The Queen of the Changelings and the King of Shadows have joined forces, to take over the Lunar Empire.
Queen Chrysalis and King Sombra have joined forces. Celestia has stepped down as the ruler of Equestria, and Luna as taken her place. But they each have their own empire now. Celestia has the solar empire and Luna with the Lunar empire. They are now queens, Luna has been preparing for her daughter, Moonshadow's wedding. When everything goes south, her empire has been taken over by Chrysalis... But as the insect explains, she is not alone this time.
Luna awoke upside down encased in some kind of transparent cocoon. Warm foul fluid surrounded her, she almost couldn't breathe, as she inhaled a tiny bit of the stuff. The fluid rushed down her throat and straight into her lungs. She tried to vomit because it tasted like a decaying mix of all sorts of magic and substance. However, she wasn't drowning, she realized. No, intoxicatingly disgusting as it may be. The fluid didn't cause her much discomfort, the Queen's eyes took it all in, below her was the hall of the Lunar Empire. Even from the awkward angle, she'd know it anywhere⎯that crazy ‘queen thing.’ She stood beaming with pride on the dias.
A hypnotized Nightspell was flanked on her right side, her name sent chills of disgust down Luna’s back. Queen Chrysalis, the queen of the bug-like changelings. Celestia was once in Luna’s place, hanging upside down like this. Moonshadow had gone to find the others; but Twilight and her friends, Cadence and her husband, were all missing, and now she was on her way to find Celestia. Luna knew this because her daughter, Moonshadow, was keeping her updated with a telekinesis spell.
“Chrisy, you WON’T get away with this!” the Queen of the Night’s voice was muffled but was still heard from outside the cocoon. The insects looked up, glaring at the moon queen. Their queen only chuckled in an echo-y tone.
“I am not alone this time!” she buzzed up to the cocooned Luna. “Some old friend of yours, who also has the power of the dark, is with me,” she purred as she caressed the cocoon. A loud bang of the door flying open startled the queens.
“Where is she?” A silver -armored, jet black unicorn stallion barged in, his scarlet red-tipped horn flaring with purple magic.
“Oh no, not Him,” Luna thought to herself. King Sombra, the dark shadowy monster who took over the Crystal Empire some odd thousand years ago.
“Ah, my lovely partner in crime! We were just talking about you!” The insect said, looking smirkly at Luna. Sombra walked right under the Cocoon and magically lifted himself up to it. His blood red eyes, with their neon green sclerae and deep violet flames of magic flowing swiftly from them, looked pissed at the cocoon. He repeated himself, as he roughly grabbed the cocoon in his hooves.
“Where-is-she?” he snorted. Luna only smiled.
“Where’s who?” she hissed. Sombra looked crossly at her, his eyes turning completely purple.
‘Your daughter, Moonshadow!” his deep booming voice echoed through the room. Luna was undeterred and kept the smile on her face as she said,
“I have no clue. Even if I did, why would I tell you?” The fluid sloshed around as she cocked her head. Sombra huffed in frustration and released the cocoon.
“She’s USELESS!” He yelled, as he came back down. His hooves clattering the ground as he landed.
“Yes, for now she is. Calm down, we'll get her to crack in due time.“ Chrysalis came down too and put her right hole-filled hoof around Sombra’s neck. He rolled his eyes and snorted.
“As if she'll never crack!” He stomped off to the dazed Nightspell. He looked at him, frustration filling his muscles making them flex. Chrysalis rolled her eyes.
“You’ve got to be patient!” She huffed, annoyed at Sombra. “You always let your anger get the better of you!“ The king mocked her, and said,
“My empire and I were banished for over a thousand years! Don't tell Me to be patient!” his armored hoof stomped the ground, as he glared at the insectile queen.
“Would you both just SHUT UP!” Luna snapped at them from above. “You sound like an old married couple!” She huffed and coughed as she inhaled more of the sludge. Both Sombra and Chrysalis glared at her, then at each other. But didn't say anything for a while.
Moonshadow had already gone to Ponyville and the Crystal Empire, none of her family and friends were there. Cadence and Shining Armor were missing as well as all their guards. When she got to the Empire, all the ponies were running around in a state of panic, due to it being night time all over Equestria as well as having their leaders being taken. The princess had to use her royal Canterlot voice, just so she could be heard. She reassured them that their rulers are okay and will return soon. As for Twilight and her friends, she asked all over Ponyville and no one knew where they were. Discord didn't even know where they were, he decided to come along with her,⎯for Fluttershy, of course.
“Whoever took Fluttershy, or wherever she is, we will find her!” he said, as he sipped on a cup of chocolate milk. Moonshadow only rolled her eyes.
“Fine, you can come. Might as well have the God of Chaos on my side.” She sighed and turned to toward the path to the EverFree forest. There was one pony whom she hadn't spoken with, Zecora. She trotted into the forest, as Discord followed, hovering above her.
“So, where exactly are we going?” he asked, filling his cup back up from a pink fluffy cloud.
“We need to see if Zecora knows anything about this. And if not, then we may need her help as well,“ Moonshadow said, igniting her horn as the forest had turned too dark to see. As they came to Zecora's cottage, a horrid smell hit the two. Moonshadow covered her nose with her wings.
“Zecora?” She knocked on the wooden door. There was a lot of clanging around before the door was slowly cracked open.
“Yes?” she looked at the princess in surprise and opened the door widely. “Princess! What prey tell do you come here for? To get here must have been a chore.” She looked at Discord and nodded. “Is he with you?”
“Yes, Discord is with me. I have looked all over, and I can't find Twilight and her friends. Have you seen them, or know what happened to them?” Moonshadow asked swiftly. Zecora only shook her head, and then took a step back to let them in.
“No, I'm afraid not. You must see what I have to show, in the mist we have a foe.” She walked over to a small bed and revealed Angel. Fluttershy's precious bunny friend. Both Discord and Moonshadow gasped as they saw him. He was covered in all sorts of black crystals; his eyes were puffy. He almost looked like he was turning into the crystal.
“What happened?” Discord asked, looking at the zebra in horror.
“I do not know, but this illness is slow. He's been in grave pain.” Zecora said, her voice quivering. The princess looked at Angel, and with realization, stepped back.
“Whoever this is, they have Dark magic.” Her eyes were wide with fear. “Thanks for all your help Zecora. I would invite you to come with us, but I can see you are busy taking care of Angel.”
“Indeed. Glad I could help,” Zecora bowed and opened the door. Discord walked out, followed by Moonshadow.
“No need to bow, you are my friend and my mentor. No need for it,” the princess said, and hugged Zecora before she walked out.
“What do we do now?” Discord asked, with worry in his voice.
“Now, now we go to the Solar Empire” Princess Moonshadow opened her wings and flew up and out of the thick forest.
As Moonshadow and Discord arrived at the Solar Empire, it was destroyed completely. The town was filled with broken buildings, shards of glass covered the ground, as well as chunks of wood and concrete. The same black crystals that Angel had jutted out here and there from the ground seemed to melt in the inky blackness of the sky.
“Mother of Celestia! What happened here?” Discord looked around, his eyes in awe and horror. Moonshadow went over to one of the crystals, putting her horn to it. She tried to use magic on it to see who or what it was from. She got zapped back, as her magic was reflected.
“Well, that didn't work,” she said rubbing her horn, which was now slightly burnt on the tip. Discord went over to her and helped her up.
“You okay?” he asked.
“Yeah, I'm okay,” she said as she got up. Moonshadow looked to the path of the castle. It was covered with black crystals. “Well, I guess we gotta be careful from now on.” She headed up to the castle trying to avoid the crystals.
“Do you have any idea as to who or what made these crystals?” Discord asked her, looking at one with worry.
“I have an idea, but I don't know how He could be alive.” She looked at him, terror flashing in her eyes. As they reached the castle entrance, there were more crystals and more destruction. Dead guards lay all over the place, some encased in the crystals, some with pieces of crystal jutting out of a wound.
“Hello? Any pony alive?” Discord shouted into the stillness of the devastation. Moonshadow elbowed him in the ribs. “Ouch! What? We need to see if there are any ponies alive,” he said rubbing his side.
“Yeah, but you don't know if the thing is still here,” Moonshadow pointed out, growling at him. She looked around and cautiously took a step forward. They walked around the castle being careful not to disturb the devastation. They reached the hallway of Celestia’s room, or what looked like it at least. They heard some grunting and rubble trying to be moved; they looked at each other with hope. They rushed into Celestia's room, or what was left of it. They looked around.
“Hello? Any pony need some help?” Moonshadow cried out desperately.
“Oh, thank Celestia! Yes, I'm over here,” a male-toned voice called out. “I'm stuck under some rubble. Could you please help?” Moonshadow spotted a red horn and rushed over to it. It was Fast Track, one of Celestia's right stallion guards.
“Fast Track!” she immediately lifted the huge piece of concrete off of him with her magic. Discord ran over to them looking dismayed.
“Who’s this?” Discord asked, looking at the crimson unicorn stallion with black hair and white bangs. Fast Track heaved in the air, his flanks inflating and deflating.
“My name's Fast Track, the best mama-jama.I'm one of Celestia's right stallion guards. You must be Discord, the God of Chaos?” Fast Track introduced himself and pointed at Discord with his question.
“Reformed and at your service!” Discord bowed. Fast Track chuckled.
“Well, it's a pleasure to meet you,” he looked at Moonshadow and hugged her. “I am so glad to see you again.”
“Likewise. Now, what happened here and where is Celestia?” Moonshadow hugged him back, but looked at him with concern. Fast Track looked down and sighed.
“King Sombra. That's what happened here. He's alive and turned Celestia against us. That's why so many are dead, but most went to his side and are alive. He also turned Cadence and Shining. We went to the Crystal Empire to help, but we had to fall back. I believe he got to Twilight and her friends too.” Fast Track's voice quivered with his last words. Moonshadow stomped her hooves in anger.
“I KNEW IT! And he has gotten to Twilight and her friends. Angel, Fluttershy's bunny is suffering from these crystals,” Moonshadow said angrily. Her wings and magic flaring, a beam of magic split the room. As concrete fell, both Discord and Fast Track flinched and took a step back. Fast Track's horn lit up with his own magic and he blocked one of the blasts from Moonshadow.
“Calm down Princess!” he yelled at the top of his lungs. The royal blue alicorn’s magic flickered out as she huffed. Her muscles flexed as the raw magic coursed through her. Discord stared at her in disbelief.
“Wow, I didn't expect that from such a small being! You'd make a good chaotic queen some day!” he chuckled at his own joke, but Moonshadow was not amused. She glared at him, her pupils suddenly turning to slits.
“Why, thank you Discord. But I already have a husband.” She hissed, then shook her head, her pupils turning back to normal. “I don’t know what that was. Sorry guys, I…I guess these crystals have an effect on me.” She shook herself as if to settle the magic flames still coursing through her. Moonshadow sat down and sighed, her body drooping. Fast Track looked at her in sympathy.
“Everything will be okay because you have Discord and me. And, we shall stick with you till the end!” he said, walking over to the sad princess. He lifted her head with a hoof and looked in her eyes. Tears rolled down her cheeks as her head was lifted.
“The Nightmare, the thing that turned my mother into Nightmare Moon, she's in me, and with this dark power from Sombra, I'm afraid she'll take over me.” Moonshadow looked away, crying. Fast Track looked at her flatly, his eyes half closed.
“Again, you - have - us!” Fast Track snapped. He walked around the sobbing princess beckoning Discord to follow. “We can’t decide anything for you. Unless you want to go this alone and risk what you fear, then leave without a word. But if you want our help, we will be right out here. You decide.” He turned his back on her and walked out with Discord.
“Why are you being so mean to her?” Discord confronted Fast Track.
“She needs to come to terms with this, this Nightmare. And we can’t help her, it needs to be her,” Fast Track said to Discord, looking at him. Fast Track’s eyes showed the draconequus that it hurt him to be so tough-loving toward the Princess.
As Fast’s and Discord’s voices trailed off, Moonshadow sat sobbing, tears rolling down her face and pooled on the ground at her hooves. Standing up, she ignites her horn. A shiver runs through her, and a black figure splits from her.
"Ah! 't’s valorous to beest out!” the figure turned into a sin black alicorn with feathered-bat wings. It's cat-like icy electric blue eyes with sea green flames glowed in the dim light.
“Shadowedmoon, we need to talk.” Moonshadow demanded, as she looked at the dark alicorn, her cheek fur still wet with tears. Shadowedmoon walked over to one of the crystals and drained its power.
“What about?” her muscles flexed like cords of iron, as the magic from the crystal strengthened her. Moonshadow snorted and glared at her other half.
“You know exactly what!” Moonshadow growled. Shadowedmoon rolled her eyes.
“Tis only Sombra. Our mothers can defeat him instantly!” she smiled, revealing her serrated teeth. Moonshadow faced-hoofed herself.
“It's not just Sombra! It's Chrysalis too! Mother has been cocooned. Celestia, Cadence, and Shining, have all been turned against us. I don't know what has happened to the main six; but, I'm sure they, as well, have been turned,” Moonshadow huffed out her final words. Shadowedmoon's ears had gone back and her eyes were wide in shock.
“Well then. What doth thou suggest we do?” the black mare questioned. Moonshadow sighed, looking down she mumbled.
“We must work together.” Her voice was barely a whisper.
"What wast yond?” Shadowedmoon cocked her head.
“I said, we have to work together,” Moonshadow lifted her head and looked at those glowing eyes of her demonic half.
“wherefore doth thou and us hath to? We can defeat both of those folk within seconds!" Shadowedmoon said with triumph.
“No, you can't!” Moonshadow snapped. Shadowedmoon looked at her and was going to say a scathing retort, but was cut off by Moonshadow. “Just think. Sombra can manipulate you and drain you of your power. Chrissy can as well⎯with both of them doing it at the same time. You will be drained of your magic and killed.” Moonshadow looked at Shadowedmoon, with pleading eyes. Shadowedmoon pondered what Moonshadow had just said and nodded in agreement.
"Thou art right. We shalt becometh one and worketh together.” The two alicorns straightened up and ignited their horns. A bright sea green aura lit the room as they combined their magic. As the light receded, a tall Egyptian blue alicorn stood in the place of the two alicorns, with electric blue eyes that glowed with sea-green flames.
“By the way, Fast Track and Discord are with us,” Moonshadow said in her head to Shadowedmoon. "Purrfect! Anon, did let me giveth us some power!" Shadowedmoon made them rear, their hooves clattered the ground. She set their horn ablaze. Black magic from all the crystals in the Solar Empire filled their every muscle. As Sombra's magic was drained from them, Discord and Fast looked at the magic in horror, then followed it to the room. What they saw horrified them.
In the Lunar Empire, the citizens ran rapidly as they were being imprisoned and then drained of their love. King Sombra and Queen Chrysalis laughed at them, as they were powerless of their forces. Sombra all of a sudden gasped, and took a step back. His eyes turned purple.
“What's wrong?” Chrysalis asked him, looking concerned. But Sombra's face split into a devilish smile.
“It's, Her,” his eyes turned back to normal. “Moonshadow has taken my bait at the Solar Empire. She drained all the crystals there.” Sombra looked at the insect with approval.
“Well, looks like our plan is working!” The queen purred. She looked up to the cocooned moon queen, who was watching her subjects run in terror. She had a pleading look on her face; she wished to help her subjects. Her face cringed as she heard the words of Chrysalis.
“You have no idea who you will be up against when you face my daughter,” she said, her voice flat. The black and sickening green insect looked at Sombra; they both erupted in laughter.
“Your daughter has fallen into my trap! I know exactly what we are dealing with, since I am connected to the crystals. I know now she just drained the ones from your sister's empire,” Sombra’s deep voice echoed with his laughter. Luna seethed and try to move and break free of the cocoon.
“Thou shall not touch our daughter!” the cocoon shook, as Luna used the royal canterlot voice. The insectile guards put their hooves over their ears, even in the thick cophen. The power of the royal canterlot voice could be heard through the thick walls. Both the king and queen looked at each other smiling.
“And what are you going to do about it, Auntie Lulu? “ Chrysalis giggled, her smile getting even wider. Luna glared at the queen but said nothing. “That's what I thought! Now be a good girl and let us do our job,” Chrissy said seductively. She looked at Sombra with approval.
“After her daughter gets here, what are we going to do with him?” Sombra asked, pointing to the still hypnotized Nightspell.
“I’m thinking of using his magic and yours to create the ultimate hybrid! Part changeling, part alicorn. And with your dark magic, plus the Shadow's magic, plus changeling magic, we'll have the most powerful creature of the universe!” The queen erupted in a joy-filled cackle.
“Sounds lovely! But, who's gonna be the mother?” Sombra looked at her with his head cocked
“I was thinking Moonshadow would be the best mother. Then we'll have the Nightmare as well,” Queen Chrysalis got this gleam in her eyes that almost scared Sombra.
“As long as she is my queen still, then I'll be okay with that,” Sombra looked at her, his eyes flashing.
“Of course! I never said she wouldn't be,” The insect’s wings buzzed, as she walked over to the window. “As our plan comes together, NOTHING will stand in our way! We shall conquer all of Equestria!” The Queen stood at her full height and looked at Sombra madly.
Chapter 4: The power of dark, light, and chaotic magic.
Fast and Discord looked at what stood in front of them, it looked like the princess they knew, but it was taller. Its coat was darker, it's eyes had magic flames flowing from them. It laughed as the power from the crystals filled it's every muscle.
“Um, Moon-shadow?” Discord’s voice shook with terror. The room went silent as all the magic had been drained. The eyes of the new alicorn were closed but it's face was spread in an ear-to-ear smile. It started softly at first, but then rose to a full-on echoing cackle.
“Oh, the power! The – absolute - power!” The alicorn rose to her full height, wings outstretched. Her slitted eyes looked at Fast and The Chaotic God. Who sat trembling in fear.
“Moonshadow?” Fast walked up to the Prussian blue alicorn. He shook as he approached her, feeling the power radiating from her in waves. The alicorn looked down at him, her eyes soften as she realized who it was.
“Don't be afraid Fast Track. This is who I⎯we are. The other voice is Shadowedmoon's, or the Nightmare’s.” The voice that came out of the princess’s mouth was soft, but it scared him. It echoed with power, it sent chills down his spine.
“Y-yes Pr-princess,” he stuttered, his voice shaking. He tried to stand up straight but his legs were leaves. They shook, and he fell, a hot sea-green flame suddenly lifted him up. It made him shiver, he looked up at beautiful electric blue eyes. The dark alicorn had a dorky smile on her face.
“Boop!” She said, as she hit her nose with his. She started giggling as she kept him suspended in the air. He was still a little shaky, but he started to giggle as well. Discord came in to see what all the giggling was about.
“How could you leave me, The God of Chaos, out of all this fun?” He scoffed and put his hands on his hips. The alicorn looked at him, her pupils suddenly going smaller. She dropped Fast and he landed with a thud on some rubble.
“Discord, what a pleasure,” a deep purr came from the alicorn but was cut short.
“Don't you even think about it! He's a friend, not a toy, Shadowedmoon.” Their eyes rolled, as Shadowedmoon became annoyed at her other half's remark. Both Fast and Discord looked at each other, then at her, confused. Moonshadow and Shadowedmoon sighed and split into two alicorns again. “We art Shadowedmoon. We art what hath becometh of the Nightmare.” Shadowedmoon introduced herself and sat down, still annoyed with Moonshadow.
“Yes, this is the other half I was worried about, but as you can see, we came to terms and will work together.” Moonshadow looked at Fast as she said her last words.
“Yeah right,” Shadowedmoon mumbled, glaring at Moonshadow.
“Then why did you stop her from finishing her sentence?” Discord looked at Moonshadow confused. Moonshadow sighed.
“She isn't exactly the Nightmare that was in my mother. She's different; the original Nightmare was split in two. One is in me, aka her. The other is in Sombra. They got twisted and turned into almost completely different entities. They are both still creatures of the night, but she's almost like a changeling. She feeds on what's called chi, it's the life energy that every creature has, but I keep her from killing whoever she feeds on, which results in her not getting completely fed. That's why I stopped her, she was looking at you as a meal Discord. The way she gets it is by touching her prey or kissing them. She can sense your Chaotic chi and wants it.” Moonshadow took a deep breath, waiting for them to judge her and walk away. Discord and Fast looked at each other, no one spoke for a while. Fast was the first to speak.
“Yikes! Well, those kisses better be worth it!” He looked at the girls in front of him. “But I won't leave you! I would never, well, unless you drain me.” He looked at Shadowedmoon, interested in this new part of his friend. Discord ran over and hugged both alicorns.
“I would never leave you! And to be honest, you would make a very interested pony with my Chaotic powers!“ he said, complementing them. Moonshadow looked shocked, then smiled.
“Really, you wouldn't leave us?” Tears of joy formed at the corners of her eyes. Shadowedmoon stood up and shrugged her shoulders.
“Well, we did knoweth the draconequus wouldn't, but wasn't sure if 't be true the red one would stayeth.” She said flatly. “This still doesn't worketh, if 't be true we art still not did feed. Thou may beest right, we needeth to worketh together. But yond eke cometh with sacrifice. Thou needeth to did let us feed and properly at yond! “The black alicorn looked at Moonshadow, her ears flat back. Moonshadow looked down.
“I don't know how I could let you,” she said somberly. Discord gave her a weird face.
“Let me handle this!” Discord said. He walked over to Shadowedmoon and kissed her. The demonic alicorn’s wings shot open, her eyes went wide in surprise. As Discord broke the kiss, a blue haze came from his mouth. Moonshadow saw Discord’s eyes turn a little pale.
“You give that back!” she shoved them apart, as she growled at Shadowedmoon. Shadowedmoon’s eyes glowed with the new power, she licked her lips and purred.
“NO!” Shadowedmoon tried to fling her other half away but couldn’t. Her lip quivered. “Wait, wherefore can’t we-”
“Move me? Because, when you agreed for us to become one and work together. You also let me be in control of both our bodies, even when we are separated. Now, give-it-back!” Moonshadow stomped her hoof and made the rubble shake. Discord grabbed the princess from behind and lifted her up and around to face him.
“She doesn’t have to. I gave it to her for free, in fact.” He looked at Moonshadow straight in the face. ” I refuse for her to give it back.” he said, triumphantly. Moonshadow glared at him, and Discord returned the glare equally.
“Ugh! Fine, but keep it to a minimum please!” Moonshadow huffed. She ignited her horn and Shadowedmoon and her fused together again. Fast looked at her in awe. She was strong⎯ stronger than he thought she was, and with this Shadowedmoon in her, she was powerful.
“Well, should we go and find Sombra and the insectile queen?” he spoke, still looking at the princess in awe. Moonshadow nodded and they headed off towards the Lunar Empire.
Daybreaker walked into the dias; Luna's eyes went wide as she recognized the alicorn. “The princess is on the way; however, she is not alone. One of our right stallion guards is with her⎯as is Discord,” she said hotly. Luna seethed.
“Sister! Why are you with them?” she said; shock filled her eyes as she looked down at her sister. Daybreaker only glared at Luna and walked toward Sombra and Chrysalis.
“Hmm. That's even better! I could put some of that chaotic magic in the hybrid!” Chrysalis said cheerfully. Her sickening green eyes beamed with pride at Daybreaker, as she put her hoof around her.
“Do you think it’s about time I turned him to our side?” Sombra asked. Daybreaker and Chrysalis looked at each other and nodded. The king got the wickedest smile on his face, as he turned to Nightspell, who was still hypnotized. “Finally!” his horn exploded in purple magic and it hit Nightspell with a beam of magic. The bat alicorn stallion was engulfed in purple flames. The magic broke through chrysalis spell, which was erected around his mind.
Nightspell looked at him in terror; as he turned from a black and red alicorn to a scarlet red and black alicorn. Sombra’s horn, however, glowed even brighter and the alicorn was suddenly turned to a black smoke. Sombra absorbed it and grew taller. His muscles flexed with the new being inside him; his fangs more ferocious. He turned to face Daybreaker and his partner. His eyes glowed with power.
“Sombra, you look magnificent!” Chrysalis said in a happy shrill; her eyes wide in awe.
Daybreaker clapped her hooves together. “Very much so!” she said, her eyes beamed.
Luna only rolled her eyes. “Well, you just broke my daughter’s heart! She’s going to kill you both and redeem you Daybreaker!” she growled.
“Oh, we wilt breaketh that lady’s heart! Nightspell, the only reason he has’t life wast because we did gaveth him his power! He wast dying and we saved him; We did gaveth him our shadow powers. If 't wasn't for us, he would hast kicketh the bucket! But anon, we needeth him to repay us!” Sombra said, his voice booming. BANG! The doors of the hall swung open, revealing the three friends that stood in the corridor.
“Where is my husband?” Moonshadow bellowed. Her eyes going wide as she saw Daybreaker; they then shot to Fast Track. She gritted her teeth, her head swung down and back up to look at the three villains that stood in front of them. The three low-lives looked at the newcomers, smiling widely.
“You wanna see your husband?” Chrysalis took a step back to reveal Sombra.
"We art what hath becometh of thy beloved Nightspell!” Sombra took a step towards Moonshadow, his eyes gleaming. Moonshadow took a step back, gasping.
“He couldn’t have. He…he took Shadow’sspells’ power and killed them both!” Moonshadow’s head rung with the words. “What have you done with him Sombra?” her voice was dangerously calm.
“We did maketh him; we found him sick and dying. That part of the Nightmare did split off and did wend into us. Yond’s what healed him. Shadow’sspell, we guess wast his name? Yes, meaning. He wast on our side all 'long!” Sombra smiled at her, his eyes narrowing.
“Thou jaded empty-hearted rabbit-socker!” the voice from Moonshadow was an echoing shriek; her pupils looked like crescent moon slivers. Sombra only smiled, his teeth gleaming. His muscles strained as he took another step towards her.
“Thou pathetic thing. Thou thinkest thou and these folks can taketh all of us on? Well, we hast a hoyday for thou!” he nodded at Chrysalis and Daybreaker, who began to stalk around him and toward the three lion-hearts.
“Don’t let them use their magic on you! They want to⎯” Luna was cut short as more of the fluid was sucked down her throat. It was already too late, Sombra had seized Moonshadow in his magic; Daybreaker and Chrysalis had seized Discord. Fast tried to attack Chrysalis but was stopped by Daybreaker's hypnotic fiery eyes. She looked at him and he felt weak. They brought Discord and Moonshadow together in the middle of the room.
“What art thou going to do to us?” Shadowedmoon had taken control. She growled at the three.
“Oh, nothing.” Sombra stalked around them, then nodded to the mares. “Just this!” Daybreaker and Chrysalis intertwined their magic, and lifted Discord with it.
“Wait⎯what are you doing?” Discord said, his voice shaking. The mares only looked at him, their eyes and fangs gleaming. Suddenly, the magic started to hurt him. He tried to snap his fingers and get out, but the she-devils only increased their magic. “WHY? Chrissy, Celestia. Why?” He cried out to them, and then shrieked bloody murder as his powers were stripped from him. He slunk to the ground in a heap.
“No!” Luna and her daughter howled. Tears ran down Luna's face, as she had been very close to Discord. Daybreaker and Chrysalis stood looking up; their magic was holding a black twisting ball of magic.
“You ready?” The changeling said to Sombra. He nodded and took Daybreaker's place. Sombra and Chrysalis took a steady synced inhale, exhaled slowly. They filled the ball of chaotic magic with their own magic, it became a big ball of black, purple, and green magic. They turned toward the still grieving alicorn princess. She looked at them, her eyes daring them.
“Do…your… worst.” She growled, standing up and facing them. They lowered the ball of magic towards her.
“We imbue life to this new being; yond shalt groweth inside thou!” The changeling and the unicorn chanted together. As they shot the ball at the alicorn, everything went black.
Moonshadow awoke beside her friends, chained and caged.
“What did they do to me?” she asked Fast. He looked at her, his eyes dull.
“I don't know. All I know is that they shot that ball of magic at you.” The tone of his voice was as dull as his eyes. Moonshadow looked around. They were still in the dias, but it was below them now. She saw Chrysalis, Sombra, and Daybreaker talking with each other directly below them. Rage coursed through her. She closed her eyes and took a sharp inhale and exhale.
“Shadowedmoon, are you there?” she said in her head, no reply. “Shadowedmoon? Please answer me.” Still nothing. She tried to stand, shaking the cage. She was wobbly and dizzy as she tried to stand.
“Aw, looks like somepony’s awake!” she heard Chrysalis behind her and snorted.
“What did you do to me and Shadowedmoon!” she stomped her hoof making the cage shake even more. Discord and Fast toppled over each other, they looked up at her dazed and powerless. The queen looked at her, a smile of pure evil on her face.
“Oh nothing, just took your power into that ball of raging magic and made a new being inside you! That’s right you are carrying a child of Shadow, Nightmare, changeling, and Chaotic magic inside you!” Chrysalis purred. However, Moonshadow detected something else in that purr. Something besides evil⎯weakness. Chrysalis was weak. She looked down at Sombra. He as well had lost a lot of power. She realized that her senses were heightened. Not only were they heightened, they had become extraordinarily sensitive, even the smallest of sounds that were made in the room, she could hear. She could hear her mother breathing in the cocoon she was in. Moonshadow could tell she was wheezing from the sludge that was in her lungs. No, she wasn’t pregnant with this child. It was part of her, just like Shadowedmoon was. She didn’t want Chrysalis to find out, or either of those two idiots down on the ground.
So, Moonshadow kept her cool as she said, “WHAT! How...how could you!” she acted shocked and surprised and took a step back. Chrysalis laughed, throwing her head. She put her face through the bars of the cage.
“This child will be the ruler of all Equestria, maybe even all the lands!” she hissed. Her smile widened. Moonshadow noticed the even her fangs had lost their voraciousness. They were pale and dark around the base, all signs of decay. Moonshadow smiled and looked at her with an unblinking cold stare.
“Over my dead body! This child, will be mine⎯not yours!” she bowed her head and pointed the tip of her horn right at Chrissy.
“You zap me, you zap yourself. This cage is magic resistant. And I wouldn't want that child to be hurt before it's born.” The changeling growled. Her wings buzzed nervously.
“Oh, I already know that. I was going to shove my horn down your throat, so my magic would tear you apart from the inside! But I have better plans, so for now you'll live.” Moonshadow swiftly lifted her head back up, glaring at the queen. Chrysalis looked at her, fear flashing in her eyes. She buzzed back down to Sombra and Daybreaker.
“What didst the lady sayeth?” Sombra asked, as he saw how disturbed the changeling queen was.
“She threatened me, she was ready to put her horn down my throat.” she said, her body shifting uneasily. Daybreaker put her hoof around the queen.
“We hadst it at which hour we first hadst suspicions of Shadowedmoon in Moonshadow. But don’t w’rry, when this child is born, Moonshadow shall beest weak. We’ll has't the upp'r hoof on all three of those folk. ” Daybreaker reassured the quivering queen, her eyes gleamed as she saw Chrissy nod in agreement.
“What are we going to do now? They have stolen all our powers and made you pregnant with them” Discord voice quivered with weakness.
“I'm not pregnant, this hybrid is a separate entity that can be split from me. Like what Shadowedmoon was.” Her voice was a mere whisper.
“So, what's the plan then?” Fast asked, in the same volume. Moonshadow got down and laid on her side.
“When the time is right, I'll do the spell that will split me and the hybrid. But you guys are going to have to take me and flee, I'll be very weak after it.” she looked at them, her eyes darting between them. They both nodded.
“When exactly will that be?” Discord asked. “I can't zap us out of here anymore,” his once scarlet red eyes, now a brick dull red, looked at the princess. Moonshadow couldn't look at him in the eyes, it hurt too much. Knowing she caused this, she was the reason that his powers were gone and mixed with this hybrid half.
“I don't know just yet. I'm still trying to figure that out. Both Sombra and Chrysalis are weak, some of their magic is in this hybrid.” There was a little hope that came back in her friends’ eyes. Fast stood up, he was shaky and weak. But he managed to stand.
“I will teleport us out of here. I learned a draining spell in my training. It drains the magic from my oppoint. I could use it on Daybreaker to get some strength.” Fast stood up fully, his eyes getting a bit of color in them. Moonshadow nodded proudly at him, she then ignited her horn softly. Making sure she didn’t disturb the three devils below.
“Mother, are you there?” Moonshadow tried to contact her mother, who was still wheezing in the cocoon.
“Moonshadow! Yes, yes I am here!” Luna was startled, but relieved to hear from her precious princess again.
“How many of your guards were taken and turned?” Moonshadow asked, her voice echoing with power in Luna’s head.
“All were taken; however, you may be able to get through to one, his name is Nightrainbow. He's a jet-black bat-pony, with neon-green eyes. His hair is spiked and is a dark midnight blue. His cutie mark is a flag with four colors⎯dark purple, purple, magenta, and pink.” Luna's voice was confident but weak. Moonshadow looked up at the cocoon.
“I'll fix this mom, I promise,” she said somberly, yet determined.
“I know you will, go make me proud!” Luna said proudly. Moonshadow shook herself and went to the bars of the cage.
“Let's get this party started!” she said softly to herself. “Hey Sombra, would you come up here please?” Moonshadow said, looking down at him seductively. Sombra looked up, then looked at his partners.
“Wend see what the lady wanteth.” Daybreaker said, still comforting Chrysalis. Sombra lit his horn and lifted himself up to the cage.
“What doth thou wanteth?” he growled, glaring at the princess who smiled at him.
Her eyes half closed, she bit her lip as she said,“I never noticed how muscular you are,” her voice was a low purr. She stuck her hoof out of the bars, looking at him straight in the eyes. Her hoof just slightly touched his right shoulder, she felt him shiver under her touch.
“Rrr-CEASE THIS AT ONCE!” he pulled away, growling. Moonshadow eyes flashed, she licked her lips.
“Come on…my King,” she purred even louder. Fast Track and Discord looked at her in amazement and confusion. Moonshadow ignored their stares as she continued, “Didn't you want me as your queen, big boy?” she questioned, her tongue passing over her lips again. Sombra shifted uneasily, his lips curled back in a snarl. Moonshadow put her hoof out even further and managed to touch the magical aura around him. The king’s pupils suddenly became even smaller.
“Ay, we doth. Hast thou cometh to thy senses?” the king smiled, his fangs were even worse. They had holes already drilled in them. Moonshadow smiled fakely and decided to tell him and the other two that this magic was not a child, but in fact was part of her now, but wasn’t going to tell them it was an entity.
“Let us out then. The draconequus and unicorn are under my spell, they will do anything I say. I am on your side now.” The princess’s eyes flashed as Sombra looked at her in suspension.
“How can we wot thou win’t turn on us?” Sombra questioned her. He beckoned the mares down below to come up beside him.
“This thing inside me isn’t a child. The magic ball that you threw at me was absorbed into me. It is now coursing through my veins. This land shall have a new queen⎯ME!” her eyes glowed with power, her teeth now long vicious fangs. Moonshadow cackled, her head thrown back and her wings opening half way.
Sombra, Chrysalis, and Daybreaker looked at one another and nodded.
“We shall test you. If you win against all three of us with no help, then you will be our leader.” Chrysalis said, her words stung with doubt. The queen went over and unlocked the cage and unchained Moonshadow. The alicorn stretched her wings, her muscles were cramped up from being chained for so long. She nodded and flew down to the dias.
Moonshadow was then surrounded by the three criminals, who all ignited their horns. Moonshadow just stood there, her eyes closed. Three beams of magic were shot towards her, she flew up right before they hit and dodged the beams. The princess's horn engulfed in magical sea-green flames, that she then shot at the three below her. Chrysalis put up a shield around them, but it was weak and shattered like glass as the magic blast hit it. It carried enough force behind it to throw the three back. Daybreaker growled and shot up toward Moonshadow, who then was engulfed in sickening green flames. As the flames died down, an exact replica of Daybreaker stood in her place. Daybreaker stopped in midflight.
“Wait, what!” She looked at the mirror image of herself. Moonshadow mimicked Daybreaker's movements exactly.
“How art thee…?” Daybreaker was taken aback as the mirror creature copied her exactly. Her look, her movements, even her voice were exact. She looked down at Chrissy, who smiled wildly.
“She has the changing magic like a changeling,” her voice was proud. The changeling stood up, her legs shaking as she was still shocked by the blast. Looking up she said, “I know these kind of tricks,” her jagged horn lit up with pale, sickening green magic. The one Daybreaker smiled, looking at how pale the Queen's magic was.
“Thou very much bethink thou can defeat something like us, something yond hath charm of two alicorns, a shadow, a Nightmare, and chaotic charm? Ha! Thou wilt beest a daw!” Green flames engulfed it again. As the flames receded, a black alicorn hovered above the ground. Its eyes a mulie hued glare.
“With all three of us together⎯Yes!” The queen beckoned Daybreak and Sombra to her side. She pointed her horn at the black alicorn. Sombra touched his horn to hers, as well as Daybreaker’s. Their magic intertwined and was shot at the still hovering alicorn, who in a split second shot a beam of her own to confront it. They all struggled to overpower one another. An explosion of magic shoved the three on the ground in all directions. As they hit the wall, it cracked underneath them. The black alicorn, however, was still hovering. Unscathed by the explosion.
“Again, doth thou very much bethink thou can defeat thy Own creation?” it purred. That voice…Sombra looked at the black alicorn.
“How? How can this beest? Thou…thou overpowered all of the other powers?” He looked at it with shock and resentment. “Shadowedmoon? How?” his voice and eyes were filled with fear. Shadowedmoon chuckled, as her muzzle broke into a wide smile, revealing long petrifying fangs.
“Did thou very much bethink, that adding two demons of the night together would beest a very much valorous idea? Thy power Sombra, only maketh me stronger! And anon, yond we hast the chaotic and changeling powers within us!” She became very quiet and walked toward Sombra. Putting one hoof in front of the other, carefully swaying her hunches back and forth. “Thou very much bethink thou wot fear?” she put her horn directly at his throat and ignited it, as she saw Chrysalis and Daybreaker getting up to try and attack her. Sombra looked at her, fear filling his eyes.
“Mine. Mine Queen-prithee did let me wend,” he pleaded.
“Art thou…,” her smile got even wider. “Art thou begging?” she lifted her horn but put her face real close to Sombra's. “We like thou begging, and we… needeth more!” Her voice was a low purring hiss. Sombra trembled, his eyes pleading her to let him go. His eyes went wide as he felt her teeth dig into his throat. She flung him across the room. “Kneel, 'ere thy new Queen!” she threw Daybreaker and Chrysalis to the floor, who crawled to her hooves. “All of thou!” she glared at the struggling Sombra, who slowly got up. The floor beneath him, now a dark maroon from his oozing neck wound.
“You win. You are our new leader,” Chrysalis cried, her ears back and her wings buzzing nervously. Shadowedmoon laughed at the three in front of her, she then looked up at Discord and Fast Track who were watching from the cage. She beckoned them down, unchaining them with her magic.
“Thou all art daws! Did do thou very much bethink we'd side with thee?” she stalked around the bowing, trembling captives.
“Wait. Wast this all a…a gull?” Sombra asked, his voice raspy from the bite on his neck. Shadowedmoon started to cackle, as she looked at him.
“Of course, 't wast! Thou very much didn't bethink we would let thou beest our king, after what thou did to Nightspell and Shadow'sspell?” she hissed, her horn flared up. “We aren't going to needeth thou to teleport us. Fast, anon yond we art in control and we can receiveth all of us out of hither,” she quickly glanced at Fast Track, who nodded curtly. She stood up straight and engulfed herself in her magic, which was now a dark grey magenta. She began to split into two beings, one dropped to the floor powerless. The other, stood at its full height. What stood in the middle of the five of them was a dark grey Draconequus with a feathered wing flanked at its right side, and a dragon's wing with purple skins filled with holes flanked its left side. A jagged curved horn with a crimson red tip adorned its head. Its front hooves were pickpocketed with holes. Its back hooves were lion legs that ended in serrated claws. A dark sky-blue mane with a violet edge flowed from its neck and ended in black, starry smoke. A scaly gray tail ending in a veiny hole-filled bug-like fin. Its eyes were a combination of teal blue, neon green, and blood red. Its scarlea was a cool lime sea-green with deep purple flames flowing from their corners.
The creature had an echoey, purring voice as it spoke.
“Anon, thou three salts see misprision can doth!” it's horn promptly burst into magical dark magenta flames, as it laughed.
“Sh…Shadowedmoon?” a weak voice stuttered, interrupting the creature. It was Moonshadow. She was the one who had collapsed in the splitting. Fast rushed over to her and held her head in his hooves.
“Shadowedmoon! Stop gloating and get us out of here! Moonshadow needs help!” he snapped at the creature. Shadowmoon glared at him, but then looked down at the heap of Royal blue fur in his hooves. Her eyes softened, and she grabbed Discord with her magic, trotting over to Fast she set Discord next to him. Then she turned to Sombra, Daybreaker, and Chrysalis.
“Thou'll payeth for what thou've done!” she growled. She turned back to her friends and other half. Shadowedmoon closed her eyes and engulfed herself, Discord, Fast Track, and Moonshadow in magic.
“How dare you make a fool out of me!” Chrysalis snapped and tried to attack Shadowedmoon, but it was too late, they were already gone. She fell flat on her face.
“Thou doth realize the lady's gonna cometh back right?” Daybreaker said, not amused by the bug’s failure.
“Chrissy, art thou well enow?” Sombra asked her, looking at her in concern. The queen was hunched over, as if in pain.
“It's not fair… it's not fair…,” she lowly hissed.
“Chrissy?” Sombra asked again.
“It's not fair, it's not fair, it's not fair! We should've been ruling all of Equestria by now! But, no! You just had to trust her didn’t you!” she snapped at Sombra and pointed a hoof at him. Sombra looked at her shocked, and then screwed his face up in anger.
“Us! Thou wast the one who is't did want the hybrid!” he snorted, stamping his hoof on the ground. Daybreaker only rolled her eyes and walked over to the window, letting the old couple bicker.
‘“And yet, who was the one that fell head over hooves for her? You Sombra, you did!” she slapped him across the face.
“How dare thou slap thy king!” Sombra roared his horn flaring with purple flames.
“My king! Shall I drain every last bit of love you have for that pathetic excuse of a queen?” the changeling snapped defensively, headbutting Sombra with her horn. A delirious laugh interrupted their quarrel. Luna was laughing above them, her hooves around her stomach.
“You...you two are such a hoot to watch! Arguing over who ruined the plan, either from the hybrid or loving my daughter!” Luna chuckled in disbelief. “You will never win! You once again underestimated your rival and will lose! Even with three ponies, you'll lose!” she giggled in triumph.
“Shut up!” the changeling hissed, flying up to the cocoon and bucking it. “You know nothing of what my brilliant changeling mind has in store! I'll get that love from your dau…,” her words were cut short, as another idea crept into her mind. Her long,forked tongue passed over her lips as she said, “or, I could drain the love from you,” her voice dipped real low, and her eyes gleamed hungrily and the moon queen. Luna looked at her smirkly.
“You’d have to let me out to do that, now wouldn’t you?” she said slyly. Chrysalis just smiled.
“Yes, but you will be weaker than me. And, I'll be able to feed off of your love within seconds of you hitting the ground,” the queen purred hungrily. Sombra looked at her in disbelief, as she slashed open the cocoon and Luna fell to the floor. As she was falling, Luna engulfed herself in her magic. Flipping herself to land on her hooves, she shot a beam of magic to distract Chrysalis. The queen dodged it, and then looked at Sombra and Daybreaker. “You two gonna help?” She growled.
“I think this is between you and me, Crissy!” Luna said firmly, lifting a big vase from behind the changeling with her magic.
“Chrysalis, watch out!” Daybreaker shouted and grabbed the vase with her magic. Luna gave her a growling look.
“My sister! Let go! This isn't you!” Luna tried to yank the vase from her, but Daybreaker wouldn't let go.
“We art not thy sister! And thou wilt not did hurt our partner!” Daybreaker snorted. Chrysalis began to stalk around the two arguing sisters and stopped at Luna's back side.
“Hey Luna!” she growled. Luna's ears twitched backwards. She bucked out but missed the changeling by an inch. Chrysalis chuckled and lifted Luna up with her magic, making her lose her grip on the vase. The changeling opened her mouth and started to drain Luna of her love. All of a sudden, a battle cry came from a corner of the room.
“Your Majesty, run!” It was Nightrainbow. He barreled into Chrysalis, making her lose her concentration, they both fell head over hooves over each other. Shadowedmoon appeared at Luna's side. She wrapped herself around Luna and teleported them away.
“How did thou receiveth out of our spell?” Sombra screeched at Nightrainbow who had pinned Chrysalis to the ground. Shadowedmoon appeared above Nightrainbow and glared at Sombra.
“We freed him!” she grabbed Nightrainbow and was gone in a dark magenta flame.
Chrysalis arose, her eyes were wide and her jaw gaping.
“How? Just… how?” she turned to Sombra who was shocked as well. Daybreaker couldn't even move, she was so shocked about what had just happened. She walked over to her partners, she cleared her throat and said, “Well, now we have to start from the bottom again,” her voice shook with disbelief. The changeling stamped her hoof. “Rrr! How could this have happened! We were so close!” she roared. Her wings buzzing with frustration.
“We shall get our victory yet, we have an idea. We have connections to Fast Track, we can trick him with a simple spell to be on our side.” Daybreaker came over to Sombra and the queen, reassuring them they could get their triumph back.
Shadowedmoon and Nightrainbow arrived at Mount Ares. The hippogriff guards greeted them with bows.
“How is Moonshadow, our mother, Fast Track, and Discord?” Shadowedmoon asked one of the guards.
“They are in the infirmary, we don't know much about your anatomy, or the anatomy of a draconequus. But we contacted Nurse Redheart to help,” the guard curtly said, and then looked sad. “Discord is…is not healing. He seems to have lost too much of his power and is dying,” he bowed his head somberly.
“Do you want me to show you two where it is?” The other guard asked, as he pointed a claw into the kingdom. Shadowedmoon nodded.
“Would you please?” she said, looking at the guard with a serrated smile. Shadowedmoon and Nightrainbow followed the guard through the kingdom up to the palace. They got sad stares and bows as they passed some folks. As they entered the infirmary, Luna and Moonshadow we're talking in the right corner. They were sitting up, but they looked frail.
Luna caught site of the newcomers and smiled warmly, “Nightrainbow, it’s nice to see that you have been released,” she said lovingly. Moonshadow nodded weakly, her eyes were still puffy and dull.
“It's a pleasure to be free thanks to Shadowedmoon here!” he pointed to his left at Shadowedmoon. Luna looked at the creature in surprise.
“I never knew that any good could come from such an evil creature, such as yourself,” she said, her voice still wavering with weakness.
“Thank thou for such high praise, Luna. But thou hast thy daughter to thank for that, the lady's did keep me on a tight leash and hath taught me some manners.” Shadowedmoon said, nodding at Moonshadow who blushed a bit as all eyes turned to her.
“Where's Discord?” Nightrainbow asked. Luna and Moonshadow looked at each other in sadness, then pointed at the other end of the room. Discord lay almost motionless on his hospital bed. The only movement was the very slow movement of his chest as he breathed. He was pale. His once bright chestnut fur, a now dull light bay. As Shadowedmoon and Nightrainbow walked over to him, he started to look worse. Pale brick red scales from his tail as well as pale green scales from his left hind leg littered the floor and bed. Both his horn and antler were cracked and pieces were peeling off of them. They looked in horror at him, tears rolling down Shadowedmoon’s cheeks.
“Discord?” she whispered, her voice broke from sadness. Discord’s eyes weakly opened, they were as dull as the scales on his tail.
“P…princess?” he managed to stutter out. Shadowedmoon shuttered at his weak voice. Her ears flicked back, as she heard a pair of rapid footsteps approaching. As she turned around, Queen Novo and General Seaspray were trotting in.
“I just got word that Queen Luna and her daughter were here?” Queen Novo said, out of breath. Luna and Moonshadow waved a hoof to them.
“Over here, Your Majesty,” Luna said.
“Luna, Moonshadow! What has happened?” The Queen and her General walked over to the bedside.
“King Sombra, Queen Chrysalis, and Daybreaker. That’s what happened.” Fast Track awoke from the other side of Moonshadow. He moaned in pain, as his head pounded with a headache.
“Fast! You’re awake!” Moonshadow cried, happy to see that her friend was okay. General Seaspray and the Queen looked at each other in confusion.
“Pardon me, but. who are they?” The General said, stepping up to Fast Track’s bed. Fast Track tried to ignite his horn, but failed. Shadowedmoon walked over and ignited her horn, showing a vision of Sombra. She looked over at Fast, nodding at him to continue. He blushed and continued.
“This is Sombra. He’s the unicorn who took over the Crystal Empire some odd thousands of years ago. Luna here, as you know, had a bad time with a creature called the Nightmare. It split into two beings, a male and a female. Sombra is the result of the male. This is Queen Chrysalis,” Shadowedmoon changed the vision from Sombra looking over the crystal empire, to a vision of Chrysalis and her army of changelings. “She is the Queen of the changelings, her and Sombra have joined forces and have taken over both the Lunar, Solar, and Crystal Empires. I am one of Celestia’s Royal Right Stallion Guards, name’s Fast Track. When Sombra came to the Solar Empire, he…,” Fast hesitated for a second, tears filling his eyes. “He corrupted Celestia and she became Daybreaker,” his voice quivered, and tears rolled down his face, as he remembered that moment how he failed miserably to do his duty to protect his beloved queen. Shadowedmoon built up a vision of the flaming-haired mare, Novo gasped as the fire of the main flashed in her eyes.
“Dear me, Celestia, what has become of you my dear friend?” she asked, taking a step back. All of a sudden Discord seized up, his wings flew open. He balled into himself, shivering, and his teeth started to chatter.
“He's going into complete shock!” Nurse Redheart suddenly appeared at Discord’s bedside.
Redheart threw all the blankets she could find on him.”i.. i don't Know what else to do! “ She cried out, looking around frantically. shadowedmoon calmly walked over to her, and lifted her up with her magic.
“Halcyon down Redheart. Thou win't maketh him better by running 'round frantically like yond.” Despite her worry, Shadowedmoon's voice was calm and soothing. Redheart shrunk away as she saw the disfigured draconequus.
“W..what are you..who are you?” her voice stammered with terror. shadowedmoon let her down,
“Don't beest afraid. We may hast a temper, but Discord is our cater-cousin. And well. We hast his power inside us. We art Moonshadow's nightmare half, Shadowedmoon.” she bowed, letting Redheart get a good look at her. The nurse looked at the creature in front of her, then at Moonshadow.
“How?” She asked the princess.
“Sombra and Chrysalis. Celestia got brainwashed by Sombra and is now Daybreaker. Shadowedmoon is the result of a hybrid mixed with the Nightmare, it's a long story.” Moonshadow looked at shadowedmoon, “but you can trust her.” Her eyes flashed with confidence. Redheart nodded curtly, as she looked at Shadowedmoon.
“I don't know how to treat him. Due to his loss of power, I can't heal him.” she shook her head in despair. The mixed draconequus thought for a second, her eyes suddenly went wide as thought of something.
“Zecora! The lady may hast a herbal salve or a potion yond can at least maketh him comfortable.”Shadowedmoon snapped her claws and then ignited her horn, she suddenly vanished.
“We can go down to Sea Equestria and get some seaweed for him. That shall keep him warm with whatever body heat he has left, as well as soften his fur and scales.” Novo offered. Redheart nodded,
“Anything that you can offer to help, will be accepted!” she said excited. Fast Track got out of bed and went over the Queen and General.
“I believe I am well enough to go with you, since I am a royal guard. It is my sworn duty to protect Celestia, and any of her friends and subjects. May I come with?” Fast bowed in front of the two, and then standing at attention waiting for their reply.
“I believe I should come with as well, I am a guard of Luna's.” Nightrainbow stepped up next to Fast, nodding to him and then to the general and queen. Novo and seaspray looked at each other, then nodded.
“Yes, we would be honored to have you two by our side.” The general declared. He turned on his back hooves, and led the way to the seashore.
Shadowedmoon appeared in the EverFree forest, looking around, she figured out where she was in the forest and headed to Zecora's cottage. As she got to the cottage, she made sure to not scare the zebra with her appearance. She was sudden engulfed in sickening green flames and took the form of Moonshadow.
“Zecora? We needeth thou’s- I need your help. It's me, Moonshadow.” She corrected herself, as Moonshadow didn't speak in old ponish. She knocked on the door, then stepped back to see if Zecora would appear at the door. The door was quickly unlocked and opened, Zecora stood in the doorway with Angel on top of her shoulder. “Moonshadow, my dear friend! Have you found who caused Angel's illness?” Zecora questioned, letting her inside.
“Yes I did. Sombra. He and Chrysalis have joined forces. As well as turning Celestia against us. She calls herself Daybreaker now” she stepped inside the cottage. “And well..They made me into this,” she engulfed herself once more in the green flames. Zecora gasped as Shadowedmoon turned back into her true self again, Angel squeaked and ran for cover. Zecora walked around the miserus creature, unsure of what to make of her.
“What-are-you?” she questioned, looking confused.
“we art a card of a lot of things, our base is a draconequus but we hast charm from Sombra, Chrysalis and our regular form. Nay needeth to fear us, as we art still part of Moonshadow, we art that lady’s Nightmare half.” Shadowedmoon said calmly. The zebra looked at her, examining every inch.
“Very interesting. I see You speak in the old ponish tongue?” Zecora said, picking up Shadowedmoon's tail. Shadowedmoon nodded, look at the Zebra.
“Zecora, this is not wherefore we art. 't's Discord. The drainage of his power into us. Is.”Shadowedmoon’s face screwed up, and tears formed at the corners of her eyes. “Is killing him.” She slumped down, defeated. Zecora went over to the cauldron, the liquid inside it, was steaming and was green. She took a spoon ful and put it in a bowl.
“Here.” She handed Shadowedmoon the bowl. “spinach, lavender, chamomile, and mint soup. Shall calm the nerves and fears.” Zecora poured some into a bowl for herself and walked over to Shadowedmoon, sitting down she sipped on the warm liquid.
“we did bring everypony to mount Aris, the hippogriffs did get Nurse Redheart. But. The lady doesn't know what's wrong with him. He isn't healing, not even gaining power.”Shadowedmoon explained. Zecora put down her bowl, and walked over to her potion bottles.
“I must come with you, if I am going to diagnose him. Discord is ancient, it would be a great feet if we can cure this patient. I must bring everything.” She began to put vials of potions, as well as empty ones in bags. As the two stepped out of the cottage, they were confronted by one of Sombra's guards. He stood firm,the helmet on his head had no indication of a horn and he had no wings flanked at his sides. He was an Earth Pony, a sturdy build one too.
“Shadowedmoon, I am here to take you back to the Lunar Empire at the command of King Sombra.” he demanded. Shadowedmoon took a step forward, blocking his view of Zecora.
“thou don't hast to doth this. Thou art not the subject of some wanna beest king. Thou art a subject of the lunar Empire, mine mother's and mine subject.” Shadowedmoon's voice was calm, but had a sting to it.
“I was, now i am a subject of Sombra's and one of his royal guards.” the guard’s head twitched, as he replied to Shadowedmoon. Zecora stepped forward, looking at him with squinted eyes.
“I think i recognize this stallion. He is from the trade at sea, I have traded him potions for ingredients of key.” Zecora took another step forward, going around Shadowedmoon. “Do you remember this?” she asked the guard, looking at him with hope.
“I..I um..” the stallion stammers a bit, but then suddenly straightens up. “No, no i do not. I am a guard and subject of King Sombra. That is all I've ever known!” A scythe suddenly appeared at his side.
“Zecora, receiveth back!” Shadowedmoon lunged at the stallion guard, taking a blow to the chest from the scythe. Greenish-gray blood oozed out of the wound. “Don't make me do this. I don't want to hurt any of my subjects.” she huffed, holding the bleeding cut with her hoof.
“Make you do what? My lovely?” The stallion's voice went sultry at his last words. Sombra was controlling him through magic!
“Sombra! Thou!” Shadowmoon gritted her teeth and stood up, flattening her ears. “ Zecora covereth thy ears anon!” Shadowedmoon took a wide stance, as she let out a Sonic echoing cry of a siren