Chapter 13: Mysterious magicks

"And then Tia would put some of her alfalfa in her mouth and pretend to be a monster just to get me to eat my alfalfa. I hate alfalfa. She hasn't done it in years though. It was funny back then."

Luna was gratified with some giggling from the cell next to hers.

"Wow, I wish I had a sis like yours Lulu."

The princess giggled softly.

"You don't have any siblings dear Nyx?"

Nyx was quiet for a while before she started talking softly.

"I… I have a brother. But… I don't know him."

"But you know you have one, yes?"

More silence.

"Yes… I was told that he lives someplace safe. Too safe for them to take him away. I… I'm really jealous of him."

Luna frowned.

"You? Why?"

"They told me… He's got a family. A mummy, a daddy… Everything."

Luna felt a stab of emotional pain from the little filly's words.

"I know how that feels dear one… I've only ever had Tia. But…"

She stopped, a thought occurring to her.

"Lulu? Are you okay?"

Luna barely heard her and replied vaguely with "I'm okay…"

---

"Look, Twilight, I know you don't trust me after my story. I have a hard time admitting it's real too! But I swear to you, It's absolutely true and I swore I would tell nopony! Yo-"

He was cut off as he, Twilight and Talisman slammed face first into… well, apparently nothing. The others barely stopped in time, Except for Rainbow who rammed directly into Stalwart Defender and fell on her rump.

"Ow! Hey! What's the big deal?"

Stalwart Defender rubbed his nose painfully, eyes closed.

"Sorry Miss Dash, I hit something and well, It stopped me. I assure you, if it makes you feel any better it hurt me too."

Twilight hushed her, but Defender still caught an affirmative grumble. When he opened his eyes he was quite surprised at what he saw.

"Good Goddesses…"

Before them was a shimmering wall, sectioned off in small diamonds that sparkled individually like perfectly cut diamonds. Which instantly caught the eye of Rarity.

"Oh my! That is just GORGEOUS! Oh wow! Ooh! IDEEEEAAAA!"

Twilight looked at the wall in sheer awe.

"Celestia… This is a diamond wall spell. This spell hasn't been seen in hundreds of years. I thought that only the princesses would even remember the spells existence!"

Talisman tapped the barrier curiously. There was a loud 'Clack' as his hoof impacted upon the wall.

"Is it breakable?"

Twilight hesitated.

"Um, It's difficult to tell. Some legends say it is, other stories say it's invincible. I'm not sure myself."

Defender sighed.

"I guess physical shattering is out of the question. Perhaps you could do something Twilight? I mean, you are the most powerful unicorn of this age."

Twilight tried not to blush.

"I… I guess I could try."

---

Luna contemplated her position from within the cell. Despite her lucid state, she still could not reach her magic. The soft sound of snoring from the next cell warmed her heart considerably. She'd never had a foal to call her own, and was quite jealous of her sister having Twilight, who was more a daughter than a student in her own right. Her entire life that she could remember had been spent alone. Except for her sister, she was utterly alone. Celestia was the only pony who had ever kept her company.

And you even turned on her…

During the time she was spiralling down her tunnel of jealousy, She'd become increasingly aggressive towards everypony who approached her. This obviously had an adverse effect on her reputation and left it in tatters. She'd started to be referred to as the 'Ice queen' of the night. One didn't ever speak with her since she was perpetually in a foul mood, and this led to nasty, sarcastic and often insultingly and intimidatingly aggressive snarls.

She felt the all too familiar pang of regret at the memory of her old self. The sad memories of her time before Nightmare Moon. Those memories were even more painful. Mostly because they weren't truly hers. She remembered watching from a distant corner of her mind, crying for the most part. She remembered at first enjoying it. Remembering the sheer raw power of her more… sadistic form. It was intoxicating, empowering.

Often she found it exciting.

But as she spent more and more time on the moon, Luna had begun to shun the evil side of herself, began to realise simply how badly she'd messed up as it were. How wrong she was to be doing what she was doing. She'd started speaking out against her evil side, and had been ignored and laughed at the entire time. She had, in her time enslaved to her evil side, become weaker than she remembered. Not in magic, but certainly in will. She'd been working on it, and the Elements of Harmony had sealed her away quite effectively, giving her ever more needed time. She had recovered her strong will quite easily, but her self esteem never recovered. She'd recovered her playful attitude with Defender's help.

Her mind found and clung to the thought of Stalwart Defender, Stuck to them like glue. She'd felt as though she was alone in the world before he'd come along. Not even Celestia could fill her heart. Her emotions had tended towards depression. But when he'd arrived…

I don't think I can remember the last time I was happier than when he was there. And he was always there for me. At first, I think it was because he had no choice but… As time went by… and he was so prepared to be my bodyguard, and he only thought of me and my safety. And he was my only real friend. When I was down I could talk to him, when I was confused he always knew what to do. When I was angry…

She felt a pang of guilt for the many times she'd yelled at him when she was frustrated at him. Frustrated at her duties, frustrated at her sister, Frustrated at her own thoughts. She had yelled, screamed and quite often beaten at his armour in her frustration. Every single time he sat through it. Sat calmly, patiently. When she dissolved into tears he was the one who sat by her and held her and let her cry on his shoulder. When she was attacked by the ponies looking for her destruction, Defender had pushed her to hire more guards to help defend her.

He was always concerned for my wellbeing… always…

Unable to stop herself and oblivious to the waking and questioning of the filly in the cell beside her, Luna broke down and began to cry.

---

"Are we ready?"

"A few more hours and it will be time to begin."

"Is the princess alright?"

"The princess is healthy. Fed, watered and with good bedding."

"And Nyx?"

"Nyx is just as healthy. The two seem to have bonded closely."

"Will it be a problem without the second one?"

"Shouldn't be. Most of her magical prowess was contained within the body of the foal Nyx. Physical strength and endurance was contained within the other one. The one they've called Nox. He was too deeply ingrained to steal away. Once Her Majesty is re-awakened she can take his power as well."

"I see. This is good news, if your theory is correct Splintered Dreams."

"Of course. Have I ever steered you incorrectly before?"

"True."

The area was dim. In the dim light nine ponies could vaguely be made out and one shrouded figure with strips of something hanging off of its emaciated form. Only the eyes were truly visible for the ponies. Green, Brown and one a pale, pale blue. The final set seemed to change colour constantly and the emaciated form seemed to have none at all. That is, until an eye from the emaciated form snapped open, a bright, glittering red.

"They have reached the first barrier."

There was silence and the faint movement of turning heads.

"….. Shade. Take care of it."

The pair of pale blue eyes nodded slightly before the pony lifted up and walked away. The voice of Splintered Dreams echoed across the space.

"Tis a good thing you only need three unicorns to perform the ritual."

The red eye went wide.

"They broke my barrier. They are stronger than I first believed. Reinforcing subsequent barriers."

---

Twilight yelped in shock as her magic touched the barrier and it simply disintegrated.

"What! I barely touched it!"

Defender stared at the remnants of the magical barrier just before the small, shining particles evaporated into the air. He grimaced.

"I don't know. But we have to move forward. C'mon, let's go."

He started walking forwards, not going overly fast, but at the same time keeping the urgency in his pose and walking patterns. Fluttershy and Demon brought up the rear, Defender in front, Twilight and Tal directly behind him. Defender's thoughts roamed through the memories he possessed of Luna. Fond memories, all of them. Even when she'd been hitting him in her frustration, he'd still thought she looked positively ador-

No. You can't think of her like that. She's not only your employer, but she's the princess of the night! You cannot think of her like that. Ever.

"Stalwart Defender."

The guard stopped the moment he heard his name, stopping the rest of the ponies following him.

"Who said that? Show yourself!"

A dark chuckle emanated from around them and a dark, sickly yellow pony with a dark grey mane and tail seemed to form from the shadows, melting out of it. Last thing to appear was a short, sharp horn. A coy smile was on his face.

"Hello guardspony. How you doing today hmm?"

Defender growled angrily.

"Quit playing around. What do you want?"

He smiled.

"Your head apparently. Looks like you're too much trouble for your own good Pegasus. You could have made a fine member of our little organisation."

Defender scowled.

"Not on your life. I don't know what you pricks want from Luna, but you're not going to get away with it."

"Hehe, I think you underestimate us."

Defender was about to retort when he was overshadowed by Demonheart. The soft voice from the big stallion was ominous, dangerous.

"If it is a fight you wish for, then you will not find one with him."

He shifted stance subtly, something only a seasoned fighter would notice.

"But you will find one with me."

Defender stared at him in shock.

"Demonheart I-"

"Go."

Defender took a step away from the stallion at his tone. It was darker than before, much more dangerous.

"Demonheart-"

"Go. I will take care of this."

---

Demonheart stood alone in the forest. Before him stood the overbearing, cocky stallion that had stepped from the shadows before. He seemed a little irritated that his prey had escaped.

"You are in my way Pegasus. I do not suggest remaining in my path."

Demonheart stood firm, a grim frown on his face.

"You will not get past me. You threaten my friends, you threaten me, and Neither of us take well to threats."

The pony cocked his head.

"Us?"

Demonheart nodded and his wings spread open behind him and he lowered his body down to a more ready position.

"You didn't honestly think I'd take on somepony like you alone, did you? Or are you all talk?"

The stallion barked out a harsh laugh.

"Keep thinking that. Here's Shadow Brine, coming at you!"

The unicorn charged. Demonheart watched him, stance low, ready to counter. The incoming stallion kept coming, a cocky smile on his features. A low growl rolled out of Demon's throat just before…

What!

The unicorn stepped into a shadow and vanished. Demonheart's alarm made him vulnerable for just a few seconds, which the stallion used to his advantage, appearing out of another shadow and charging into him, making the big stallion stagger before the stallion slipped once more into the shadows. Demonheart growled.

"Come out and fight like a stallion coward!"

An amused laugh echoed through the forest area.

"What? Fight fair? Who said I was ever going to fight fair? Fighting fair is a sign of weakness, and I can't tolerate that now could I?"

Let me out…

Demonheart ignored the voice in the back of his mind, focusing on the task at hand. His eyes flickered every which way, trying to search for a clue, and indication of where he could be coming from.

Let me out to show him real power.

I don't NEED you!

He was slammed on his right side and he grunted in pain.

Let me out! We can fight him on even grounds! Better grounds!

Another strike, to his left and he cried out in pain, a stab wound on his left shoulder. The crazed laughter echoed out once more.

"oops! Looks like that hurt! I'm so terribly sorry. Give up yet?"

We can survive this, but only if you let me out!

Why should I trust you!

Because your survival is my survival. I cannot live on in corporeal form without you. Now let me out! And let us show this bastard precisely what true power is!

Another pained cry, he fell to his knees, eyes clenched shut in pain.

…

The stallion appeared before Demonheart, a cocky smile still in place.

"Oh, poor stallion. You know, you talked a tough fight, but you're just another reject. Just another silly Pony who thinks size is everything."

"Is that so?"

The smile vanished from the stallion's face at the sudden change in voice.

And then Demonheart's eyes opened.

---

An ungodly roar and a sudden, terrified shriek followed by one of absolute agony tore through the forest, making the others jump in shock and making a chill run up their spines. Defender spun around.

"What in the name of Celestia was that!"

Fluttershy whimpered and took a half-step towards the direction that the sounds came from.

"D..Demon..?"

Defender looked at her.

"You think something went wrong?"

Fluttershy squeaked and looked back at him.

"I.. I w..worry for the other stallion…"

She looked back at where the sound had come from.

"I have to go back… He needs me."

Defender stared at her.

"What! Miss fluttershy, I may need the Elements to help me get back Luna!"

She spun around.

"And If I don't get back to Demon he could die, or worse."

He actually flinched away from her gaze, surprised at the ferocity of it.

"But…"

He felt a hoof on his shoulder and looked over to the white unicorn by his side.

Rarity… I think.

"Let her go darling. We'll be fine."

He hesitated for a while before sighing.

"Alright. Go on. Catch up as soon as you can."

Fluttershy nodded before rushing back the way they had come, pink hair streaming behind her.

"Come on… we still have to find Luna."

---

"So, tell me again why we're heading to the med bay?"

Brave Wing glanced at Heart Sworn, still walking briskly.

"Simply put? We need you to stay safe. We don't know who we can trust anymore, so Princess Celestia has assigned me to protect you. She wanted the med bay because that's the place you'd feel most at home in this castle."

The nurse stopped dead, causing Brave Wing to halt in place as well, looking back at her.

"What?"

She stomped her hoof petulantly.

"That is most certainly NOT where I feel most at home in this castle. I feel most at home in my bedchambers, my room."

Brave frowned in confusion.

"You live in the castle?"

"Yeah, course. I have noplace else to go."

Brave Wing thought for a moment.

"Well… in that case we go there. Lead the way?"

"Gladly."

The two set off for her quarters. Unknown to them, a pair of guards watched them pass.

Then peeled off from guarding their broom cupboard and followed them.