Ch 01: Losing Control
Nyx glanced up from his tea at the Canterlot Corner Cafe. The city was lively and beautiful, preparing for the marriage of its Royal Guard captain Shining Armor to an Alicorn Princess. The city held a rosy hue from the giant pink shield Shining Armor created around the whole of the city. However, Nyx wasn’t there to celebrate the special union, he had a job to do from within Canterlot's famous castle, but that seemed all but impossible with the whole city locked up beneath Shining Armors magical shield. Nyx knew Alicorns were selfish despotists but to lock down a whole city just for some Princess's wedding?
With that development a few days prior Nyx now spent his time waiting for a better opportunity to perform and distracting himself from boredom in the meantime. Today that distraction seemed to be a gorgeous mare with a grey coat several shades lighter than Nyx's own. Her light purple eyes were accented perfectly by a dark grey mane much closer to his own coat in colour. Judging by her cutie mark he also guessed she was a musician. But she was still several tables away so Nyx had done little besides exchange a few eye raises and smiles with her as of yet.
Nyx was beginning to formulate an approach to this Music Mare when the opportunity he was waiting for arrived; a loud cracking and shattering sound echoed around the city causing everypony to look up. The Shining Armor's shield had shattered and hundreds of black shapes were raining down on the city. He noticed they were falling in something resembling an attack pattern and several were angling towards the cafe.
two of the black shapes hit the ground right by Nyx and stood to shake themselves off. He examined the interlopers as he took another sip of his tea, music mare temporarily forgotten. Insectoid wings, crooked horns, blue eyes, and holes within their legs. Changeling Drones, he mused, uninspired.
Nyx took the final dregs of his tea in one gulp as the Changelings started to charge him. He waited until the lead one was a few scant meters away, fully committed to its attack before he reacted, throwing the tea cup into its face, which caused it to veer and stumble into the close end of the table, flipping it up. Nyx then used his magic to give it a slight push with his magic, impacting it against the second Changeling. Nyx smiled at the unconscious Changelings, he loved it when everything went according to plan.
Nyx glanced back to see the musical mare fighting with two more Changelings, and he almost considered helping her, but this was his moment. Nyx dove into the panicking crowd fleeing the Cafe, blending with it until he saw a lone Royal Guard trying to direct the citizenry. Nyx altered course to intercept the Guard, and used his magic to push the guards helmet over his eyes. The guard took a step back trying to fix his helmet right as Nyx rammed into him, shoving the guard into a wall, rendering him unconscious.
Nyx, trusting that the crowd was too blinded by their panic to see him, dragged the guard into an alley, he stripped the armour from the guard and examined him. The guard would be out for a while and Nyx didn't feel the need to adopt a more complete disguise so just donned the guards armor. He adjusted it and sighed, not enjoying how physical the job had gotten already before taking off towards the castle towering over the city.
Only a handful of minutes later Nyx was ducking through another door, narrowly avoiding more of the pillaging Changelings ransacking and running wild through the castle, Nyx had began to regret his decision to disguise himself as a guard. Then Nyx's attention snapped back to the present as he heard something stumble within the room he was now hiding in. Crouching low Nyx began to sneak around the perimeter of the room, using his magic to muffle his footfalls. Slowly Nyx came up behind a grey mare peering out a crack in a door opposite the room of where he entered. Her mane was black with a few vibrant violet streaks in it, the unicorn's horn on her head holding it out of her eyes. Nyx shifted his weight as the mare rotated, checking more of the hallway. Her cutie mark was a ruby shield over a crescent moon. Nyx cleared his throat, causing the unicorn mare to panic and jump. She spun around, her horn glowing, but she let the magic dissipate as she recognized the armor of the Royal Guard Nyx still wore.
Nyx raised an eyebrow as she snapped at him. "The buck are you doing in here?"
Nyx replied automatically, "Looking for backup."
"What!? Where's your squad." Her voice raised just enough to make Nyx nervous.
"Hey hey calm down! They're in the main hall at the wedding."
"Well we need to get there! Princess Luna needs help!" Her voiced raised just enough Nyx knew something would have heard.
He reached for her to pull her away from the still cracked door when she slapped his hoof away, "We need to get to Princess Celestia!"
Nyx opened his mouth to respond but the door he entered the room through burst open, Changelings pouring through.
"Buck" Both ponies said in unison, as the mare immediately began launching magical bolts towards the tide.
Nyx, never one to expend energy uselessly, instead grabbed a table from the center of the room using his magic and pulled it into the Changeling's path's. Causing several to trip and blunt the speed of the advance. Nyx knew better than to fight so dived past the mare through the door she had open, grabbing her and dragging her with him. As soon as they crossed the threshold he slammed shut the door and used his magic to trip all the locks on it.
"Awe come on.." Nyx heard the mare say and he turned his head to look, several more Changelings were in this portion of the hallway, securing incapacitated security guards with a green slimy substance.
"I hate this place" Nyx sighed as the door now behind him began to bang with Changelings trying to break through from the room he and the mare just vacated.
Nyx glanced around for anything in the environment to use as a weapon but nothing sprang out at him as the Mare dived forewords into the Changelings. Nyx futilely scanned for an escape route as well but nothing seemed worth a shot. Knowing two was better odds than one he dived forewords as well to back the mare up in her attack.
Nyx used his magic to throw himself into the air right as he was about to collide with the first Changeling, boosting him over it to come down on top of the second, which was less prepared. He kicked out behind him catching the flank of the Changeling he jumped over, sending it sprawling as well. The third rammed into him, sending him sprawling but unhurt in the armour he still wore. But before it repeated its attack it was throw back by a stray blast from the mare. Nyx mentally thanked her as he righted himself and began to charge at the two Changelings bearing down on her. The armour provided nyx with a weight boost that bore them both to the ground as the Mare blasted the last standing Changeling.
Nyx and the mare backed together as the seven Changelings began to stir again, reforming in a circle around the two. The mare glanced back at Nyx as the door finally gave, letting more Changelings into the room. "Dream Aura."
Nyx glanced back at the mare, locking his ice blue eyes with her emerald green ones, "Nyx." Then the Changelings charged.
Nyx woke with a start, his head was fuzzy but he began scanning the room as soon as his eyes had adjusted. Dream Aura lay unconscious a few paces away. Nyx remembered the Changelings getting a few lucky strikes in on Dream Aura, incapacitating her. Then their numbers swarmed over Nyx, dragging him down.
Nyx heard footsteps approaching evenly from around a corner of the hallway and reacted immediately, hoping to appear as part of his role, he jumped over to Dream Aura's side and rolled her over. He brushed her mane out of her face to make sure she was fine when the footsteps resolved into a pony coming around the corner.
Nyx had placed his hoof on the Mare's shoulder, stirring her and looked up to see an Alicorn enter the room flanked by two night guards, bat ponies wearing midnight blue armour, matching the coat of the Alicorn between them. Princess Luna, Nyx ventured to guess. He watched her evenly as she nodded and the two bat ponies veered off to check on the two incapacitated royal guards.
Nyx stepped back though as the princess approached Dream Aura, who was still coming too. He backed up further than necessary, not altogether confident in his abilities to bluff his way past an Alicorn princess.
Dream Aura seemed to panic when she finally came too and realized whom it was over her, "Princess Luna!" she yelped, standing up to bow, "Im sorry I.."
The Princess cut her off with a hoof over her shoulder. "Relax Dream Aura, all is well enough."
Dream Aura's eyes darted back and forth trying to remember everything that had happened. "But I didn't make it to Princess Celestia!"
Luna shook her head, "All is okay. Shining Armour managed to cast a spell that removed the Changelings from Canterlot."
"And Princess Celestia?"
"Fine as are the rest of the ponies present for the wedding. We are just searching the castle for any missing Guards or staff now."
Nyx had continued to back away slowly, the palace was much too dangerous now that everyone would be on high alert. Plus the Changelings had failed in their plans. But he was stopped as the Princess Luna called out to him.
"Halt, Guard!"
"I ah.." Nyx began nervously as the Princess and Dream Aura approached him. "Gotta find my unit now I guess."
"Hold for the time guard, I will thank you properly for saving my student in but a moment."
"Student? Ohhh." Nyx's voice trailed off as he realized Princess Luna was already turned back to Dream Aura. "Buck," he sighed to himself. He was starting to get in way over his head and he couldn't see an easy escape.
"What were those things? And do you know why they were here to begin with?" Dream Aura had begun speaking again to the Princess Luna.
"I have no idea. I have heard rumours of creatures that are described as looking like those but little more than that. Princess' Cadance and Celestia were with them the duration of the attack but I have not yet been able to catch up with them yet and as such.... cannot answer for their motives either."
"Has anyone checked the library yet?" Dream Aura asked, a glimmer of hope in her voice, "We may find information on them there!"
Luna visibly rolled her eyes as she responded, a bit of strain evident in her voice, "Dear sister has us focused on finding wounded and missing so the wedding ceremony can resume."
Lance saw Dream Aura tense a little at this news, apparently he surmised, both the Princess Luna and Dream Aura were unhappy with Princess Celestia's edicts and assumed leadership during this crisis. Useful Information Nyx filed away for later. He knew his window of opportunity was closing, but he knew the library could wait now.
"But what is she thinking!?" Dream Aura stamped her hoof. "We can't just brush off an attack on Canterlot like it's just going to resolve itself and disappear!"
Luna spoke down at Dream Aura, softening her voice. "I know, but we must remember most ponies are comfortable in the herd. Celestia is just seeking to assuage that herd that everything will be alright and that the threat is over."
"But its not over! She is being far too soft and they cannot all be so dense as to fall for that!"
"Dream Aura quiet!" Luna began, her voice raising before she calmed herself again. "She ruled alone for 1000 years without any other princess' assistance. If anyone can control the herd it is her."
She is definitely disillusioned with Celestia's rule, and maybe still bitter about the moon thing, Nyx filed away, also noting how Dream Aura was not even hiding behind a facade her patience was so thin. Interesting Portents indeed, Nyx thought as he wondered if he had inface gotten into the wrong line of work this time around.
Luna breathed deeply and sighed, "Just as I am sure I would have ruled too harshly." Luna's anger was being tempered by logic. "
Dream Aura grumbled but nodded, "Well then what are we doing behind your Sister's back this time Princess?"
Princess Luna smiled slightly, "So you do learn, student. You must go to the castle's Library and look for anything relating to the Changelings. We MUST know more of this new foe!"
Just my Bucking luck, Nyx cursed at himself. But in the few seconds he had he could think of no better plan to get to the library first. "I would like to assist princess.... ermm" Nyx shifted uneasily as both the Princess Luna and Dream Aura stared at him.
Luna began coyly, "You what? This is hardly your area of expertise Guard."
Nyx inhaled deeply and once again regretted not adopting a more complete disguise than a Royal Guards armour, he really didn't want to have to abandon Nyx already. But he stood little choice, letting his breath go he removed his helmet, and shook his head to keep his snow white mane from getting into his face and eyes. "I wish to help Dream Aura your highness. Your library is huge and you can't afford to waste time currently. Not when the rest of the Royal Guard are wasting time for Princess Celestia."
Luna blinked slowly, unsure what to think of a Royal Guard who just criticized his own Princess, but then Dream Aura saved him. "He's right. I could use the help..."
Princess Luna still looked skeptical but nodded after a few seconds. "Very Well." Nyx knew that meant this would be a matter Princess Luna took up with her sister. Meaning he had but a few precious minutes after his job was done to escape.
Luna then began to walk away so Dream Aura and Nyx turned towards their goal, and Nyx went to re-don his helmet as Dream Aura started to walk away.
However, Dream Aura interrupted him, "It was pretty obvious you were uncomfortable back there. If that helmet is a bit stuffy..."
"Oh no, It wasn't the helmet." Nyx began but clipped the helmet onto his armour anyways. "Just never met a princess before."
Dream Aura raised an eyebrow, "But don't you work for celestia?"
"Of course! I was implying that of Princess Luna."
Dream Aura grunted softly, "Yeah we don't get out much during the day."
Nyx grunted in turn and allowed Dream Aura to lead him slightly, having no idea where the library was in this confounded castle.
Dream Aura glanced backwards and laughed after a dozen more paces in silence, "Admiring my flank again Nyx?" She maintained her look over her shoulder at him.
"No! Im used to walking behind my escort! Id Never!"
He was cut short by Dream Aura's laugh again, "Oh relax, you guards are always so amped up for nothing."
Nyx did his best to ignore the jib. "Just lead on Dream Aura." Nyx fumed at himself, first he had allowed himself to get lazy and just don the Royal Guards armour as a disguise, then he backed himself into a corner with some more, and now he had aloud that very mare to get the upper hand along with her Princess.
He could admit though she was a pretty decent sight. And her flank DID have a nice curve to it. Plus she was in an interesting position within the castles hierarchy. Maybe if he wasn't so afraid of the real Royal Guard finding him out he would stick around for long enough to establish a new network under his current guise.
Dream Aura stopped at the entrance to the library wing, and Nyx's eyes went a little wide at the expansiveness of it. He had seen many more books than this in one place before but but none in so extravagant a library as the grandiose Canterlot castle one. Each section had its own alcove or even room depending on how large it was.
"I've never seen a library like this before." He almost stammered.
"What? Dream Aura began, "How have you not been in here before?"
Nyx glanced at Dream Aura, regaining his composure quickly. "What? Oh no um.." He hung his head just enough to appear meek. "Us normal ponies aren't really allowed into the rural areas of the castle while off duty. Have to use the public library."
Nyx could see he played it off just right. Dream Aura was getting both angry and stressed again. "What do you mean 'normal' ponies?"
He dropped his voice low enough to force both of them to lean in. "You know, not Alarcon. Were not exactly on the same level as them."
"They are Equestrians. Just like all of us!"
Nyx scoffed, "Immortal, irreplaceable rulers? How is an average pony supposed to view that? We can't speak against them in any way!"
"Why would you! They rule us justly and fairly!"
"Is that what you would call the treatment of Princess Luna 1000 years ago?"
Dream Aura shifted uneasily, seeing the corner approaching. "That was because she changed into Nightmare Moon, she was evil then."
"Why though!" Lance raised his voice, and placed his head just a few inches above Dream Aura's, hoping to make her begin to feel the helplessness Princess Luna once did. "She told you the story Im sure. She was neglected and ignored by her sister and she couldn't handle it! She was just a shadow who couldn't find comfort in their own kin!"
"Stop it!" Dream Aura yelled, panicking. "Just stop it." Her voice began to return to normal. "Now... We have a book to find. Ill start in Mythology. Please go look somewhere else... Like Biology or something." Dream Aura then began to plod off into the aisles of books.
Nyx smiled to himself. He had found a crack in the dam and stuck his horn neatly into it. The damage to Dream Aura's resolve already evident. With luck the dam would continue to erode away, poisoning the innocence of Luna's chosen. Maybe even the great Princess herself with time.
Nyx looked around the library slowly, he knew exactly what he had to do now. His mission was close to completion thanks to Princess Luna and nothing could prevent him now thanks to Dream Aura. He confidently strode to the room full of history books and scrolls, having already been told where to find his quarry.
Shifting quickly through the aisles Nyx found what he was looking for, 'The Changeling Menace' By the infamous Boltaire. Boltaire's works were never taken seriously due to most literate ponies knowing him as clinically insane, but what they didn't know was that he was insane due to a period of years being held captive by the Changelings, and as such his treatise on them was the most accurate to date.
Nyx held the book lovingly, admiring the amount of knowledge and work put into it. Twas a shame he thought, that it was the last copy he could find anywhere. Such knowledge should be safeguarded for the benefit of the elite and well read everywhere. But alas, he had a job. and with an inkling of magic Nyx lit the book on fire, incinerating the last hope for the ponies of Canterlot to know what they were up against.