An ancient and magical kingdom has succumb to something. First it began with most of the royal families decent into madness... then their near annihlation in a rebellion. Now, the only survivor finds himself in a strange world...
As an aside, if the tags are a turn off, this isn't a clop fic. There will be sex later on, but it won't be a focus except for individual chapters. The Dark, and Gore tags are there as a 'just in case' if it's there, look for it in the chapter title (though I'm not going to say you should skip them, they won't be Gore for Gore's sake).
For hundreds of years an empire has stood strong. Fighting ancient barbaric hordes, demons, cults, and in time their own people. But, as time has told, nothing can last forever.
With a threat unlike anything their entire world had seen, death was certain. Still, they tried to stand. Glory and honor mean nothing, when all it is met with is an unending horde of chaos and destruction. So, as all empires do in time, they fell, as did their species, and their world. Not all hope was lost, the last in his family line, a young prince escaped to a new world. One where magic and intrigue rule everything.
Only time will be able to tell if he is fit to survive in this new world.
The sounds of something going on outside the ruins of the castle echoed all around. Screams, shouts, the crackling of flames, the booms of spells being used and hitting targets, and unhallowed wails that couldn’t have been made by an natural beast filled the air.
The two hardened warriors still cringed at the sounds. First the entire world fell into madness, then this rebellion that just slaughtered indiscriminately. They thought that was the worst, but now… now something else had entered their world.
Now, the deposed and kingdomless Arkantos, and his loyal friend and teacher, Serya ran deep into the depths of the ancient castle of Horithans. The only reason they were here, and not attempting to make a worthless last stand at any of the fortresses that still stood was solely because of something the Oracle had said.
The words ran over and over again like some sick nightmare in Arkantos’ head. ‘Deep in the heart of magic, the lord of flames and war shall finally know peace.’
They had taken it to mean this ancient castle, the ley-lines in the kingdom were thought to have been birthed from an ancient swirling vortex in the depths of the ruins.
“Serya… w-what if this doesn’t work? What if the Oracle lied?” Arkantos finally spoke, glancing to the mage.
“She wouldn’t have… you saw what happened when she spoke, what happened after.” Serya reasoned. “They did… horrible, horrible things to them.” The mage shivered. “No. She wasn’t lying. And… if this doesn’t work, the least we can do is make sure… they have no magic to enter any other domains… if such a thing even exists.”
“Then we die as heroes.”
“Just as we lived, old friend.” Serya nodded, the two continued to traverse the dungeon. Slowly the crackle of wild and pure magic filled the air.
“We’re nearing it, aren’t we?” Arkantos asked.
“Yes… yes we are.” Serya said. “It’s… strange isn’t it? We grew up with magic… were taught it as something simple. But, getting close to a source like this… it’s wonderful.”
“Yeah… it makes me feel… powerful. It’s no wonder it was protected so heavily… hidden from all but the Royal Forces.” Arkantos said. “Thank the Gods they never found it… we may still have a chance.”
‘Destroyed in the depths of flame, the strings of fate no longer bind. Take heed Prince, your struggle has only just begun.’ Her final words said all alone to Arkantos haunted him even more.
They entered the massive antichamber was intricate and had carvings so ancient their meanings were lost to the depths of time.
“Wow…” Serya muttered quietly, the two approaching the well of magic in the center of the room.
“Now… what the hell are we going to do?” Arkantos sighed.
“Well… Prince… theoretically with this amount of power… we could do nearly anything.” Serya said. “Well… one of us could.”
Arkantos looked at Serya.
“It’d require one of us to stay behind… keep whatever spell we’re using active until the other’s through…”
“But couldn’t…” Arkantos trailed off. “You… wish to go back in time?”
“Or send you somewhere far, far away from here… so you can gain help, make sure THIS doesn’t happen somewhere else.” Serya nodded. “Look… Arkantos, you… you have a chance to stop this. You didn’t go insane like your father and mother… You stayed strong, lead us through the rebellion… tried to stand against those abominations. You, YOU can make a difference, not me. I can help you… I can help set things straight.” The older mage sighed. “Arkantos…”
Arkantos just stared quietly, unsure of what he could say or do.
“You have the intelligence, the strength, the charm to survive somewhere else… You could make a difference… and if not, you could make a new life for yourself… fight to defend something you love once again.” Serya said. “I… can’t.”
“No! I’m not leaving you alone to di-”
“ARKANTOS! Listen to yourself! The men out there are giving their lives to defend you! To make sure SOMETHING survives! And that something NEEDS to be you!” Sarya retorted. “So FUCKINGSURVIVE!”
Arkantos stumbled back a little. “S…”
“Prince. You NEED to live! The Oracle said you can make a difference! You can win this for us! DO IT! Don’t think! Just act!”
“I…”
“Why are you scared? Would you rather become a puppet for those things? Those abominations? Or would you rather die knowing you tried to make a difference?” Serya questioned, already channeling the spell. “I know you want to die a hero… Please, remember what…”
“Don’t… don’t bring her up.” Arkantos shook his head. “Fine. Fine! I’ll go through… just… take care Serya. I’ll do this… and at least…”
“Thank y-” Serya was cut off as a dark humanoid shaped beast came charging at them from the blackened corridor. The beast took a swing and cleaved through most of Serya, dropping his body into the pool in the middle of the room.
With no hope of escape, and with the sounds of more of these beasts approaching Arkantos drew his sword. He was prepared to make his final stand.
It was then that the pool began to glow brightly, casting a light all around the room, banishing back the darkness from the beast revealing it to be a twisted undead human. It screeched in pain, clawing at its’ skin, using that moment of weakness Arkantos lobbed it’s head off.
He looked quickly around the room for a way out, and his eyes moved over the dagger his fallen friend had been carrying. He picked it up quickly and noticed that the pool was creating a portal. He took a deep breath and prepared to dive through the portal to wherever it may take him, but he was given no time as another beast, this one being revealed to be a recently deceased royal soldier, tackled him, driving its’ claws deep into his shoulder and causing them both to tumble through the portal.
It was a relatively calm day, Twilight and her friends were out exploring Celestia and Luna’s old castle, just collecting items and seeing what they could find that was hidden away.
“So, anything in particular you want Twilight?” Dash asked as the two dug through the still standing library.
“Books on magic, history, anything that’d be of use in my own library. Just… if it looks big and important, go ahead and grab it.” Twilight said.
“Psshh… I’m sure you say that about everything…” Dash muttered.
“What was that?” Twilight glanced to her.
“Nothing.” Dash shook her head. “I’m just going to go search for some books… nerd.” She flew off, digging through various shelves haphazardly (much to Twilight’s disdain) throwing books down to the ground.
Twilight shook her head slowly exploring the rest of the massive library.
“Twilight, Rainbow Dash! Ah found somethin!” Applejack nearly yelled. The other two mares darted out of the room they were in.
“Where are yooooooooo…. Ooooh shit, what the hell is this…” Dash muttered as they entered a massive room which a portal had now opened up in.
“It just… appeared.” Rarity began. Every one of them was hanging back not sure what the portal was.
The bright green glow of the portal itself reminded them all of changeling magic, so Dash, Applejack, and Twilight were on the offensive. Until two large creatures came tumbling out of the portal, one a pure inky black pony-like beast. The other appeared distinctly to not be a pony, and had the others claw buried in its’ shoulder. The shadow beast leaped off and left the others body behind, turning its’ gaze to the cowering three mares in the corner. It appeared unconcerned with Twilight, Applejack, and Rainbow Dash.
The shadowy beast that now more and more reminded them of Sombra’s shadow beasts took a few steps away from the body only to have a dagger thrust into its’ leg. “Rule… One… make sure I’m dead.” The second creature growled, now revealing itself to be male.
The beast screeched in pain and stumbled over, falling onto its’ face.
“You… evil… disgusting abomination…” The male creature slowly climbed to his feet.
Twilight could see the male creature was bleeding profusely.
His hand began to glow brightly with fire. “You beasts turn into wild animals when thrown against training…” He tentatively stuck his fingers against the wound, biting back his own cry of pain as he primitively sutured the wound. “Then… you ignore the strong, leaving yourselves open.”
The shadowy beast struggled to wrench the glowing dagger from its’ leg.
“H-how…” Rarity muttered.
“I won’t… let you… live… If I die… you die too!” The male creature growled, raising his broadsword with one hand, which surprised all the girls since he had just been bleeding out. He brought it down HARD on the shadowy beast, the shadowy magic dispersing revealing it to be a now completely dead royal soldier. ALL six of the mares turned to not look as his blade cleaved the body in half. “And… i-i-in flame…”
“NO!” Twilight snapped raising a shield around him.
“BE PURGED!”
The pillar of flame broke through the top of her shield and sent him violently into the wall of it. They heard a sickening crack and the scent of burnt flesh filled the air.
Twilight dropped the barrier, she and Applejack rushed to check to see if the male was still alive. All that was left of the other body was a pile of ash, armor, and the two weapons used to kill it.
“H-holy shit…”
“He just saved…” Applejack glanced up to the three cowering mares.
“He’s still alive!” Twilight said quickly, ripping his helmet off. Underneath was something that couldn’t ever be called a pony. “W-what ever he is we need to save him! Dash, you’re the fastest one of all of us, go back to town and alert the hospital that we NEED help now!”
Dash nodded and was off in her usual sonic speed. It wouldn’t be long before he either died due to exhaustion or succumbed to his injury.
“His shoulder’s still bleeding…” Twilight used her magic to press down hard on his shoulder. “Rarity, get his armor off, teleport it somewhere… we need to see what other injuries he has.” She ordered. “Applejack, you help me press down on his shoulder once the breastplate is off.”
“Got it.” Both mares said. Rarity immediately teleported his breastplate off, dropping it nearby, Applejack was pressing down into his bloodied shoulder immediately. “Uuuh… Twi, Ah… Ah think…” Applejack began in a mumble.
“Shit! We’re just making it worse! Get back!” Twilight shoved AJ away, her magic managing to magically staunch his bleeding as well as keep his shoulder intact. “One of you needs to go…”
Thankfully for all of them, Celestia had just come to town, so she and a large contingent of Royal Guards teleported in. Several medical officers rushed to the unconscious being and began to tend to him.
The medical team had carried the unconscious creature back to Ponyville, and he was now under the care of all of the best doctors in town. Twilight and her friends had explained all they could about the situation, and Celestia just listened, unsure of why such a creature would just appear, only to protect somepony he didn’t know and possibly never would have the chance to.
His strange armor, the magic he used, and just how… unpony-like he was were all strange, and it was unheard of for something like this to happen.
But, Celestia could pinpoint just what he was, a human. The only humans she knew of were through the Mirror Portal… where Sunset Shimmer was now. That name caused her to shiver and nearly want to cry. But, this human was too different from them. He had to have come from some other more ancient place.
“We’ll need to watch him. I’ll have guards comb the ruins for any more of those beasts…” She looked to Rarity, Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie. “All of you have should head home.” She then looked to Twilight, “And you should come with me. There’s things we need to talk about.”
“Like what?” Twilight asked curiously.
“What he is. And possibly what he might be here for… though we can’t determine that until he heals back up.” Celestia said, her horn lit up and the entire remaining group (besides the guard) were teleported back to Ponyville. “Twilight, come.” She ordered, separating the violet unicorn from the group.
“What’s wrong Celesti-”
“That creature, is a human. And humans CAN’T use magic. Something’s wrong here, horribly wrong.” Celestia began. “I felt some sort of surge of magic… It was a struggle after the surge to not let the sun dim. And right after that happened, you girls find him, and as you said, he burned the beast to ashes in moments.”
“A moment. Princess… like, he was just controlling fire… like you can.”
“Twilight. I want you to watch him, study him… make sure he isn’t here to harm others. I… I’ll find a way to block whatever magics he has…”
“I know a way to do that!” Twilight said quickly. “I can uuh… use a spell to mimic the effects of a horn dampener. I used it on an amulet… and had uh… Spike test it out. It blocked his ability to breathe fire. It… also messed with my ability to use magic when I put it on. I can make it work on his clothes, or armor… or anything real-”
“He won’t be allowed to wear armor or carry weapons. He appears to be a soldier of some kind. So, giving him anything dangerous would make him a threat.” Celestia retorted.
“Right… um, maybe Rarity can make him some clothes? We ca-”
“Twilight. This isn’t something you can just… befriend… not yet. For all we know, if it-he came through with that shadow beast… he could be an umbrite in disguise. Or gods forbid it, Chrysalis in disguise…”
“But… something so elaborate? Why go through with nearly dying… and wouldn’t th-”
“None of us understand changeling magic Twilight… she revealed herself after hiding for who knows how long. Only because she thought she won.” Celestia shook her head.
“Princess… If I may, I think you’re making a mountain out of a molehill… at least in the regard of him being a threat that we’ve dealt with before.” Twilight stated.
Celestia sighed. “I just… this doesn’t feel right Twilight. And, right after you girls helped defeat Sombra… who knows what’s out there that could be after all of you. And… it doesn’t sit right that the Crystal Empire just… reappeared. Nor that the umbrites just returned… only sending out a few beasts after you.”
“I understand. Look… Maybe we can…” Twilight grimaced at the thought. “Fake befriending him… make him feel open, and if he reveals what he’s here for, and it’s not bad… well, we can make it into a true friendship and help him settle… and if he’s here for something bad… well you’ll know instantly. And… there’s nothing we can do to stop you from making sure he doesn’t harm anypony.”
“Thank you, Twilight… and I trust you and the girls to make a valid judgement on him… don’t let them in on what you’re doing. Especially not Rainbow Dash or Applejack… Just, watch him, and try to learn about him and wherever he’s from. Be safe, please.” Celestia pleaded.
“I’ll stay safe, like I said, I’ll make sure to mute his magic.”
“If you need any help, send me a letter immediately, and I’ll have guards sent out.” Celestia nodded. “Now… why don’t you go rest and relax? You and all the girls deserve some time not doing anything after what nearly happened… I’ll have some of the guards sent to each of their homes to make sure they remain safe.”
“Thank you, Princess.” Twilight smiled slightly as the solar princess a walked away to speak to the captain of the town guard.
Twilight let out a long sigh, fake befriending somepony? Why would she even suggest that? She walked slowly to the hospital, she still wanted to check on the new… human. Make sure he wasn’t being treated horribly. He did protect three of her friends even when he was dying.
When she entered the hospital she was immediately turned away by the guard. “Princess Celestia gave us the order to tell you and your friends if and when he wakes up. For now, he’s undergoing surgery.” The guard stated. “You are to return home, and if you don’t we’re going to be forced to escort you home.”
“Alright… I’ll head home.” Twilight said, rolling her eyes as she turned and left the hospital. Her best bet would be to gather everypony to talk to them about this… but, if she was going to be watching him, then Spike should know first. But… what would she tell him? He didn’t need to know all of the truth, did he?
No he’d be safer just knowing this sta… Man? Man. Knowing this man saved her and her friends lives before succumbing to his injuries. Maybe, if Spike looks up to him and they grow close… it’ll lessen the chance that this human will want to do harm.
Twilight had just returned to her home, and Spike seemed antsy at the constant sight of guards all over the town.
“Twilight! What’s wrong, did something happen?” He asked quickly, running up to his older sister.
“Yes, and we’re all fine.” Twilight nodded. “It’s… something appeared while we were at the old castle.”
“Something… appeared?” Spike asked curiously as the two walked to a table and sat down.
“Celestia called him a human. He… fell through a portal, a shadowy… undead beast came through with him.” Twilight began to explain what happened to Spike, though she kept it more in a better light for the mysterious human.
It was nearly two minutes before Spike could speak, “That’s… amazing! He’s a hero then, isn’t he? Did… Is he still alive?”
“Yes, he is.” Twilight nodding, answering both questions as she smiled. “They don’t know when he’ll wake up… he lost a lot of blood.”
Spike’s face fell. “D… do you think he’ll survive?”
“So… did um, Celestia tell you to do something with him? I mean… she should trust him if he saved your lives right?” Spike tilted his head.
Twilight bit her tongue, she wanted to tell him the truth. It didn’t feel right lying to her little brother… “Yes… she does, but she doesn’t think Equestria will trust him very much… He’s not like anything ever seen before in Equestria… he’ll be staying with us when he’s well enough to leave the hospital.” She began quietly.
“Oh…” Spike nodded. “Well, so long as you, the princesses, and the girls trust him.”
“I trust him… I don’t know about the others though. We… were told to separate and head home. I was going to go talk to them later on… hopefully they feel the same way, and will help to make him feel welcome.” Twilight said, “Why don’t you take the day off? Forget about all your chores… we’ll worry about doing things like that tomorrow… And we’ll get it all done together.” She offered, within a moment she further enforced that by standing up and going over to a nearby drawer, she dug out a bag and filled it up with bits. “Here. You can do whatever you want with these. And… if you need some more, come back and ask, alright?” She smiled slightly to the startled and grinning Spike.
“Alright! Thank you, Twilight!” He grabbed the bag of bits and darted out of the house.
“You deserve it Spike… I’m…” Twilight struggled to keep herself up. “I’m going to go sleep… just… I can’t consciously stand myself…” She mumbled, walking up to her room and collapsing onto her bed. Despite the horrors running through her mind, the what if’s, and… lying to Spike, just to make him feel better… to keep him safe, she managed to pass out within moments… stress and the crash after the adrenaline finally wore off finally caught up with the violet unicorn. She’d come to wish she never fell asleep though...
Twilight felt groggy, and she was still a bit depressed from lying to Spike, and agreeing to only feign befriending the human when he awoke. Even if she intended to break that promise to Celestia, she couldn’t believe that she even thought of that idea. She held her head in her hands, she rested her shoulders on a table and was nearly going to cry. The mixture of depression and the lack of sleep from her horrific nightmare… it was unlike anything she ever felt. She wanted to cry, she wanted to just… waste away in that moment. But she knew that wasn’t an option.
The unicorn NEEDED to gather her friends… and inform them all of what was going to happen with this human. She only wished it was easy… instead she felt like it couldn’t have been any harder...
She came so close to losing her friends today… and she just froze up, she could’ve stopped it, but she just… shut down. She’d fought Nightmare Moon, Sombra, Chrysalis, Discord… but, they at least had some semblance of good in them… (Well sans Sombra and Chrysalis (She at least assumed)), but this… thing. It felt like evil incarnate. There wasn’t good in it. It was just… dead, and… the way it just ignored her, Rainbow Dash, and Applejack… it wanted to do damage, and… she shuddered, it was heading straight for Fluttershy too… and then seeing the decayed body underneath the shadows...
If it weren’t for the human managing to pick himself off… Fluttershy may not be alive anymore.
Her head snapped up to the door as it opened, Rainbow Dash and Applejack both entered.
“Hey…” Twilight said quietly.
“So uuh…”
“You look like shit.” Dash commented.
Twilight didn’t even respond.
“Twi, what’s wr-”
“Celestia doesn’t trust him at all…” She sighed loudly. “I… I can’t lie like this. Not to you two… not to Spike… Not to anypony.”
“What do you me-”
“I lied to Spike when I got home… Told him Celestia trusted the human fully… and t… she… she wanted me to fake being his friend… to make him trust me on a lie.” Twilight shook her head. “I can’t do it!”
“Twi, calm do-”
“Calm down? How can I? I lied to Spike today… and nearly lied to you two! I can’t trick anypony, least of all the stal-man… man that saved Fluttershy back there… not when I froze up… not when I shu-shut down…” Twilight shook slightly. “I… I didn’t do anything… I-I was too scared… th-that thing… couldn’t… SHOULDN’T have been able to exist…”
“Sugarcube… we felt it too. There… wasn’t anythin in that beast. I… It was pure…” Applejack began.
“Evil.” Twilight nodded slowly. “It… It put Sombra to shame… a-and I don’t think that whatever that thing was… as weak as it was there… can ever be matched… I… I saw what it was for a second… a-a rotted body… it took over something dead! I… I tried to sleep by all I dreamt about was… what if…”
“It took over somepony powerful?” Dash began to ask.
The silence in the house was deafening. Neither Applejack or Rainbow Dash really knew what they could say. They… hadn’t thought of that. To both of them, that beast was a one off, something, that unless it was the human that created it, wouldn’t ever exist again.
“Wh… th…” Rainbow Dash wanted to say, ‘What? That’s completely stupid, that beast was obliterated!’ But she couldn’t speak those words.
“T… Twilight, wh… what made yah think about stuff like that?” Applejack asked quietly.
“I… I don’t know it just… that thing… it…” Twilight shook her head slowly. “And then the human… Celestia just seemed so… freaked out by him…”
“Twi, Sugarcube… we’ve dealt with strange things before, look at Zecora, now, Ah ain’t callin her strange. Just our reactions ta her.” Applejack began. “Now, it’s obvious she’s had some bad experiences with humans before. But we ain’t ever dealt with one before. And, who knows maybe he ain’t the same as the humans Celestia dealt with.
“She said clearly, humans can’t use magic. But… he just summoned that wall of fire… burned the undead thing to ash… and it disappated before it could even move closer to them…” Twilight shivered. “If… if he’s able to control fire like that… what’s to say he can’t control more magic?” She put her head in her hands. “But… y-you’re right… we have to give him a chance… but, I’m more scared no-”
“Twilight, just… LISTEN to yourself for a minute. You, the mare who all but forgave Trixie for nearly destroying the town, who was worried about the changelings after they were thrown from town… who tried desperately to befriend the closed off and amnesiac Crystal Ponies… Who tried to convince all of us the Zecora wasn’t bad or evil. FORGET what Celestia said about humans. Learn about them for yourself, that’s one of your many things. Sure, he could be a danger, but he nearly died… it’ll be days at the very least if not months before he’s recovered enough to do anything serious.” Dash stated. “Look, you’re incredibly smart, you’ll figure out a way to make sure everypony is safe around him, and make sure he’s safe around everypony. We’ll all be here to support you, give him a chance. Hell, I’m sure Flutter, Rares, and Pinkie are all waiting for him to come to so they can thank him for saving their lives.” She walked up to Twilight and put her hand on the unicorn’s shoulder.
Twilight let out a long sigh and looked up at the pegasus.
“You need to calm down, nothing bad happened, we’re all alive and safe. We now have a new po- human, to help integrate to Ponyville… hell we get to introduce a new creature to Equestria. If, IF he’s bad, or wants to harm anypony, we’ll have plenty of time to find out if he’s planning anything.”
“You’re… right…” Twilight nodded slowly.
“For once, I know I’m right.” Dash boasted jokingly, trying to lighten the mood. “Now… about this… lying thing.” She began slowly.
“No… no I want Spike to… think he’s good… he doesn’t need to be stressed out about him being potentially dangerous.” Twilight sighed.
“What about…” Applejack began.
“We’ll… tell them what they need to know. That he’s potentially dangerous, and he’s going to be watched… they’re not to be alone with him, and he can’t get ahold of anything dangerous or any weapons.” Twilight returned.
“We shouldn’t tell Fluttershy.” Dash stated firmly. “She… I’ll stay with her until we’re one hundred percent sure he’s good. She’s… stressed out and on the verge of a panic attack already… we don’t want to push her any harder.”
“Yah sure about that?” Applejack questioned.
“From her point of view… two scary beasts came out of a portal, one was nearly about to kill her, Rarity, and Pinkie before it was destroyed by another one… that’s now nearly dead in a hospital in town. We’ll just… tell her if he survives, and that he’ll be under Twilight’s care. If… if she decides to go see him, we’ll let it happen but two of us and some guards will need to be in the room with them. Just… to make sure she’s safe. Hell… keep guards with him, just… as some sort of probationary thing, we wouldn’t be lying to him… hell, if he’s smart, he’ll understand that he’s not something normal here, and maybe he’ll accept that it’s happening to him.” Dash shrugged. “It’s…”
Twilight’s face lit up, “That’s it! That way I can appease the Princess, and I won’t have to lie to him… or fake a friendship with him, and… maybe we can get the town to welcome him too!” She shot up and smiled a little. She then went lax. “If… he survives…” She sighed quietly and fell back into the chair. “Gods… they won’t even let us know if he’s stable… or if he even made it…”
“They have orders to let us know when he wakes up… we’ll just have to make do with that, won’t we?” Dash offered a friendly hug. “So… if you’re having trouble sleeping, did… you want one of us to stay here with you? Make sure everything’s alr-”
“No… no, I’m fine. I’ll… se- Right… Spike’s with Rarity, isn’t he?” Twilight laughed quietly. “I guess I’ll just hope Luna’s watching over me while I sleep.” She smiled slightly. “I’m already feeling a bit better…”
“Look, the offer’s always going to be there. Just… ya know, let somepony know.” Dash smiled back. “I’m… going to go check on Fluttershy, but I’ll swing back around before I head to sleep.”
“Thanks, Dash.” Twilight waved as the pegasus left her house.
“If’n yah need anythin Ah’ll be here ta offer it to yah.” Applejack smiled.
“Thanks, AJ… But I’m fine. Just… a bit hungry now.” Twilight let out a long sigh.
“Yah just stay right there… Ah’ll go make yah somethin.” AJ said, leaving no room for Twilight to fight, even if she wanted to.
“Thank you.” Twilight chuckled as the earth pony vanished into her kitchen. “Gods… I hope Spike’s having a much better night then I was…” She let her head softly hit the table.
Everything had quieted down now, the mysterious ‘human’ as the doctors and nurses were told, was now just unconscious. He had a steady heartbeat after several near flat-lines. They’d come to terms that his core temperature was nearly one hundred and three, and if gave no complications to him and that attempting to drop it lower would risk his heart slowing down and them losing him.
Now, all but the most valuable staff assigned to watch out for him (and those on duty that night) were heading home.
Doctor Blue Shield was sitting in his office running over the various things they’d found. “Other than bone structure... he’s similar to an earth pony… all the muscles and their densities are there… his organs are in the right places… the right sizes for his body…” He ran his fingers through his mane. “Hell… if he were a pony I’d assume he was with the Royal Guard… the scars, the way he’s built…” He shook his head. “What the hell happened to him though? These other wounds on his body… they’re healed magically… but, this one didn’t just seal up then? So… it wasn’t his magic that healed him before… that explains why he needs us… but, what is the princess so scared of? Why does she need Royal Guards constantly watching his bed… He’s barely going to be lucid when he comes to! It won’t take much to restrain him at all, even if we do need to restrain him…”
Blue Shield reclined back in his chair. “I need a damn drink after this… but, something tells me the Guard won’t let me leave… or drink on duty.” The doctor laughed to himself. “Might as well go check on the human… it’s not like his condition will get any worse if I do.” He closed the file and stuck it away before leaving his office.
It had been three long days for the six mares awaiting the human’s return to consciousness. By now, Twilight knew her brother was coming soon to add an extra layer of protection. It seemed like only her and her friends had any hope in the human.
For the past three days all of the mane six had been gathering in Twilight’s home, discussing what they were going to do.
“I wanna throw him a pa-” Pinkie wasn't allowed to finish.
“No. You can't throw him a party. He nearly died! He won't be well enough to move around, let alone handle a loud and hellish party.” Twilight stated.
“Well… what if it's just us and him at the party? It'll make him feel a bit better being in a new place…” Pinkie sighed.
“Maybe. We'll need to see if he's capable of leaving the hospital.” Twilight said, glancing to Pinkie. “But, there is something you cou-”
“Yay! I'll make him plenty of things to eat! The hospital food is icky and tastes baaaad, so he'll love some sweets!” Pinkie jumped up, “I'll start now!” And with that she vanished.
“Twilight… darling, are you SURE that was a good idea?” Rarity asked.
“No. it was a terrible idea. But, it'll keep Pinkie occupied.” Twilight shook her head. “Now we won't have to hear ‘party’ every ten seconds.”
“It wasn't every te-” Dash was cut off.
“I was counting.” Twilight chuckled. “Now, what other things can we do?”
“Maybe we could… I dunno, talk to him while he's still in the hospital? Get a little bit of what he likes and surprise him?” Fluttershy offered.
“That's a great idea!” Twilight smiled.
“Of course I'll make him something to wear… it's honestly the least I can do. And it'll make him presentable to Ponyville.” Rarity said.
“Why not give him a tour of town when he's clothed? It'll get him out there and maybe ponies will open up ta him?” Applejack suggested.
“All great ideas!” Twilight nodded.
Dash was quiet for a bit longer. “Why don't we just start by letting him rest in a real bed before hauling him around like a trophy? Yah know… that's what I’d want after nearly dying. The hospital beds suck horribly so an actual comfortable bed without ponies coming to poke and prod him would feel amazing.” Dash stated. “Give him a day or two to get adjusted to only a few ponies, and Spike, before dragging him out to be gawked and looked at like a freak.”
All of the other girls fell silent.
“D-dash…” Fluttershy stammered.
“I'm not saying he's a freak. Look, he's new to all of Equestria, and all the ponies in town know is, because he's here, there's more guards. It'll be a HORRIBLE first impression. So let's let things cool off and tell him what he could expect to happen so he isn't taken aback.” Dash explained.
“That’s…” Rarity choked out.
“Wow.” Applejack murmured.
“An amazing idea actually… Wow, I… when did you start coming up with ideas like that?” Twilight joked. “I… agree, that’s what we should do.” She smiled.
Dash smiled a little more. “Great.”
“So… it’s settled, once he’s able to leave the hospital, I’ll let him rest here for a few days. All of you are allowed to come visit him of course.” Twilight smiled widely as she slowly stood up. “I’ll ask Spike to get a room ready for him.”
“But he isn’t even awake yet.” Rarity commented.
“It can’t hurt to be ready!” Twilight retorted.
“You’re right but… I think you’re rushing things a bit…” Fluttershy commented.
Twilight stopped. “Maybe I am… but I want to waste no time with this, it’s just… amazing, not only do WE get to introduce a new species to the world… but, there’s no language barrier, and he’s almost like all the other species on our planet! Only just… hairless except for his head… and he can use magic without a horn… I wonder if his species can fly…” Twilight murmured. “How would they fly? Flying without wings is just silly…” She mumbled, walking off towards one of the many shelves of books in her home. She dug around attempting to locate any books on foreign cultures. “What do you girls suppose his species believes in? What do they even eat? Hm… do they even eat? I should…” Twilight trailed off as she thought about what the princess said. “No… no… she wouldn’t know…” She muttered quietly, suddenly feeling a lot less peppy. She let out a long sigh, slowly walking back to the table.
“What’s wrong?” Fluttershy asked.
“Just… you both were right, I’m getting ahead of myself.” Twilight replied, trying her best to smile a little.
“That can’t be wha-”
The door to Twilight’s home was thrown open by a guard. “The human’s woken up!” Was all he said, causing all five mares to jump up and rush to the hospital.
Celestia had only just arrived back in Canterlot, having spent a day to make sure the human wasn’t just waiting for an opportunity to strike.
She’d already lost one student to a human world… she wasn’t risking Twilight. It wasn’t worth it for her. She was quiet and somber as she entered the castle, but she was utterly surprised by seeing Luna wide awake and clearly agitated. “Sister. Something seriously wrong.” Luna stated.
“What do you mea-”
“The utter terror and nightmares coming from Ponyville, did… did something happen to one of the elements? Did undead attack Ponyville… was there an ape uprising?” Luna began to fire off questioned.
Celestia’s face scrunched up. “Whoever you were viewing dreams for that had those nightmares STAY OUT OF THEIR DREAMS!” The solar princess ordered, causing Luna to back down immediately. “You, and every other pony in Equestria are NOT to do anything to help him, whoever he is, until I DETERMINE HE’S FIT TO REMAIN HERE!”
“S-sister… what’s…”
“DO YOU UNDERSTAND ME?” Celestia questioned.
“Y-yes… Sister. I understand.” Luna muttered. “But…”
“Good.” Celestia strode off. “I’ll be back down soon. You are relieved of your duties. I need a bit more time to think about all of this.” She sighed quietly, cringing a little bit as she finally entered her room and was completely alone.
“Gods… Twilight… Rainbow Dash… Applejack… All of you. Please, be smart around him… at least until we know what his plans are… Please, please let him truly be good…” She muttered quietly as she collapsed onto her bed.
As of now, the girls decided to enter one at a time, (sans Pinkie as they’d told the guard to not alert her. Chances were pretty damn good she’d know anyway, but they wanted him to at least be prepared for her insanity.) so Twilight was the first to enter the room. She was kept under the watchful eye of the guards in the room whom stayed back just far enough to give a feeling of safety to anypony who entered the room, while making sure the human wasn’t on edge from the heavily armed guards constantly hovering nearby.
Twilight was waiting patiently for the nurses attending him to finish up. She didn't have to wait too long, and soon she pulled a chair to his bedside.
Her heart sunk as she saw how terrible he looked. It was like even medically unconscious and ‘sleeping’ he didn't get any rest. It was as if he was plagued with nightmares. That was on top of him looking utterly drained, though he had the smallest smile on his face as the nurses left, leaving a tray of food, and a glass of orange juice along with some pills for him to have when he felt ready to eat or drink.
“Hi there.” Twilight said quietly, trying not to give him a headache.
“H-hello.” He looked to her now, “Are… y-you another nurse or doctor?” He asked quietly.
“No, I’m not, don’t worry.” Twilight assured, smiling down at him. “I’m Twilight Sparkle…” She introduced herself. “I’m one of the mares you saved from that beast. Though… the one you actually saved is waiting outside.”
“Ma- Right… I’m not in the Emp-” He trailed off for a moment and his smile quivered. “I’m Arkantos Reichthad… Arkantos or even Ark works just fine though.” He laughed weakly.
“It’s nice to meet you Arkantos.” Twilight said. “I’d like to be the first to welcome you to Equestria… I’m sorry it all began in such a terrible way though…” Her ears drooped for a second.
“If you believe that’s the worst thing that could’ve happened, missy…” He coughed softly. “You’re sorely… and thankfully mistaken. I’m happy I’m alive… but, before anything else happens… did… another human, or… b-body come through after me? Or… s-somewhere nearby?”
“No… why, could there be another of th-”
“Then… his body was consumed by the spell…” Arkantos sighed, looking up at the ceiling.
“Who’s body?”
“My best friend’s.... The one who allowed me to escape hell.” Arkantos closed his eyes.
Twilight’s face fell. “Oh…”
“There’s… nothing that can be changed.” He said, smiling up at here again, this one seeming genuine despite the obvious emotional pain he was in. “At least those beasts won’t have a hold of his body… he’s resting somewhere better.”
“I hope he is…” Twilight reached a hand out and touched his shoulder. “You’re alive, that’s what matters, right?”
“Yeah…”
“I… don’t know what it’s like to lose a close friend, it must be horrific… but… here, in Ponyville you’ll at least have a few friends to begin with. And a place to stay.” She smiled slightly. “I already have a room ready for you when you’re feeling well enough to leave… of course, you’ll have a guard escort… I ho-”
“It’s fine… believe me when I say that this… whole procedure I’ve dealt with from both sides before… though never with a new world.” Arkantos assured. “They’re doing their jobs, and I wouldn’t expect to go unwatched.”
“That’s a relief… I was sure you’d be more freaked out by being watched.” Twilight sighed. “The Princess was so worried you’d do something… but, looking at you now…”
“It’s a wonder I’m awake.” He sighed. “I know.”
“Are you hungry or thirsty?” Twilight asked. “Or… did you want to be al-”
“Yes to your first question… and no. Please, I… need someone friendly nearby right now…” Ark said quietly, “Especially if I fall asleep again…” He shivered.
Twilight’s face fell again. “Um… I’ll send somepony in… just I need to send something out. Um…” She glanced to the guards motioning them closer. “Keep an eye of Fluttershy alright… I…”
“We doubt it too.” The guards nodded. “Don’t worry Miss Sparkle, we’ll keep an eye on her and if anything happens we’ll get her out.”
“Thank you.” Twilight smiled slightly as she stood up. “I’ll talk more with you later… I’ve been having trouble sleeping the past few days too. Maybe talking will help us both?” She offered.
“That’d be great.” Ark smiled up at her.
Twilight left the room, motioning to Fluttershy, “He’s very nice… at least from the little conversation I had. I have to go send a message directly to Luna. Now… I want Fluttershy to go in there. He’s… lonely even with the guards. But, I’m suuuure if all of you behave and don’t try to talk all at once… he wouldn’t mind more friendly ponies in the room. Just he might freeze up… if he does, my brother told me, just… let him calm down, but a friendly touch or kind words might work wonders for bringing him down.”
“Yay!” Fluttershy smiled, now both her and Rarity entered the room.
“What… are you sending a letter to Luna for?” Rainbow Dash asked.
“He’s having nightmares… like, he doesn’t look like even passed out he wasn’t sleeping well… which, shouldn’t happen…” Twilight shook her head.
“W…” Applejack murmured.
“Maybe Luna can help him out by finding the root cause of his nightmares… It’s… strange though. I’d think she’d already be trying too… and why hasn’t she made her presence known to him?” Twilight muttered. “Is… Celestia actively trying to get him to fail? No… no, she wouldn’t do that… would she? D-do I even know her?” Twilight continued to mumble to herself as she left the hospital.
“Should we… stop her?” Dash glanced to Applejack.
“No. No, we shouldn’t. Let’s… go talk ta this human. That’s what she’d like us ta do… let’s let her do what she needs ta do.” Applejack shook her head, walking into the hospital room.
Luna sighed quietly as she lay awake in her room, she was attempting to decipher what was causing her sister to be so angry. Her long and deep thoughts were interrupted as a letter appeared over top of her and dropped right down onto her bed. “Hm? Why is Twilight sending me a letter?” She muttered.
She slowly opened it up and examined the contents.
‘Princess Luna. Recently a human arrived in Ponyville, he saved both my life, and my friends lives while nearly giving up his own. He suffered heavy blood loss, and has been unconscious for the past three days, but, when I saw him awake for the first time today he seemed tired, even well beyond the blood loss. I was wondering if maybe you could help him out with sleeping… maybe make his nights dreamless, or if you can’t for whatever reason Celestia maybe you could teach me how to enter dreams? I mean… it’d be nice to learn more from you. And I too have been having nightmares since I saw the beast that came through with him… I think maybe if I help solve his nightmares… it’ll solve mine. I’m awaiting your response in whatever measure you can provide, I hope it’s good and Celestia didn’t get ahold of this letter… She seemed, hateful towards him, even though we know nothing about him. Did… something happen between Celestia and humans in the past, or… is it just she’s scared of something else that happened? If you don’t know that’s fine… I just, hope we can make her see that maybe, he isn’t bad. Your friend, Twilight Sparkle.’
“Oh my… Twilight.” Luna sighed softly. “Mmm… For now, I desire to calm Celestia down… maybe just listening to her directly will be helpful for that… but…” She tapped her chin before standing up. “Commander Nightingale!” She called.
Within moments the Bat Pony commander appeared before her, “Yes Mistress? What will you have of me?”
“I want you and a few other special officers to go to my old quarters… each of them. And locate my manuscripts on dreams and the dream world. Deliver them directly to Twilight. Let no other guards know of your mission, as my sister will surely disapprove of it and order you to stop.”
“We do n-”
“For now, you and all the bat ponies will, unless it’s to terrorize any inhabitants of Ponyville, regardless of species. When sister’s calmed down a touch more, I’ll talk to her about her recent actions. But until then, find those manuscripts and any magical documents hidden away. Deliver them directly to Twilight Sparkle, and if she needs anything else of you and your team, you are to do it promptly.”
“Yes Mistress! We’ll leave before the sun sets today. And if all goes well, we’ll have them to her by sun up tomorrow.” Nightingale saluted.
“Good. Your speed and efficiency are exactly why you’re the commanding officer. Now, good luck on your misson.” She saluted back as the commander left the room. “But, you’re far too serious…” She chuckled softly, soon a pen and paper appeared in her hand.
Celestia must have been monitoring her magic (but not her orders as the entire tower Luna lived in was blocked from any outside ears) as she appeared inside the room within moments. “What are yo-”
“Twilight’s having nightmares. I’m just telling her as per your all encompassing decision, I can’t help her. She also asked how I was doing, is it suddenly a new crime to talk with her since I’m not allowed to leave Canterlot because of you?” Luna challenged, sitting down at her desk.
Celestia sighed. “No… no it isn’t. Luna, I… want to appologize to y-”
“Sister. I’m not the one who needs an apology. I know what you’ve given up in the past to protect Equestria, and you just don’t want to lose Twilight and her friends. But, she doesn’t see it that way. Especially after… what was it? They met Zecora? Quite strange how having her make friends made her want to make friends and make others feel more welcome, isn’t it?” Luna mused quietly. “I have no desire to anger you, or put any more stress into your life. So, as of now, Ponyville is out of my hands… come what may.”
“Luna that’s…”
“If I remember your exact words were.... Whoever you were viewing dreams for that had those nightmares STAY OUT OF THEIR DREAMS! You, and every other pony in Equestria are NOT to do anything to help him, whoever he is, until I DETERMINE HE’S FIT TO REMAIN HERE!” Luna mimicked Celestia’s outburst from a few days ago. “Am I right?”
Celestia’s bit her lip. “He’s…”
“He’s what? Nearly dead in a hospital now? How can he cause harm. You and I both know, we’re most vulnerable when we sleep. It’s hard to hide anything from your unconscious mind. And I can tap into that. But, since you’re all knowing I’ll just stay back. Hopefully we won’t miss anything of importance because of you being petty, Sister.” Luna finished writing her letter to Twilight and sent it off via a spelll. “Now. If you’d please, I don’t desire any extra stress. Since my return, I’ve been trying to help as many ponies as possible with their sleep… and you’ve cut off the closes group of friends I’ve ever had. So, I wish to sleep.” She stood up. “Good day Sister. If you’re lucky I may see you at dinner.” Luna waved Celestia off, teleporting the solar Princess out of her room. “You won’t be.” She destroyed the letter Twilight sent her, making sure Celestia wouldn’t catch wind of any plans that she was making.
Twilight was half way back to the hospital when the letter was teleported to her.
“Already?” Twilight muttered.
‘Dear Twilight Sparkle: Sister is having a hissy fit over this human. I cannot help him. I wish for her to realize how horrible a mistake this is… so if ponies start having nightmares, do make sure to send a letter to my sister for every single one until she’s forced to change her mind and realize she isn’t a dictator. But, seeing as I can’t help you directly… I have a select force of my highest ranking guards scouring my various hovels and homes for anything that can help you get into the dreamworld. Knowing your magical prowess you should come close to besting me… if you were fifteen years younger. You are twenty four, right? My… I believe I missed somepony’s birthday. Please do tell me if I did, and I’ll try to make it right. One final thing, when the guards arrive, direct Nightingale to remain in Ponyville… he’s been working every day since I came back, and he needs a break. What orders you give him is your choice. I hope to hear from you again soon, and do tell me how useful you find my research and books. Your loving friend Luna.’
Twilight’s face lit up, she didn’t actually expect Luna would teach her how to enter her domain! Celestia didn’t even attempt to teach her how to control heat and fire, telling her own student she wasn’t gifted in all magics, just arcane. “Sweet!” She cheered quietly, making sure to destroy the letter so no pony would know what was to come. “Hmm… hopefully he won’t mind a late night visit… I’ll need to discuss it with the hospital staff and guards though…” Twilight muttered, moving quickly to the hospital. She had something new she could do for her new friend… and she was going to try her hardest to make it work.
It was later on in the night, Twilight and Arkantos were alone (as much as the guards and constant presence of doctors and nurses would allow) in the room. By now, the basic introductions for all of her friends (including Pinkie who had just shown up out of the blue, though thankfully she entered normally for once), as well as Twilight explaining what they did.
Now that the two of them were alone, and he at least had something to eat and drink, he felt a bit more peppy and open to talking. At least to her, it seemed like her initial interaction with him did a number on any walls he had built for strangers. Though, that was far from reality.
“So… um, Arkantos, since you’ve learned a lot about us…” Twilight began.
“You want to know a bit about me.” Arkantos said. “I… guess I can give you a little. What did you want to know?”
“What did you do for a living?” She inquired.
“I was a professional soldier. Mounted division mainly… I guess it’s similar to a knight… but we felt that sort of classification was outdated hundreds of years ago. My specific division were trained for heavy city and town combat… We’d fight through cities and towns, rescuing civilians, and fighting our enemies where they’d least expect it to happen. We’d also carry around lightweight artillery… namely hand cannons, a… recent ish invention.” He let his head fall back.
“Professional… soldiers? Why would you need such a thing?” Twilight asked. “I mean… sure, our guards are trained to fight but… the last time Equestria fought any wars were years and years ago… Hell, I was sure there was some sort of push to do away with combat training entirely...”
“That’s a horrible idea… sorry, it’s just, if no one can fight…. Then your enemies who can still fight and will fight may face little resistance if they decide to attack…” Arkantos said, eliciting a few laughs from the guards. “Despite the peace back when my home still… existed… we had something similar, a few towns out in the wildlands tried going without a military presence to protect them… a neighboring empire believed that was what all of our nation was doing…” He began quietly. “It… we were far too late to save any of them.” He shook his head. “Peace doesn’t mean a damn thing unless the entire world is united. Even then… there will always be those who want something. They’ll always find a way to get it.”
“You… must think about that a lot.”
“I had to. My parents… toted me around like a puppet. Since I had the trust of the military… rising through the ranks before it was revealed who my parents were…” Arkantos said.
“Who… were your parents?”
“It means nothing here… or anymore, but they were king and queen. It was under the behest of my uncle that I not be raised in the palace… and well, it saved my life more than once. And it gave me a perspective that helped to make me beloved by a lot of people. I guess… a prince acting like a common person… it was something new and strange. But… that’s my past life, the only thing that matters from that is what I’ve learned… and what I can do.” He shook his head.
“Wow…” Twilight muttered.
“It’s… eye opening. Seeing the world from both sides… climbing to the top… only to be dropped right back down into the pit.”
“I guess so… Um, if you don’t mind me asking… what’s magic like in your world? I see you don’t have a horn…”
“There’s various ways actually.” He began to sit up, resting his back against the headboard of the hospital bed. “Nnn…” He groaned. “Some use staves… wands, I’ve seen magic cast through weapons. Shields can even help with some spells. The most common ways though are hands… vocal magics, spell books, and scrolls. There’s also drawings and incantations but… those are too similar to vocal magics and spell scrolls that I’ll just lump them together.” He explained.
“Hands casting magic… vocal magics… I mean some races in Equus use wands and staves… I’ve seen some old spell books that can be used to cast magic… and scrolls are a no brainer but… is it… possible? Don’t you need a focal point?”
“For some magics I’ve been taught… yes. Most though, as long as you know the proper amoung of energy to expend… you can use your hands to cast it. And… hands is really a light term. You could use your entire body to cast it. I’d… show you but, with blood loss comes a severe lack of mana for me…”
“Mana?” Twilight inquired.
“It’s an innate magical energy. There’s… different types of energies. It is theoretically possible to transfer one type into another but… that’s out of my grasp. Even in my prime… I’m not a mage. Not by a looooong shot.” He laughed.
“But… that fire you used to…”
“Mages study magic their entire lives… well, mages and wizards both do. But mages are more… practical. Putting their magics to use, as opposed to just studying it for gods know how long… I think there was a wizard that was ‘employed’ and I use that very lightly… he was at least… nine hundred years old? Hadn’t done a single good thing for the empire since I was born… just sort of drained resources and kept himself alive.” He shook his head.
“Mmm… sounds completely useful.” Twilight laughed. “So… what does that make you then?”
“Sometimes I was called a spellblade… But I prefer the classical term of ‘Elementalist’ the… natural elements just sort of ‘spoke’ to me on a deep level. The passion of fire… the unmoving stoicism of the earth, the smooth rhythmic dance of the water, and the all encompassing freedom of the air. It’s… something unreal when you feel it all for the first time.” He sighed, remembering a fond memory.
Twilight bit back her first instinct. She wanted to see it, to… actually experience another race’s magics. But she knew that was out of the question right now.
“Tell me something… and I want the honest truth. Not… a half truth.” He looked to her.
“Hm?” Twilight looked up at him.
“What do you plan to do with me?” He asked quietly. “Not… just befriend me, or helping me get better… You’re smart. I’m sure you know what I mean.”
“I… don’t really have a choice in that matter.” Twilight sighed. “I’m going to have to mute your magic… one of our rulers feels as though it could be a threat. And…”
“I don’t blame her really.” Arkantos said, looking up at the ceiling and trailing off. “Not… at all. I… need some sleep. Thank you for spending so much time with me Twilight…”
Twilight’s face fell slightly. “I…”
“Will I see you again tomorrow?” Arkantos turned to look at her.
“Of course! I’d be happy to come see you again. Hopefully tomorrow you’ll be closer to being able to leave the hospital.” Twilight smiled.
“Hopefully.” Arkantos chuckled. “I’ll see you tomorrow then Twilight.”
Twilight had just gotten home to see ten bat ponies gathered in the main room of her library. “Twilight Sparkle?” One of them asked.
“Yes… you must be-”
“Our names don’t matter. Spike’s been… taken care of. Don’t worry about him, he’ll wake up tomorrow not remembering any of us being here. Nor will any of the other guards.” The first bat pony spoke. “Our commander is waiting for you down in your lab. All the things we were able to gather have been deposited behind the front desk.” He stated. “The commander has one of the Mistress’ diaries with him, he felt as though you’d want to see it first. As for test subjects…”
“Woah, woah… What the hell do you mean test sub-”
“We were unable to obtain any, as that wasn’t the mission. You’ll have to find volunteers yourself. We need to return to Canterlot and await our next mission.” The bat pony replied, before he and the other nine bat ponies left her home, vanishing into the night.
“Volunteers… test subjects? Is… all they think of work?” Twilight muttered, shaking her head as she slowly walked down into her basement. Down there a single stallion was sitting, awaiting her arrival.
“Ah, hello there.” He greeted. “I’m Commander Nightingale.” He stood up and introduced himself.
“It’s nice to meet you.” Twilight smiled. “So… um…”
“I’m sorry for the curtness of my comrades… If you’re worried about Spike, they bribed him into silence. The guards in town just sort of ignore us anyway.” Nightingale said.
“Ah… well, I figured if you had hurt Spike…” She began slowly.
“The Mistress would skin us all alive.” Nightingale said. “We’d never hurt somepony unless they were a threat… and Spike is… well…”
“A baby dragon.”
“A ponified baby dragon. He’s more harmless than a sheep.” Nightingale sighed.
“He is n-...” She just sighed.
“Now.” He stood up, “What are your orders?”
“Go get some rest, tomorrow you’ll be helping both me and my friends out… I have to look over all of the things you brought to me… It’ll be a while before I can truly figure this all out…” She said. “Hmm…”
“Well… The Mistress wanted you to begin with this.” He directly handed her the journal. “She said it’d be the biggest boon to you.”
Twilight looked down at the ancient book, she laughed quietly, “Well… I guess I know where I’m starting then. Thank you.” She smiled slightly.
“You’re welcome.” He smiled back as he slowly walked up out of her lab. “I’ll see you in the morning.”
Twilight had sat down and opened the journal, already not paying any attention.
Both Spike and Nightingale had come downstairs to a strange (at least for Nightingale) sight. Twilight had pages upon pages of notes and she showed no signs of stopping.
“Why… why did you give her things to research?” Spike groaned. “Now she’ll never stop!”
“I was orde-”
“I need to go! I promised today I’d talk with Arkantos again!” Twilight suddenly shot up, though she wobbled slightly.
“Twilight you should-”
“Spike…” She used her magic to roll up the scrolls of notes before neatly stacking the books and scrolls. “Before I get back, put these up in my room. And if you get the chance, try to get one of the girls to come spend the night. You’re free to stay! I need to test something tonight!” Twilight grinned widely. “This is all just so amazing!” She giggled. “I’ll be back in an hour or so. Shouldn’t be too long. And, Nightingale, you can go out and familiarize yourself with the town. Go… make some friends or something, too much on my mind to think… Can’t break my promise to Arkantos…”
“Miss Twilight… you shouldn-”
“Don’t dude… Just don’t. She’s a lost cause right now… just go do what she asks.” Spike sighed quietly as the violet unicorn rushed out of the house. “It’s best for all of us.”
“She’s going to pass ou-”
“Probably. She’ll come back with a headache, and sleep for the rest of the day. Probably the rest of the night too.” Spike shook his head.
Nightingale sighed. “Vacation… my sorry a-” He cut himself off as Spike stared at him. “Forget I started to say that. I’ll go out and… ‘make some friends’. If I don’t return, know that I failed, and I won’t be coming back.”
“W-what?” Spike mumbled quietly.
“It’s a joke. I’ll be back by tonight at the latest.” The bat pony shook his head as he walked out of the house too, leaving Spike all alone.
“Great… juuuuuuusssssstttttttt great… and I wanted to go see him today…” The dragon pouted as he gathered up the scrolls and books. “Dumb work… stupid books…” He grumbled, carrying them all upstairs one at a time.
When Twilight entered Arkantos’ room he seemed to be doing much better, he was eating and drinking on his own, though right now the guards were out of the room, clearly trying to give him some privacy.
It seemed every living things BESIDES Celestia was beginning to realize he wasn’t bad. And, well the guards heard his talk with Twilight the night before.
“Good morning Twilig- Are… you alright? Did I get you sick?” Arkantos asked quickly as he saw the bags under her eyes and the tired smile on her face.
“No! No. I’m fine. Just… tired. I was up all night, Princess Luna sent me a lot of things… once I started reading one, I couldn’t stop.” Twilight laughed quietly. “Thank you for worrying though.” She smiled warmly at him, taking his hand as she sat down beside him.
Arkantos sighed quietly. “That’s good.” His smile was a bit brighter then the day previous.
“What did you want to talk about today?” Twilight asked curiously.
“Actually… I just wanted someone friendly nearby.” He closed his eyes for a moment.
“Oh! Well, I can do that… just if we aren’t tal-” She cut herself off as he put one of the many pillows on the bed nearby for her to use.
“I’m still tired… just waking up to eat and drink.” Arkantos smiled slightly, hoping she’d understand.
“My… a nap sounds amazing.” She glanced to the doorway for a moment. “Why don’t I go inform the guards so we don’t get disturbed? And…” She trailed off for a moment and shook her head. “Sleeping anywhere would be nice.” She laughed as she stood up and let go of his hand. “Try not to fall asleep without me.” She grinned. The unicorn stood up and walked to the door, she did inform the guards, and they nodded, making sure to keep the door secure. They did ask her to call or shout if she needed anything… but, the moment she slid back down into the chair, both her head and Arkantos’ hit the pillows, both passing out in moments. Looking as they did had anypony walked in without knowing either of them… they could’ve been mistaken for a couple.
It was nearly four hours before Twilight and Arkantos woke up. Immediately Twilight was surprised to feel Arkantos’ hand on the back of her neck. “Just… hold up a bit, I know how uncomfortable sleeping like that is.” He assured softly, a warmth flooded her neck as he muscles and nerves relaxed. She let out a long and happy sigh.
“Oh gods… you said you were a soldier? Why not a masseuse?” She teased.
Arkantos just chuckled.
“Gods… I hope we can make Princess Celestia see you aren’t bad… This… just continues to make me regret having to block off your magic…”
“This isn’t really magic per se. I can naturally adjust my body temperature. Even cut off from magic completely… it’s uuh… useful. If I desired I could quite literally ignite myself… why I’d want to is well beyond me.” He shook his head. “Especially with you around.” He sighed quietly, removing his hands from her.
She glanced back to him for a moment and blushed a little. “Hopefully… within the next few days you’ll be free of that bed.” She smiled slightly, slowly standing up. “Who knows, you might also be welcomed by Celestia too… we can only really hope though, can’t we?”
“We can hope.” He nodded.
“Oh… um two poni- well a pony and a dragon might be coming to visit you…” Twilight began.
Arkantos immediately froze up and he started sweating. “D-dragon?”
“Oh! Oh, don’t worry… he’s my assistant he’s still very much a baby. Barely more then four feet tall.” Twilight assured. “He’s… well, despite not even meeting you, already looking up to you. He sees you as a hero for what you did… so I don’t think it’s really a good idea to keep him away any longer.” She explained, putting a hand on his shoulder to calm him down.
“A… alright.” Arkantos took in a few deep breaths.
“I’ll tell him to be careful around you, don’t worry… but once you’re out you will be dealing with him a l-”
“No. No it’s fine… Just didn’t expect a dragon.” He shook his head.
Twilight smiled and was about to speak before the door opened up and the two they were just talking about walked in.
“Twilight! I was worried, you said you’d be coming home a few hours ago!” Spike said as he ran in and hugged Twilight tightly.
“I got a bit worried too, but I had a chat with the guards outside.” Shining Armor chuckled. “So this is the uuh… human, that saved my sister and her friends.” He approached the bed and looked down at Arkantos. “I’m…” He paused for a moment deciding what exactly he should tell the human. “Shining Armor.” He introduced himself.
“It’s nice to meet you Shining Armor. I’m Arkantos.” Ark introduced himself.
“It’s great to finally meet you!” Spike hopped up onto the chair beside Arkantos. The human was still a bit tense when he first saw Spike and Shining took instant notice of it.
“L-likewise.” Arkantos nodded slowly, giving the small dragon a smile. His initial apprehensions of seeing a dragon faded as he saw that Spike was only around three feet tall. He was by all accounts a baby. “What did you do back in your old home?” He started questioning Arkantos.
Shining took a seat nearby but he was content to let Spike grill Arkantos.
“I’ll see you both later tonight.” Twilight smiled, waving as she walked out of the hospital room.
All of her friends had gathered in her home, trying to deduce why the bat pony had dragged them all here.
Well, all of them except for Fluttershy who was actively blushing and shooting him the occasional glance.
Nightingale had left the five mares alone and they all pounced on the shy and reserved pegasus. Fluttershy reeled back from her friends, trying to escape before the questions started.
“You don’t have to run darling!” Rarity said quickly. “We just want to know if you two know each other.”
“No! I’ve never met him before today…” Fluttershy shook her head.
“But…”
Fluttershy shook her head again.
“You think…”
“Yes! I think he’s cute… he was really nice when he talked to me… and well, he walked with me here.” Fluttershy said quietly. “Does it matter if I do? Rarity’s been inviting Big Ma-”
“Hmph. If I could be with him I would. But…” Rarity crossed her arms.
“Flutters… Big Mac’s gay.” Applejack put a hand on Fluttershy’s shoulder.
“Would you let hi-” Applejack, Rarity, AND Rainbow Dash covered her mouth.
“Don’t even say it Pinkie!” Rainbow Dash said.
Fluttershy’s blush grew much brighter and she completely covered her face up.
Pinkie broke free. “Would you let him take you out on a date?” She asked before the three other mares could cut her off.
“Mmm...n….nnnn… Yes…” Fluttershy mumbled quietly. Her face reddened even more as she saw the exact stallion they were talking about standing behind Rainbow Dash, though he just smiled at her, causing her to instantly relax.
“Well! Go out with him then!” Pinkie said. “He’s a workaholic, so you’re gonna have to catch him off guard with it…”
“Workaholic? He’s inept! He was actin-”
“What was I doing?” Nightingale stretched. “Sorry, had to go check on some things.” He cracked his back and wings and neck. Rainbow Dash tensed up as she realized he was behind her and had been for an unknown amount of time. “I only really heard that I’m a workaholic… somepony wants to go out with another pony, and that I’m inept. I’d have to agree with only one of the two things that involved me.”
“H-how long have you been… t-there.”
“Eh, thirty seconds.” Nightingale shrugged. “So, I’m going to inform all of you that Miss Twilight Sparkle will be investigating her abilities with dream magics tonight… and you five will help her out, of course, if you agree to.”
“What about yo-”
“The only one who I’ll willingly allow access to my dreams is the Mistress.” Nightingale yawned.
“And why is that?” Rainbow Dash crossed her arms.
“Because, Dash, he’s a high ranking official inside the Lunar Guard. He knows things we shouldn’t know. And it’d put me in danger if I found out.” Twilight stated, startling everypony except Nightingale.
“Correct. Now, if she were a Princess, or my superior I’d have no choice but to let her see them.” Nightingale said, walking between the group. He didn’t pause as he passed Fluttershy but he did smile at her again, “I’ll be back later… I still have to complete my other task.” He sighed. “Off to find a ‘friend’.” He chuckled before he vanished out into the door.
All of her friends turned to look at Twilight.
“Well… I’ll ask you now, are you girls alright if I investigate your dreams? I won’t breathe a word of what I see in them if you don’t want me to.” Twilight began.
“Of course it’s alright!” Rainbow Dash grinned. “It was only a matter of time before you wanted to see how awesome my dreams were too.” She chuckled.
“It’s fine, darling. We all trust you enough.” Rarity smiled.
Twilight smiled at all of her friends. “Thank you all so much… I hope i can do this right though…” She sighed.
“If you can’t?” Pinkie inquired.
“If I can’t, you’ll all be getting some good naps in.” Twilight laughed. “Nothing serious will happen.”
“Great! Who do you want to start with though?” Fluttershy asked.
“Hmmmm…” Twilight tapped her chin for a few moments as she thought. “Maybe…”
“Alright! Um… did you need anything to help you fall asl-”
“I’ll make all of us some tea that I use to help me fall asleep.” Rarity said.
“No, no. That’s not what I mean… just things to help you sleep more comfortably. I have a spell to put you under.” Twilight shook her head.
Dash started to snicker.
“What’s so funny?” Twilight huffed.
“Nothin. Just expected you to have some magical solution to sleeping… it just makes it all that much funnier that yo-” Dash couldn’t finish as Applejack caught her the moment she passed out.
The glow of Twilight’s horn died down and immediately Dash woke back up.
“Huh…” She mumbled quietly.
“That. Was just the temporary version of it.” Twilight stated. “Any other comments on my private moments and I’ll send a letter directly to Princess Luna and we’ll both see how much fun we can have with your dreams.” She mused, jokingly of course, but it got the point across.
“Fine… Fine.” Dash muttered, crossing her arms.
“And before you even ask… That was a one time thing. I’m not going to just knock you out anymore.” Twilight said, gently taking Fluttershy’s hand. “I’ll be back down with Fluttershy once we’re finished.”
Fluttershy smiled at her close friend as she was lead up to Twilight’s bedroom. “Now… you can do whatever you need to get ready. But once you lay down, we’re going to begin.” Twilight said.
Fluttershy nodded, and it was only another minute before she slipped under the covers. Immediately Twilight’s magic helped lull her to sleep and the eager unicorn could fully begin.
Twilight had finished exploring her friends dreams, some things she’d seen in them were normal… other things, she’d rather never experience again.
The entire endeavour gave her a whole new appreciation for the hard work Luna had to do every night. It also made her glad she didn’t have to do it. But it didn’t turn her away from wanting to help her new friend.
She hopped downstairs with more energy then she expected. Most of her friends still seemed sleepy, she chalked that up to her making their dreams lucid and it skipping their REM sleep. Or in Rarity’s case, Twilight noping the fuck out and forcing her awake by dumping her to the floor.
Twilight however hadn’t ever felt this energetic… well other then a few good nights sleep she had. She assumed expending so much magical energy would’ve drained her, instead it seemed she’d been gathering more energy from what she coined as the ‘dream realm’.
“So… what are yah gonna do now?” Applejack yawned as she stretched out, trying to at least wake up a little more.
“Me? I’m gonna go see what I can do for Arkantos! You girls should go home and get some actual sleep…” Twilight replied, grinning widely at her new found enthusiasm. She knew she’d be able to help him out now. Even if it was just to give him a dreamless sleep.
“You mean like Dashie?” Fluttershy asked.
Twilight paused, unlike the others Dash hadn’t woken up right away. Though, Twilight knew exactly why. She’d forcefully knocked Dash back out, not wanting to deal with her snide attitude about what had gone on in her dreams… It was the only time Twilight would let Dash prove her wrong. “No. Not exactly like her… she’s a special case. Just… go home, and get some sleep.”
The other four mares nodded and happily left Twilight’s home.
“Now…” Twilight began to talk to herself as she too left her home, teleporting herself right to the hospital.
It was another few minutes before Spike and Shining returned. Both of them chatting about what they’d learned.
“In all honesty, I don’t really see why Celestia doesn’t want him here.” Shining said.
“Whatcha mean? I thought Celestia was fine with him staying.” Spike inquired.
Shining paused for a moment, “Twilight… right. I get why she wouldn’t…” He sighed. “Look… Spike. Celestia really doesn’t like Arkantos for some reason. She… isn’t really clueing anypony in on as to why… just, that she doesn’t want him interacting with Twilight or anypony else… she wants to send him hom-”
“But, he said he came her because his home didn’t want him!” Spike stated.
Shining forced a smile down at the baby dragon. “Right… that’s why I need to get a letter to Celestia… maybe it’ll change her mind completely.” When Spike had gone to get the three stal- himself, Shining, and Arkantos some lunch, Shining had been truly clued in on as to why Arkantos was here… and how there wasn’t anything for him to return to.
“That’d be great! Twilight’s been so exci-” Spike was cut off as he burped out a letter.
“Hm? What’s this about…” Shining grabbed it and opened the letter up.
Luna found herself in a tizzy. Celestia had been right, though not completely, about Arkantos. He was a danger, not just to Twilight now, but to himself. She completely missed it during her sweep of Ponyville before Celestia ordered her to stop.
She felt something incredibly familiar to her, but this time it was leeching off the tormented and broken human. It was her fault that Twilight was now going to be in danger.
Luna rushed to Celestia’s room, throwing the doors open and startling Celestia.
“Luna? What’s this intru-”
“Nightmare Moon has latched onto the human! The entirety of Ponyville is in danger if she gets ahold of him!” Luna stated.
“What?” Celestia slowly stood up.
“She HAS to have gotten into him when he was in the old castle! She’s been making his dreams worse, trying to break him down completely! If she succeeds then she’ll have all his magic and power at her control!” Luna continued frantically.
“Then we n-”
“Twilight’s going to dive into his dream! Unless we stop her, she might be Nightmare’s actual victim!” Luna stammered out.
“WHAT?!?! Why in ALL of Hades would Twilight, or HOW would Twilight know how to enter dreams? Did you go against my orders?” Celestia roared. “WE NEED TO STOP HER! AND WE NEE-”
“I can go in and save him! We don’t have to kill him sister! We just need to make sure Twilight doesn’t go into her trap! Please, think about what you’re doing… what you’re saying! You’re going insane over this! Twilight will not leave her friends! You and I both know that! So stop taking your fears out on him! None of us know anything about him!” Luna snapped back. “Just send the godsdamned letter and make sure Twilight doesn’t get harmed!”
Celestia was multitasking, she seemed to go a bit slack as she sent out the already written letter. “We need to go to Ponyville then.” She sighed. “To make sure neither of them ends up under her control.”
Twilight slipped quietly into Arkantos’ hospital room, it seemed his interactions with Spike and Shining left him drained, and he was already fast asleep.
She smiled to herself, it was going to be so easy to do this.
Her horn lit up, and far, far too quickly she passed out, her head falling onto the bed beside him.
By the time the door was literally broken down, it was far too late for anypony to do anything. “Damn it!” Celestia choked up, as she, Luna, and Shining entered the room.
“We’re… too…” Shining muttered quietly.
“No! I can still enter his dream and help them… they’ll need to find where Nightmare is hiding an-” Luna tried to get out.
“It won’t be that easy!” Celestia snapped.
“Not for us but… knowing what Twilight has done…” Luna began. “She beat a stronger Nightmare Moon… one that i-”
“But she’s in her element there! In some sort o-”
“She’ll be in control of those against him in his nightmares won’t she?” Shining questioned.
“Yes… she would be. She’d have complete control over them…” Luna nodded slowly.
“Since she’ll try to snake her way into you if you directly enter… why don’t you manipulate the other side? Alert them as to what’s going on somehow… help them get out alive?” Shining suggested.
Celestia and Luna glanced to each other.
“Look… we talked for a good few hours about… well… everything. He’s… torn up inside. I’ve seen it happen to Badlands guards… He’s not ‘alone’ in his nightmares. They aren’t monsters… they’re… ‘humans’ I’d guess is what they’re called. It’s… memories of battles, of what he sees as failures. If we can help him fight… help him win. And forcefully change his nightmare into just… just a dream. Won’t that help him break free and bring them BOTH back to us?” Shining approached the bed. “I doubt Nightmare would give us much time once she realizes that you’re here Luna.”
“She’ll have to kill one of them in there…” Luna muttered. “We won’t have any time at all… there’s no way we can magically force them ou-”
“You haven’t even trie-” Celestia was cut off as Shining attempted to wake either of them up. Immediately some sort of dark magic slammed into him, sending him violently into the wall. Celestia’s eyes widened. “Shining!” She approached him and yelled for doctors.
Luna took in a deep breath. Waking them up wasn’t an option, she knew that all too well, and she wished Shining hadn’t done that… “Take Twilight into a different room. Have guards watch her, and… if anything changes or if anything is given off that it isn’t her anymore…”
Celestia cringed, she was sure Shining would have too, but he was unconscious. “I’ll tell them…”
“Have guards come in here… I’ll get a message to them, but beyond that… it isn’t worth the risk… If anything changes with him…” Luna sighed. “Hope that… that it’s them when they awaken.”
---------------------------------------
Meanwhile:
Arkantos was there again, from the outside it was a defining moment in his life. The first victory against the nigh unstoppable Therorain Empire. But, on the inside it was something that changed him forever. His first real taste of war and all the horrors it brought. He'd lost many of his squad mates, and in turn a piece of himself with each of them.
Though… now he didn't remember that. He was back at the dawn of the first day of battle. The holy Sol hadn't risen yet, and the shroud of twilight hung over the still valley. Arkantos had gathered both his generals, and the leader of the local MIlitia. The large town they were attempting hold had all hands on deck. All able bodied men and women were prepared to fight and die for their homes and futures, seeing the crown prince among the ranks of soldiers had only bolstered their resolve.
“We need a full plan.” Arkantos spoke firmly.
Immediately the commander of the militia approached. “I’ve seen what they have. Slaves, barbarians… they’ve brought as many soldiers as they could. None of them are too well armed though.” He explained what his scouts had told him just moments before. “Though, our best estimat-”
“They have numbers. Yes. We know their main strategy. But, it seems everything we’ve thrown at them so far hasn’t worked. They simply out last us if we push into their ran-” Another general spoke up, this one the head of the infantry.
“Why not bombard them before they approach?” The artillery commander questioned. “Both spells and shells. They won’t know what hit ‘em. It’ll weaken their forces and…”
“Then go do it! Soften them up!” Arkantos retorted. “But save the Hellfire for when they try to cross the river. Boil them alive when they enter the water.” He growled.
The commander nodded and exited the tent immediately.
“My lord… we should perhaps make some sort of effort to further entrench. Why not tear down the buildings and make a barricade? Hide our own soldiers amongst the rubble and surprise them when they try to cross. Or perhaps bury traps and explosives amongst it? Force them to funnel i-”
“They’d just throw men at the traps until they went away.” Arkantos shook his head. “Still, if we make obstacles for them it’ll give us more time to adapt to whatever extra tactic they throw at us…” He looked to the Militia captain.
“I’ll alert the Militia. We’ll have you a field of rubble and ambushes set up in no time at all.” He saluted, leaving the tent.
Now only the Infantry and Magi commanders were left with Arkantos. “Commander Leroy, go get your men ready. Have the archers and whatever gunmen you have set up as strategically as possible. Cover as much area as you can. Whatever melee forces we have, form a wall of shields and spears, and prepare to hold… we have to hope my father listened to my begging and is sending forces to help…”
“If he is?” Leroy asked.
“Then we’re saved.”
“If he isn’t?”
Arkantos was quiet for a few moments. “May the gods be on our side.” He sighed, “Go with honor, commander.”
“As do you, my lord.” Leroy saluted as he left.
“Now… Commander Seratis… I need you to ge...” Arkantos trailed off, looking at the commander of the Magi. His memory didn’t trail off, he knew who it was. But, he wasn’t standing there. He drew his sword, “Who the hell are you?” He growled, pointing it at the thing standing in the command tent.
“Um… Hi?” Twilight said uncertainly, not fully grasping where she was. The tall armored man in front of her wasn’t anyone she recognized, at least not instantly. The sword pointed right at her throat didn’t really faze her at all, what with her being in a dream. Dying would just wake her up, right?
“Who are you?” The man growled out.
Despite the anger and the slight muffle his helmet provided, she was able to fully recognize his voice.
“Arkantos!” She said happily now smiling a little bit.
“Who. Are. You.” He repeated coldly.
“I-it’s me Twilight Sparkle! I… I’ve come into your dreams to help you get ove-” Twilight was cut off.
“Twilight Sparkle? I don’t know anyone by that name…” He scoffed, pulling his sword slowly back. “What are you?”
“I’m a unicorn… y-you and I talked for a while… t-this is just a dream!” She explained quickly.
“Dream? No, there’s no wa-” He was cut off completely and stepped back, though he wasn’t fast enough to prevent her from touching him. Her hands touching his cheeks. It was then that she realized she was robbed, and it definitely wasn’t anything any sane pony would wear. At least, if they were out in public… or not a monk or scholar of some sort.
She shook the thought from her head. “Yes. This is just a dream.”
Arkantos froze up and she saw those nearly magically charged brown eyes staring down into hers for a few moments. “Explain.” He said curtly.
Twilight glanced around, seeing no other option she gave him the shortest explanation she could muster.
“Luna… what exactly is going to happen if they… ‘die’ in the dream?” Celestia asked.
Luna was quiet as she focused on some way to penetrate into Arkantos’ dream. “Dreaming isn’t exactly… ‘normal’ sister. It’s mostly magical in nature at least from what I’ve been able to deduce. Their souls are… thinly connected to their conscious. I firmly believe it’s impossible to fully sever that connection… at least for a physical being like myself. Most times if you die in a dream or nightmare, you’re snapped back to reality. Forced awake from the end of the dream, or in some cases another takes its’ place. But… Nightmare Moon is a symbiote of nightmare energies. I… I have a feeling she severs the connection between soul and conscious just enough to slip in. Blocking her target from control and taking it for herself.”
Celestia nodded slowly. “And… if we’re capable of shutting down whatever body she claims?”
“We could in theory save whomever was taken over. Are best hope is that they are able to stop her. Our second best is that she takes control of the human.” Luna’s horn began to light up as she found a connection.
“And… if she takes Twilight…” Celestia sighed, already knowing how horrible that could end up.
“We may never get her back.” Luna finished. “We won't lose her, Sister. I won't let it happen.” Her eyes snapped shut and she fell completely silent.
-----------------------------------------
In the village of Asare:
Twilight was hopeful that he'd understand what she said.
“Impossible.” Arkantos spat out, glaring at her. “If it weren't for more pressing issues, I'd have you imprisoned for such a bold faced lie.”
“I'm not lying! Think a little! You've been having nightm-” Twilight was cut off as a shimmering figure that she recognized appeared in the tent. Now Arkantos’ sword was aimed at her throat. “Princess Luna! What are y-”
“Time is short. Nightmare Moon has infested the human. You are NOT safe. You need to find and destroy her in order to wake up. You cannot, CANNOT fail lest we lose either of you.” Luna stated firmly, turning to look at the wide-eyed human whose whole body was quivering at the raw might of her magical energy. Before she could speak they were thrown away from her as a barrage of magic hit the tent.
Luna was blasted out of the dream, leaving Twilight and the now lucid Arkantos flat on their asses.
“W… where the he-” Arkantos’ voice trailed off as he recognized his surroundings.
Twilight was sputtering and coughing out dust. “Oh gods…” She mumbled, trying to gather herself.
“Twilight! Throw up a shield NOW!” Arkantos scrambled and threw himself over her just as her shield went up. It was reinforced by rock and earth as Arkantos added his own magic to the mix. Immediately a barrage of arrows and magic hit the shield.
In the moment they just stared at each other. Arkantos was dumbfounded that she was here, and Twilight was shocked by the news that Luna had delivered.
“Protect the Prince! We need more Magi here now!” A muffled voice was heard.
Twilight’s magic fell and her breathing speed increased. “W… what th…”
The earthen shield around them fell and Arkantos helped Twilight stand, forcefully making her stand behind his towering form so she’d be safer.
“I’m fine! I have Seratis with me!” Arkantos shouted, glancing back to Twilight and nodding.
She threw up a shield around the two.
“Go, I want the magi defending the militia! They’re about to fall under attack!” Arkantos barked.
The men nodded and ran off, several knights approached. “We’re with you, Prince!” They saluted, drawing their weapons.
It was then that it finally sunk in for Twilight. Prince. He was a prince?
She stared wide-eyed at him for a few moments.
“Go, form a circle, we may have some berserkers already sneaking around to get a swing at me. Fan out!” Arkantos ordered. As soon as the knights vanished he turned to Twilight, there was an honest fear in his eyes. One unlike anything she’d ever seen… almost like he knew something more.
“Y-you’re a prince?” Twilight asked quickly.
“That doesn’t matter right now! Seratis died in the battle! And from what I can deduce…”
Twilight’s face blanked. “They see me as… H-how did he die?” She saw the look on his face. “Arkantos… h-how did he die?” She repeated a pit of dread slowly growing in her stomach. “Please… t-tell me.”
“I WILL NOT let you die!” Arkantos growled. “Listen to every word I say, and stay close unless I say otherwise and you WILL get out of this alive.”
Twilight stumbled back from Arkantos, staring wide-eyed at him. The thought that he wasn’t important hadn’t ever occurred to her. Looking at it now… he was right. To the rest of Equestria he would be a freak, something that should be gawked at, or… sent back.
But she wasn’t the rest of Equestria.
“You ARE important, Arkantos! And I’m GOING to help you! We’ll get out of this together!” Twilight stepped up. “Do you understa-” She cut herself off as she saw he was shaking. He wasn’t angry… he was… crying. She cupped his cheeks and for a moment hugged him. “We’ll get out of this together.”
Arkantos shook his head. “Gods… why do you have to be here?” He pulled away from her, “Stay close to me… here isn’t safe.” He moved quickly, leading her away from the remains of the command tent and deeper into the village.
“W-where are you taking me?” Twilight asked.
“The further we are from the front lines the better the chance of survival is.” He said, though she saw him visibly cringe. “I’ve lived through this battle once… a…” He trailed off.
“Wait… if this is just a memory… won’t… changing it let her control it?” Twilight stopped dead in her tracks, using her magic to grab Arkantos. “We can’t leav-”
Arkantos grabbed her and covered her mouth, pulling her into a dark alley.
Her eyes widened as she saw two gore covered soldiers, fresh blood dripping from their swords.
She gagged into the metal gauntlet covering her mouth as the scent of death flooded her nose.
The passed by near quietly, clearly there was some sort of sneak attack going on.
“FIND THEM AND BRING THEM TO ME!” A female voice boomed from only a few hundred feet away. Twilight’s eyes widened even more.
“This isn’t how it happened… It’s too late to avoid changing anything… we have to find a place to hold out.” Arkantos whispered. “She doesn’t know my world. She won’t be able to just ‘find’ us so long as we don’t engage them directly. Or if we do… make sure they’re dead.”
Twilight looked up at him and nodded slowly.
“Good… stay close, and stay low.” Arkantos motioned for her to follow.
“Why don’t we just engage her?” Twilight asked in a whisper as they moved through the twisting alleys in an attempt to find anywhere safe to hide out, even for a little bit.
“It’d be suicide. If she has an army, she’d be protecting herself… we’d have to isolate her and take her out. But, if she planned out an entire trap to return… she’ll be too damn smart to fall for a simple trap… we’d need something big…” He muttered.
“We could ju-” Twilight cut herself off. There were no Elements of Harmony. There was no ‘purging’ the evil with good. It dawned on her that this world… this hellscape she was now in, it was a war.
“Cut the head off the beast and several more will sprout up in it’s place.” Arkantos said, pulling her quickly into an abandoned building.
The scent of fire and the screams of both those fighting and those dying were loud outside. But in here, it all seemed to fade away, at least for the moment.
Twilight looked around, the place they were in was once a bar, or… was it a bakery? She really couldn’t tell. She rationalized it as his mind filling in voids in his memory to make this dream more real.
“Behind the counter.” He motioned pulling Twilight right beside him. He pulled his helmet off. “This armor’s too bulky…” He sighed. “Something I learned after this battle.”
“Really?” She laughed quietly, forcing a bit of normalcy to the hell just outside.
“KEEP THEM AT BAY! HO- AAH!” A man outside screamed. Before anything else could be heard, something even more strange happened for Twilight.
She was under the belief that this horrible battle, the death, the animosity… it couldn’t be any more alien, but before the sound of tearing flesh and a body hitting the wall just outside could completely click in her mind…
He pulled her in close, drawing every last ounce of her attention to him. “Twilight, listen to me.” He breathed quietly.
Her eyes widened and locked with his.
“What ever happens…”
Her breath caught in her throat, she’d seen action and war movies in the past, thanks mainly to her brother and Rainbow Dash. With hell going on all around the protagonist and his love interest, the main characters would always profess their love for each other. “A-Arkantos?” She mumbled.
“You ARE making it out of here.” He squeezed her tightly. “I won’t let you die… not so long as I live.”
“Ark… don’t talk like that… w-”
“You don’t understand… you’re too naive, and too… too innocent to fully grasp what’s going on here.” Arkantos closed his eyes, pushing her head into his neck, silencing all but his voice.
He was doing this for a mixture of reasons, one was to spare her from the sounds of the fight going on outside. It was horrible even for him to listen too. He knew the men dying outside… this was a standpoint, one he retreated to after the attack on tent.
She didn’t… she couldn’t know, everything was going how it should be. Everything except this moment. (And of course Nightmare Moon)
“I won’t let you die.” He rested his head on top of hers.
“I won’t die Ark…” She mumbled, shivering slightly as she pressed in closer.
“You’re damn right you won’t. Only over my cold dead body will she get control of you.” He growled.
It became apperent as to why he was acting this way.
“Ark… w-why did you take us here?” Twilight muttered. “Why isn’t it a patchwork of things… why doe-”
The door came down.
“HOLD OUT IN HERE! Barricade the door!” A voice ordered, the door being sealed shut with tables and chairs.
“Stay close Twilight. And no matter what happens over the next few minutes, stay behind me. Stay right… the fuck… behind me.” He ordered, causing her to stiffen up. “Captain Feras!” Arkantos shot up, drawing out his sword. “What’s the status? I haven’t been able to gather much since they bombarded the command center.”
“My liege!” Feras saluted. “We’ve been pushed back, but, we’ve put a dent in their numbers. Some of them have broken rank and run.” He reported. “Still… things don’t seem good for us.” He glanced to his men who seemed reinvigorated by the sight of their prince. “But, we’ll make do with what we have. And if we die…”
“We die with honor!” The men shouted.
“And if we win?” Arkantos put his helmet back on.
“Victory for the Empire! Hail to the prince! GLORY TO THE KING!”
Twilight watched in awe from her little bit of safety as the soldiers before her formed a shield wall.
Arkantos looked back to her for a moment. She felt a bit safer, knowing he was going to watch over her.
“Form up! They're going to try coming through the windows! We have to hold them off, supports going to be arriving in a few minutes!” Arkantos barked as he drew his sword. Twilight prepped one of the few offensive spells she knew well.
“Ark. Once we're out of this, remind me to learn a hell of a lot more offensive magic.” Twilight said.
“When we make it out, I'm going to teach you some things myself. One can never know too much magic.” He laughed, his blade igniting, and a shield of rock forming over his free arm.
Twilight saw the first window break, and she fired. Immediately she heard the ripping of flesh and bone, she wanted to vomit at just the sound, let alone the sight of the severed body tumbling through. She had managed to hit his blade, and it had just torn through the man.
“Right! Form up on the flank!” Arkantos ordered.
Now he fired off a few molten shards, the sizzling and scent of burning flesh caused Twilight to gag.
“Hold it back! When we're safe you'll have time to think, for now just act!” Ark said, “Get behind us! After that attack they're going to try to bust the wall down!”
Twilight ducked behind the towering wall of steel.
“Sire, how do y-”
“Even with a leader these fools still behave like raging animals. They don't use tactics, only numbers. But here… HERE WE WILL BEAT THEM! The Empire will stand!” Arkantos growled, clenching his sword. It hurt to speak these words, but for their sake they had to be said. “FOR A THOUSAND YEARS! WE WILL NEVER FALL!”
These men even if it was just a memory that was being twisted and changed into a horrible nightmare, held a reverence for Arkantos.
“Stand firm against this swell, for soon they'll see a hurricane!” The winds whipped to life at his voice. Twilight's magic joined his, the swell of violet energy made the winds look like something incredibly dangerous. “Just stay close to us, and you’ll make it out of here alive.” He said.
Twilight nodded, though her reaction was lost as the horde poured in.
Instinct didn’t allow her to stand by and watch… or was it something more then instinct? She didn’t know, all she knew was now… she had to fight or they’d all die here. She shuddered at the thought of Nightmare gaining both of them.
She swept up a discarded sword, though she didn’t know how to use one right then, her quick learning and watchful eye she able to quickly deduce a proper stance to fight, and soon with both magic and sword in hand, the wave of what she could only now assume to be demons incarnate, with their bodies soaked in blood, and the skulls some wore as helmets, was beginning to falter.
“Keep it up!” Arkantos shouted.
The clash of steel, the scent of burning flesh, and the sickening sound of sword and spell tearing through human flesh. There was a desperation in the way the one soldier nearby drew a weapon she’d never seen before.
If the violence and hellish dreamscape wasn’t startling enough for Twilight, the boom the gun let off caused her to stumble back, opening her up wide as she was slightly dazed.
In that opening one of the warriors charged towards her. She’d faced what might have been her death many times, but Nightmare Moon, Discord, Chrysalis, even Sobmra, didn’t have that look of pure unholy lust in their eyes. It was as if this man felt nothing but hatred, and wanted nothing more then her to die.
Twilight tried to catch herself, but the warrior was far too fast, he tackled her to the ground and swung wildly at her.
Twilight’s magic managed to guard most of her body. Though a few of the wild slashes cut into her stomach and chest. She gritted her teeth and managed to find a grip on the sword once again, and in a moment of clarity, she drove it straight through the warrior’s skull. The searing pain and adrenaline shut down any sense of guilt or regret.
Arkantos now saw what had happened and created a wall of flame to at least temporarily hold the horde back. He threw the dead warrior off of Twilight and picked her up. “Shit, are you alright?” He quickly examined her body. She hissed slightly as his hand touched the worst of the few wounds, one nasty (but otherwise stable) looking gash on her stomach.
“J-just… a-a few…”
“Stay behind me… Damn it… damn it all…” Arkantos muttered.
“Don’t worry! I’m not bleeding too badly and I know a bit of magic that’ll help with that!” Twilight assured, though she winced as the pain slowly came back.
“Then use it!” Arkantos snapped. That’s when they noticed something, the sound of the horde retreating. “No… No they can’t be retreating so quickly… DAMN IT!”
Twilight’s eyes widened as she felt something incredibly familiar fast approaching.
“W-what are we going to do sir?” One of the soldiers asked.
“We retreat to the cathedral.” Arkantos growled out, he threw his sword to one of the men and swept Twilight up. Both relieving her of the waste of energy to stand, and her pain as suddenly all pressure was let up from her stomach and chest. He carried her over to the nearby bar and drew a dagger.
Twilight’s eyes widened.
“This is going to hurt. A lot.” Arkantos said apologetically. “We don’t have time for you to prep a healing spell.”
Twilight gulped.
“You men…” Arkantos began.
The soldier he had thrown his sword to already understood. “We’ll hold whatever’s coming back for as long as we can.”
Arkantos nodded slowly. He cut the robe from Twilight’s body and threw it at one of the men. “Two of you, make a dash for the old home camp. Make sure their leader sees you doing it. Lead her away.
Two of the men nodded. “We’ll do it. Gods be with you Prince.”
The soldiers moved into position, several of them moving out into the street. The last two dashed out the door making a loud clamor.
“AFTER THOSE TWO!” Nightmare Moon’s voice boomed.
“NO YOU DON’T!” The leader of the soldiers growled out. Soon the sounds of battle raged outside of the bar.
Arkantos took in a deep breath. “I’m sorry.” He breathed, their eyes met for a moment.
“It isn’t your fault.” Twilight assured quietly.
“Yes… It is.” Arkantos mumbled. He grabbed a nearby sword, “Bite down on the hilt.” He put it into her mouth.
It tasted horrible but she had no other choice. She bit down hard and closed her eyes tightly.
Arkantos summoned a flame to each of his hands and mumbled out a prayer to whatever was listening before applying a primitive suture to Twilight’s wounds.
-------------------------------------------------
Meanwhile:
All of Twilight’s friends had gathered in the hospital and were around the bed she was currently comatose in.
So far there had only been a scant few changes in her heart rate, but now there was an incredible spike. Several nurses and doctors rushed in.
“What the hell’s going on?!?” Rainbow Dash questioned.
“We don’t know!” One doctor responded.
Now they noticed under the blankets a growing red splotch.
“W-wha…”
The docotors quickly removed the blanket and were utterly shocked to see the gashes on her body, all of which looked to have been delivered by a sword.
“WE NEED ANTI-SCEPTICS IN HERE IMMEDIATELY! GET ME A SUTURE KI-” The doctor was cut off as they saw scars beginning to form on her body, as though they were being sutured magically. “W-what the hell?”
“Damn it! She’s more powerful then I thought!” Luna shot up, “I need to go in there! They’re going to die if I don’t!” She attempted to get to Twilight’s bedside only to have Celestia’s magic slam her down into the chair again.
“NO! YOU WON’T GO IN THERE! NONE OF YOU WILL!” Celestia growled. “Watch their bodies! If any injuries appear tend to them IMMEDIATELY! We need to give them as great an advanta-” Celestia trailed off.
“S-sister what are you thinking?” Luna mumbled quietly, all of the ponies in the room were shaking a little.
“Luna. Feed Twilight magical energy. Rarity you need to do the same.” Celestia said quietly.
Luna’s eyes widened. “No… No we might overload her, and if Nightmare gains control of Twilight, then both Rarity and I are as good as hers too.” She shook her head. “That’s even mo-”
“If the dream world is able to affect their waking bodies, then they need help. But we can’t give her any more options to jump to… One death by her hands is too many.” Celestia said.
“What of the human?” Luna asked.
“He’s naturally attuned to fire magic. As am I. You’d do nothing but hinder him, cool his body off and leave him crippled. Rarity’s magic would be worthless for him.” Celestia gulped.
“Sister…”
“If it means getting Twilight out… I’ll give him a bone. I’m going to give him magical access to my sun.” Celestia slowly strode out of the room.
Twilight was trying to bite back tears as Arkantos slowly carried her through alleys and abandoned houses to the safety of the fortified cathedral. “I’m so sorry… It had to be done. I can’t risk losing you…”
Twilight couldn’t even speak, it hurt too much to breath. But, she knew he’d done it to protect her, to make sure she didn’t bleed to death.
“We’re almost there… I’m sure there will be someone who can give you anything to help with the pain…” Arkantos assured, though his voice was shaking. “I’m sure…”
Twilight muttered quietly. “D… D-don’t… w-worry… I-it’s just… j-j-just a little pain…” She gave a weak smile.
Arkantos forced a smile back, she saw tears in his eyes. “Shut up, will you?” He asked. “Just… breath and try to force the pain from your mind.”
Twilight nodded weakly, and fell silent again.
“We… we both just need to survive… Then we can worry about… everything else…” Arkantos murmured.
The two had managed to make it to the cathedral, and immediately they were beset upon by medics and soldiers. But, Arkantos refused to leave her side, escorting her to the small area that had been set up to take care of the wounded.
He laid he down on a makeshift bed, and immediately several medical officers rushed over.
She was given several potions and she felt a strange magic begin to wash over her body. Her pain was slowly beginning to fade, and she felt slightly better. Though something strange helped her out a bit more. Arkantos had taken hold of her hand and squeezed it gently.
It was several minutes before the medics rushed off to help others, though outside the walled in cathedral the sounds of the ever encroaching battle still raged on. For the two trapped in this hell together, it was still a moment of relief.
Twilight looked up and noticed that Arkantos was still crying, even if he was trying to hide it. “This is all my fault…” He shook his head. “I should’ve told you not to help… I shouldn’t have…”
“N-no. I did it without warning you… I wanted you to get better, to prove you weren’t evil.” Twilight said, reaching up and cupped his cheek.
He cupped her hand. “I’m not a good man, Twilight.” He sighed quietly.
“I don’t believe that.” She smiled softly, “You saved me. You were nearly breaking down over hurting me… even when it made sure I survived.” She tried to sit up.
“Twilight…” Arkantos sighed quietly, he put his hand gently on her stomach, trying to get her to stay down.
“No! Listen to me.” She pushed his hand away. “Nnn…” She swung her feet off the bed, finding it surprisingly easy. “Woooh…” Her head was swimming and Ark wrapped his arms around her, steadying her against his large body. “Thank you…” She blushed, resting against him.
“You need to watch yourself…” He laughed softly. It was an almost unconscious (heh) action, but one neither complained about, she found it so easy to her head in his neck. It was unlike anything she’d felt before, and she wanted to feel it outside of this nightmare. For a moment the world seemed to fade away.
Twilight sighed and closed her eyes. “Funny… if we weren’t already trapped in a dream, I could fall asleep right here.”
“We’ll have plenty of time to find out once we’re free right?” Ark chuckled.
“Yes, we will.” Twilight smiled.
“How’s the pain?” He asked, his warm hand gliding over the injury she’d received. The direction and length of the scar made it so as his fingers touched it, they just barely brushed her breast. He withdrew his hand.
“A bit better. It still hurts, but, at least I’m alive.” Twilight joked.
“It’s… something you’ll get used to.” Ark smiled, “Now… Let’s go get you so-”
“No… No, not right now.” She shook her head, resting against him. “Just… a few more minutes.”
Ark sighed and tightened his grip around her. “Gods above… I haven’t been this protective over anyone since m…” He trailed off for a moment. “Since my sister.”
Twilight reached up and cupped his cheek. “Save that for when we’re safe. Then I can honestly help you.” She smiled softly.
“No, no it’s fine. It was a few years ago now. Right now, you need to get out of here. I failed to make sure you didn’t get injured, but…”
“Shh.” Twilight scolded. “You didn’t fail. You couldn’t have stopped it. You saved my life, and now are willing to die to protect me. That’s above and beyond anything that any…” She stopped for a moment. “Anything that anyone would ever do after what you’ve been through… and what you were going to suffer through.”
She slowly stood up, now it was much easier. “Now, Arkantos, you and I are going to kick Nightmare’s sorry flank back to whatever hole she tried to climb out of to get at us.”
Ark smiled and stood up, “You’re damn right.”
“C’mon. Let’s get ready… she’s going to put up a fight. And we’re going to put up an even fiercer one.” Twilight hugged him for a moment. “Just you and me. Now, I need to get some actual armor on.”
“What do you mean, actual armor?” Ark asked curiously.
“You know… not a chainmail bikini… or just plate armor over my breasts.” Twilight explained.
“Strange… I’ve… never seen that before. That just sounds… wasteful.” Ark chuckled, leading her away from the medical area.
She noticed amongst the male soldiers and mages, there were woman. Other then having armor fitted to their forms, they were just as equipped as any of their male counterparts.
“Twilight, I want you to stick with magic.” Arkantos said.
“Why? I can use a wea-”
“You were sloppy, you pushed off like you were fencing and… well, that was a short sword. Not a rapier.” Ark explained. “When you used magic, it was fluid, perfect.” He complimented. “I’ve rarely seen such skill…” He motioned to the area around them. “And this… this is just one of many, many battles I’ve survived.”
Twilight grinned, “Thank you.”
“If we had the time… I’d train you.” He offered, “But right now… well, there’s no point in pretending. We have very, very little time until the enemy pushes at us.”
“Hey… since you’v-”
“I did. Until you.” Ark shot her a glance that told her everything.
“Right… I made it lucid…” Twilight nodded.
“And since you made the dream lucid I’ve been trying to change things, make things happen sooner… nothing. The battle’s going just the way it did before… except before, the sorcerer with me didn’t survive the conflict in the bar. He neglected to pick up a weapon. Right now, everything’s up in the air. I don’t even know if my Father’s forces are coming.” He explained. “So we HAVE to engage her before something else, anything else happens.”
Twilight nodded. “And…”
“If no reinforcements arrive… we’re on our own.” Arkantos said.
“I’ve fought her once. And since then I’ve only grown in knowledge and magical power.” Twilight said. “Though… we don’t have the Elements to stop her this time…”
“What are you talking about?” Ark glanced back. “I am an elementalist. All elemental magic is my specialty.”
Twilight laughed. “Remind me to tell you about the Elements of Harmony when we win. I think you’ll be surprised.”
“I do love a good story.” Ark chuckled as the two entered the makeshift armory.
Rarity, Shining, Luna, and now Cadance who had arrived incredibly quickly, were channeling magic into Twilight to try to boost her potential.
The other girls, save for Fluttershy, were still worried, but with Celestia and Luna’s plan being put into action, they knew there was a chance that she’d return to them.
“I…” Pinkie muttered quietly, her entire complexion uncharacteristically grey and somber.
“Damn it… why didn’t we stay with her?” Dash growled. “It’s…”
“No, don’t go blamin’ him. He ain’t here cause he wanted ta be.” AJ snapped. “We all know that.”
“No! It’s… a-as much as I hate to say it… Celestia’s fault. If…”
“She’s tryin ta protect us. She’s just…” Aj continued.
“Overprotective.” Dash sighed.
AJ nodded. “But, now she’s gonna try to make things right.”
Dash let out a long sigh.
“All we can do is wait.”
“Yeah… and that sucks.”
-----------------------------------------------
Somewhere nearby:
With a cabal of doctors, guards, and heavy weapons, just as a precaution for both if they failed, and if the human snapped underneath the increase in power, Celestia had begun to channel as much solar energy as she felt was safe into Arkantos.
They both had to survive, lest they both be lost. Celestia bit this fact back. She didn’t want to be right here. She wanted to be proven wrong, she didn’t want to kill him. As much as she hated humanity for taking somepony she held dear in the past, she couldn’t hate this one. He wasn’t with them, he already felt different.
He was drawing in extra energy, just passively, she took notice of it and fed even more into him. With each bit she gave him, she felt a bit more sure that he’d be able to withstand it.
“I don’t know who you truly are… I don’t know why you’re here.” Celestia muttered. “Please… bring her back. Bring her back and you can stay. Without her… without Twilight…” She sucked back a few tears. “We’re all doomed… I can’t lose another pony… not now, not like this.”
“Equestria can’t… Her friends can’t… I can’t lose Twilight.”
Twilight had gotten into some armor, though it was uncomfortable. It wasn’t meant for a curvy woman like herself, but, she’d make do.
“Now that I have the chance… all this magic, it’s…” Twilight began.
Teleportation as she knew it was long to medium distance. Blinking as rapidly as some of the mages around her were (even if it was just a dream, she had no reason to doubt his memories) it was beyond logic. Teleportation took up so much energy, so it was pointless to usually teleport one person such a short distance… in and out of rooms, around the room almost lazily. Now, that wasn’t to say non-living things were hard to teleport. That was incredibly easy, almost trivial. But they were doing it with living things!
“Hm… I remember something my close friend showed me… maybe with your help we can unlock it, eh?” Ark offered.
“What did he show you?” Twilight asked as the two walked side by side to the front of the massive cathedral grounds.
“A pocket dimension… I doubt it’ll be large, and I highly doubt here will be anything alive in it. But… there may be books, schematics… anything of value in there. If there isn’t… well, it’ll at least help me with closure.” He sighed.
“I’d be happy to help.” She smiled, “Now… where are we going to find Nightmare?”
“Find her? We’re going to bring her to us.” Ark grinned, “I’ll fill you in on my plan… you can add to it if you feel the need.”
Twilight’s face blanked. “You’re insane.” She said bluntly.
“Only a little.” He laughed before beginning to explain to her his full plan.
Now, it’s going to be a three stage attack. We have several siege engines up and running, including a few cannons. We’ll bombard the enemy encampment as well as have an assault on the frontline. That should distract the majority of the enemy forces. That’s the first stage.
The second involves a heavy use of magic. Hopefully with enough we can speed up any reinforcements, should they truly be coming… and should Nightmare not have cut us off completely. From what I’ve garnered while you were getting equipped the enemy is far less… organized then what I remember. Nightmare seems to be focusing on locating us, and not taking down our sizable force. That will come back to bite her hard. Now, I’ll have some mages clear out the square. That will give us a sizable area to fight her in. With that done, the mages will join the forward assault.
The final stage involves you, me, a contingent of Faust’s Blade.
-------------------------------------------------
Twilight cut off his explanation. “Wait. Wait a second. Faust? As in… Goddess Faust, creator and protector of Equis?”
“No… as in Lady Faust, Goddess of Honor and Justice.” Arkantos shook his head.
“You’ll have to tell me more about your religion… that’s just too scarily similar to be a coincidence…” Twilight shivered.
“I… okay. Don’t worry, I will.” Arkantos sighed. “Just…”
“Continue please.”
---------------------------------------
Alright, as I was saying, the contingent will keep the square clear of any stragglers or reinforcements from her side for as long as possible. This is where you really come in. You’re going to do whatever you can to attract her.
So, you want me to become bait… for somepony that wants my body. Sounds like fun.
Not exactly. You won’t be bait. We just want her separate from her main forces. It’d be hell to try to engage her on the frontline.
Oh. I know. I’ll paint a maaasssiiiiveeee target on myself, and she’s so prideful and conceited she’ll be unable to resist it.
Great! That’s when we fight her. With any luck we’ll take her down and be free of this nightmare.
And… without any luck?
It’ll be a long and hard fight. Hopefully my father’s forces arrive before we’re overrun and slaughtered like cattle.
------------------------------------------------
Twilight shivered at that metaphor. “Great way to word that.”
“I wanted to make it clear…”
“What’s at stake. Yeah, yeah I get that.” Twilight sighed.
Ark put a hand on her shoulder. “Don’t worry. We have this.”
Twilight smiled a little. “You’re damn right we do.”
The two entered the courtyard and readied themselves for the battle ahead.
The ponies gifting Twilight their magic had finished, and all of them collapsed into chairs, too tired to really move.
“That… should… help her…” Luna muttered. Only she and Cadance had remained conscious.
“We can… h-hope.” Cadance laughed quietly. “D-did you notice it Luna?”
“Notice… w-what?”
“S-she isn’t scared of whatever’s happening…”
“M-maybe she figured out what we were doing?” Luna offered, now nurses and orderlies had entered and were getting Rarity and Shining into beds, wheeling them out of the room.
“N-no… She’s sure of something… i-if only I could g-get access to the human… w-we could find out for sure.” Cadance shook her head, taking in a few deep and steady breaths. “Aaah… I’ve never felt this…”
“Drained? Hopefully… this will be the only time we have to end up like this.” Luna sighed.
“I never… want Twilight to end up like this again…” Cadance muttered.
“None of us do…” Luna tried to straighten up, only managing to shift slightly. “Nnnn… here come the aches…” She laughed, trying to lighten the mood.
Cadance only mumbled before fatigue overcame her.
Luna felt her eyes grow heavy before she too passed out.
Celestia too had finished feeding power into Arkantos, though she hadn’t given him everything.
It was only a minute or so after her sister and niece were cleared out of the room that she sat down beside Twilight’s bed. “I know you have it in you to fight her… you’ve grown so much since your first engagement with her. But with how much she’s been feeding off of his destroyed emotions… I don’t know if Arkantos has it in him… even with my power helping him.” She sighed quietly, running her fingers through Twilight’s mane. “He may be steady by you… but out here he’s twisting and turning… Nightmare’s taint is deep in him… deeper then we may have first realized.”
Celestia had taken the time to study his mental state as she fed magic into him. With his unconscious state, it was far easier then it had any right to be… like he was opening up to prove something. She shook the coincidence off. Rainbow Dash and Applejack entered the room, “Princess! What happened to A-”
“He’s in a secure location. Don’t worry. We need them seperate… incase one makes it and the other doesn’t.” Celestia sighed. “If she takes control of the hu- Arkantos… then we can take him out quickly while saving Twilight.”
“And if…”
“Then the same will happen to Twilight… I… doubt if it happens to Twilight, Arkantos will survive much longer. Whether it be Shining and Night Light coming down on him… or his own mind crushing him under the weight of guilt…”
“What if it’s Twilight who makes it?”
“She’ll have all of you to help her through whatever emotions she might feel… We’ll watch her carefully, though… I doubt she’ll have a strong enough bond with him for his death to destroy her.” Celestia shook her head. “That’s the worst case scenario either way.” She smiled warmly up at Applejack and Rainbow Dash. “Twilight will make it. I know that. Go, get some rest. Let the guards and I worry about these two.”
Dash and AJ were still antsy, but they believed Celestia, smiling wearily before leaving the room.
Celestia let out a long sigh before looking down at her unconscious student. “Defeat her… once and for all. Don’t leave a single shred of her left to corrupt anypony.”
“I know one of you has it in them… I only wonder which of you it will be…”
Chapter 17: Forward Unto The Dawn, Forward Unto Infinity
The first stage of the plan had been initiated, and Twilight was startled as the cannons fired and boomed, tearing through buildings, and causing massive explosions in the distance. She watched trebuchets and catapults launch massive barrels of explosives and burning oil at the enemy encampment.
She’d never seen siege equipment actually used, hell she wasn’t too sure that Equestria even had any inside it’s arsenal anymore, magic and pegasi controlling the weather negated the need in most cases. At least she thought so.
After the third barrage of projectiles, the battalions prepared for the assault charged into the ruins, fighting as one massive entity.
Their war cries and shouts filled the air, trying to scare back some of the stranglers before they were overwhelmed with steel and sword.
“Alright! The mages are moving into the square, it’ll only be a few minutes before we’re ready!” Arkantos assured.
“Good… I’m wanting out of here more and more… it’s just…”
“Horrifying.” Arkantos finished. “I know the feeling… my first time was horrible too.”
“Huh?” Twilight asked.
“Don’t worry… from here on, it shouldn’t be much more then the two of us and Nightmare.” Ark smiled slightly.
“Ark…”
“Now isn’t the time, lest she start to bleed over that memory too.” He silenced her inquiry.
Twilight sighed, “Alright. Let’s get going.” The two walked to the now empty entry way to the cathedral grounds.
They noticed something strange, the sun was burning through the clouds above, for Twilight it felt as if Celestia herself had entered and was going to offer her support.
“My… Holy Sol even gives her blessing on this day.” Arkantos commented. “Perhaps all the gods are with us.” He chuckled.
“Couldn’t you just make it so?” Twilight asked.
“I’m only named after a god, Twilight. I’m no god myself. Even in this dream world, they still control their own wills.” Arkantos explained.
“Great, they wo-”
“No, in fact they work for those that they feel need it. A prayer to say, Arkantos, won’t get you much. But a sacrifice of your own blood in combat, a will unbroken by torture, a fist slammed into a table in anger, or even a direct charge into death will. He’ll bless your blade when you swing it back into the enemy. Break the very tools that your torturers use, or sometimes, as I’ve seen myself, have them backfire. The one who betrayed you will surrender to you, even if they had no indication that they’d do so. Or, he’ll strengthen your steel, your armor, your spirit. Your battle cry will strike fear into their hearts, and the fire deep inside will become a sweltering inferno.” He explained. “All things within his realm, war, loyalty, Brotherhood. He’s all things warriors strive to be, what all men and women wanted to emulate.”
Twilight looked at him for a moment, “You speak as if he was r-”
“Our gods were not born from each other Twilight. They weren’t born demi-gods, they weren’t born heroes. They rose to that status. The man I’m named after? He rose from the rank of slave, to that of king. King of not only men, but of gods. I’ll start with that tale, eh?” Ark offered, giving her his hand. “For now, we have something more pressing.”
Twilight nodded and squeezed his hand, the gesture assuring them both that they’d stand together. She noticed something now, he felt… hotter then before. “Ow! Are you turning up the heat or something?” She joked, withdrawing her hand in surprise, though she wasn’t really hurt.
“No! I haven’t… I was just about to ask you… are you using ice magic? You feel colder, almost verging on death!” He quickly embraced her, sounding a bit worried. “It should be impossible for her to influence yo-”
“I feel fine!” She didn’t shove him off, now that she was prepared for the heat she enjoyed it. “Wait… You say I feel colder?”
“Ye-” He paused now really remembering her wounds. “Wait… how are you standing? That should have crippled you for a little while longer!” He pulled back. “A-” He looked up at the sun, it felt as if it was calling out to him, extending a hand outwards for him to grasp. “I’ve heard of something like that… mana transference… but, it’s suicide… the power… it can twist and corrupt…” He muttered quietly.
Twilight’s eyes widened and she smiled brightly. “Ark! You know what that means?” She sounded giddy. “They found a way to help us!”
Ark’s mind was still a bit of a haze, and she noticed it. The area felt… hotter now. The sun was growing brighter. She quickly moved in front of Ark, grabbing his head and directing his attention back to her. “Look at me!” She ordered, his eyes darting to hers.
“S-sorry… I…” He stammered.
The area cooled off again and the sun returned to normal.
“What’s wrong?” Twilight asked seeing the hint of fear in his eyes.
“I… I don’t know.” He shook his head. “I want this… this gone as soon as possible.”
Twilight hugged him tightly for a moment. “You’re safe.” She assured.
Arkantos nodded slowly, “Alright…” He sighed.
Twilight stepped back, she took his hand this time and lead him to the massive cleared square. “Just you and me now.” She laughed.
Arkantos smiled, “Sadly… it won’t last for long.” He said, glancing around for a moment. “You ready?”
“Of course.” Twilight nodded. “And I know just the way to get her here.” She took in a deep breath. “But, it’ll make us visible to everything.”
“Oh boy… So much for having the element of surprise.” He laughed as he drew his sword, his free arm igniting as he prepared to light his sword on fire. “Let’s do this.”
Twilight nodded and fired off a massive and otherwise impossible tower of light. But with the excess magic flowing through her… it felt natural and she liked that feeling.
Nightmare Moon was FUMINGshe’d been tricked by the pathetic human, and her greatest nemesis. Her friends were mere foalsplay if she had a body. Twilight was the real threat, hell, even the human with all his skill was worthless against her. It’d take little to simply kill him, at least it would have if that fucking unicorn hadn’t gotten involved. She was SO DAMN CLOSE when he was laying unconscious on the hospital bed. She’d almost broken through! Then Twilight Sparkle, Celestia’s perfect little student got friendly with him.
“DAMN IT ALL! I CAN’T FAIL!” Nightmare roared. In truth, this entire time she didn’t want Twilight. She’d be too difficult to take over, at least right now. If she had been able to seed herself completely in Arkantos’ mind she’d grow in power… torturing him for a few nights before letting him sleep and regain his strength… eventually revealing herself to him, offering a way out of the nightmares. She knew Celestia would cut him off, she knew Celestia would seed doubt and chaos in his mind, making it all the more horrible for him.
But now, but fucking NOW Twilight was in here, fighting alongside him.
“DAMN IT, DAMN IT, DAMN IT!” Nightmare growled, slamming her fists into the table she was standing over. “ALL OF YOU ARE USELESS!”
The leaders gathered around her backed away, “We’re sorry Mistress…” One apologized.
“You’d better be!” Nightmare snapped. “These fools are assaulting everything if we waste any more time…” She trailed off as she saw the massive tower of magical light.
“My my… getting a bit cocky?” Nightmare grinned. “Take out his forces, then loop around to wherever that is. If I don’t succeed first that is.” She took flight immediately, flying quickly towards the area where Twilight and Arkantos were waiting for her. As she flew closer, she felt something else that made her smile grow. "Oh Celestia... you've forgotten your own darkness haven't you? Here in my own realm of nightmares and dreams... with even a sliver of her essence... Mmm, maybe they weren't as much of a threat as I thought..."
Her gaze shifted to the burning sun above. “My sweet, sweet sister… the higher you go, the farther you mustfall. And fallen you have… though you refuse to admit it.” Her grin grew more malicious. She landed on a still standing roof. “Such a welcome sight, dear sister!” Nightmare grinned at the tall figure on another nearby roof. “It’s been so, so long…”
The figure turned to Nightmare, “Yes it has. And the whore herself thought she could keep me locked away forever… but now, NOW I will have my time…”
“Oh… and here I hoped to bathe the world in night.” Nightmare laughed. “I suppose I can settle for torturing all those that abandoned us. Starting with…”
“The royal whores themselves.” They both said.
“The human is already beginning to give in. All that’s needed is for…” The figure said.
“Patience, dear sister. Don’t you feel it?” Nightmare shushed.
“Yes… I do.” The massive mare grinned, “They’re weakened… they wanted to defeat you.”
“My… they forgot how cunning we can be… locked away for so long…” Nightmare sighed, crossing her arms.
“Perhaps we should let them win? Or… believe they have?” The figure offered. “Give them a false hope… and wait for the right moment…”
“And strike out at both of them.” Nightmare sounded giddy. “I knew you still had it in you, sister!”
The tall mare laughed. “She didn’t call me Daybreaker for nothing.” The mare was engulfed in flame now as she cast off the false form. “Let them free… We’ll bide our time… Now that we’re reunited…”
“Shouldn’t I engage them at least?” Nightmare chuckled. “They seem so intent on fighting me…”
“No… No let them think you fell in their little assault.” Daybreaker waved to the forces managing to break into the camp.
Nightmare nodded, “Wonderful.” She cast a simple spell, releasing the dream from her grasp.
Twilight and Arkantos felt the spell, but they knew something was wrong.
“She’s letting us go.” Twilight muttered.
“No… No. She’s not.” Ark shook his head.
Arkantos wasn’t about to wait for anything else to happen. He immedietly started blasting away at the buildings, trying to clear more away. They needed to see more.
That’s when they noticed it. More… fire. In the distance. However, it wasn’t as if something was burning, more like…
“Wh… I’ve seen that before when Celestia got really, really angry.” Twilight muttered. “H-how the hell is Daybreaker here?”
“It doesn’t matter!” Ark said, grabbing Twilight’s hand. “Take us in close.”
“But…”
“They might think it was me firing off something to signal the attack to stop.” Ark said. “We have a chance.”
Twilight nodded, teleporting the both of them up onto a nearby building.
Then Twilight saw both of them, they were still distracted, laughing almost manically.
They may be powerful evil beings… but really, a spell? Didn’t either of them think that she, the element of MAGIC would feel it?
“Good…”
Several blasts of magic hit the nearby building, startling Nightmare and Daybreaker, giving the human and pony combo a chance to teleport right behind them.
Without a sound, Ark swung hard catching Nightmare Moon completely by surprise.
Twilight blasted Daybreaker off the roof, sending her sprawling to the cobblestone below.
Ark’s burning blade managed to strike through a bit of Nightmare’s armor, causing her to scream in pain before hitting him with a spell. He was sent to the ground as well, and Twilight yelled after him.
“ARK!”
“Fuck… Smart move. Attacking when we least expected it…” Nightmare growled. She cast a spell, and she heard screams below as several humans were magically drained to heal herself.
Twilight stumbled back, preparing a shield.
Nightmare was a bit predictable, and she lashed out at Twilight now. “THIS IS FOR TAKING MY RIGHTEOUS NIGHT FROM ME!” The angry alicorn screeched, firing spell after spell at Twilight.
Twilight could feel how angry Nightmare was, and she quickly thought of a way to use that to her advantage. “You’re damn right I did! And I’m going to do it again!” Twilight retorted.
The glow behind Nightmare’s eyes doubled and she roared angrily, now her arms were surrounded in magic, forming vicious looking blades as she dashed towards the unicorn.
Twilight blinked Nightmare out of the way, congratulating herself on learning the actually efficient teleportation. Nightmare wasn’t prepared for the sudden shift. She slammed into another really close roof, grunting loudly as her blades had gotten stuck.
Twilight realized the blades weren’t magical anymore… They were fully real, and she was thankful that she’d acted so quickly. “Stupid bitch. You know I’m smarter then you right?” Twilight let just a bit of pride slip in. Though it was planned. She wanted to anger Nightmare into a blind rage… if she could manage that maybe she could set the corrupted version of Luna against Daybreaker, easing their fight considerably.
However, that plan was put on hold as Daybreaker screamed loudly.
“FOR GLORY!” Arkantos shouted.
“GLORY AND HONOR TO THE EMPEROR!” Several other male voices shouted.
Twilight remembered that the Blades of Faust were patrolling, and now they’d be converging here, giving them a significant advantage.
“FAUST GRANT US STRENGTH AND HONOR!”
“HAIL!”
“Stupid fucking monkeys! You have no idea that she isn’t with you!” Daybreaker screamed.
Twilight wasted no more time and blasted Nightmare through the roof.
Nightmare screeched again, this time being sent through the floor and down onto the ground as Twilight kept blasting.
Daybreaker hadn’t had much luck since the beginning. First, even though the human had hit the ground hard, he seemed to be gaining strength from HER sun. While she couldn’t even call out to it.
Now they were taunting her with praises to the creator of Equus. What did the hairless apes know of her?
Now, worst of all she was surrounded by more humans, all fighting in unison.
“DAMN YOU ALL! I’LL BURN YOU TO CINDERS!” She roared, now FORCING this dream sun to her will.
It cried in agony, it wasn’t something that the humans around her could hear… except for Arkantos. He recoiled as if injured.
“BURN, BURN IN MY HOLY FIRE!” Daybreaker roared.
“TWILIGHT SHIELD YOURSELF!” Arkantos screamed.
Twilight’s barrage against Nightmare Moon stopped, and she put up a shield around herself, then an idea hit her. She teleported down, and put up a slightly larger shield. She hoped her idea would work.
Arkantos was saved from the burning hellfire by his magic. However… not much else was so lucky. The ruins of the city, with many, many buildings still standing tall was wiped away to burning and smoking rubble in an instant. All life was instantly annihilated. There was no time for pain, no agony, all simply stopped existing as they were reduced to shadows on the street, or on the few still standing walls.
Arkantos collapsed as the last of his extra magic was drained defending his own life. He took in deep and ragged breaths.
“YES, YES! ALL OF YOU ARE WORTHLESS BEFORE ME!” Daybreaker roared with malicious and happy laughter. Then she looked down to Arkantos, before her attention was drawn to the diminishing shield as Twilight retracted it.
Daybreaker growled and stepped over Arkantos as he fell to his chest, trying to pretend to be winded.
“Bah, I knew my sister was useless. Stupid whorse couldn’t even properly take over Luna… let alone a weakened human. But now… now I have a chance to strike Celestia where it will really hurt.” Daybreaker chuckled. “Come to me little pony… and I might just let you live long enough to watch me destroy your friends and family.”
Twilight however teleported away for a moment.
“Oh? Playing hide and seek?” Daybreaker laughed. “There’s no where left to hide little one! You’re in MYdomain now! THIS IS MY WORLD NOW!”
Outside Celestia was scolding herself. “Why… why, WHY!” She growled.
“S-sister what’s wrong?”
“When I fed magic into Arkantos, Daybreaker escaped! Now she and Nightmare are together against Twilight and Arkantos!” Celestia growled. “And there-”
They felt it, the magical coma that had blocked Twilight was lifted.
“What…” Luna muttered. Celestia and Luna glanced wearily at each other.
“Go to Arkantos sister. It’s his dream… if this is truly an opening…” Celestia began.
“No… I won’t enter. But… there is something I can do to help.” Luna smiled widely.
“Then do it! They’ll need help!” Celestia pleaded.
“Why? Wasn’t sh-”
“No! I’ve been keeping her locked inside me for over a thousand years now! And I haven’t been sealed!” Celestia said quickly, sounding genuinely ashamed of herself. “She’s… more powerful then I am… and had you not returned…”
Luna hugged Celestia. “Sister… they’ll all forgive you.” She assured. “I know Twilight will…”
“Just please… get them out of there alive.” Celestia pleaded. “If I do anything else…”
“She’ll grow stronger… and with Nightmare now dead…” Luna began.
Daybreaker roared as the massive black clouds filled the sky. “DAMN IT!”
She tried to break the clouds, but they refused to budge, as if something more powerful was controlling them.
“Uugh…” Arkantos muttered.
Daybreaker spun around and grinned. “Maybe not all is lost…” She licked her lips and approached Arkantos. “I may not have the sun… but you human… you survived my wrath.” She reached down and picked him up.
Arkantos didn’t have nearly as much strength as he thought he did. He tried to break free, only to receive a punch to the gut, one that bent and broke his armor.
“No. You’re mine now.” Daybreaker laughed. “Your little whorse will come to get you~” She nearly sung. “And then I’ll have you both…” She grinned evilly, dragging him through the rubble and towards one of the few standing buildings. “Though… you won’t be of much use… so, I will have to kill you. Can’t have any witnesses can I?” She chuckled, throwing him down a flight of stairs and into the basement of the building. “I won’t kill you yet… I want her to break when she witnesses you suffering…”
“And I will make you suffer…”
---------------------------------------
Meanwhile:
Twilight teleported both herself and her new ‘captive’ to the remains of the Cathedral.
Nightmare Moon was barely conscious, and she didn’t even struggle as Twilight set her down against a wall.
“There… we esc-” Twilight paused as she spun around looking for Arkantos. “W-what? Ark? Where are you?”
Nightmare Moon didn’t say anything snarky, she didn’t even comment. She was lost in thought, did… her own sister really think her worthless? Why help her then… unless Daybreaker just intended to kill her later on.
“Damn it! Where co-”
“Daybreaker most likely has him.” Nightmare said quietly. “She’s going to lay a trap with him… he’ll die either way if you go in alone. And she’ll have you all to herself.” She seemed to have enough strength left to speak.
“DAMN IT!” Twilight growled, though she wasn’t mad at Nightmare. “Damn it… how could I be so stupid?”
“You wanted to escape her… you didn’t do something stupid. You saved yourself.” Nightmare sighed.
“No! He said he was going to protect me… I should have…”
“And he did. Didn’t he? He warned you about her attack, earning her ire if he survived.” Nightmare shook her head. “Ugh… It seems as if Luna is trying to turn the tide…” She looked up at the sky, the heavy black clouds. “My… She cares for you… They both do.”
“Of course the Princesses care about me, Luna’s my friend an-”
“No. Not Celestia.” Nightmare sighed, she didn’t attempt to stand, or use any magic.
“Oh… I… I know he does.” Twilight sighed.
Nightmare cast a single spell. “Luna, if you can hear me…” She choked back a small sob. “I… I’m sorry for what I did…”
Twilight turned to look at Nightmare. Thankfully her plan had worked… saving Nightmare’s life made her regret harming Luna… trying to harm her and Arkantos.
Twilight approached Nightmare Moon, extending her hand out.
Nightmare eyed her wearily. “What do you intend?”
“To get your help… you said I shouldn’t go in alone.” Twilight emphazised this by stretching her fingers out. “C’mon… if you’re truly sorry, then help.”
Nightmare took Twilight’s hand, “Twilight…”
“Yeah?”
“Thank you for saving me.” Nightmare said quietly. “Without you… I’d be gone forever.”
“Nightmare…” Twilight began. “Don’t mention it. I… I knew you weren’t evil from the beginning… just… angry. Lonely…”
“Scared.” Luna finished as she appeared beside the two.
Nightmare stumbled back and fell to the ground again, she quickly scooted back. Trying to get away.
“W-what… Oh… Oh please no…” Nightmare babbled, truly scared of the recovered alicorn.
Luna approached Nightmare and hoisted her up. “On your flank, and on the floor is not a good look for a princess.” Luna scolded her doppleganger.
“W-what?” Nightmare babbled.
“When I heard you speak… well, I knew I needed to offer some help.” Luna sighed. “More so then just a simple rain st-”
Luna cut herself off, “What? I just created a few rain clouds…”
Nightmare began to laugh. “Luna… this is a nightmare a few clouds turns into a hurricane!” She smiled, a genuinely happy one. There was no ill intent behind it.
Luna smiled back. “I should have known… and now it’s becoming Daybreaker’s nightmare.” She laughed a little too.
“So, it’s three against one!” Twilight grinned. “Now… we need to locate where she i-”
“Sister isn’t very subtle when she’s angry.” Luna and Nightmare Moon said in unison.
At that a massive beam of light attempted to destroy the clouds above. Only for a moment did sunlight shine through.
In that moment Luna threw up a shield as a barrage of spells hit all around the city. They heard the survivors scream and cry in agony as they were obliterated.
Twilight’s hope that all ponies were redeemable was completely squashed. “She’s…”
“Unlike Nightmare… Daybreaker’s had a chance to fully fester. She’s everything Celestia strives to not be… a cruel and sadistic tyrant. All of her fears, all of her nightmares…”
“I’m… partially to blame for her creation.” Nightmare sighed. “I… never realized how vile she was until…”
“I know. You just wanted revenge for being abandoned… for being forgotten and left alone. We both did.” Luna nodded solemnly. “Now however… we have a chance to destroy her once and for all…”
Twilight nodded. “And save Arkantos.”
“If… and only if we act fast enough. Lest she get bored and kill him just to get at you.” Nightmare added.
Twilight cringed. “We can’t let that happen.” She said firmly.
“I’m… far too weak to be of help in a direct fight…” Nightmare began.
“Then you’ll go locate Ark and help him out.” Twilight said. “Luna and I will combat Daybreaker.”
“Right.” Luna nodded firmly. “And if need be I can slip out to help from a better position.”
Nightmare glanced between the two of them. They were so distracted by Daybreaker now, she smiled a little inwardly. They were trusting her… there was no way she was going to help them, was there? Why should she? She’d be sealed again. She could at least play along, and then strike while they were weak.
“Let’s move fast… the less time we waste the better.” Luna said, the three mares heading back into the ruined city.
The three moved stealthily, thanks to Luna and Twilight’s combined magic. They quickly approached the location where Daybreaker had taken refuge, and where she had taken Arkantos.
“Come out, come out where ever you are… Little pony.” Daybreaker cooed. “I won’t hurt you, Twi… I just want to get closer to you. Isn’t that what you want too?” She sounded eerily like Celestia would have instead of the almost demonic voice she normally spoke with.
“Alright… I’ll get her attention and draw her away.” Twilight began.
“We, will.” Luna corrected. “You can’t fight her alone right now… even cut off from the sun she’s still powerful.”
“I’ll got get Arkantos, and hopefully… if we can clear away a spot without her noticing, he can access the sun.” Nightmare offered, both Luna and Twilight lighting up.
“That’s a great idea!” Twilight smiled.
“I hadn’t even thought of that!” Luna nodded. “That’s our plan then.”
Nightmare was a bit taken aback, but she pushed out another genuine smile. “Alright!”
Luna and Twilight broke, firing spells rapidly at Daybreaker.
“Wha- Don’t think you can win even with two of you!” She cackled firing back at the two.
Nightmare dashed to the house, searching rapidly for the human.
Daybreaker hadn’t missed her and grinned widely. “Good… you’re still alive… maybe you aren’t so worthless after all…” She mused.
She turned her attention back to Twilight and Luna, basically swatting their spells away. Toying with them as she fought a winning battle.
Unbeknownst to Daybreaker the two were actually toying with her.
Twilight surprised Daybreaker a huge amount. She’d managed to copy Nightmare’s blade summoning spell, though it was imperfect. She still charged, joined by Luna striking Daybreaker with a beam.
Daybreaker was forced back under the rapid assault, taken off guard by their coordination.
“Damn it! I won’t lose to you two!” Daybreaker roared.
“What makes you think you’re going to win?” Twilight shouted at her, swinging, albiet with no direction.
“You’re a fool! Don’t you realize what Nightmare’s going to do? She isn’t your friend!” Daybreaker laughed.
Luna and Twilight cringed at the thought of her betraying them. “You’re wrong!” Twilight retorted.
“Oh? Just watch.” Daybreaker licked her lips.
Twilight and Luna’s eyes widened as they saw the blood covering Nightmare’s blades.
Nightmare entered the building and slowly made her way down to where she knew she’d find Arkantos. She knew he was still alive, otherwise they wouldn’t be here. She just wondered what state she’d find him in.
He was laying face up on the floor with another person tending to him.
“Don’t worry prince…” The soldier said. “You’ll be fine.” He assured, having started to bandage up his wounded leg.
“That looks horrendous.” Nightmare said, startling the two. Arkantos could barely raise his arms or move.
The other human however raised his weapon up to defend Arkantos, “Stay away from him, m-”
“Don’t worry. I’m not here to kill him.” Nightmare said. “No… No I can’t doom my only chance now can I?” She mused, though with the compliments and Luna welcoming her help. She didn’t think that was the truth anymore. She kneeled down and examined Arkantos’ leg, “Absolutely horrendous…”
“W-why are y-y-ou…” Arkantos muttered.
“Twilight Sparkle of all ponies convinced me to help.” Nightmare said.
Arkantos fell silent.
“Human… you soldier.” Nightmare looked up to the other human.
“What?” The soldier asked.
“Do you want him to survive?” Nightmare asked, the human nodded. “What are you willing to do?”
“Anything! The Prince needs to survive!” The soldier stated.
“I can transfer your life-force into his body. It will heal him up but….” Nightmare continued. “It will kill you.”
The soldier looked down to Arkantos. The grim look that took over the second human’s face scared Nightmare, was he really willing to sacrifice himself for another?
“I’ll do it. My life is for the crown.” The soldier sighed, standing up. “What do I d-”
Nightmare had summoned her blades, “You’ll give your life for a man you barely know.” She said, “Are you prepared?”
“For honor.” The soldier nodded. “My Prince… take care.” He gave one final nod to Arkantos before NIghtmare slammed both blades through his stomach.
Though it was just a dream, and Arkantos knew it… this act had a deeper meaning.
“This isn’t just a dream anymore Arkantos. There’s a strange magic in you… something ancient.” Nightmare explained. He felt a return to vitality as she set the body down, leaning down to close his eyes. “No dream should go on for this long… No dream should take twist like this. No, something else is turning this into reality.” She shook her head. “Yes… I made what happened in the dream happen to your bodies… but that should have vanished with me releasing you two.”
“What… nnnn… do you mean?”
“I assume it’s Daybreaker… and if we defeat her, you’ll both be free.” Nightmare said,leaning down to look Arkantos in the eyes.
“And why do you care?” Arkantos coughed out. “You could’ve taken me over…”
“Twilight and Luna… trust me. I don’t know why. It bothers me and I need to find out why.” Nightmare said. “I NEED to find out why.”
Arkantos stared at her for a few moments. “Is that… really all that you’re doing this for?” He mused.
“Shut up and take my kindness.” Nightmare growled.
Arkantos attempted to stand up.
“Give it a little more time.” Nightmare said, “You need to heal just a bit more.” She stared down at him for a few moments longer. “Tell me something, human… What brought you to this world?”
“I’d think you’d know.” Arkantos coughed up a bit of blood.
“I didn’t delve too deep. Even if I do feed on nightmares, there’s some things that I’d never touch… and those memories before you arrived here were so…”
“Disgusting.” Arkantos finished for her. “My world is dead… I’m all that remains of not only my family, but my species as a whole.”
“Do… you know what happened?” Nightmare asked, leaning down to help straighten him against a wall. “I… wish to sate my own curiosity.” She explained.
“Not exactly… something about cultists… an invasion of our world from something beyond. Demons... no, no demons are that vile…” He shook his head. “Undead rising up without necromancers… It all happened within a year… Nothing had ever overtaken us so fast and hard. Every single one of us that fell, rose back up to join the ranks of the damned.”
“Tis the curse of undeath.” Nightmare sighed. “For as much pain as i’ve caused now, I’m sorry.”
Arkantos groaned quietly and slowly stood up, “Actions speak louder then words. So prove yours through more then just empty apologies.” He began. “Help us defeat Daybreaker, free Twilight and I from her grasp, and I swear. I’ll do whatever I can to help you in whatever way you need.”
Nightmare scanned his face for a moment. “Alright. I’ll… hold you to your word.” She said.
“I’m sure you have a plan.” Arkantos said.
“I’m going to convince them that you’re dead. If Luna isn’t completely caught up in the moment, she’ll realize quickly that you aren’t. I don’t know about Twilight though, and of course Daybreaker doesn’t know whos dream this is.”
“Okay, bu-”
“While she’s distracted, I’ll try to break the clouds… if I do, take hold of the sun before she can.” Nightmare explained quickly. “We won’t have much time. And if she gets it, she’s going to destroy all of us.”
Arkantos nodded, “Great. I’ll try but…”
“That was her calling to you, if you’re worried. When you were snapped back to reality by Twilight, she decided to come in herself.” Nightmare assured.
“Tell me something, Nightmare…” Arkantos began.
“Hm?”
“What happens if we do succeed and get out?”
“I’ll either remain trapped in your mind… and if you try to keep your promise, I’ll help ease your nightmares. Or Luna will take me back in and… well, I don’t know. She could just destroy me.” Nightmare sighed.
“You know… I’ve heard of ancient magics that could create a body.” Arkantos began. “I don’t know it… far, far too advanced, and out of my speciality.” He sighed. “If Serya was here he might know about it… He delved deep into magic, knew things most could only ever dream of…”
“My… a body all my own.” Nightmare mused. “Perhaps… if it is possible, I’d enjoy that. Being able to be free… even if I am going to be trailed like a dog.” She shook her head.
“With this, I’m sure you’ll have Twilight and Luna on your side… if you aren’t just going to stab us in the back.” Arkantos said. “Come on… let’s go beat Daybreaker back.”
Nightmare chuckled. “Let me take the lead… I can’t have our secret weapon being revealed to early now can I?”
Twilight’s rage was beginning to boil over, Nightmare had just betrayed them, she killed Arkantos!
Luna however nudged her, “Play along.” She whispered.
It was then that it hit Twilight, if Arkantos had died, they’d be long gone. Twilight still acted as though rage was consuming her, though she waited. “How… Dare… You…” She growled out firing off an admittedly weak spell at Nightmare.
Though the second alicorn got the idea rather quick that they both knew. “Bah, you think I was just going to let something so weak live? Oh how he extolled virtue and honor upon me… up until I drove my blade through his heart.” She feigned a devious grin.
Daybreaker laughed and her attention shifted back to Twilight and Luna.
The other two mares watched Nightmare make a small gesture as they saw Ark atop the roof of the building he’d been kept in.
“Now… before we were so rudely interrupted…” Nightmare’s attention fell to Twilight.
“Think you can win this time?” Twilight laughed quietly.
“I’ll damn well try.” Nightmare grinned.
Daybreaker blasted away at Luna and Twilight creating a thick cloud of smoke.
Luna and Nightmare dashed forward, though Luna stopped short, and Nightmare kept going right past her.
It was then that a hail of ice shards hit the area around Daybreaker, one slicing her snout as it passed. She yelped and whirled around, taking her attention off of the other three. “YOU!” She growled.
Arkantos glared down at her. “Truth be told Daybreaker?”
“I’m going to kill you!”
“You should’ve already made sure I was dead.” He growled, hitting her in the face with a ball of fire.
Daybreaker roared, it was only a distraction and she knew-
Then she was hit by freezing cold water.
The rain… “THE FUCKING STORM!” She growled out, she started blasting spells at him, trying to destroy him.
Twilight teleported him away, the two smiling as they saw each other again.
“You had me worried, ya know?” Twilight joked quietly, embracing him for a moment.
He returned the embrace, though they were quick to seperate.
“I thought she’d gotten to you too.” Ark sighed. “Thank you for the help.” He grinned, the two turning to face the now (though she was always angry) Daybreaker.
“HOW DARE YOU!” She howled.
“Oh can it you giant bitch.” Luna sighed. “You’re constant yammering is driving me insane.”
“It’s driving us both insane.” Nightmare chuckled.
Now that she was soaked, her fire magic was severely weakened. “Bah…” Daybreaker stepped back and seared all of the water off of herself.
In her moment of distraction, Luna and Nightmare tore open the cloud bank.
“Alright, you think you can channel it Ark?” Twilight asked, now the two alicorns created a wall of magic to defend Ark as he tried.
Twilight took his hand, “Ark?”
-------------------------------------------
First Person:
I gazed up at the dream version of Sol.
Once again I heard the voice calling to me, a language… ancient one that I didn’t, or just couldn’t ever recognize.
It sounded… happy that I was back in it’s sight.
“Ark?” Twilight’s voice called me back and I looked to her.
I only now realized she was holding my hand, this entire night… everything felt so wrong, except for her.
“Please… if yo-”
“Don’t worry Twilight.” I assured, squeezing her hand for a hold on reality. “It’ll be too easy for me to garner Sol’s power.” I looked back up.
This time the voice had fallen silent. Almost as though it was angry.
I took in a deep breath and drew in more power.
Twilight squeezed my hand tighter, “I believe in you.”
I smiled a bit, and closed my eyes.
The heat radiating through me was unlike anything I’d ever felt. It was… glorious.
“NO!” Daybreaker screeched. Though, the sound of her spells trying to destroy the shield faded away. The only thing I really noticed now was Twilight letting go of my hand, almost as if she were in pain.
My attention snapped to her immediately.
“Oh Faust… Arkantos…” She muttered quietly, looking fearfully at me.
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
Twilight’s fears were calmed. “You’re… s-still you.” She smiled slightly.
“What do y-” I looked down at my hands.
-------------------------------------------------
Twilight’s POV:
I gawked at Arkantos, his armor had changed so rapidly. He’d been consumed by sunlight for a few moments, and I thought as his temperature raised, he was being taken over by something far worse.
The new armor looked so natural on him, it was almost frightening, but hearing his voice, seeing how stunned he was… It wiped away all of that.
“Mean…” He finished his sentence as he looked over what he could see of his body.
“I’ll show you later… alright? Just… we have-”
“A demon to kill.” Arkantos nodded, drawing his sword out. His free arm was bathed in sunlight, unlike anything I’d ever seen.
Then the sun itself dimmed as Daybreaker too took control over it.
I saw Ark recoil a little. “Damn it…”
“Ke-”
“Cut her off and you cut me off!” Ark cut my shout off completely. “We need to overpower her!”
I nodded, “Right!” I took a step beside him. “Lead the way, Prince.” I grinned as Luna and Nightmare now gave stunned glances back at us.
Arkantos gave no heroic speech or call to arms, he only charged. The sunlight began to reform around him almost immediately, startling me as he went from running to mounted atop some sort of animal. The blade shifted to a lance and he burst through the shield as if it wasn’t there.
An idea hit me, I cast a simple voice manipulation spell on him.
He must have felt the magic be cast as now he started shouting at her. “I’m coming for you BITCH!” His voice was gnarled and twisted, and Daybreaker must not have expected it because she dove to the side in fear, the lance barely missed her.
Luna, Nightmare, and I ran to join him. I felt a rush seeing him fighting back against Daybreaker, I’d already discovered, this fight was no longer for him.
He was attempting to save me.
Though… I don’t really need it anymore, I’ll just let him play hero for a bit longer though… no sense in pulling him down to the ground again just yet...
Arkantos’ blade narrowly missed Daybreaker’s head before the alicorn could dodge back. She screeched, swinging her own weapon.
The clash of steel was heard as he parried her blow. “You have no chance here!” He growled delivering a swift kick to her stomach, sending her backwards.
Nightmare, Luna, and Twilight dove into the fight.
Daybreaker could immediately tell he wasn’t possessed by something, and she knew just the way to get at him, even if he was better in direct combat… she knew one of the four who wasn’t.
Though, she hadn’t truly seen his tactical mind, and now it was on full display.
Before the other three mares could enter the fight, Arkantos created a wall of flame blocking them from getting close.
“No, she’s mine.” Ark growled.
“Ark you ca-”
Daybreaker however intended for him to block them.
“YOU IDI-”
The flames rushed towards them, but Twilight teleported them out of the way.
Arkantos spun, his blade now engulfed in an icy aura, much to her surprise even channeling the sun in this dream all his magic was open to him. He swung wildly, not even attempting to land a blow.
Daybreaker continued to stumble back. She narrowed her eyes, “You think a bit of magic is going to scare ME?” She laughed uproariously.
‘Arkantos, can you hear me?’ Twilight’s voice filled his mind. ‘Don’t let her know, just step back and guard yourself, let her attack.’
He shifted back bringing his guard up to full as Daybreaker summoned herself a wicked looking halberd. He was taken aback, without a shield he was left to parry and block blows that otherwise would have ripped him in two.
The two battled tooth and nail as Twilight, Luna, and Nightmare hashed out a plan.
Daybreaker had forgotten completely about them, her attention so heavily focused on the body she now wanted control of.
“Come now, Arkantos… there’s no need to fight.” Daybreaker began, her attacks coming a little less frequently.
“You’re trying to kill me, and you say there’s no reason to fight?” Ark scoffed.
“Come now, you really think they are going to accept you? Most ponies barely stand gryphons or zebras, and they’ve been right near Equestria for all of its existence.” Daybreaker continued. “Think, you’re a creature with extreme magic… you scared Celestia and if that gets out? You think the ponies will be smart enough to treat you kindly? You’ll be ostracized… and to think you’re already alone here.”
Arkantos’ eyes narrowed, and he took note that she wasn’t even attacking him anymore, just blocking his own blows. “What are you getting at?”
“Think, I’m part of Celestia… I could give you access to the sun. You’d be able to make sure ponies loved you… those that didn’t? Well what could they do against you?” Daybreaker laughed.
‘Alright, we have a pla-’’
“We could join forces, make something grand. Have all the power… all the money… have everything you want.” Daybreaker licked her lips.
‘Arkantos?’ Twilight’s voice sounded a bit angsty.
“Ponyville? It’d be mere foalsplay to take it over… what with Celestia and Luna both here? You’d take them out in one go… or perhaps break Celestia enough for me to take over.” Daybreaker sauntered over to Ark, placing a hand on his chest. “Think, you and I ruling as king and queen… we could dominate this entire world. Your knowledge… we could work out what to do, equip our forces with things this world has never seen nor thought of.”
“And why should I believe you’re going to let me live once you have power?”
“Because, every Queen deserves a King, doesn’t she?” Daybreaker laughed. “And oooh, I could rock your world…”
Arkantos’ mood shifted slightly. He found it, the perfect opening.
“Maybe… It sounds like it could be something…”
‘Arkantos! Please, don’t!’ Twilight pleaded.
“Tell me then, my King what do you thin-” Daybreaker’s breath was ripped from her, as was all ability to fight.
“Fuck. You.” Arkantos growled, twisting the dagger he’d driven into her stomach. Her armor didn’t help protect her from the small blade, it slipped right between the plates of her armor.
Daybreaker’s eyes widened and she stumbled back dropping her weapon before falling onto her ass. “Y-you… you’re f-far too smart…”
“No, it has nothing to do with intelligence.” Arkantos growled. “It has to do with my personal honor!” He kicked her down, causing her to gasp. “You… you and everyone else can find me stupid. Angry. Or even VIOLENT. But I don’t care. Not anymore.” He aimed his sword at her throat.
By now Luna, Nightmare, and Twilight were rushing towards him.
“I don’t care about your plans, your power, your wants. I’ve lost everything except who I am. And… to be honest? I prefer myself.” He glared at Daybreaker. “Don’t think for a moment, a single fucking MOMENT. I’ll go back on who I am for anything.”
Twilight skidded to a stop.
“When you’re at the end… things stop mattering. You know what? I hoped I would’ve died after I slew the shadow beast. I was praying for death. I had nothing. I was alone.”
Daybreaker tried to take his monologue in stride, his blade hadn’t done all too much damage, and she was able to pry it free.
“Now, I have something. Though, for how long it’ll last, I don’t know.” Arkantos glanced to Twilight.
“Luna, Nightmare don’t!” Twilight shouted, causing the two alicorns to stop dead in their tracks naught a hundred feet from Arkantos and Daybreaker.
“And w-what do you have?” Daybreaker egged him on to continue as she saw the clouds beginning to break and the sun start to shine.
“A promise I made.” Arkantos threw his sword away. He wasn’t going to take any chances.
“H-ha, and you think she’ll return the favor?” Daybreaker laughed. “What will you get from keeping it?”
“A friend.” Arkantos growled out.
Now the sun was burning bright up above and Daybreaker called out to it.
Her wound was healing rapidly and all energy returned to her.
“You’re a fool for that! I offered you power, and a kingdom!” Daybreaker lunged up with his own dagger.
Arkantos didn’t budge, only wincing as the blade pierced his stomach. His eyes locked with Daybreaker’s, then she felt it.
The chill.
“I know I can’t beat you with fire.” Arkantos grinned widely.
Daybreaker’s eyes widened as he suddenly embraced her completely.
“NO!” She screamed trying to break free.
“FEEL THE ICY WIND OF THE NORTH!” Arkantos bellowed, suddenly a massive blizzard whipped up around the two engulfing them both completely in frozen shards that bit into the flesh like broken glass.
The last thing they heard was Daybreaker’s scream before both Twilight and Luna were forcefully woken up.
Twilight launched herself to her feet, adrenaline keeping her standing despite the still present pain of her recent injury.
“Twilight! You need to stay in bed!” Celestia nearly ordered as she jumped up, hugging Twilight close. “We don’t know how badly you’ve been hurt…”
“B-but Arkantos, he just… engulfed himself in a blizzard… I need to know if he’s alright!” Twilight retorted.
“We need to know if you’re alright first! He’s surrounded by doctors, if anything’s wrong with him he’ll be taken care of!” Celestia said quickly, not really catching her words.
Twilight’s eyes widened, “W-wha-”
Celestia took in a deep breath. “If he’s hurt, they’ll help him.” She looked up at Twilight, “Please… I want you to be fine. I… want you both to be fine.” She trailed off. “He’s… so much less important to me, when compared to you.”
Twilight remained silent as she looked at Celestia. She nodded slowly before sitting back down. “Alright… I… I trust you.”
“I’m just… so happy you’re alright…” Celestia sighed, looking down towards the ground. “This, this was all my fault.”
Twilight lightly hugged Celestia. “Everything’s turned out alright hasn’t it?” She said quietly.
Celestia just nuzzled her. “Yes… yes it has.” She sighed, “Now, why don’t we go see if he’s alright together?”
Twilight nodded and the two left. Within a few minutes they arrived at Arkantos’ room. He was missing from his bed, but they could immediately tell why. Two guards were outside the bathroom, and they heard the sound of…
“I think we should leave…” Celestia began.
“I-It’s al-” Ark was cut off.
“N-no… I want to wait. Just to make sure.” Twilight shook her head.
They heard the water running, from both the toilet, and the sink.
“Gods… Thankfully this is easy to figure out.” They heard him chuckled quietly. There was a thump against the door. “Ooooh, still not much energy.” He laughed, opening the door.
Twilight embraced him, catching them both with her magic. “I’m so happy you ma-” She stopped. “You’re freezing!” She tightened her grip on him.
“It’s my magi-”
She pulled him into the room and forced him to sit down on the bed.
Celestia smiled slightly.
“Fine…” He sighed, “Just… let me do one last thing, okay?”
“As long as you rest afterwards.” Twilight nodded, pulling the chair she’d sat down in before all of this had begun.
“I promise. Just… I need to balance everything out.” Arkantos smiled, creating a small flame in his hand, though it sputtered and died after a few moments. “Mmm… or not.” He sighed. “Never thought using magic in a dream would drain my mana outside of it.” He shook his head.
“Wait… you’re out of magical energy?!?” Celestia began, “Where are the doc-”
“No… no not out yet. Close enough that I'll be using no more magic for a few days.” Ark sighed. “Ugh… Unless Thestra weed exists here…” He laughed.
“Thestra weed?” Celestia inquired.
“You smoke pot?” Twilight asked.
“Huh? It’s a common ingredient in mana potions. It’d be easy to make some if there were a brewer nearby.” Ark shook his head.
The mares sighed quietly. “Ah… well, you’ll just have to rest a while.” Celestia said.
“More time to find out what life is like here, right?” Arkantos smiled, relaxing back onto the bed for the first time. He felt… liberated now. His attention shifted to Twilight as she sat down on the bed.
“Good, if you try anything else, I would’ve locked you in a room.” She joked, putting a hand on his shoulder and smiling down at him.
Arkantos laughed loudly, seeming a bit happier now then any of her previous encounters with him.
“I’ll leave you two alone for now…” Celestia sighed as she left.
Twilight tried to shift down to her chair, only for Ark to reach up and grab her shoulder. “Just… please sit here with me for a bit longer?”
Twilight nodded and pushed him a little bit so there was more room. “Better idea. Why don’t we both get some actual sleep. No dream magic, no dream walking… just…”
“Some rest? That’d be nice for once.” He smiled.
Twilight nodded and laid down beside him, she just wanted to make sure he slept. He was out within moments, his soft snoring betraying how tired he really was.
Twilight smiled as she watched him. After her last experience she was content to just stay close to him while he slept.
------------------------------
A Few Hours Later:
All of Twilight’s friends had come back to see her now that she was awake and well, but they noticed how she seemed a bit more interested in making sure Arkantos was doing alright.
“Twilight?” Dash asked.
“Huh? What’s up?” Twilight asked, turning away from the still passed out human.
“That’s what I’d like to know… you’re literally fawning over him while he’s asleep. It’s a bit creepy…” Dash said.
“What’s creepy about wanting to make sure he’s sleeping peacefully after what we both went through?” Twilight asked.
“Hun, yah need to sleep to.” Applejack said.
“I will… just, right now he needs it more.” Twilight shook her head. “And I have a feeling if I leave, he’s going to wake right up.”
“And you don-”
“Dash… inside that hell, he vowed to protect me with his own life. I owe him the courtesy of making sure he can at least sleep. Once he’s rested, I’ll have plenty of time on my own to sleep.” Twilight assured.
“Well… why can’t one of us stay here with h-” Fluttershy was cut off as Shining Armor entered the room.
“Twilight, go home, get some sleep.” He ordered. “I’ll stay here with him, for… security purposes and all that.” He joked.
“I will n-”
“I’m fine.” Arkantos startled all of them when he finally spoke up.
“But…” Twilight began, turning to look down at him. He only smiled up at her.
“I’m fine. Don’t worry about me.” He assured, slowly sitting up. “I’m already feeling better now… no bad dreams to speak of.”
Twilight sighed, “Alright. I’ll… go get some sleep too.” She smiled, “I’ll… see you tomorrow then.”
“Yeah, I’ll see you tomorrow.” Arkantos nodded, watching her as she left. Now, if it weren’t for Shining and Fluttershy’s friendliness towards him he’d have felt alone once again. He looked up at the other silent ponies in the room, and few of them were willing to meet his eye right now.
Shining sat down beside him, and started up a conversation. The young prince, and captain of the Guard was more then interested in his training and experience, wanting to truly befriend the man whom seemed to have his sister’s attention, especially after how Luna had explained most of what had occurred when she arrived in the dream to Shining.
The mares sat around and just listened, trying to be a bit more open to the man who was trapped in their world now. If their best friend trusted him, why shouldn’t they?
Twilight was happily waiting in the lobby for Arkantos to be checked out. He’d been given both the all clear from the doctors, and from Celestia. Now, the only guards watching him would be the same ones patrolling the town. Not only that, Shining was willing to accept him into the guards once he learned about Equestria’s laws and customs!
She couldn’t have been happier that he was being given some sort of life to lead. Though still, something felt… lacking in the moment. For now, she couldn’t quite put her finger on it, and it seemed whenever she tried to think more about what might be missing something always distracted her…
“There you are! I’m ready to go.” Arkantos smiled widely.
Twilight smiled up at him, the man was a full six inches taller then her, and now he was handsomely clothed.
Celestia still hadn’t given the all clear for him to walk around armored up, but he didn’t complain.
She was now able to really get a good look at him now that he was healthier. Despite his distinct lack of being a pony, he was pretty handsome. His olive skin seemed to be naturally glistening, bringing more attention to his mere presence. His long black hair was tied behind his head in a ponytail, and now she could look into his strange fiery orange eyes, it was a color she’d never really seen in someone’s eyes before, but it suited him.
By now, thanks to Celestia’s public speech, all of Ponyville new more about his arrival. Celestia had remained positive, and Shining Armor’s speech about how he held all of the virtues of being a citizen of Equestria and a member of the ‘Guard’ (he’d left out the key fact that Arkantos was in fact a soldier, and not just a royal guardsmen, as well as him being a dethroned prince) in his world, he was to be treated as nothing less then another pony, even if he wasn’t one.
Now, Arkantos when he heard about that was livid. By extolling so many virtues and trying to demand he be treated normally, they’d more then insured ponies would hate him.
At least until he got out of the hospital.
And Pinkie showed up.
With a party.
He was greeted to a thunderous applause and the sound of fireworks. (Which thanks to Twilight’s coaching didn’t set him off.)
The hospital staff was less then pleased about the gathering, and the undue stress it’d put on their patients, so within moments they were attempting to break it up.
All throughout the small and quite open town there were banners and different signs put up, all of them welcoming the human and new resident of Ponyville to town.
Twilight and Arkantos had many, many plans already laid out. He wanted to get into learning more about Equestria right away, and what better teacher then Twilight, and of course Celestia while she was still in town?
The two of them rushed through the gathering, stopping for various ponies to greet him, including the Cakes, the Rich family, and a few mares (whom Twilight instinctively rushed him through) who wanted to take a gander at the exotic male now amongst the general populace.
It wasn’t long before the two were barricaded inside of the private section of Twilight’s home.
Her treehouse Library was separated into two distinct halves. The first, the very front of it included all the amenities for the library, and unless she decided to close for the day, was open to the public. The second half was her actual home, and that’s where they were greeted by her brother, and the princesses.
“Come, sit. We’ll all be here to help work you through some basic things… then of course you’ll begin some advanced studies.” Celestia smiled. “Since Shining is still here, who better to explain the laws then him?”
Shining chuckled quietly.
“Sounds like a plan.” Arkantos nodded as he sat down beside Twilight.
Most of the noise of the day had died down and now the sun was beginning to set. After a lengthy explanation of basic laws, most of which he seemed to understand right away. Even commenting several times how other then a select few which only really pertained to things pegasi or unicorns were capable of, they were the same as the laws he was used to.
Since Spike had decided to stay with Rarity for the night (at her request) it was now only Twilight and Arkantos left in her home. They’d just gotten finished with some basic customs and history, and now both were hungry.
“Ugh… thanks Rares… taking Spike for the night…” She grumbled, her stomach grumbling loudly. “Guess it’s left-overs toni- Hey! Where do you think you’re going we aren-”
“To make us food.” Arkantos laughed. “What else would I be doing?”
“Wait… didn’t you say pr-”
“Look, it’s either that or we could risk going out and getting mobbed.” He joked.
Twilight chuckled, “Right.” She smiled a little.
“Anything in particular you want?” Arkantos asked, leaning against the door frame.
“Hm… surprise me.” Twilight shrugged. “I’m not too picky.”
He vanished into the kitchen, and after only a few moments Twilight walked in to join him. She took a seat and watched as he slowly figured out how to work her stove. “Ugh… a campfire would be so much easier to work with. I… really don’t know how these work.” He groaned.
Twilight laughed, “You and me both… Um, I’m pretty sure we have firewood out back… if you wanted to, I could go for some barbecue.”
“Barbecue?” Arkantos questioned. “Dunno what that is.” He shrugged. “I was going to roast some vegetables… make some other things…” He opened the fridge. “Is this… magically powered?”
“No. It uses electricity from the grid.” Twilight shook her head.
“Huh… the Capital had a powergrid in some of the ritzier places… but they never had the best food. Fresh is always better.” Arkantos chuckled. He dug around for a moment, pulling some things out.
“Well… um, I know how to work the oven and stoves but… uuuh, as Spike put it, I could burn water.” She joked.
“And I can turn um… well from other’s statements… I can make shit taste like a banquet.” Arkantos joked. “Never tried, never want to. Just know i made one of the rations that tasted like dirt, and trust me I know what dirt tastes like, taste like fresh cooked veal… oh my gods just thinking about veal is making me hungrier…”
Twilight’s mouth was beginning to water. “Yeah… anything would be good right now.”
“Here, how about you teach me how to use these, and I’ll make us both a good meal?” He offered.
“That’d be great!” Twilight nodded, walking to his side as she showed him the very basics.
Arkantos had finished sitting the last of the plates out. Despite it being just the two of them he went all out in his attempts to, from what she could gather, impress her, and impressed she was, he did know how to cook, and thanks to his ability to control temperatures… well, it all came out perfect. She was munching on whatever she could, not even really caring what it’d do to her in the morning.
Arkantos was equally as hungry, scarfing down as much as he could after subsiding on a diet of yogurt and jello for nearly a week. The two really, really didn’t care what anyone would think of this, they just wanted to enjoy the great food and company.
“Mmmphmmmm… shhoooo goood… you’re definitely staying here… it’ll give Spike a break, and somepony to bounce ideas off of…” Twilight grinned. “Mmmnnn, are you sure you’re a soldier and not just a cook?” She joked, getting a playful little kick from Ark. “Hey! I’m only kidding.” She laughed.
“Mmmmhm.” Arkantos chuckled.
Twilight shifted to his side of the table, “C’mon. Y-”
Now she recieved some mashed potatoes to the face. And boy, she wasn’t happy.
“What the he-”
And he smeared some more on her face.
“Okay you listen here! Do that again, I dar-”
He did it again, this time her magic slammed the entire bowl into his face, sending him backwards onto the ground.
“There how was that?!?” She growled.
Arkantos pulled the bowl off his face, scooped up some more mashed potatoes.
“No. Don’t you dAARE!” She screeched as she was hit with two balls of mashed potatoes.
“What are you going to do?” He teased.
“I’m going to…” She began before grinning widely down at him.
He immedietly understood why.
“You got yourself into this… remember that.” Twilight’s magic immedietly held him in place.
“No… no, no.”
“What are you going to do about it?” She teased, lifting… something up.
“No! Don’t you daaAAAAAAA!” Now it was his turn to scream.
“Steamed milk… somehow… some way… you made fucking steamed milk! And that's not even how you properly make it!” Arkantos snarked from one side of her home, the two having taken different bathrooms to wash.
Now, the shouting match was far from angry. Twilight was bawling her eyes out in laughter; she dumped an entire pitcher of milk on him!
“You covered me in mashed potatoes and gravy, how do you think I feel?” Twilight shouted back.
“I was trying to be a bi-” Arkantos was cut off by a loud thud, as a bottle of soap was teleported and thrown against the wall of his shower.
“What friendly? How is it friendly to throw food at somepony?” Twilight growled, running her fingers through her mane.
“It’s called a food fight!” Arkantos groaned, shaking his head. She had instigated it further when she dumped the ketchup on him.
“Right… that’s something foals do, and they get in trouble for it!” Twilight scolded, she really wanted to be in the same room as him so she could give him a good slap for the mess he made.
“I said I’d clean it up!” Arkantos retorted, throwing his hands up in exasperation before remembering she wasn’t in the shower with him.
“You’re damn right you will!” Twilight agreed, crossing her arms and huffing.
“Now I’m thinking about just leaving it! What are you gonna do huh?” Now he threw a bottle out into the hallway, causing it to splatter and make an even bigger mess.
“I’ll come in there right now and drag you out of the shower if I have to!” She stomped her foot, nearly ready to burst out of the shower and strangle him.
“Come and try!” He challenged grinning madly.
“You’d like it if I tried!” Twilight now grinned too, she reached down and slowly turned off her shower.
“I’d love to see you try!” He laughed loudly, likewise finishing up his shower.
By now both of them were just laughing, neither really angry anymore.
“You’re so immature.” Twilight chuckled, shaking her head as she wrapped a towel around herself.
“Says the one who decided to bring liquids into the fight.” Arkantos laughed, both of them getting out of their respective showers. “Now I’m gonna have to be wrapped in a towel…”
“Rarity gave me some more clothes for you, they’re in the guest room.” Twilight said as she stepped into her room. “Maybe us eating alone isn’t the best idea…”
“Maybe we should go out and… I don’t know, perhaps do some stargazing?” Arkantos suggested.
“That’d be nice… hopefully Dash doesn’t ruin it like she usually does. She and Pinkie love to prank others.” Twilight nodded.
“And what would Dash do?” Arkantos inquired as he entered the guest bedroom.
“She’d create a storm over us just to get us soaked.”
“So? You do remember I can do the same thing to her.” He laughed a little more, “Like… it's not that hard to ball up a liquid… li did it with the gravy.”
“It’d have been tastier if it didn’t end up soaking my shirt.” She giggled, nodding vigorously as she momentarily thought back to when the ball of gravy hit her in the face. She had followed it up with a bowl of green beans, which all were squashed into Ark’s face and hair.
The two shared another chuckle before they both met back outside their bedrooms.
“It’s been too long since I’ve had that much fun at a dinner…” Arkantos grinned widely.
“Me too…” Twilight nodded, the two walking downstairs nearly hand in hand.
They looked over the massive mess they made.
For a moment their smiles faltered. “Huh.” Ark muttered, chewing on his lip.
“You know, if anypony else had caused this I’d genuinely be angry.” Twilight assured. “But… I’ll let it slide, as long as you don’t abandon me tonight.”
“Abandon you for who?” He inquired, now grabbing her hand. Twilight immediately blushed, her eyes locking with his. “Twilight, let’s clean this up together, and then go watch the stars.”
“Alright.” Her smile doubled in size, and her horn quickly lit up. The entire room was cleaned in mere seconds, though she felt a dizziness overcome her.
Acting on pure instinct Arkantos swept her up, making sure she wouldn’t fall flat on her face.
“Oooor not… if you’re gonna pass out on me.” He smiled softly as he held her close.
Twilight rested her head against his chest. “Would it be bad to say, anything with you right now would be good?” She glanced up, scanning his face for any hint of anything bad. She didn’t know what to look for, and all she was met with was a warm smile.
“No… no it isn't.”
It was in that moment that they were interrupted.
Shining Armor and Cadance had decided to come spend some more time with the two after the married couple had eaten.
Arkantos was startled as the door opened and he dropped Twilight.
She screamed and narrowly caught herself before she hit the ground.
Shining now booted the door open, only to see a flustered Arkantos followed by a very very angry glare from Twilight. “What the hell?!?!”
Shining threw his hands up, “Sorry! We jus-”
“I’m sorry if we interrupted something, Twilight.” Cadance apologized as she stepped in. “We both wanted to spend a bit more time with you before we returned to the Crystal Empire.”
“That’s great!” Twilight nodded as a smile drew across her face. “You know, maybe with you both here…”
“Why were you in his arms… and why are you both wet?” Shining questioned.
“We both took a shower.” Twilight said dryly. “What are you trying to get at?”
“Just…”
“It was my fault… I sort of threw mashed potatoes at her. Everything got out of hand from there.” Arkantos shot Twilight a grin and she giggled. “A lot of things went flying… we were both incredibly dirty afterwards.”
Shining raised an eyebrow, “W… what?”
“A… food fight? Involving you.” Cadance began to laugh loudly. “Oh my sweet Celestia…”
“Hmph… It isn’t that funny.” Twilight pouted.
“You’re right… it’s downright adorable.” Cadance grinned widely, tugging Shining away from Twilight. “Why don’t we all sit down?”
“That’d be great!” Twilight nodded vigorously, grabbing Ark’s hand and tugging him to the couch. “What better time with to introduce him to some movies then with you two here?”
“Sure! What shoul-” Both Cadance and Twilight smiled widely, “Why not something scary?”
“Yes! Perfect! We have two big, strong stallions here to protect us…” Twilight nuzzled Arkantos. He finally wrapped his arm around her, eliciting a squee as the happy unicorn snuggled against him. “Mmmm…”
Shining seemed hesitant to let Arkantos hold his sister, but Cadance gave him no room to move as she’d moved into his lap and was lovingly nuzzle him.
“Alright, what movie should we watch?” Cadance asked, glancing over to Twilight.
“Hmm… Why don’t we watch Alien? I’ve never seen it and right now…” Twilight pressed in closer to Arkantos and smiled widely, “I feel like I could handle anything.” She looked up at him, “As long as you don’t leave me alone…”
“I’d have to be insane to leave you.” Ark said with a chuckle as he looked down at her and smiled.
“You and I are really gonna love each other…” Twilight sighed resting her head against his chest.
Twilight was vastly unprepared for horror movies, as she wasn’t a big fan of them herself. But, the reassuring warmth, and constant protective presence Arkantos gave off she found herself actually at peace.
Well… that and she had nestled her head into his neck and wasn’t paying the slightest bit of attention to the movie. Her human had also lost all interest he had and was now cuddling with her, much to the mare’s delight.
The newly formed couple were giving tentative glances to Shining and Cadance, when they finally had a moment of security, Twilight leaned up and kissed Ark. The act was more then just one of love, it was a true thank you for what had happened nearly a week ago. Both for saving her friends’ lives, and for nearly giving his own to protect her. They didn’t waste time in just touching lips, their tongues made contact within moments, the two only giving away their current situation when they released a shared moan.
Shining’s head immediately snapped to glare at them, though Cadance cupped his cheeks.
“Let them be.” She whispered soothingly, kissing his neck. “They both deserve to be happy. And if they make each other happy, then who are you to stop them?”
“W-wh…” Shining mumbled before slowly returning his attention to Cadance. “Right…” He nodded for a few moments, “Wait… don’t you mean, who are we to stop them?”
Cadance laughed a bit louder then she intended to. “I’m the Princess of Love, Shining… if their love is ever in question then I can step in.” She grinned, only to realize Twilight and Arkantos were now staring at them.
“This is my home. If you don’t like what I choose to do in it then you can leave.” Twilight huffed, pressing tighter against Arkantos who was still relatively silent.
“I’m your older brother th-”
“And I’m an adult! I don’t need somepony policing my love life.” Twilight crossed her arms as she sat up right in Ark’s lap. “And don’t… don’t get me started on things that you’ve done! Last time I was at Mom and Dad’s, Mom and I found some very interesting things hidden under your bed…”
“Woah! Hold up the-” Shining was cut off.
“What did you find?” Cadance inquired, more then a little curious about these majestic findings.
“Heh, why don’t you go to mom? She’ll give everything to you.” Twilight grinned.
“Aww… that’s no fun… I want to hear just a little abo-”
“No! I won’t stand for this!” Shining shook his head. “We’re leaving!”
“Why? Embarrassed that you didn’t hide your porno collection all that well?” Twilight giggled. “C’mon… It’s nothing to be embarrassed about… well, other then it being so… vanilla.”
“I… I am NOT talking about my kinks with my sister! That’s weird!” Shining huffed.
“He is a bit kinky Twilight.” Cadance nodded. “Not much… but his romantic endeavors more then makeup for it.” She teased, pinching Shining’s cheek.
“Stop it!” Shining ordered.
“What about you?” Cadance and Twilight’s attention turned to Arkantos.
He shrugged. “I dunno.” He grinned playfully.
“C’mon…” Twilight egged him on.
“I think cross-species attraction is a pretty big kink.” Ark teased. “That and a bit of a public romp… that was sorta fun.” His joking tone didn’t really give much in the way of truth, but Twilight’s sudden blush and her shifting in his lap did.
“Um…”
“Okay… it was in a forest, and just outside of our hunting camp… one-night stand sort of thing.” Arkantos laughed, wrapping his arms around Twilight. “I’m just teasing you.”
Twilight blushed. “Shut up.” She ordered quietly, resting against him again. “Cadance, Shining go away.”
“C’mon Shiny… Let’s go.” Cadance pulled Shining to his feet.
“No! I’m not le-”
“Let it go, Shining.” Cadance ordered, tugging him away. “You’re only just going to end up being torn apart by Twilight.”
“But…”
“I wanna cuddle with you tonight.” Twilight nestled against Arkantos. “That sounds perfect.” Arkantos squeezed her tightly. He lifted her up, his new mare cooing happily as his warmth grew.
“It is perfect.” Twilight closed her eyes and rested her head against his chest. He carried her up to her bedroom, the two almost completely forgetting about Cadance and Shining still being there. They shared a few soft kisses and Twilight warmly nuzzled him. As he sat down on the bed Twilight was quick to teleport their top layer of clothes off, she pushed him down on the bed and nuzzled into his neck. He tugged the blanket out from under them and pulled her underneath it.
Twilight was on top of the world happily laughing and giggling as he nuzzled and kissed her. “You’re amazing Twilight.” He slowly caressed her back.
“You’re certainly making me feel that way.” She pushed herself up, now looking down at his body for the first time.
“I’m all yours.” He grinned, cupping her cheeks. She blushed once again and pushed his hands down.
“Then let me look.” She whispered, shifting back onto her knees. She was now given a full view of the muscular man laying back on her bed, his olive chest looking so inviting and warm, the muscles, despite how hard they looked were incredibly soft to her touch. Just to make sure she wasn’t hallucinating she touched them, squeeing at both how soft and real they were. She looked over his scars and shivered as she felt each one. She let out a breathy moan as his hand slid up her own scar, this time he didn’t pull away as he reached her breast, though he didn’t grope or even tease her.
“You’re so damn beautiful.” He breathed, reaching up to cup her cheeks and pull her down into a kiss. She eagerly accepted the kiss and moaned into his mouth. She cupped his cheeks and used her magic to guide his hands down her back.
“It’s so… strangely wonderful.” Twilight pulled back from his lips and panted heavily.
“What is?”
“Every time I’ve met strangers so willing to protect me… it’s always turned into something so much better.” She giggled quietly, “First my best friends… and now you.” She nuzzled into his warm neck.
“When you dove into my dream to help me… I knew I had to be ready to do the same for you. Protect you from anything that would want to harm you.” Arkantos sighed as he squeezed her close. “I… knew it wasn’t just… wanting to be friendly… after you got hurt, I felt like i had failed everything…”
Twilight cut him off with a deep kiss. After nearly a minute she pulled back. “I love you Arkantos. I know you love me. Anything else… the reasons why, the way it started… that doesn’t matter right now. We have to see if it will last… then we can worry about everything else.” She laid her head down on his chest. “You agreed to cuddle tonight. So that’s what we’re going to do. No discussion, no ifs, no buts… just hold me.”
Ark nodded and hugged her close, closing his eyes as he let his new mare curl up against his warm body. “Goodnight Twilight…”
“Goodnight Ark.” She smiled, closing her eyes. “I expect to have breakfast ready tomorrow…”
Twilight was the first to wake up, she had never been so warm in her life. She nestled into Ark’s neck waking him up as well.
“Good morning.” Arkantos smiled widely, running his fingers through her mane.
“Yes it is~” Twilight cooed softly, pulling him into a kiss.
“Now, my beautiful sorcerous… what do you want to do today?” Arkantos snuggled against her, tightening his grip on her body.
“Anything...” She mumbled, “As long as it’s with you.”
He closed his eyes, nuzzling into her mane. “I love you Twilight.”
She closed her eyes as well, “I love you too…”
“It’s so strange…” He pulled back, holding her head against his neck. “I’d never have thought that I’d fall in love with someone outside of my own race…”
“Getting second thoughts?” Twilight frowned.
“Far, far from it.” He chuckled. “I’ve seen so much in and of you that I love already. You’re so damn beautiful, it’s almost as if you’re a goddess… it makes me feel so unworthy…” He pulled her head back up. “That’s not the only thing… you’re so damn intelligent, caring… I’ve never met someone willing to save a stranger like you did…” He caressed her cheeks. “Nothing can change my mind on you. Nothing.”
Twilight blushed brightly and kissed him with all the fervor she could muster. She ran her hands down his back, he mimicked the action, the two getting lost in the romantic zeal of the moment. Her magic slowly worked to strip their last bit of clothes off.
“Stop telling me then, and show me.” She whispered, gently nibbling on his ear.
Arkantos took his cue and returned the gently affection. She gasped softly as his hands slid down her body, tracing every curve and contour. She did the same, tracing his muscles, his scars, everything on his chest and arms. There was no hesitation in their touch, they needed to feel each other, and nothing short of the end of everything would stop them now.
He groped her flank, digging his fingers into her soft flesh. He shifted his soft kissing up to her horn, eliciting a soft moan from the unicorn.
Her hand snaked down to his crotch, her fingers wrapping around his shaft. He groaned softly as she added her own kisses to his chest and a gentle squeeze to his cock. She shivered, not expecting such size. “Holy…” She muttered, breaking the enchanted silence.
“Something wrong?” He asked quickly, a sudden worry dancing across his voice.
“No! I just…” Twilight squirmed free from his arms and slipped down his body, now admiring everything he had. “Okay... heh… if I wasn’t turned on before…” She joked, laughing quietly as she nuzzled his abs for a few moments. She looked up at him, resting her head on his stomach. “You’re perfect.” She cooed.
“Only because I have you.” He cupped her cheeks, she nestled against his hands.
“Don’t ever stop that.” She ordered softly, pulling free of his hands and finishing her trek down. Her eyes widened as she was finally greeted with the sight of his manhood. She was used to (even if they were only proxies) the equine sheath and flared head. She was already expecting a difference, but his cock was laying out, slightly erect already, against his pelvis and nearly every inch though soft, was fully visible for her. “It’s huge…” She breathed out. The wonder and joy in her eyes caused his heart to flutter. She nuzzled his shaft lovingly placing soft kisses on it, “You’re mine now.” She stated, not even looking up as she explored more and more of his body.
“Twilight?”
She looked up, “Y-yeah?”
“I don’t want to leave you out.” He motioned, and she understood immediately, swinging her hips around so her marehood was dripping just above his lips.
“Go ahead~” She giggled softly, waving her hips around for him. Ark grabbed her hips and slowly kissed the inside of her thigh as he groped her flank and legs. She shivered at his touch and returned the action, lightly kissing and nuzzling his shaft and balls. Now his cock was beginning to harden, much to her absolute delight. She wrapped a hand around it and started gently licking it, not too sure as to what else she really could do.
Ark however knew all the right things, his kisses and gently nipping moved to her dripping lips, eliciting a moan from her. She started to lick at his tip, closing her eyes and basking in the pleasure he was giving her. “Aaah!” She moaned loudly as his tongue slipped into her depths.
He groaned softly as he swirled his tongue around, the happily cooing mare above him ground her hips around trying to get even more pleasure out of him. She rested her head on his leg and let the eager human eat her out, “Yes~” She eeped out.
Ark shifted her off his body, much to her displeasure. He fell to his knees off the bed and drug her hips back to his face. Her moans doubled in volume as he earnestly dug his tongue deep and hard into her. Her breathing grew heavier and faster as she drew closer and closer to the edge. “A-Ark…” She panted, “I’m… I-m…”
He pushed harder and began to rub her cutie marks, only causing her to squeak.
“CUUUUMMMING~” She screamed out, her juices splattered all over his face as she shook violently. He pulled back and let her ride out her high. It was a good minute before she came back down, her face now a bright red and her eyes a bit hazy. “O… oh my… Sweet Faust… that was amazing…” She giggled drunkenly, looking up at her lover with a wide smile. “You’re amazing~”
Ark leaned down and kissed her as he climbed back on the bed. “So are you…”
She returned the kiss, “You sure know how to make a mare feel that way.” She hugged him close. She shivered as his tip teased against her lips.
“Are you ready?” He asked softly.
She nodded and wrapped her legs around his waist. Arkantos kissed her deeply as he pushed into her depths. She guided him in deeper at her own pace, and the two of them moaned unabashadley into each others mouths.
After several long seconds their hips met and he attempted to pull back from her lips. Twilight sucked on his tongue for a moment, “You’re so big… I love it~” She cooed, giving him what could only be described as bedroom eyes. He breathed out and smiled down at her.
“You’re perfect, Twilight.” He whispered, kissing her neck and cheek. She shivered as his teeth touched her neck.
“Aaaah~” She quaked as he withdrew from her depths, only to slip back in. “Oooh… yes…” She smiled blissfully as her maidenhood was taken away by the only man she could say she loved. Her walls coiled and clasped around his shaft, trying desperately to tug him back in. He had to struggle against her each and every time he pulled out, only to shiver in pure bliss as she moaned and cooed happily with every complete thrust.
Ark’s hands slipped up to her breasts, which he groped and squeezed with no hesitation. Twilight happily moaned and used her magic to play around with his balls in return. “Oooh gods above…” He groaned softly. He shifted his hands back down, “Twilight… t-there’s something I want to try.”
“W-what?” Twilight asked, panting heavily as he rested deep inside her.
He gripped her flank, “Just… relax…” He breathed, slowly lifting her up, showing her a strength she absolutely adored. She cooed softly as she was now braced against his chest. Her arms wrapped around the back of his neck, and she tightened her legs around his hips.
“Oooh, trying to impress me?” Twilight giggled, lightly grinding against his cock.
“I’ll do anything to impress you.” Arkantos cooed, gently thrusting up into her. He groaned loudly, “Oh gods…” The two moaned in unison with each thrust. She tried to force herself down against his thrusts, trying to get him to go harder and faster, but the way he was holding her was meant to be intimate. “You’re so horny.” He teased.
“You’re making me feel this way!” She squeaked as he pressed her back against a wall.
“Then I’m going to help make it so much better.” He whispered, gripping her hips as he rammed himself hard and fast into her. Every single thrust was accentuated with a wet slap, or a screech, moan, or yelp from Twilight. She gasped and groaned, letting him wantonly rut her.
“Y-yes!” She screamed out, tightening her grip to the point where she was managing to draw blood with her nails. “A-ah! I-I’m goin-” She let out a shrill scream and her magic went absolutely berserk as her walls managed to trap him inside. Ark leaned in and bit her neck, adding to her pleasure as she rocked and rubbed against him. He weathered the intense magical storm that the once virgin unicorn let off, and after another minute or so she nearly fell limp in his arms.
She let out a blissful sigh, trying to cling to him but failing miserably. “Oooh… oooh… S-so much better then a toy…” She mumbled.
She eeped as Ark withdrew from her and threw her onto the bed. Her immediate reaction was to not only raise her tail for him, but hike her ass (as best she could) up into the air. Ark towered over her and gripped her hips. “Twilight… befor-”
“Do it!” She hissed, shaking her hips a bit more for him.
Ark licked his lips, thrusting into her once again. She moaned and let him plow deep and hard into her body. He leaned down and wrapped his arms around her stomach as he pounded into her marehood. He surprised her by giving a soft slap to her rather thick flank. She yelped in response, only to moan louder as he dug his fingers into her ass.
“I’m going to miss this when we start training…” He whispered, groping her soft butt with more fervor. “Either way, my beautiful, beautiful sorceress… I’ll always love you.” His hands shifted back to her hips, drawing her into his cock with more ferocity. The wet slapping grew louder and more frequent, as did Twilight’s gasps and groans.
Ark dug his fingers into the slight pudge all over the librarian’s body, kissing and nipping the nape of her neck as his thrusts grew jerkier and a lot rougher.
“I-I… t-too muuuuUUUHHHH~” Twilight screamed out again, this time however, her walls roughly milked Ark’s cock, sucking him in deep and keeping him there.
Ark bit down on the back of her neck, groaning softly as he came deep and hard into her. His seed was quick to fill every gap and splatter out of her convulsing marehood. He squeezed her stomach tightly, he ground against her hips, closing his eyes as he emptied himself into her.
The two lovers shivered and slipped down onto the bed, neither having the energy to do much but lay their together.
“C-cu…” Twilight could barely breathe out, her words coming out in a wheeze. “P-plea-” She cooed softly and snuggled back against him as Arkantos pulled her against his chest. He shifted her around, making sure to remain lodged in her as she nestled into his neck. “I-I l-love you, Ark…”
“I l-love you too, Twi…” He kissed her passionately. She passed out in his arms, snoring softly in his warmth.
The scent of sweat and musk, that of love, was heavy in the air as Twilight re-awoke, snuggled warmly in Ark’s chest. “Mmmm…” She mumbled, yawning and nuzzling him awake.
Arkantos stretched, “Did you enjoy your nap?” He asked, kissing her lovingly.
“Yes, I loved it.” Twilight returned the kiss, cooing as their tongues touched again. “You made me feel so special…”
“You’re one of a kind, Twi… and I’ll do anything to show you that.” He cupped her cheeks.
She nuzzled his cheek. “I know~” She giggled.
“So, beautiful, what are we going to do with the rest of the day?” He peppered her with kisses.
Twilight giggled a bit more. “I have a few ideas…” She gave a playful growl as she dove down to his lips and pushed him deep into another bout of passion.
