting before. It felt so... surreal as I watched the timberwolves get crushed in a variation of Reflect Sun's orange shield. Apparently, she could conjure a large amount of fire along the edge and burn the victims within. I don't think the wooden wolves even felt anything... or even knew what happened. As far as they were concerned, their lives simply ended in an instant.

Princess Twilight showed me something that looked like a table and some broken throne seats surrounding it. Had some variation of King Arthur come and gone? Upon further examination, it almost looked like a three-dimensional map. But it was a bit limited since I could barely identify anything besides a large, forest-covered area.

"I'm intrigued by the idea," I said. "Now, you will show me how it works."

"No deal, Nightmare Moon!"

I sharply turned to look at her. "What?"

"In my world, it is my friends and I that will use the Elements' magic to stop you, and we're going to make sure that timeline is saved."

Where did all of that sudden confidence come from? I felt myself trembling. Before I knew it, she had grabbed Spike, put him on her back and appeared right on top of the map. She magically forced myself and the Night Guards away before shooting a scroll at the table. A sudden white dome with a greenish-blue bottom appeared right above her and sucked the two of them away.

I was going to be trapped here! "NOOOOOOOOO!"

In a flash of white light... everything I could feel faded away. Though, I could have sworn that Rainbow Dash flew up with her back toward the magic explosion and positioned herself right in front of me.

---

Man, I had the craziest dream last night. A bunch of different versions of the Nightmare were paddling boats around me. Some of their decorations looked like analog clocks, New Year's Eve countdown timers, and a red cross or two. It could only mean one thing, and I woke up with a gasp.

"Bathroom!"

I had only one immediate need, and I shoved the pink blanket away to get to it. My galloping echoed as I traversed the large, gold and white hallway. After finding the door that I had memorized, I was relieved to find the contents of a most sacred place.

...

I sighed in relief as I exited the restroom with a tired smile on my face. Though, it quickly dropped as I spotted Princess Luna trotting by.

"Dill Anne, you're naked," she told me flatly before going on her way.

I felt my face scrunch up as I muttered, "Thanks a lot, Princess."

I begrudgingly walked back to my bedroom and put on the armor pieces. The colors that were supposed to be mismatched were. A quick look in the mirror showed that my eyes, mane, and tail had their properly diverse colors. Everything seemed normal. Yet, there was something nagging me in the back of my mind.

I decided to take up the matter in Princess Celestia's presence directly.

"Good morning, Dilan Shier," she greeted. "May I help you?"

I nodded once. "Do you know where I could find Rainbow Dash? I'd like to get her a gift basket... or wine? No, make that a gift basket with wine."

---

Ch. Extra The 3rd: Trial of the Shattered Mirror

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---{Dilan Shier}

"I can't help but think that you care about me a little too much."

My piercing sword struck forth. It broke my opponent's parry with a hundred rapid-fire swings. But something wasn't quite right. She seemed emotionally distant, not like her usually confident self. She didn't even seem to notice when her sword went flying off to her left after my last hit. I inched my point closer, but she didn't react.

"What are you talking about Spectrum?" I asked her in confusion.

"When you lose the reigns, I'm the first one you choose to pick them up. Just the other week, you sent Rainbow Dash, my other, a basket full of chocolates, fruits, and a bottle of rosette. Even here in your dreams, you trust me to keep the rest of our fragments out of trouble. I'm not a child to be pampered. I'm just..."

I trotted right up to her. "You're just what?"

She sighed. "I'm just another mistake you had to correct."

"Hey, don't beat yourself up." I pat her back with my hoof. "It was your strength that helped us fend off the thorny clouds. It was through your ability that I could save Spirit Sword from Posh while she was still rogue. It was your power that helped keep Tirek busy and allowed those changelings to regroup."

"Human... why are you... being so nice to me?"

She looked at me with earnest, magenta, slit-iris eyes. She was biting her lower lip. Her hooves were trembling. Her feathers were shaking. A ghost of a tear dripped down her cheek.

I looked at her seriously. "No matter what circumstance brought us together, I trust you now and I will do everything I can to make sure you can stick around."

She closed her eyes, and chuckled lightly. "Shier... don't you have anything better to do?"

I shrugged my wings. "I'm open to suggestions."

---

"I despise weakness."

My tail became a red, whirling whip. It whistled like a bird as it sped through the air. After I launched it forward at the target, my opponent's tail cracked the same pocket of air that mine whipped against. Our respective demons of the extended spine kept swishing around from all directions. But his true, red-eyed gaze never strayed from me.

"If you really hated weakness, you probably could have destroyed me back when we first met," I pointed out. "But, you didn't."

"I tolerate you for tactical purposes," he growled. "In all other cases, it is a sin."

A jagged ramp made from his dark crystal lifted him up and closer. Behind me, my tail went to work whipping a single spot in rapid-succession. Just when it looked like his fangs were about to bite my face off, I felt a crystal tower rocket me up from underneath. He ended up doing a face-plant against the side of the tower.

Before the tower rose another inch, I hopped off. I slammed all four of my hooves against his back, pressing him against the floor. I wrapped my tail around his neck and slowly held him over to look me in the eye.

He strained to chuckle. "Hurry up and finish me. It's what I deserve."

Instead of granting his request, I promptly dropped him on his tush. He coughed a bit before breathing normally. He stared at me in disappointment.

I ran a hoof through my slightly material mane. "Considering you're one of the only two ways I can recover the Nightmare's missing fragments, it'd be really stupid to get rid of you now. You've proven useful, regardless of your inevitable alignment."

He raised a brow. "Two ways?"

"Well, I tried using my tail without you, but that forced me into a deep sleep while Reflect Sun took charge." I waved my tail dismissively. "I'd rather not try my luck with that way again. The second way is to keep relying on you, since you seem to know how to filter the fragments properly."

He raised his head and laughed deeply. "At least you are a smart weakling."

---

The darkness was meant to be an opposition to light. Naturally, it would make sense if it had similar shapes to the well-lit world but with a different color. Yet while I was hiding in the shadows, sprinting from shade to shade, the biggest thing on my mind was how un-pony-like that Posh looked right now. With all of the tendrils threatening to reach for my throat every time I risked returning to a corporeal form, I could have easily mistaken her for an octopus.

"You use me... yet you understand so little."

In the second dimension, I darted from shadow to shadow. I had to make a physical strike somewhere. I couldn't do so by staying in my Shadowride and Shadow Sprint alone. But those tendrils of hers were making it very difficult to find an opening.

"You cannot run from shadows. They are everywhere."

Her heavy breathing between her sentences wasn't making concentration any easier. How was I supposed to overcome an enemy with no blind spots yet was still able to strike me? What was her weakness in this place?

...

I mentally gulped as I started putting together a small plan of actions. It seemed too cruel, and it would hurt me a lot more than it hurt her. I sighed as I leaped out of the shadow.

"Haaaugh!"

I slammed a lightning punch against the nearest tendril. It shook and contorted before sinking down limply. I flapped my wings furiously, going for her yellow eyes. That's when I felt six other tendrils wrap around my torso all at once. The seventh held my throat in a choke hold. I felt my neck snap as my mane flowed against the tendrils.

"What? Aaaaaaaah!"

After taking a second to figure out the new synapses, I pushed the old consciousness into the broken pony in my tendrils' grasp. Then, I slowly willed the dark limbs to gather into my center of gravity. It took a while, but I managed to re-shape myself into the pony I was supposed to look like.

Posh's yellow eyes blinked in her snapped neck as she closed her mouth. "How did you...?"

"Overshadow." I cracked the solidifying bones in my body into place. "I don't use it much anymore, so it took me a while to remember that I had it."

"Then... your lightning punch was...?"

I chuckled while I flapped the feeling of pins and needles out of my wings. "What can I say? Spectrum makes a pretty good distraction."

Despite that her face was upside-down, I could still see a faint smile. "Perhaps you understand more than I thought... Master."

---

A path ahead was marked with a pattern of stones. Each stone was a hexagon that led to the next. I decided to walk along the path and get some air. It was kind of surreal. Heck, the sun shining above was mostly covered by a black circle.

After trotting for a few minutes, a figure came into view. She stood in the middle of a fork in the hexagonal path. Her orange, slit eyes opened up and stared at me. I stopped moving just a few steps away from the split.

"Do I need to combat your powers too?" I hazarded a guess.

"No." Reflect Sun shook her head. "I just have something to ask you."

"Really? That's kind of a nice change of pace." I folded my wings. "What's on your mind?"

"How is Faith Shield doing?"

I raised my brow at that. I had half-expected her to ask some deep philosophical question like the meaning of life, existence, and the universe. The sly remark of forty-two was besides the point. Why did she want to know about that pony's name in particular?

"Last I checked, he was doing fine," I answered honestly. "Did you notice something happen to him that I didn't see?"

Reflect closed her eyes. "He has had a crush on you ever since the vacation to Manehattan."

I tilted my head. "Are you for real?"

She opened her eyes and stared directly at me. "Do I look like I'm joking?"

I sighed. "Well, I'm flattered that he'd think that way, but I can't accept it."

"Oh? And why is that?"

"I don't feel that way about him." I gently wave a hoof off to the side. "He's a nice guy, but I'm just not interested in romance."

...

"Hmph. I suppose I should've expected your straightforwardness. I did read a good portion of your mind while I was in charge that one time. These words you've spoken are exactly the same as what I recall."

I scratched the back of my neck. "I gotta say, I wasn't expecting a left-field question from you of all people, er... ponies."

"Then maybe this will be a more suitable question: What do you expect to find at the end of your fragment-gathering adventure?"

I lowered my hoof. "What do you mean?"

"It's true that leaving loose pieces of the Nightmare to roam free can cause severe damage. But, who is to say that gathering all of the Nightmare into yourself is the best solution? What if you become too powerful for your own good?"

I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and exhaled. I needed a moment to gather my thoughts together and say this properly. There was no guarantee that I would be right or wrong. It was just satisficing, deciding with limited facts rather than all of the knowledge.

"Well then, I'll be counting on Equestria to send forth heroes that can properly deal with me."

Reflect Sun's visible form started to fade. "If only everypony else could think as simply as you do..."

I blinked several times. I felt the various Nightmare after-images as my various parts. Reflect Sun was in my right eye. Posh was in my mane. The tail demon was in my... tail. Spectrum was in my right hoof. The rest sat contentedly in my subconscious mind. I looked down, and another path of hexagons separated itself from the left and right paths.

I shook my head. "Nah. If everyone thought like me, it would be a pretty boring world."

---{Third-Person Narrator}

Shier the Nightmare Moon, with her orange and turquoise eyes; black mane; red tail; and green, purple, and orange front-right horseshoe, trotted down the middle road. Her midnight blue chest plate and orange-white helmet glistened in the dream's eclipsed light. The blue metal tips on her feathers chimed against each other as a distant wind blew from ever so far ahead.
---

The Moon Shall Rise From Hell's Ashes

by TundraStanza

Ch. 1: Out of the Oven, Into the Frying Pan

Ch. 2: The Candle That Burns

Ch. 3: Twice As Bright, Half As Long

Ch. 4: Curse Not The Darkness

Interlude: It's Not Over Yet

Ch. 5: Better to Light One Candle

Ch. 6: Your Tail Is Red, So Beautiful

Ch. 7: Like A Fallen Angel In Disguise

Ch. 8: Hatred Is A Shut Door

Ch. 9: Faith Shield's Vacation

Ch. 10: You Know, I Think I Would Have Preferred Snakes

Ch. 11: Mandatory Pointless Side Quest

Ch. 12: Shadows Aren't So Dark

Interlude: Mountains & Myths

Ch. 13: The Spirit is Mightier Than The Sword

Ch. 14: Simple Ways, These Are Not

Interlude: Wearing Emotions On Your Sleeve

Ch. 15: Seconds Of Fame

Ch. 16: The Calm Between Storms

Ch. 17: Berry Punch and Mistress Vine

Interlude: Without Z

Ch. 18: Siphon

Ch. 19: As the Moon Rises, So Does the Sun

Epilogue: Worst Punchline Ever

Ch. Extra: To Answer Your Question, No. They Don't.

Ch. Extra The 2nd: Something About This... Is Very Wrong

Ch. Extra The 3rd: Trial of the Shattered Mirror