Chapter Fourteen: Dinner Conversation

~BlackRoseRaven

Twilight Sparkle frowned faintly across at Applejack as they walked slowly towards Fluttershy's cottage, saying apprehensively: "It's not that I want to argue, AJ, really... but... it was just a bad dream, wasn't it? And yes, I know Zecora said the demons and spirits were still lurking around the camp but... I'm not so sure if they're actually 'feeding' off her people..."

Applejack grumbled a little as she shook her head quickly, replying moodily: "Believe me, Twilight. I've had nightmares before, but this felt... almost real. You can't tell me you don't have worries about them yourself... and even if you don't, it ain't right for the demons to be lurking around, studying those poor zebra folk while they're trying to heal, like they're... bugs or entertainment or something."

Twilight grimaced a bit and then glanced up towards the sky in thought: it was dusk now, deepening towards evening. Rainbow had gone on ahead to the farm, and Applejack had walked Twilight to her home while cajoling her to come and join them for dinner. The violet winged unicorn had finally agreed on the condition she was allowed to check on things at the library.

Celestia, Spike, and Illyria had been there, the dragon running around and fetching things for the Architect, stopping only long enough to tell Twilight that Fluttershy had been looking for her before he'd hurried on his way. Celestia had mentioned that Scrivener and Luna had left only a few minutes earlier, likely to see Fluttershy. So that had become their next destination... although for some reason, Twilight had resisted the urge to tell Applejack that Luna and Scrivener were likely already at the cottage.

It was childish, maybe, but at the same time, Twilight thought if Applejack could just see the two of them being... themselves, that they weren't the evil monsters she had started to believe in one form or another they were, it would be okay. And Twilight nodded to herself before blushing when Applejack glanced at her curiously, and she mumbled: "Sorry. Lost myself in my own thoughts, I-"

And then Twilight and Applejack both looked up in shock as an enormous, black-scaled reptile charged across the road in front of them and into the field, Luna cackling on the Tyrant Wyrm's back as Fluttershy clung to the winged unicorn with enormous eyes and Scarlet Sage cheered. "By Mimir, is this not delightful fun!"

"What in tarnation is going on here?" Applejack asked incredulously, watching as Scrivener loped through the wide field, and then the earth pony mare shook her head and broke into a sprint, Twilight wincing and running hurriedly after her as she shouted: "Hey, hey, what are you doing?"

Scrivener glanced dumbly over his shoulder as he ran through the field, and then the Tyrant Wyrm's front claw tore against a tree, shattering it but knocking him off balance, and he cursed and winced as he fell, Fluttershy and Scarlet Sage both yelping as they were thrown from his back... but in a flash, Luna leapt down with a wide grin, snatching the mare out of the air with her front limbs and swerving down to catch Scarlet on her back before she easily twisted upwards, just avoiding Scrivener's tail it lashed past by bare inches.

The Tyrant Wyrm rolled a few times into a copse of trees, groaning in frustration and pain as one of his wings flapped and wood ground painfully into his scales, and then he grumbled under his breath even as Luna gently set Fluttershy down before dropping to the ground herself with a laugh as Applejack skidded to a halt in front of them with an incredulous look. "What the hell were you doing?"

Fluttershy blinked a few times as she sat back on her haunches dumbly, and then Luna leaned forwards as Scarlet Sage giggled and clung to her mother's neck tightly, her ephemeral locks whisking and flowing teasingly back around the child. "Why, we were merely heading to meet Pinkamena for a pleasant dinner, but I thought we'd take the express route. 'Twas a fun thrill though, was it not?"

"Didn't look so fun to me... and now you've gone and tore up this whole dang field!" Applejack gestured angrily at the ground that had been marred by Scrivener's fall as the Tyrant Wyrm grunted and climbed up to his claws, absently brushing pieces of broken tree off his enormous frame as he towered over them... and Applejack did her best to repress a shudder before she shook her head and muttered, as Twilight came to a halt beside her: "Anyway, Fluttershy, Twilight and I were just about to ask if you wanted to come for dinner with us. You could probably use a nice meal now, too."

"Aye, 'tis why we are heading over to the side of Ponyville, Pinkamena is meeting us there with a delicious bevy of goodies from Sugar Cube Corners and..." Luna made a bit of her face. "Some... food of her own design. I sincerely hope it is at least cooked. Say, Twilight and Applejack, thou should join us! I am sure there is more than enough for all, as stuffy Celestia backed out at the last moment."

"I don't think so, thank you, got dinner waiting at home, Rainbow Dash already ran ahead to make sure." Applejack replied courteously, but there was a bit of an edge to her voice that made Luna's smile lessen a bit before the mare grimaced as she glanced up towards Scrivener nervously again, drawing her eyes over the Tyrant Wyrm's enormous, terrible shape before she hurriedly returned her eyes to Fluttershy. "Why don't you come with us, sugarcube? Us normal ponies can't just live off candy and sugar, you know."

"Pinkie Pie does." Luna pointed out, and then she grinned slightly as Twilight repressed her own smile before the dark-coated winged unicorn leaned forwards, saying kindly: "Then if thou will not join us for dinner, then at least allow me to offer rest for thy weary hooves. It must have been a long day helping out the zebra-folk, after all... I would quite like to hear more about this, and 'tis no problem for Scrivener to carry us all. Come, let us-"

"I'd prefer to walk." Applejack interrupted shortly, and Luna's smile faded completely now as Fluttershy nervously looked up and Scrivener frowned slightly, rumbling a bit as a faint hint of blue mist steamed out of his nostrils. "Nothin' against you two or anything. Twilight, we should get going, though... and Fluttershy, you coming too?"

It sounded almost like an order, and Fluttershy blushed a bit before Luna glanced at her and said quietly: "'Tis... fine, Fluttershy. 'Tis fine. And Scarlet Sage, I know thou wert looking forwards to spending time with thine aunt... is there room at the table for a filly?"

"There always is." Applejack replied with a nod, looking almost uncomfortable as she shifted a bit before offering a grin even as she said finally: "Don't think we got enough to feed something as big as that, though."

Luna smiled thinly at this, her mane swirling behind her and making Scarlet Sage wince a bit as electricity sizzled through it, the filly carefully slipping backwards... and then flushing in surprise when Luna's ephemeral locks caught her, twisting around her as fluidly as serpents before slowly setting her down on the ground and sliding gently free from the filly's form. "Oh, worry not, fair Applejack. My husband has plenty to keep him well-fed."

The earth pony mare looked up at this, eyes locking with Luna's for a few moments as Twilight shifted awkwardly and Fluttershy murmured softly in Scarlet Sage's ear, pulling her quietly, almost protectively aside. Then Luna shook her head and said tersely: "We shan't keep thee. Scarlet Sage, we shall pick thee up later tonight. Twilight Sparkle, Fluttershy... Applejack... fare thee well."

With that, Luna turned and leapt upwards, flapping her wings firmly to propel herself up on top of Scrivener's head, and the Tyrant Wyrm's glowing sapphire eyes drew over them before he rumbled and turned slowly, trudging through the narrow smattering of trees and the meadows beyond as Fluttershy and Twilight traded awkward looks and Scarlet Sage looked nervously at Applejack.

The earth pony mare only glared after Scrivener and Luna, refusing to give in to the fear in her chest... and then she took a slow breath before forcing a smile, looking down at the filly and around at her friends as she said quietly: "Well, come on then, fillies. Ain't polite to keep Dashie and Big Mac waiting, and I'm sure Apple Bloom will be real glad to see you, Scarlet Sage."

The others ponies nodded awkwardly as Twilight began to open her mouth... but then only sighed as Applejack turned towards the road, keeping herself quiet as she glanced apprehensively at Scarlet Sage. The filly was looking nervously back and forth, and kept glancing over her shoulder at the way her parents had left, as if she wanted to go with them... and then she blushed when Twilight carefully reached down and picked her up, gently putting her on Fluttershy's back and saying quietly: "Don't worry. It'll be nice."

Scarlet Sage only smiled nervously back as Fluttershy gave a soft look towards Twilight, and Twilight laughed a little as she nudged the Pegasus quietly, brushing her body against the fellow mare's. The affection helped calm them both, and they smiled a little at one another as they fell into quiet pace side-by-side, Applejack leading the way and loosening up as they resumed the walk down the road to Sweet Apple Acres.

Apple Bloom met them in front of the house, bouncing over to them with a bright smile as she exclaimed: "Scarlet Sage! Well, shucks, it's good to see you here... hey, hey, are you gonna come with us when we go looking for those statues? Wait, I bet you already know where they are, don't you?"

Scarlet Sage smiled embarrassedly as she hopped down from Fluttershy's back, shaking her head quickly as she said shyly: "Not really. I could probably find out from Mom and Dad but I haven't seen any of the statues yet. They're busy a lot."

"Well, Scarlet Sage, don't you worry. 'Yalways got Fluttershy and Twilight to help keep you company, and we're all real fond of you, right Apple Bloom?" Applejack smiled at her little sister, who nodded firmly before she asked curiously: "So where's Dash?"

"He and Big Mac are setting the table up out around back." Apple Bloom replied with a smile, nodding quickly. "Got cider and apples already all set out."

"Good. Tell you what, we'll finish up, you kids go wash up for dinner." Applejack said kindly, and Apple Bloom smiled and nodded before she gestured to Scarlet Sage to follow, the two heading into the house. Applejack watched them go, then she shook her head slowly, saying quietly: "Poor girl. I wonder what it must be like for her..."

"Right now, I imagine it's very hard." Twilight said quietly as strode around towards the side of the house, and Applejack began to open her mouth, then simply frowned at Twilight's back as Fluttershy blushed and hurried after the winged unicorn.

The dinner that followed was awkward: the food was good, Rainbow Dash was exuberant as ever and Big Mac pleasant, Apple Bloom and Scarlet Sage sitting down near the end of the table and having their own little conversation. But even with Applejack trying to avoid the heavier subjects, Fluttershy looked nervous and Twilight only picked at her food, wondering silently what Luna and Scrivener were eating, what Pinkamena had brought them, if they had gone into town after all or continued out to whatever secret picnic they'd had in mind.

All the same, it wasn't bad; dinner ended as the last of the day's light faded from the sky, and they had apple pie for dessert after Twilight and Rainbow Dash lit the lanterns and lamps around the back of the yard, casting a warm glow over the grasses. The ponies gathered on the back deck, and the fillies sat in the tall grasses, just far enough out of earshot that the adults couldn't hear most of what they were saying as Apple Bloom winked and nudged the Pegasus playfully. "I only see one of your moms today. Where's the real one?"

"Oh, shut up, Apple Bloom." Scarlet Sage grumbled, and Apple Bloom giggled a bit before she swayed when the Pegasus filly shoved her lightly. "And well, we were supposed to have dinner ourselves somewhere nice, but then Applejack showed up and... well..."

"What were you gonna have? I bet it was gonna be something like candy or cookies or cake, Luna's got a real sweet tooth, we all know. God, I wish I could have candy or cookies or cake for dinner around here someday, but all we got is apples-apples-apples. Ain't got nothing against apples, but I been eatin' 'em for as long as I been alive, so..." Apple Bloom trailed off, grumbling a bit as she looked out into the darkness, then frowned a little and asked: "Hey, you see that?"

"See what? Something out there?" Scarlet Sage cocked her head curiously, looking out into the darkness before she caught a faint glimmer of movement, but she only smiled a bit even as Apple Bloom looked nervous. "I don't think it's nothing bad... probably just a Phooka or a Nightmare."

"I like how that ain't nothin' bad to you. You're crazy, Scarlet Sage. Big sister says we gotta be careful with them, even if your mom did bring all the demons in and stuff." Apple Bloom replied seriously, nodding a bit, and Scarlet Sage fidgeted awkwardly before the earth pony filly winced and held up her hooves. "I mean, not that I'm saying she's bad or nothing! Just that... you know... ain't you ever worried about any of 'em?"

"Well, no. Atrus scared me a little at first, but then I got to know him, and understood he wasn't a bad guy at all. Just quiet. I didn't think big scary demons were quiet people but he sure is." Scarlet Sage replied with a shrug, and then she smiled a bit, looking apprehensively down at herself. "But maybe it's different for me. I got this... evil blood stuff, too, and all..."

"Oh, shucks, but you're one of the nicest ponies I know! And I ain't just saying that, either." Apple Bloom replied firmly, nudging the Pegasus lightly, and Scarlet smiled as she swayed a bit. "Besides, I think that's real cool... I mean, I'm just an earth pony, and unlike the rest of my family I don't got no incredible strength or nothing."

"Hey, I saw you kick Scoot that one time, Apple Bloom, you almost knocked her through a tree." Scarlet Sage pointed out, and Apple Bloom cleared her throat before the fillies smiled at each other. "Thanks, though. Mom and Celestia have... started training me again, so I'm really hoping that I get my powers under control-"

"Say what now?" Rainbow Dash asked curiously as he passed with an empty pitcher of cider, and then he put this down and walked over to sit by the fillies, cocking his head. "You mean like... those crazy Blood Seer powers of yours? You still have those?"

"Well, yeah..." Scarlet Sage fidgeted awkwardly, looking with an apprehensive smile up at Rainbow Dash before she winced a little as she heard the conversation among the other adults grind to a halt. "I... I try to avoid even thinking about them, but Aunt Celestia says it's really important for me to learn to control them, because... otherwise, I might... you know. Start losing control at even... the smell of blood in the air."

Rainbow nodded hurriedly, looking awkwardly over his shoulder at the others as he realized they were listening in as well, so instead of pushing the subject he reached forwards and firmly patted the filly between the ears, saying quietly: "Well, you're a good kid and all, so don't try and worry about it too much, huh? Besides, look who you got teaching you all this stuff, huh? Celestia, Luna, and Twilight... two real powerful ponies and one real egghead."

Twilight sighed a little at this even as Rainbow grinned over his shoulder, but Scarlet Sage smiled warmly up at the blue Pegasus before he winked and scooped up his glass, heading inside the house. And for a little while, things were calm and quiet again until Fluttershy and Twilight Sparkle both excused themselves to leave.

Scarlet Sage glanced up from where she was sitting in the backyard with Apple Bloom when Twilight called her name, and she smiled a little at the fellow filly as they sat side-by-side together, the Pegasus bowing her head a bit and saying quietly: "Thanks for everything, Red. I really like that we're good friends."

"Yeah, we are." Apple Bloom smiled at Scarlet Sage, leaning against her and reaching a foreleg up to wrap around her and squeeze her firmly. "I like that I can share stuff with you that'd be weird to talk about with Sweetie Belle or Scootaloo."

"Yeah, same here." Scarlet Sage smiled across at Apple Bloom, then she leaned up and kissed her cheek quickly before pulling away as the filly looked dumbly after her, the Pegasus saying brightly as she bounced away: "Well, I'll see you later!"

"Yeah." Apple Bloom said stupidly, and then she gave a warmer smile, scrambling to her hooves and waving after the Pegasus filly as she ran past Applejack, who couldn't help but look awkwardly back and forth between the foals. "See you, Scarlet Sage!"

Scarlet Sage ran around the side of the house, and Applejack sighed and glared up at the night sky overhead, muttering: "Why do I get the feeling that somethin' up there wants life to be as awkward as possible for me?"

She grumbled a bit under her breath, then sighed and called to Apple Bloom as the filly began to sit back down in the grasses: "Go on inside, sugarcube, ain't good to be sitting around in the dark by yourself. Can't risk you getting eaten up by a Phooka or nothing... then who around here is gonna be able to do the work, Rainbow Dash? Y'know he ain't reliable."

"Hey!" Rainbow glared across at Applejack as he straightened, dropping the other end of the table he had been about to lift with Big Mac and making the red earth pony wince as the furnishing clattered loudly against the deck. "Well excuse me, Miss Responsible, but we all can't all be the number one most bestest pony in Ponyville. Furthermore, I'm the coolest. Cool people are never on time, they're always a little late to build the dramatic tension."

Big Mac grumbled a bit, and then without waiting for Rainbow Dash, he ducked beneath the table and then straightened, lifting it up and balancing the heavy furnishing easily on his back as he strode forwards, the Pegasus yelping as he stumbled out of the way. Applejack rolled her eyes, and then she glanced at her older sibling as he said kindly: "Stop frettin' now about Apple Bloom. Go say a proper goodbye to your friends. You too, Rainbow."

"Alright, alright. Only 'cause you obviously don't need my help." Rainbow Dash said finally, and then he hopped easily over the railing of the patio, catching the air on his wings and flying a short distance before wincing and dropping to his hooves with a grumble to canter around the house, calling loudly: "Hey, guys, wait for a second!"

Applejack, meanwhile, smiled a little as she shook her head and turned to cut through the house, and Big Mac smiled after her before he headed off the patio, carrying the heavy table with him. Without needing to look, he recognized the sound of Apple Bloom hesitantly beginning to follow him, but he stayed quiet, letting the filly gather her thoughts before he put the table down beside the back shed and slipped out from beneath it.

He glanced over the bare, pockmarked furnishing, making sure no cups or anything else had been left behind before he turned, half-cloaked in shadow just outside of the dim light cast from the lamps, and he gazed down at Apple Bloom as she sat in the border of darkness and lantern glow, looking back up at him and asking hesitantly: "Big sister ain't very fond of Luna, is she?"

"Nope. But I reckon it'll pass." Big Mac paused for a moment thoughtfully, then he gestured gently at Apple Bloom, and the two headed quietly back across the softly-lit back yard to sit on the step leading up to the patio together, side-by-side. For a moment they were only quiet, as Apple Bloom looked up at him and he gazed back, and then he said in his confident but gentle voice: "It ain't been easy, coming back like this. I know nopony's talkin' about it, but maybe that's just made everypony more on edge. Have you had the nightmares?"

"I wasn't... scared when I died. I know that just sounds like me trying to be brave... but what hurt weren't dying. It happened too fast..." Apple Bloom closed her eyes, lowering her head. "What hurt was knowin' you and big sis... weren't comin' back."

Big Mac nodded slowly, reaching up and gently settling a hoof on her shoulder as he said quietly: "And I want to apologize to you for that, Apple Bloom. We all thought we were going out there to make a difference, even I thought returning home was guaranteed, and I'd be able to keep my little sister safe... and I failed in regards to all three of those things. I'm sorry, Apple Bloom."

"No, you did make a difference, you did..." Apple Bloom murmured, hugging her big brother around the waist and pressing her head tight against his side as she closed her eyes. "We got messages every now and then, letting us know what happened, everypony in the town started coming out to listen to the announcements... and I think... I think it only got scary when they started announcing... the people who died. Then we realized ain't nothing for certain... then I realized you and sis... might not come back."

She fell silent, and Big Mac nodded slowly as he looked down at her softly, murmuring: "And that's part of the reason your sister is so... afraid right now. Everything we gave up, everything we lost... that she lost. Feeling like she failed you, like she failed the world... and now she's got nightmares. Hell, we all got wounds and nightmares, yeah, but hers ain't about monsters, or the things we faced. It's about failing, and not being able to save anyone, and getting so far only to fall.

"She doesn't want to fail this world, too." Big Mac nodded again, then he squeezed the young foal gently around the shoulders, and Apple Bloom smiled faintly up at her big brother as she rested against his side silently. And for a little while, they only sat in quiet together as the stars twinkled quietly high above.

---

Pinkamena grinned at the two as she stood in the marshland, watching amusedly as the enormous Tyrant Wyrm shoved a claw into the ground and growled as it expanded the mire already around them, trees and plant-life warping and rotting as the gray-pink pony called teasingly: "There's better things to take your anger out on, you know! I'm right here, Scrivy, come on down to my level and we'll cut each other up until all we can do is laugh!"

"Pinkamena, shut up." Luna grumbled grouchily from the other side of the pony, and Pinkamena laughed again as she turned around and grinned at the dark-coated winged unicorn. Luna sat with a half-eaten cupcake in one hoof, looking moody as she glared at the half-demon. "I swear that thou desires to be bludgeoned."

Instead of picnicking on the outskirts of Ponyville, Luna had grouchily decided after picking Pinkamena up that they should head into the Everfree Forest instead, and they had ended up here, at the site where they planned to build Enstasis. An odd choice for a place to eat and relax, perhaps, but they were also an odd gathering, and Pinkamena certainly hadn't been complaining about the change of scenery.

"Only a little." Pinkamena replied easily, and then she glanced up as Scrivener strode towards them, rumbling... but as the Tyrant Wyrm approached, energy crackled over him and he shrank rapidly down, the half-demon licking her sharp teeth in entertainment as she said in an oddly-delighted voice: "You catch on fast!"

Scrivener only gave her a foul look as he returned to his half-pony, half-Wyrm state, rolling his head on his shoulders and muttering: "To be honest, it's easier when I'm pissed off about something. Tyrant Wyrms. You probably understand that yourself."

Pinkamena nodded with a wink, and then she reached down into the picnic basket she'd brought along to produce a dumpling, tossing it towards Scrivener, and he caught it easily out of the air in his jaws before biting down and chewing slowly. The dull-pink pony gave another laugh and almost-delighted look at this, and Luna shook her head, muttering: "Daydreamer... handsome monster... we are permitting ourselves to get too worked up over this. Glad as I am anger has lent to thee the extra kick to grow this mire outwards into the area Illyria will require... we should both hold back a little, as well."

"Where would be the fun in that?" Scrivener grumbled, but he nodded all the same, swallowing the dumpling and then absently licking his muzzle slowly. Then he shook his head and grouchily glanced towards Pinkamena as she leaned towards him, looking excited beneath her straight waterfall of a mane. "What?"

"We have guests." she replied kindly, and Scrivener glanced moodily over his shoulder as several Nightmares flickered into being, smiling and with their heads politely bowed as they approached, the half-demon looking amused. "These the toys you were telling me about?"

"In a manner of speaking." Luna turned her eyes towards them, looking disdainful and thoughtful in the same moment. "I did not request thy presence."

"We thought we could help anyway, big sister." one of the Nightmares said kindly as they strode up to either side of Scrivener, and then the smoky, red-eyed creatures both pressed against either side of the larger male, sandwiching him between their forms before it continued affectionately: "We are here to provide relief, are we not?"

"Thou art here to provide a variety of services for me as loyal, trusted servants." Luna retorted, her eyes locking on the Nightmare that had spoken before she closed her eyes thoughtfully as Scrivener arched his back, his own eyes slipping closed... and Pinkamena laid herself back, staring with sharp interest, watching the way that the male did not shyly try to pull away... but instead, basked in the attention from the dark creatures as their bodies and hooves slid against his frame and scales.

In anger, the differences between the old Scrivener and Luna and the new were so much more pronounced: Luna, cold and calculating instead of loudly ranting and raging, and Scrivener, still bottling up most of his fury but with that anger now seeping out of him like miasma and making him come across as more... rough, more prideful, almost arrogant. But the half-demon liked it, as she laid down on the muck, enjoyed the way the two gave in to their darker sides even as she shivered a little in both delight and apprehension.

Then Luna's cold cyan eyes opened, and she smiled slightly as she looked towards one of the Nightmares, saying quietly: "Take a message to Zecora. Tell her I desire to meet with her... tell her I wish to aid her in healing her people. Ask her when I would be welcome at her camp... make sure thou art humble, make sure thou art compassionate. Return to me by morning with the message."

The Nightmare nodded quickly, then it kissed the side of Scrivener's neck gently before murmuring: "Of course, Mistress Luna. Excuse me, brother, I must go."

Scrivener only smiled wryly towards the Nightmare as it stepped backwards and flickered out of reality, and then Luna's eyes roved to the other Nightmare, saying quietly: "And thou. Thou shalt go to the library... have the lesser demons and other night spirits patrol Ponyville and the outskirts. I have... a bad feeling."

The Nightmare nodded slowly, and then it nuzzled affectionately against the poet's neck for a moment before vanishing from sight, and Scrivener rumbled a bit as he sat back before Pinkamena grinned, looking up at him as she crossed her front hooves. "What's wrong, big guy? Luna not enough mare for you alone anymore?"

"I am more than enough mare for anypony." Luna replied with a slight smile, her eyes betraying a flicker of entertainment despite her serious expression before she reached down and shoved Pinkamena lightly. "And I am not an idiot, Pinkamena. Thou has something in the warped nook of thy mind. Speak."

Pinkamena was silent for a few moments, and then she looked slowly up between the two, saying quietly: "You two are aware of what's going on, right? Ponies aren't happy... oh, the gossip I hear in the shop every goddamn day. Sure, the first two days, everything was fine. But now, as they try to get back to their normal lives, as they lose their thankfulness, as they forget how lucky they are – and it always amazes me what a short amount of time that takes! – all those ponies are beginning to chitchat, and spread rumors, and question everything that's going on.

"You see, among other things, it's the fact that not every pony is back from the beyond. The loss of the Cakes? For some reason, that's hit especially hard, even though it's probably sissy who hurt the most over finding them gone." Pinkamena paused meditatively, lowering her head and nodding thoughtfully. "And the letters beginning to go back and forth, from town-to-town, well... finding out that cousin one or two is gone, that the background characters from our lives are missing... well, you know ponies. Thankful for five minutes, bitter for fifty."

"You have less faith in them than I do, Pinkamena, that is all... they are working through difficult emotions right now, that is all." Luna said finally, shaking her head with a grimace. "It will be fine, thou shall-"

"No, I take precautions." Pinkamena snapped, sitting up sharply, and Scrivener and Luna both looked at her with surprise before the half-demon gave an almost-sultry smile, slipping past Luna and towards Scrivener, but speaking clearly to the winged unicorn even as she leaned up towards the male: "So here's the deal. We need each other, don't we? I'm a destroyer, and a killer, and a murderer, all those fancy words for something that's really good at keeping other ponies safe if she feels like it. I'll help you if you help me."

"Pinkamena, we are thy friends. We are always here to help thee, without a price." Luna said quietly, looking almost exasperated, and Pinkamena grumbled under her breath, almost pressing snout-to-snout with Scrivener as the male leaned back slightly with a wince. "And get away from my husband. Thou art not a concubine."

"But I'd gladly be one." Pinkamena grinned widely, her red-rimmed eyes flashing, and Luna looked at the half-demon with surprise before the earth pony looked over her shoulder, saying coldly: "But the deal is this. You protect sissy. You protect sissy, and you make me a full-blooded demon so I can always make sure she's safe, and I'll do whatever dirty deeds you want me to, do you understand me? I smell blood in the air, you see... and after what happened with Applejack, with the rumors going around, there's a sense of chaos rising in the air, a sensation of the center not holding, of everything starting to collapse. Last time I didn't act fast enough to save her hide... this time, I'm going to preempt this apocalypse and save the stupid, mindless, stupid idiot."

"Trading your body for power." Scrivener remarked wryly, and Pinkamena glared up at him before she reached up and seized him by the throat, but the poet only grinned widely despite the surprising strength of her grip. "Of course, you do know that's not the sole role of a concubine."

"I ain't an idiot like sissy." Pinkamena retorted, and then she shoved him backwards, knocking him staggering back a step before she glared over her shoulder at Luna. "I know you can do it, Luna. I know you got a lot of tricks under your saddle and hidden in that fancy mane of yours. Make her safe, and make me stronger, better. And I'm all yours to do whatever you please with. Friendship is based on need and necessity... this will make us best friends for life."

Luna snorted in derision at this, however, shaking her head slowly and muttering: "Pinkamena, thou knows I will protect Pinkie Pie and all the others... aye, even Applejack... with my life as it is. That-"

"Not good enough." Pinkamena said forcefully, rounding on her and stomping towards her, and Luna cocked her head curiously as the half-demon growled and leaned up towards her, looking frustrated. "You're like a lonely soldier watching an entire city, ready to die to fight the bandits looking to rob all the helpless old ponies, but the bandits aren't going to come to you first, oh no! They're gonna go around you, or hit from the other side, and you can't be there every moment of every day to look after every single helpless little pony.

"So yeah. I believe you when you say you want to look after sissy. I just don't believe you can, with how divided-up your attention is even now, before things have really hit the fan." Pinkamena said quietly, shaking her head before she grinned as her red-rimmed eyes almost glowed. "So make me a goddamn demon. In return I'll lick your hooves and anything else you want me to, and I promise not to bite too often. I'll do my duties to you, but you give me the power and the freedom to protect sissy. That's all I ask."

"Pinkamena, being a full demon will come with certain hungers... I am sure thou remembers what it was like for thee when thou wert a Pale. Thou will require... sustenance of a certain sort, as my husband does." Luna said quietly, looking with a frown down at the half-demon. "Thou will be sacrificing thy mortality for something both greater and less. Truly, is this what thou desires?"

"Yes." Pinkamena whispered, nodding firmly once, and then she turned around and grinned widely at Scrivener. "Not that either of you will be getting anything from me until our deal is done."

"And as part of our deal, like all other demons, thou shall pledge loyalty and allegiance to me." Luna said quietly, and Pinkamena grunted before the half-demon looked moody as the winged unicorn added softly: "I require time to think on this and prepare. I shall give thee my answer after I have debated the subject awhile."

The half-demon grumbled under her breath, looking irritable as she nodded grouchily before heading over to the picnic basket, dropping down beside it to dig out a sandwich half-wrapped in paper. She tore the covering away, and Scrivener and Luna both grimaced as she bit into it with a loud squelch and chewed slowly, grumbling: "Stupid goddamn Nightmare Moon."

Luna only sighed and shook her head as Scrivener looked meditatively at Pinkamena, and the three ate in silence: but as the minutes passed, so did the lingering awkwardness between them, and eventually Luna sighed as she straightened and cracked her neck, saying finally: "Come. Let us head to Fluttershy's cabin, then... 'tis late now. I am sure they are back from dinner at Applejack's."

"Good for you. I'm going home then." Pinkamena muttered, straightening and absently cracking her back before she picked up the picnic basket. For a moment, she looked down at this, then simply grunted and threw it across the mire, sending it rolling into the bushes before she nodded to herself as both Scrivener and Luna only looked at her flatly. "Eat me. Let the Phooka have it."

Luna rolled her eyes, and Scrivener shook his own head before the two ponies turned, Pinkamena only standing and watching them leave before she grinned and shouted easily at their backs: "Don't forget, I'll be waiting for you to come and steal what's left of my soul!"

"As if the creature has a soul." Luna grumbled as they made their way into the veil of trees of the Everfree Forest, passing by a few boxes of supplies and tools that had been moved out here by Nibelung. The dwarves hadn't set up their quarters yet, but they had begun moving a variety of things out into the area, and within a few days Illyria would likely order a section of the forest to be cleared and lodgings constructed for the Nibelung laborers.

Scrivener and Luna walked in quiet, their sides almost pressing together, their gazes ahead and focused and yet their minds trading thoughts and images easily back and forth. It felt even easier than it had been before, like their soul link had become tighter, like more and more they were falling into synchronization with each other, becoming as one entity... and Luna smiled a little as Scrivener asked softly: "Do you really think they're going to find something?'

"Something, aye. But I don't think it will be as dire as Celestia thinks." Luna shrugged a little, shaking her head and smiling as well as she glanced towards him affectionately. "I feel happy, after all, and stronger, and better than I have in many, many years. Nay... let me amend that. I feel the best I ever have, as a matter of fact. I think I only come across so different to the others because... we have agreed not to resist our desires."

Scrivener nodded slowly, and they continued in silence for a little while before Luna asked curiously: "Truly, does thou think it's that good of an idea?"

"I trust her. I like her. We understand each other well, don't we?" Scrivener smiled slightly over at Luna, shrugging a bit. "And like you said... we're working on being more fluid with our desires, on letting them help guide us. Let's make her strong, give her what she wants, and make her ours."

"I love it when thou speaks like the king thou could be." Luna murmured softly, looking ahead, and then Scrivener halted, and the winged unicorn frowned, pausing in her own steps as she looked curiously over her shoulder at him.

Scrivener looked down thoughtfully at this, licking his lips slowly as he felt a thrill of power run through him... but then he quickly shook his head and looked up with a grin, saying teasingly as he continued ahead: "But Celestia's the Queen, so that means I'd have to make her my wife instead of you, right?"

"Oh no, thou would just have to make her thine." Luna grinned playfully as she strode quickly up beside Scrivener, pressing their sides together and burying her face against the side of his neck, and he laughed and shook his head as they continued onwards, the winged unicorn murmuring softly: "Thou art not permitted another wife... I would be too jealous of sharing status. I am thy only true queen... thou art my only true king..."

She licked her lips slowly, and Scrivener rumbled in his throat, grinning slightly towards her as they emerged from the cover of the trees and into the fields outside Ponyville before they turned towards one another; their mouths met in a slow, firm kiss as Scrivener rose one of his claws, stroking into the winged unicorn's ephemeral locks, dragging her closer, deepening the kiss for a few moments before they slowly drew apart, and Luna shivered in delight as the blue-tinged breath of the poet washed over her face, Scrivener whispering before he could stop himself: "Mine."

"Aye, and the whole world is, too..." Luna whispered in return, her cyan eyes glowing with adoration as they met Scrivener's chestnut irises, and then she stepped close and nuzzled into his neck, pushing herself tightly against him as he half-curled around her and hugged her tightly up against his body, both smiling with true happiness in the darkness of the night as the winged unicorn felt her mind buzzing with strange thoughts and heard Nightmare Moon eagerly whispering encouragements into their mixed soul.

But before the two could further pursue their affections, they both looked up as a faint scream tainted the night air, carried through the still night to the sharpened senses of the two, and Luna and Scrivener looked at one another before there was a scream again... and immediately, the winged unicorn turned and leapt forwards, flapping her wings once and shooting into the air as Scrivener bolted across the fields, propelling himself towards Ponyville. A commotion was rising now in the town as they ran forwards, and there were more yells, more rumbles, and another cry... and Luna's eyes widened as she saw the crowd gathering in front of the library as Nightmares and dark entities circled through the skies above and scared ponies and Nibelung yelled and clamored in the square, lit as bright as day by Celestia's glowing horn.

Luna dropped down into the cleared space around the crowd as she saw what had happened... and immediately, Scarlet Sage bolted from Twilight Sparkle to her mother, and Luna caught her tightly, picking her up in her forelegs as she sat back on her haunches and stared at the sight before her, whispering: "What monster did this..."

A Phooka lay dying, strangled by an iron chain that had been wrapped around its throat. And from the warped look of the links and the reek in the air, the chain had been superheated on top of that, as Fluttershy shivered, her hooves burned as she tried to peel the chain free from its neck, tears leaking down her face as she whimpered weakly.

Ponies were staring and muttering amongst themselves, and both demons and other entities of the night were keeping their distance and floating above, away from the light before Celestia finally stepped forwards and silently touched Fluttershy's shoulder, the Pegasus looking weakly over her shoulder at the ivory winged unicorn. "Fluttershy... I am sorry, but there's nothing you can do. Nothing any of us can do... the creature is dying."

Fluttershy trembled a bit, then looked silently down at the Phooka, gazing into its faintly-flickering emerald flame eyes as it rasped weakly for breath... and then she leaned down and hugged it tightly, kissing its cheek and burying her face against the side of its head as tears spilled down her face, whispering: "I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry..."

"What has happened here?" Luna asked sharply, looking back and forth before her eyes settled on Twilight Sparkle as the violet pony came towards her, and the dark-coated winged unicorn gritted her teeth before she glared towards the crowd, barking: "Who here is the coward that did this?"

"Luna..." Twilight murmured, and the black-coated winged unicorn gritted her teeth before she looked down at Scarlet Sage as the filly whimpered in her limbs. Luna looked at her child, and Twilight sighed softly before she quickly turned her eyes towards the crowd, shouting: "Everypony, back away! There's..."

She broke off, looking silently towards the dying Phooka as Celestia gently pulled Fluttershy back... and the Pegasus stared weakly as the creature convulsed once against the ground before it gave a rasping wheeze and burst apart into black smoke, the melted chains falling in a rattle to the ground. Then Fluttershy turned, giving a single sob before she stumbled towards the library door, and Celestia quickly stepped up beside her, helping the terrified, heartbroken Pegasus along as Twilight shook her head and then looked towards the crowd, shouting in a rougher voice: "Go home! We... we need time to figure this out."

The ponies and dwarves shifted nervously... but as Scrivener Blooms shoved his way through the crowd to join them, many of them began to disperse with mutters and whispers. Luna looked towards the stain of darkness on the ground and the broken chains, and Scrivener snarled as Scarlet Sage clung to her mother, trembling hard as Twilight shook her head slowly and looked worriedly back and forth.

Demons touched down around them, Nightmares and other shadowy entities settling to the ground before one of them stepped forwards; the concubine Luna had sent to watch the town. It bowed its head to her, and then asked nervously: "How did you know..."

"I did not expect an attack against our kind... I expected that there would be trouble involving my friends." Luna replied quietly, and Twilight looked nervously at Luna at her choice of words even as Scrivener prowled slowly into the square, his eyes almost glowing as he looked back and forth darkly. "Does anyone know what happened here?"

There was silence... and then Twilight stepped forwards, shaking her head and murmuring: "It doesn't make sense. Applejack and Rainbow Dash wanted to walk Fluttershy back to her cabin, but... she decided to come back here with me. The night had been awkward enough, you know? So we figured.. she could spend the night here, and we knew you'd stop in at some point, one way or the other.

"Fluttershy's Phooka... her... her friends... when we passed her cottage, they were waiting for her. They walked with us." Twilight lowered her head, closing her eyes tightly. "I was scared at first of them. I shouldn't've been. I... they... they just settled down quietly outside here, and we went inside, and everything was normal and good and then we heard... a scream...

"When we came out here, one of the Phooka was gone and the other was... was dying. The chain was still hot..." Twilight swallowed thickly, shaking her head weakly. "I don't know who could have done this..."

Luna gritted her teeth, shaking her head in disgust before Scrivener picked up the chain and squeezed it slowly, the poet muttering: "It must have been done by magic. But how many unicorns in Ponyville could do that?"

"Few. But that only means we have a narrow list of suspects." Luna replied coldly, holding Scarlet Sage close before she looked across at the Nightmare, ordering: "Thou and thy brethren are to keep all eyes on the unicorns of Ponyville, is this understood? We shall find this murderer. We shall bring them to our own brand of justice. We shall do it quickly."

"Luna..." Twilight began, but then she fell quiet at a sharp look from the winged unicorn as the demons and dark creatures rumbled between themselves before vanishing one-by-one. For a moment, Luna only looked out into the darkness... and then she returned her eyes to Twilight as the violet mare said hesitantly: "I understand how important this is... but... isn't this-"

"It must be done. It must be dealt with quickly. I cannot have my citizens of the night being treated as lesser entities and I cannot allow ponies to think they may get away with murder. We must be swift..." Luna said quietly but firmly, shaking her head, but her eyes were almost pleading. It made the purple mare shift awkwardly... and then she grimaced when Scrivener reached up and grasped her shoulder, looking silently down into her eyes. "Please, Twilight. Thou art special to me, thou understands things that other ponies do not... please try and understand this, as well... and think of this: all know those Phooka are familiar with Fluttershy. What if they had gone after thy friend instead of her friends?"

Twilight shivered at this thought, opening her mouth to argue that nopony would ever hurt Flutttershy... but then instead, she slowly closed it as she thought of how before tonight she would have said nopony ever would have hurt even one of the dark but peaceful entities that could be seen around Ponyville. "I... okay. I understand."

"Let us go inside. Fluttershy requires comfort. Our daughter requires safety." Luna looked down at Scarlet Sage, leaning down and kissing her forehead quietly as she whispered: "Fear not, child. We shall help find the solution to this problem, and then we shall be on our way for the night. Tomorrow, thou may stay peacefully at home."

Scarlet Sage only nodded a little, looking up worriedly, and Twilight shook her head slowly as her horn glowed before the door to the library opened, the violet winged unicorn murmuring: "I just can't believe somepony would do this..."

"You should never underestimate what anyone is capable of." Scrivener murmured quietly, and Twilight smiled faintly as the male strode past her and into the library. His eyes settled on where Fluttershy was trying not to cry, trembling as Celestia soothingly rubbed her back with a hoof, and the male strode over to reach up and touch a forelimb quietly, saying gently: "We're going to find out who did this, okay? We won't let them get away with it, or let your other friends get hurt."

Fluttershy only nodded silently, and Scrivener stepped awkwardly back as Twilight hurried across the room to hug the Pegasus, who fiercely embraced her in return, trembling as she buried her head against Twilight's chest before Scarlet Sage rushed over and clung to her aunt as well.

It was enough to make the Pegasus begin to sob quietly again, and as Luna strode into the library, she shook her head slowly before looking furiously over her shoulder and into the dark night that had fallen over Ponyville, silently promising a fearsome revenge on whoever had done this... and that if they continued to treat them like monsters, she would be glad to show them just how monstrous she and her husband could be.