> Evading Darkness > by Owl Parchment > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > The Beginnings of Royalty > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 1 ----Zephyr---- Zephyr has lived in the unknown her whole life, until now. Zephyr is a bat-pony. She was born in the Everfree Forest, and taken care of by Timber Wolves. At age 13, she has swore her life to the royal guards, and is currently Luna's personal guardian. She is 18. Her fur is aqua, and her eyes are gold. She has a dark blue mane with cyan highlights. Now, this is where the story begins... Zephyr yawned, and stretched. 'Just in time.' I thought to myself as I looked up at the sky. I was perched on my favorite branch, deep in the Everfree. The moon was just beginning to rise. "7 o'clock. On the dot." I told myself quietly. "This is when Luna told me to meet her in the Everfree." I whispered, and trotted further into the forest. After a couple minutes, I came upon her. Luna. Princess Luna, the keeper of the night. I bowed, as I did anytime I saw Luna, except for when I was on duty. Luna looked at me, and smiled. She beckoned for me to come over, and sit down. "I have a long story to tell you." Luna said. "I think you are old enough to know." I nodded slightly, and sat down beside her. I was curious about what she had to say. Luna flicked her tail, and began to talk. "I all started, a long time ago. 18 years, to be exact. I was a little reckless, and hopelessly in love. I was meeting him every night, but this time was different. Instead of meeting in the Crystal Empire, we met in the Everfree. I wasn't sure why, but when I saw him, I knew. He was covered in scratches, and bleeding heavily. I knew he was weak. I had frowned, and nursed him. He looked up at me, and smiled. "You know, Luna" he said "I have always wanted a foal." that hit me. I was surprised that a stallion like him would ever want kids. Before I knew it, he was on top of me. And, I sort of liked it. His strong body pushed against mine, and we kissed. We kissed a lot. And, hugged too. A couple months later, I found out I was pregnant. I knew that if I told Celestia, she would use her magic to get rid of the foal. I didn't want that. It was all I had that he and I shared. It was our little secret. Celestia might even put me back on the moon for something like that. I don't know, but I was scared. Scared for me, scared for him, scared for my foal. I was nervous. So, I ran away. I went to the Everfree, and waited for him to come back. When he did, he was overjoyed with the news of my pregnancy. He took me to a zebra named Zecora, and she welcomed us kindly. "Ah, King Sombra" she said "I see you have brought Luna to me. I have a toll, you know, to take care of her and this foal." she spoke in her usual rhymes. Sombra had nodded, and gave her the special herbs she requested. I looked at him, and he smiled calmly. "It will be okay, my precious Luna, she will take care of you." I embraced him quietly, and turned back to Zecora. She taught me an enchantment that hid my pregnancy during the day. I thanked her greatly, and headed back to the castle. Six months later, it was time. I flew to the Everfree, and gave birth. The foal was born at midnight. I named her Zephyr." Luna broke off there, and started to cry. I was left in pure shock. 'Princess Luna.. King Sombra.. My parents?' I was bewildered. "What happened then?" I urged her. I wanted to know why I never knew. Luna looked back at me, tears streaming down her face. "Well.." she started "King Sombra found me, after I had been missing for a couple days. I had stayed in the Everfree, taking care of you. Celestia was worried, and sent her best guards out looking for me. Sombra had come to warm me, to take you so both of us could be safe. You see, you learned how to fly at a very early age. On Sombra's way home, he took a nap when the sun rose, we are both nocturnal. You weren't tired. Even though the sun hurt your eyes, you flew right away. Sombra spend seven days looking for you before he found where you went. By the time he had gotten to you, there were Timber wolves. They were surrounding you, and refused to let Sombra have you. They raised you. By the time you were 13, I found you in Ponyville. I sent some guards to look for recruits, and watched to see if you tried out. You did, and they accepted you happily. I was surprised, and excited. You were excellent. You had your father's strength. After a little bit, I had you promoted to my personal guard. I wanted to have you near me. You, Sombra, Chrysalis, and I are the only ones who know about Sombra and I. I have yet to tell Celestia." I looked at my mother. I was shocked. I thought for a second, and began to ask questions. "So, why does Chrysalis know?" I asked calmly. "She is Sombra's sister, your aunt. I am planning on telling Celestia tonight." Luna told me softly. "Sombra asks about you every week." she added. "We both love you very much." I didn't know what to say. It was a shock to be told that I was royalty. It was amazing. > The Return of a Nightmare > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 2 ----Zephyr---- "So.. Isn't Sombra dead?" I asked quietly, well aware of when Celestia and the Elements of Harmony were said to have killed him. Luna shook her head. "They killed the evil that cursed him. He is still alive, but nopony knows." That was a surprise. 'I might actually get to meet him...' I thought to myself, excited now. "He isn't evil, then?" I asked another question. Luna smiled "I thought you might ask that." she said "He wasn't evil. Well, at least until he was possessed by dark magic." This was still a shock. And, of course, I was still asking questions. "How am I a bat-pony, if you are an alicorn, and Sombra is a unicorn. "Come to think of it.." Luna spoke in deep thought "You would be more likely to have a horn... As a matter of fact, you can probably perform magic without a horn. Because your father was excellent with magic, and I know quite a few spells myself." That stumped me. 'Magic without a horn? Is that even possible?' I thought to myself. As I opened my mouth to ask another question, King Sombra appeared infront of us. I jumped back, terrified. This unicorn, it just appeared right infront of me, out of nowhere. My dad. "Sombra!" my mother exclaimed, and ran up to him. They embraced swiftly, and nuzzled each other. "Why, hello there." Sombra said, hoofing me on the back. I looked up into my father's red eyes, and shuddered. "Why is it, if you aren't evil, your eyes still look like that?" I asked him quietly. "Because, when the evil from me was killed, it did not change my appearance. Nor did it change my ability to use dark magic. But, now I have control over my darkness, and it can not take hold of me again. I still do have one nifty trick though.." He spoke, in a rich, strong, voice. "Well, what is it?" I asked, wanting to know more. He looked me in the eyes, and shrugged "I turn into a shadow during the day. It is more of a curse than an ability, though." Luna snuggled up against him, and whispered something in his ear. He nodded, and slowly unbuckled his cape. My eyes widened as his robe fell to the ground. He had bat wings. Sombra was an alicorn. A bat-alicorn. I gasped. Maybe my horn was invisible, my parents were both alicorns. "You.. You're.. A bat-pony?" I stuttered Sombra nodded slightly, and looked over to Luna. I looked up at the sky as I started to realized it was getting really hot, and my eyes were starting to burn. By now, it was about 8 o'clock in the morning. 'Great.' I thought to myself. 'A whole night of feeding wasted.' I told myself as I began to feel hungrier. Then, I noticed something. Sombra did not have a cutie mark. He was a blank flank! I nodded to my parents, and readied myself to fly away. That was when Luna screamed. I looked back, and Sombra was bent over my mother. His eyes were gleaming with fear. Luna's wings changed, and slowly the rest of her body did too. It was Nightmare Moon. I felt my body change as well, and it hurt. Really bad. I wanted to scream, but I didn't. My fur darkened, and my mane and tail flowed in the wind. Then, a terrible pain erupted from my skull. A horn was ripping through my skin. I was becoming an alicorn. That was when everything changed. I growled, not realizing I did. I could no longer control what I did. Just watch through my own eyes. My body walked over to a pool of water, and I looked at my reflection. I looked a lot like Nightmare Moon, except.. Different. It was more like me. I walked over to Nightmare Moon, and she smiled. "Daughter. I have been waiting." she spoke. My body shook it's head. "As have I. It is nice to have control now." my mouth spoke. "Wind." Nightmare moon spoke. "You are a nightmare. Your name is Wind." my body nodded again "And yours is Moon." I spoke. I wanted to escape this.. this.. Nightmare. The sun rose, and Moon and I screamed. Sombra changed into a shadow, and my body raced to the Canterlot castle with Moon. I wanted to stop, but I could no longer control what I did. I felt my fangs extend from my gums. They were longer than usual, and sharper too. My body raced through Ponyville, and my wings spread out. Nightmare Moon and my own body, Nightmare Wind, took to the skies. The sun was rising even higher now, I could see it peeking over the top of the castle in the distance. My nightmare turned to the side, only to reveal a struggling Nightmare Moon. She was fighting to keep going, and swooped low to the ground. My nightmare raced after her, and we both landed in the middle of a large field. I watched as Nightmare Moon fought something. I couldn't tell what she was fighting, but it must be pretty strong. She was writhing in the soft grass, like she was trying to cut loose something. Herself, maybe. Nightmare Wind trotted my body closer, to get a better look. Nightmare Moon looked up at us, her eyes flashing between the eyes of a Nightmare, and those of my mother. I knew then, my mother was trying to overcome this terror. My nightmare's horn lit up, as she levitated the fighting Nightmare Moon into the air. Now, various parts of her body were changing back and forth between her's and my mother's. As my nightmare took to the air again, levitating Moon, I heard a loud crash. Lightning. I had already forgot, the Weather Patrol had scheduled a storm for today. I began to think of my guard position. That very minute, I realized Princess Luna needed me. I was her guard, and I was on duty. I concentrated, and began to fight Nightmare Wind. She lost concentration, from the immense effort it took to levitate Nightmare Moon, and she dropped her. A silent scream rocketed through my body. 'Luna!' I wanted to call out. I wanted to tell my mom that it would be okay. But, I knew it wouldn't be. I finally wrestled free from Wind's command, and dove down to where Luna landed. It was easier for me to keep Nightmare Wind under control, because she was weaker than Nightmare Moon. I forced myself to walk forward. Luna's body was lying limply on the Canterlot road. She was a mangled disaster. One of her eyes were her's, while the other one was Moon's. She had random patches of her fur, and a her wings, they were just crazy. Nightmare Moon's helmet was shredded, like it started to evaporate. And still, Luna lay there. Not moving. 'If only Yamal were here.' I thought to myself 'My little dragon would know a spell that would fix this. I should have studied more. If I did, I would know something I could do to help.' > Paying a Visit > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 3 ----Zephyr---- 'No! No! No!' my mind screamed, racing with fear. I laid there, next to Luna. I was terrified that she was dead. It was my fault. 'It is all my fault! If I hadn't dropped her, if I remembered the enchantments!' I closed my eyes, and I felt something leave me. I quickly blinked open my eyes, and looked around. There was a dark blue smoke drifting from my hooves. It sparkled slightly, and entered Luna's still body. I felt a small twitch of pain as the last of the smoke left me. Luna jumped slightly, and blinked open her eyes. The rest of her body was darkening and changing. She was returning to Nightmare Night. I stumbled backward, and tripped. The ground hurt, as I scraped my back on the sharp gravel. Nightmare Moon was ontop of me in a matter of seconds. Her horn pushed against my chest, and extracted the rest of Nightmare Wind out of me. My skin changed back to it's normal color, and I returned to myself. "Get off of me!" I growled at Nightmare Moon. All she did was simply shake her head. She crouched down, and held me with her legs. I jumped away quickly as I felt something cold and slimy enter my mouth. I spat, and tried to escape it. My eyes clenched shut, and I went limp. Nightmare Moon's tongue was still inside my mouth, and I couldn't move anymore. She probed around my throat, and pulled back. Within a few minutes, she extracted her tongue from my body. I wanted to spit, to remove the smokey flavor from my mouth. I opened my eyes, and looked up at the tyrant standing above me. She was licking her lips, and smiling evilly. "I win." she laughed, and stomped on my head with her hoof. Everything was dark. Gloomy. I felt cold hooves pressing against my side, and I tried to move. I wanted to fight, to escape this, but I couldn't. "Zephyr! Zephyr, can you hear me?" I heard a smooth voice calling me. "She is still breathing." Another voice said. "I know, doctor." the first voice responded. I felt more hooves pushing on my head. Then, everything went dark again.