Chapter Nine: Immortal Lovers

Luna stares out of the canopy, watching the events of below from the safety of the warbird's cockpit. "Mine flame...where in Heofon are we?" She calls out over the war machines radio. She hears the pilot sigh into her headset, her gaze tearing away from the view to directly ahead, looking at Talon.

"I have no idea, angel." He responds, turning the aircraft into a gentle bank. The wing tips downward to the grounds of the city below, the pilot searching for a wide enough street or area to land, hopeful to try and get some answers. "It looks like our Equestria...but last I checked, I was the only human, and you were here with me, not running along side your sister below."

She nods, turning her gaze back down. She watches as the ponies and humans below pass her vision quickly, the war machine leveling out and turning away from the city, it's nose pointed to the horizon of what might be Ever free. Luna hears the pilot's voice over her headset again. "If this place is anything like our Equestria, we'd probably be better off finding a safe landing zone away from every pony. We can start trying to figure out a spell to send us home from there."

The midnight alicorn nods in agreement, her eyes tracing over the screens on the co-pilots consoles. "If there's any sense or logic to this world, it should be like our own. I think it would be best if we proceed to the outskirts of a small city, perhaps Ponyville, or mine old castle in the Ever free Forest, mine love."

Looking over the fuel gauge, the pilot corrects his course for what should be the correct direction. "We'll have to set down soon. The engines are showing they're starting to redline. I don't want to think what could happen if they malfunction here..."

Luna swallows hard, nodding in agreement once again. She lets out a heavy sigh, taking her eyes off of the screens to look ahead. She leans forward in her seat, placing her muzzle upon the pilots left shoulder and resting her chin there. "Mine flame...why doth we always have such horrid luck and end up in such crazy adventures?"

Hearing the alicorns voice through the flight helmets headset, he lets out a small chuckle and grins. "Because Luna, a normal day for us would make entirely too much sense."

* * * * *

"Damn it! He got away Tia!" Chris seethes out, his hand coming to his face as a frustrated groan slips past his lips. "Why didn't you tell me that thing was still alive?! What else have you been hiding from me about all of this?!"

Celestia comes to a rest upon her rump next to her human, a tired sigh from her. Her chest heaves, out of breath and exhausted as she looks ahead, disbelief written all over her own features as she sees the spot of broken cobblestone where Nightmare, and the mysterious boy once were. "I didn't know...she was still alive. I didn't even know about that thing in the sky until now." She calmly states in reply, still catching her breath. Clearly this Celestia was far out of shape.

"And since when does teleporting leave a smoking crater in the ground? What the hell was that?" He mutters, his eyes tracing over the crater just a few feet away from them. The thoughts race through his mind as he tries to process the events just moments prior. He had almost caught up to the human with the nightmare shadow, his fingers but mere millimeters from grabbing his collar on the coat. Then next thing he knew, a black discharge of energy knocked Chris back, the human he was after now gone; only a smoking five or so foot crater left in his wake.

"I had no idea that thing that possessed Luna was still alive Chris. I was so sure Twilight Sparkle and the element bearers had destroyed her that day six years ago in the Ever free castle. If Nightmare Moon is back though, and with a body...there's no telling what havoc she could wreak upon this world. Her last appearance left me sealed in my own sun, the land cast into darkness. A lot of ponies died that day..." She extends her wing around the human, attempting to pull him close into a comforting embrace, hopeful his anger would have bled off by now.

Chris brushes away the alicorns wing from his shoulder. "I'm still mad at you, so don't get snuggly." He clears his throat for a moment, coming back to his feet again. "Wait..." He pauses for a moment. "...Is that castle still there? The one from our own past?"

The white alicorn quirks an eyebrow, tucking in her wing at her side again. "Yes...I'm sure it still is. Though I have not visited it since my sisters return, and the defeat of Nightmare Moon. Why do you ask?"

Licking his lips, Chris turns to her, then folds his arms at his chest."If I was a psychotic Nightmare who just brought a weapon from the human world here, and I'm not! ...the first place I would go to gather some strength and forces, would be a place that my own pursuers wouldn't think to look. That old castle of yours is as good of a place as any to start hunting."

Her magenta eyes go wide at the mention of the word 'weapon'. "Weapon from the human world...what are you saying? Is that what the noisy black thing was in the sky? Some kind of weapon?! What is it??"

Chris turns away, looking to the sky for a moment, his eyes following the vapor trail left by the engines of the aircrafts wake. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say that was some kind of military aircraft. I couldn't tell what, but it looked like one of the American ones. It's not from my country, that I know for sure. But if she brought that thing here with him, and they can control it...you should get ready."

Celestia looks up, her own eyes becoming pinpricks. "Ready for what...Chris?" She asks, finally having caught her own breath.

"For the highest death toll in Equestria's history. There's no telling what that machine has on board, and no idea if it's being piloted or not. If those two are in control, and it's one of the bloody yank's birds, you can count on an overblown load out that could easily kill over one hundred and fifty thousand or more. Bloody Americans always believe their guns should strive for absolute overkill."

* * * * *

With a crackle of thunder, the slip space rupture tears open, and out falls the human to the ground, coughing and holding his sides. He lands hard upon the dusty floor of the dark castle, his body kicking up a cloud of dust upon the impact. Opening his eyes, Jason coughs more and wheezes, slowly climbing to his feet.

"Moony...what happened?" He asks between coughs, Jason looking around slowly, blinking the stars from his vision. His nose catches the smell of smoke, drawing his eyes down. The corner of his jacket tail is smoldering and singed, causing him to quickly pat it down with his hands to put out the would be fire. His hands, face and most of his skin is covered in black soot, like he was just hit with a big cloud or sack of ash.

"I Teleported us out of there, though I didn't calculate the distance right. Sorry about that, my Jason." Nightmare replies smoothly in his mind, her voice echoing with a velvety allure. "You were almost captured by the dawn bringers flunkies. What else was I to do? You should be grateful I had acted so quickly."

He coughs again, looking around in the dark and dusty room. The air reeks of heavy mildew and mold, holes in the roof letting in small rays of light from the shining sun outside. The shadows around Jason's feet contort and bend, twist and turn until Nightmare frees herself from within the humans form. Letting out a quiet sigh, she inspects her own naked hoof, then shakes her head. The black alicorns teal eyes shift about, searching the room their in.

"Looks like you can separate again." Jason remarks, moving away from the alicorn to inspect his surroundings. "That's a good thing for you, right moony?" She turns her head and only shrugs in response, quietly continuing to observe the large room their in. Jason's ears catch the sounds of dripping water nearby, following the sounds to the source unconsciously. He continues to walk, finding some water gathered in a small pool in the corner of the derelict chamber, running off of some plants and into a clean basin of what may have been a decorative fountain or drinking area.

"It looks like I was correct where I teleported us to, my love. This appears to be Luna's old chambers in this castle. It was in the adjacent chamber to this one where I was separated from her by the Elements of Harmony so long ago..." Nightmare Storm murmurs, her ears swiveling around and listening to the area. She turns and walks slowly to where Jason has gone to, finding the pool of water. Without even thinking, the black alicorn alights her horn, touching it to the pool of stagnant, impure water, quickly turning it into fresh, clean drinking water for them. A soft smile escapes her lips as she watches her human kneel down to it, beginning to greedily intake the water to quench his thirst. "Jay...I'm sorry I got you into this mess...your mother, everything."

Jason wipes his mouth on the sleeve of his coat, turning to look at Nightmare as he comes to a rest on the floor by the water. "These things happen Moony. I have no regrets." He replied quietly, adverting his eyes. "It's....it's better this way. We both decided to come here, to just get away from everything. Mother's death was...unfortunate, but not you. It was the blasted A.M.A. that had taken her. We...we avenged her though as we left."

"True...but we didn't count on one of their kind following us through the rift. Didn't you see as we were escaping? One of the machines from your world had gotten through behind us. The flying contraptions we had seen every day on our walks to your old school." The alicorn sneers out, turning to look at Jason. "Jay...what if the A.M.A. has followed us to Equestria? There's no telling what harm they could bring. Though I would love to see them capture and slaughter that goodie two shoes prissy Celestia..." She hisses out. "They're still after us in the first place, my love."

Jason sighs and looks at Nightmare, placing his hand gently upon the alicorns fore hoof as she settles in and rests next to him. "I don't think that's them, Moony. We pretty well trashed the entire facility there, and they wouldn't send just a single jet. I may not be the smartest human on Earth, but I do know this much. That thing carries a very limited supply of fuel, there's no place it can land, and if all else fails, there's no way it could carry the same portal tech we found at that facility on board. From just a sheer logical point of looking at it, there's no way they're from the same organization. That thing came from something else. It's probably from here in Equestria...did they have those while you were here?"

Nightmare shakes her head. "Even for as long as I was trapped in this castle before, never once had I heard any sounds like that contraption makes. I never smelled, or seen anything like it either. Even so...I could feel something the instant we teleported. I sensed something familiar...but at the same time so foreign. Whatever it was, it's not from here, Jay. "

As Jason Storm is about to speak in reply, the two catch the faint sound of a high pitched whine in the distance, the rumbling roar of the aircraft in questions engines steadily growing louder by the second. Jason quickly pulls Nightmare to his chest, crouching in the corner as best as they can to hide. The sound gets louder and louder to them, almost as if the machine was just beyond the wall. The roar is deafening. The banshees cry howling and thundering within their chests.

Nightmare somewhat struggles, her horn alighting with inky shadow magic when the humans hand quickly wraps around and grasps her horn, stunning the alicorn and breaking her concentration. The two breathe hard in place, listening intently. Hot wind and dust kick up, blowing through the cracks in the wall as the maddening sound of the screaming jet engines gets louder for a few moments, the heavy scent of hot exhaust being pumped into the room.

Jason and Nightmares eyes go wide as they meet, staring at each other in complete disbelief. The sound begins to dwindle down within minutes as they stay seated, frozen in fear and panic. Not a word is said between them as their hearts pound within their chests, not a thought crossing their minds. For several minutes they stare out at the door far away from them on the other side of the chamber, waiting for the fight to come to them as the area goes silent.

Breathing hard still, Jason is the first to move, raising himself up on his palms slightly and looking over his shoulder, to peer out between the cracks in the stone wall outside, searching. In his absolute disbelief, he's looking right at what he never expected in his life. There, less than a hundred feet away, was what they both feared; The war machine from the sky.

"Jason, let me go...we can kill them now if we strike first!" Nightmare whispers to the human in a hushed tone, lifting her own head to peer out of another large crack in the wall behind them. She watches intently as a large glass lid lifts up from the aircrafts front end, then slides back. She stares at the machine, unsure of what to make of it. It's engines have long since fallen quiet, the metal of the strange machines tail glowing red from the heat.

"Not yet moony! Stay put!" He bites out, still looking at it. "We don't know enough yet. If anything, we should just ambush them when they come in here..." He whispers in reply, watching as a taller, older man climbs out of the aircraft's cockpit first. He notices the torn flight jacket wrapped around the mans waist, the human removing his helmet and tossing it into the cockpit again. They both curiously stare on as the man smiles and looks back at the machines fuselage, the pilot of the craft lifting both of his arms up as if to catch something.

As Jason is about to speak now, Nightmare places her hoof over his mouth to silence him, the alicorns ears strained forward to listen. 'Talking...? There's another in there? This one sounds...No. It couldn't be.' She thinks, her sensitive ears catching a familiar, melodic voice upon the wind.

Their jaws almost slam to the floor as they watch a blue furred hoof daintily step down upon the smaller wing on the front of the machine, then another and another. Their eyes go wide as they then see a beautiful, sapphire blue, winged pony- an alicorn emerge completely from the machine, and jump down into the mans waiting arms. A soft smile crosses the blue alicorns lips before she gives a genuine, loving kiss to the older man , before she's set upon her hooves by him. The two remain turned facing away from the room, more interested in looking at the area by the fountain outside where their machine had landed.

* * * * *

"Angel...I'm starting to think that every world has the same oddball designer for your architecture." Talon mutters, pulling out a cigarette from his flight jackets pocket. The pack is crushed from him sitting on it, the cigarette somewhat bent and twisted, but still able to be smoked. He pats down his pickets in search of a lighter, unable to find one.

Luna sighs, knowing full well what her husband is looking for, a small grin crossing her features. She lights her horn, casting a small, localized flare spell and igniting the fire tube for her flame. With a satisfied smile, she alights her horn and grasps the fire tube within her own magic, stealing the first draw before returning it to the pilot. Blowing the smoke out of her nostrils, she grins again and looks at him. "I see what you mean, mine flame. It would appear that this world also has similar buildings fashioned. This does play in our favor, as its easier to navigate around, and a far cry better than the last world we were on."

Exhaling his own stream of smoke now, he offers Luna another draw from the cigarette, before returning it to his own lips. "Don't get me started. If we never see that hell again in our lifetimes, it would still be way too soon." He sighs out, looking around. The fountain where they landed near is much like the one from their own past, this one however still very much intact, since it wasn't blown apart by a throat ripper missile. A small smile comes to his lips from the memory of that night, before he shakes it off.

Clearing his throat, he turns his attention back to his alicorn. "Alright, let's give the engines some time to cool down, and look everything over before we take off again. I don't know what Queen Obsolescence put in our fuel tanks, but that fuel burns way too hot. It'll end up damaging the engines if we keep using it. Think you'd be able to refill the tanks with your moonshine from this moon?" He asks, his eyes focused in on hers.

Luna lifts a hoof to her maw in thought for a moment, then looks at the position of the sun in the sky. "We have a few hours before sunset, mine flame. I believe I should be able to, if this world is anything like our own. Though it would be best if we take it slow, and I only do a little amount at a time. We don't want to alert this worlds Celestia and the other...me...that we're here, if we can at all avoid it. I don't want any more interruptions to keep us from our treasures, mine love."

With a sigh, he nods in agreement. "This is true...let's just not plan on sticking around too long. Since we don't want to use any magic, we can't do your barrier trick to keep out the timber wolves this time...all we have left onboard our bird is about another three hundred or so bullets, and two rockets left in the bay. Those unguided air to air won't do us any good against those." He grumbles. "Speaking of....did you have to use all of our missiles on the fire demon? You couldn't have held back even a little?"

She lifts her nose up and shoots her pilot a sideways glance, a small grin upon her muzzle. "Thou loved it and thou knoweth it." Watching as he can't hold in his own laugh from the comment, Luna also lets out a light, happy laugh of her own. She flutters her wings, folding them back to her sides as she walks around in a small circle, her eyes and head turning and looking over the old castle. "Do thou remember, mine flame...it was at our own palace upon our world were we first confessed our love."

Turning and looking at the buildings around, he points at the one to the right of the aircraft, the central chamber leading to the courtyard near the castle proper. "Yeah...it was in that room, if I remember right." He says, taking another pull from the cigarette, before flicking the depleted filter into the old, broken fountain beside him.

Luna comes to Talons side and nuzzles him lovingly, wrapping her wing around his back as she comes to a rest upon her rump beside him. She shivers, despite wearing her own matching flight jacket gifted to her by Rarity. "The air feels colder here, mine love." She whispers. "Almost like it's winter time in our own world."

Talon shrugs, wrapping his arm around her as he also takes a seat, the couple leaning back against the nose landing gear of the warbird. "It's probably because we got used to the temperature of the other place. In our defense, angel...that fucked up place was hotter than hell."

The midnight alicorn nods in agreement, then lets out a gentle sigh. "Mine love...why couldn't we simply be sent back to our own world? Was it not enough to save one, that we cannot simply return?" Luna asks, her voice deeply laced with sadness. "I miss our treasurers..."

Talon places an arm around the alicorn, giving her a good comforting squeeze to reassure her. "I know Luna, I know. Let's just figure out a spell and see if we can be sent back. There has to be something we can use to find our way off of this Equestria and back into our own. Believe me, nothing would make me happier than to get back to the kids."

* * * * *

"Moony...she looks like you." Jason whispers to the black alicorn, turning to look at her for a moment. "I doubt the A.M.A. would have one of your kind employed by them. Safe to say they're not after us."

Nightmare Storm rolls her eyes, sneering quietly. "I never said I knew for sure they were a part of the A.M.A., Jason. I merely stated that it was a possibility. They could still be a part of them, we should still look into it." The black alicorn responds, returning her attention to watching the unaware couple through the cracks in the chamber wall.

The breath catches in the human boys throat for a moment, before he slinks back down to the ground. "You promised you wouldn't hurt anymore innocent people, Moony. This means no getting in and scrambling their brains."

The alicorn scoffs, then pats Jason on the head with her hoof. "I won't break their minds, Jay. I'm simply going to look around as they sleep, and search for an answer on their intent. I promise I won't kill them without provocation."

"You're a terrible liar." Jason mutters under his breath, shooting the alicorn a sideways glance. He turns and peers through the large cracks again, his eyes tracing the war machine. His vision is somewhat inhibited, but he can make out a few features. The words 'Navy', and the partial image of the alicorn in flight as the tail art upon the vertical staves. He strains to listen as the pair talk, unable to make out a word they're saying.

"Any idea what they're talking about, moony?" He asks in a hushed whisper, trying not to give away their presence or location to the pair just outside. He backs away from the wall to look at Nightmare Storm, sighing as she simply shakes her head in response.

* * * * *

"Tia! You can't possibly expect me to simply run away with our niece and Tony to the Crystal Empire, not when there is that THING on the loose again, and with that strange object in the sky?! You can't be serious!" Luna complains, her rage nearly ready to boil over. "My place is here, to assist you with defending our subjects and kingdom."

Celestia lets out a sigh and shakes her head, finishing the last of the packing of Luna's things into a small trunk, then magically levitating it over to a palace bell-pony. "Lulu, it is because Nightmare Moon has returned that I'm sending you and Tony to the frozen north. We can't have her taking possession of your body again, and I don't want your young human to be pulled into this conflict. Chris and I will manage things here, and we'll try and get this resolved in a few days. For now, just consider it a vacation and get going. That's final, my little sister."

The blue alicorn flares her nostrils and stomps her fore hoof in protest. "Nay, my sister. I could help! You can't possibly expect me to simply run away, and leave you to fight all alone. It would be unthinkable."

"And you're just looking for another silly way to redeem yourself for something that has long since been forgiven, Luna. Now you can either go, or I'll make you." Celestia says with narrowed eyes. Her horn alights with her golden magical aura, before the drawers to Luna's dressers in the bed chambers fly open, the white alicorn grasping a feather duster within her telekinesis. "You have until I count to three."

Luna's eyes go wide, her iris's turn to pinpricks as she eyes the item within her sisters magical grasp. "You wouldn't dare!" She stutters, backing away quickly. Her tail whips around and under her belly, the ethereal billowing mass wrapping her mid and lower sections like a shield.

"One." Celestia states firmly, taking a step forward. She smiles smugly as the smaller, blue alicorn swallows audibly hard. "Two." Another step. Before she can begin to form the third and final word upon her lips, the midnight alicorn bolts out of the room, as if the devil himself were on her heels. "Three." She says with a sardonic grin, then replaces the duster into the drawer again, turning and walking out of the chambers back to the main hall, where Chris is assembling with some guards.

With a soft sigh, the elder white alicorn turns and walks the corridors, the clip and clop of her hooves echoing upon the stone and marble floors of the grand palace. minutes pass as she walks by herself, finally coming to the throne room, where Chris, Firefly, and several other Pegasus and unicorn guards await. She notices they're all in armor, Chris himself even adorning a similar set he had worn to the birthday celebration in the arena.

She hears them all mumbling amongst themselves, Chris going over a map laid out on a massive table, discussing a plan of attack with Firefly and the other guards. She clears her throat to get their attention, the room falling silent as the group takes notice of her presence.

"Tia." Chris greets her with a somewhat cold, neutral tone in his even voice. "We were just planning out how to scout your old castle. A report came in just an hour ago according to..." He trails off, pulling a scroll off of the table and glancing it over. "Ah, according to a miss Cheerilee of Ponyville, that a 'black object with the howling of a banshee'..." His face somewhat contorts into a small, smug grin at the description. "Was spotted heading towards the Ever free. It looks like I was right."

Celestia smiles, genuine pride in her eyes. "I had imagined as much, Chris. I had no doubt you would be correct." She says, coming close to and planting a stolen kiss upon his cheek. Her heart sinks slightly when she sees him immediately flinch, and quickly wipe his face with the sleeve of his cloak. With a quiet sigh, she ignores the looks on the faces of the guards and party, then looks over the map. "So then...what is the plan?"

Firefly clears her own throat, stepping beside Crystal and coming forward. "If I may, princess." She begins. Chris nods in approval, then she continues. "Uh...we think it would be best to go in with three small teams, under cover of darkness to catch them off guard. If our ground Intel is any indication, it would be best if we have two teams of Pegasus pulling chariots, and two unicorns per chariot to cast a shielding obfuscation spell to mask our approach. The third team will be best to sneak in on hoof after an airdrop near the castle here." She points with her left fore hoof to the image of a crudely drawn bridge over a canyon. "To catch them by surprise. Being that we are dealing with the human that has Nightmare Moons essence within him or her...anti-magic bands possibly will have little effect. We should focus our attacks to be quick and decisive, or possibly use knock down spells to suppress and sedate the intruders."

Celestia backs up slightly in place, raising an eyebrow. "If possible, we don't want to kill the human. I think that he is an innocent, poisoned by the miasma that is Nightmare. If we can subdue him without harm, that would be the best. What are the other two pegasi teams for, if I may ask?" Celestia responds, looking at an image of a unfamiliar shape, written across the top of the scroll as the 'visual account of "it".' Her magenta eyes trace the odd angles and design, unsure of what to make of it.

"Tia, if that is what I believe it was, it would be best to destroy that machine before it can bring any harm. The idea of the two air teams is to possibly shoot it down if it is airborne, or capture it intact if it's on the ground and un-piloted. If it is indeed a threat, the squad of four unicorns with the pegasi will cast incendiary spells and blow it out of the sky." Chris responds, looking at the white alicorn through slightly narrowed eyes.

Celestia hesitates for a moment, before nodding. "Very well. Then every pony get ready. I will be personally joining you on this mission as a part of the ground team, and that is final. To your stations to prepare. Dismissed." She watches as the guards and human salute, then walk off. Before Chris can turn away, she clears her throat. "Chris...I want to speak to you."

He turns and stops in his tracks, Firefly by his side. He watches as she levels her gaze at him, a tight frown upon her muzzle. "Alone, if you please." She says, her tone also flat and cold. He turns and nods to Firefly, the Pegasus mare eyeing him carefully before she too turns and walks out.

He waits for a few moments, then lets out a weary huff, folding his arms to his chest. Shifting his weight onto one foot, he glares at the elder white alicorn princess. "What is it, princess?"

She shakes her head, a hint of disgust at hearing him call her by her title. "Chris..." She murmurs, turning to look at him in the eyes. She takes a tentative step forward. "Why must you be so cross with me? Is it truly so bad that you're here? So hurtful that you're with me? I love you...please...just give me a chance to make this right." She pleads with him, tears on the verge of flowing out.

Chris simply stands, still a neutral, impassive look upon his features. "You ruined my life, Celestia. You had to work your crazy magical voodoo that screwed up everything for me. You have no idea what hell I went through over the years, all of the bullshit I've had to fucking deal with. And you think a simple I'm sorry will cut it? What in the fuck, princess?"

She cuts him off. "Then TELL ME what I must do! Tell me what must be done to make it right! What, will you have me give up the throne? Then fine! I renounce my title and rights as princess. For you I would, and I wouldn't think otherwise for a second!" She blurts out, taking another step forward. "You're my everything. You ARE The reason why I raise and lower the sun. Please. I know you love me. I know our bond will always be there, and strong. Won't you please....just give me another chance?"

He sighs, turning his gaze to look at the ground, unable to keep eye contact for the sake of trying to keep himself from breaking down into a puddle of mush. Her pleading, doe like eyes easily able to subdue his righteous anger within. "Tia...." He begins, trying to think of what to say. "You must understand, I..."

The alicorn cuts him off again, forcing him to the wall and rearing up on her hind legs, throwing her fore legs around his shoulders. She snakes her long, elegant wings around him into a tight embrace, planting a deep, loving and possessive kiss upon his lips. She can feel him fight it at first, as she alights her horn with a golden and red aura.

The kiss breaks, Chris left panting for a moment as he fights to regain air, a soft, golden mist being exhaled from his mouth as he backs away. His vision clouds for but a moment, before he almost suddenly feels completely at peace, and as if something was missing. His eyes focus lazily on Celestia's magenta ones,. As he gazes into her eyes, he watches in a dream like state nearly; seeing her horn dim and her eyes flicker.

"Now Chris...won't you give me just...one more chance?" She asks, her fore hoof tracing circles upon his chest as she looks into his eyes, her lower lip slightly trembling for added effect as she pouts. "I promise I'll be your extra special good mare."

Nodding dumbly for a moment, He despondently responds, forgetting completely what it was he was so furious about only moments ago, a completely dopey, love struck grin plastered upon his features. Celestia kisses Chris again, before she lowers herself back down onto all fours. "Ah, excellent then... Shall we head out and prepare for the mission, my love?"

* * * * *

"Whew...that's the last of the fuel." Luna comments, levitating the final orb of the moonshine suspended within her magic out of the fuel tanks concealed within the war machines wings, then carefully setting the orb of sloshing liquid into the fountain beside them onto the ground. She watches the sky as the sun is setting, a small, sad smile coming to her lips.

"Good work, angel." Talon says with a smile, also watching the sunset while he sits on the canard of the warbird. He turns and watches the forlorn expression of the alicorn, then scoots closer to her and wraps his arm around her side. "I know how strange it may seem, watching some pony else raise the moon. "

She nods slowly, her eyes watching as the glowing white celestial charge unfamiliar to her takes to the heavens, as the sun begins its final trek into the dark. "It is, mine flame. This simply increases mine drive to return home as quickly as we can. I miss feeling mine own magic craft the night for thou."

He pats and rubs her side, then smiles. "If we can get the bird in the air, there's no reason why we can't get home. I think I have this figured out." He smirks as he sees Luna suddenly snap her gaze to him, enjoying the curious look upon her muzzle for a moment. "Our problem was that you didn't cast that portal spell. Some pony else did."

Luna stutters "Por...Mine flame? What gibberish doth thou speak?!" She begins to sweat, memories of her tossing that book into her fireplace on the first night of his arrival creeping to the surface of her thoughts. 'Does he know...?'

He clears his throat. "Well, think about it. You're the one that got us to the demon planet when you got zapped. Your mind went haywire when that happened. So it makes sense that if you're the one who cast, you've got to be the one to cast again. So...we just find another storm, fly into it and zap you again." He grins.

The midnight alicorn glares at him for a moment, before she playfully bats him in the back of the head with a hoof. "Mine flame, thou art a mad pony." She deadpans. "Neigh, thou art right about me casting, but I do not believe a storm will be needed. If I am correct, I just need to concentrate on our home when I begin the spell. If I focus an astral Eddie on a specific pinpoint, I could possibly transfer us into our very chambers...should it be done right."

"Hmm...good idea, but I don't think the bird will fit in there. The landing could make a mess." He replies with a chuckle. "But that sounds about right. We just need to target the right destination. Think of something that's our world specific, such as our children. They've got to be unique to our own world alone, I would imagine. So as long as you focus on that when you do the spell, it should in theory work out."

Letting out a sigh of relief, she huffs and relaxes. "Let's hope."

"And be sure you focus on our children in our world, angel. It would be weird if we ended up somewhere else, like meeting some freakish place where our genders are reversed, and I end up being in your position. That would be weird." Talon adds, shivering at the thought.

"Neigh, mine flame. Thou would probably look quite charming as a mare." She giggles out, letting out a soft sigh of joy. She laughs again at the thought, then alights her horn. "The moon is right in placement, time to get to work."

Talon nods, sliding off of the canard and onto the ground. He watches as his alicorn swishes her horn slowly, her age old routine that she's done over the years of forming the moonlight into moonshine fuel. A small grin crosses his lips as she works tirelessly, pride filling his heart. 'This has to work...we'll make it home this time. I know we will.'

* * * * *

Three hours pass, Jason and Nightmare Storm watching from the shadows of the chamber just beyond the walls, hidden away from the couple outside. Nightmare lets out a delighted huff as she sees the human man yawn, the stranger leaning against the front landing strut of the looming machine.

"Jay, it looks like they're finally going to sleep." She whispers, grinning ear to ear. She does not hear a response, only a soft, light snoring. "Jay...?" Nightmare turns and looks down, craning her neck. She sees Jason leaning against the wall, uncomfortable in his position and sleeping soundly. She sighs and smiles genuinely, then pulls him within her wings to give him a better sleeping spot. She coos softly to him, then turns her attention back outside to watch. She arcs an eyebrow when she sees the blue alicorn snuggle up to the human, also letting out a big yawn as she lays down, unceremoniously plopping down on her belly and getting comfortable.

'Oh? Night princess indeed...The Luna I know and remember would have never slept through one of her nights. This one must be a fake for sure. No mare in her right mind would respond to some Era forsaken name like...yuck...angel.' Nightmare thinks, A look akin to disgust upon her muzzle. No mare should ever change for any stallion, no matter how good that stallion is! For an alicorn, the one she was watching seemed to be more of a mewling pet, than a dominant mare that claimed a human as her own. How unthinkable! How disturbing. She shudders at the thought, and sneers quietly.

The time continues to pass within the dark, musty room. The black alicorn keeping watch as she eyes the couple outside. The man has since pulled his jacket off of his waist, using it as a blanket to cover the mare outside, and himself laying beside her upon the ground. She senses that they've since fallen asleep, and as such, have now become her prey. With a sardonic grin, the black alicorn melds with the shadows, passing through the cracks of the wall and coming outside into the open. Alighting her horn carefully, she chooses her first target; the human man. His mind would be weak, the most easy to break. Soon, very soon...she would know all she needed. And if he died in the process...well, such things occur, now don't they?

It didn't take much to enter his mind, the human seemingly unprotected. There was no mind shield, no spells to counter her intrusion, it was almost as if his unguarded brain was laying out a welcome mat with a neon sign that screamed "Come right in and fuck shit up!" This should be easy.

As the black alicorn begins to poke about, her sleeping spell forcibly cast upon the pair to keep them sedated, a cold shiver runs the length of her spine, from withers to croup. "So tell me, just how much buck shot do you need, invader?!" Nightmare storm hears. She turns around, only to be greeted by two very heavy iron clad hooves to connect with her snout, forcibly ejecting her from the pilots mind and soul.

The black alicorn stumbles in place, shaking off the very real pain to her muzzle. Anger flares within her chest, as she notices a strange, amethyst glow coming from the humans neck. In the blink of an eye, a ghostly version of herself is standing between her and the couple. This ghostly version...looked very, very angry.

'I should have known this world would also have another foalish witch that would attempt to harm my master. You couldn't resist the temptation of your own demise, now could you?' The voice echoes out, as the miasma cloud forms and appears directly before the black alicorn.

"Oh? Now this is interesting." Nightmare storm comments, narrowing her glaring gaze at the new alicorn before her. "Not at all what I expected. And just what are you? Another of this humans pets?"

'Mind your tongue, insect.' Nightie sneers out. 'I don't give a damned what you look like, or who you think you are. This human is MINE. Touch his thoughts again, and you will be ripped to shreds!' She seethes out with clenched teeth in her tightly held maw. Her teal orbs cast a piercing gaze to the Doppelganger. 'Speak another word, and I promise you I'll cut your tongue from your head.'

"As if you could hurt me." Nightmare Storm counters, slowly stepping to circle around the ghostly alicorn guarding the couple. "You're with the damned A.M.A., aren't you? Come to take my Jason away from me? I'll kill you and your friends, just as Jay and I did at your precious base."

Nightie cocks her head in confusion for a moment, before leveling her cold glare back at the Doppelganger before her. 'Master and I have nothing to do with whatever that is, Neither does Luminescence. I can sense you're also not even from our world...as if your appearance alone didn't give that answer away. No, insect. We're not after you and your..."jay" as you put it. Leave. NOW. And I won't be forced to rend your soul to the abyss. '

"Then you wouldn't mind if I have a look at his memories to confirm that, if you have nothing to hide. Now would you?" Nightmare Storm counters, coming to a stop. "Or is it you do have something to hide, and that's why you removed me from his mind...pet?"

Nightie growls and steps forward, her ghostly body forming an after image in her wake as she flares her wings out, her body since fully healed and recovered from her ordeal in Baol. 'Try it, and you won't live to tell the tale. I may be my masters pet, but don't believe for even a second that I won't defend him with my life, and chase you to the deepest, darkest corners of Heofon to do it.' She counters, her deployed wings giving her a dauntingly awe striking appearance. 'Last chance. I can sense your humans presence nearby. I promise you. If you don't leave my master and Luminescence be this instant, I -will- slaughter him. Test me, you will fail.' The ghostly alicorn warns, her tone dripping with pure venom. 'I've eaten things scarier than you. I've slaughtered scores of Demons in the blink of an eye. Ripping out your precious humans heart and crushing it beneath my hoof will be child's play to me.'

Nightmare Storm blinks in surprise, then back steps slightly. "And just what makes you think you would get the chance? Don't you know who I am? You're nothing to me." The black alicorn grits out, snorting in disgust. "You're not even worth my time, peon! It would be beneath me to smite you down this instant for being crass with me. I take my leave only because you're not worthy prey. But I swear to you now, come one inch near him, and you'll be sorry."

Nightie lets out a snort of her own, a smug, smirk of victory plastered upon her lips. She watches at the Doppelganger melds back to the shadows and vanishes into the dark, before she lets out a breath she never knew she was holding. With a weary huff, she turns back to face the pilot of her affections and her former host, and alights her own horn to lift the sleep inducing spell placed upon the two of them. She smiles serenely as she senses the presence of the other alicorn move further away, then leans down, craning her neck to place a gentle kiss upon the pilot, then returns back to the bauble around his neck. Though she is resting once again, her power remains engaged around the area of the couple, just in case the interloper should be foalish enough to return.

* * * * *

Celestia, Chris and Firefly all walk silently through the brush disbelief written upon their features as they see the gleaming and polished form of the aircraft shining in the moonlight, the gentle rays of the evening stars illuminating the area, and bringing a pair into view sleeping near the machine. Nearby, one of the unicorn teams dispatched earlier nears the castle foyer, ready to strike on the boy hidden within the palace chambers of what was once Luna's bedroom.

Chris nods, giving the signal to the other two teams to enter the castle, as he and firefly prepare to ambush the sleeping human and pony just outside in the night. The attack is swift, the capture precise and perfect. A wide range paralysis and sleep spell works so well to suppress targets quietly, The four captured without too much of a struggle.

"This went too easy, Tia." Chris comments, walking up to the bound and sleeping human and pony. Pulling the tattered jacket off of the mare, they all step back in shock once they notice key features. Her form adorns wings and a horn; her Cutie mark an exact copy of Luna's. But something is off! This Luna looks far different, her form is that of how the night princess was nearly a thousand years ago! The mane and tail not a star field ethereal mass, but normal, silken azure hair. The fur a deep, sapphire blue.

"Luna...?" Celestia says in a confused whisper, unsure what to make of it. She pokes and prods the sleeping alicorn with her fore hoof, jumping at the touch of feeling the similar warmth. Surely this couldn't be her Luna! For one, this one looked too young! And secondly, too fat! This Luna knock off seemed to have some extra fluff around her belly and rump, far from being the trim and sleek mare that was the Celestial Goddesses sister.

"Princess, what should we do with them?" Asks one of the unicorn guards, carrying the sleeping form of Jason Storm held in a magical suspension field, his wrists and ankles bound by tight, thick ropes, a sash gagging the boy.

"Place him, and these two in separated chariots, keep that one isolated and held in a field at all times. I want these two placed in my chariot with me." Celestia responds, her eyes glued to the Luna impersonator.

"Should we destroy the machine here, your highness?" Firefly asks, walking around it in curiosity. She's unable to process just what she's looking at, never having of seen anything like it before.

As Celestia is about to respond, Chris steps forward and jumps in. "No! We should bring it with us. Looking at this guy." He points to the unconscious older man, also bound in a similar way to Jason. "I'll bet that this aircraft is his. We should bring it back to the palace, and interrogate him when he wakes. Something tells me there's much more to this than we thought."

The unicorn guards all look at each other for a moment, then back to the human. "Pri--Prince Crystal, it would be very difficult to do. It would take a team of unicorns to carry such a large object, and many, many days to transport it on ground from here to Canterlot."

With a sigh, Celestia alights her horn and casts her magical aura around the machine, she too finding it is indeed difficult. She strains slightly, the deeply embedded Lunar magic laced throughout the war machines fuselage fighting the invading solar magic. What seriously confuses and concerns her, is not only does she feel Luna's near exact magical signatures...she feels one very, very close to her own. A shiver races down her own spine momentarily, as she completes the levitation spell, and lifts the machine. "Then I shall carry it." She squeaks out. "If my Chris wants this...thing, then I shall carry it for him."

Nodding in agreement, they all quickly return to their chariots, the war machine in tow and the three interlopers all unceremoniously dumped in heaps into the cabins. Celestia struggles somewhat to maintain her hold as they take to the skies, bound for Canterlot.

* * * * *

'Where....where are we?' Jason thinks, looking around the strange new room he's in. This one is easily worse, the scent of mildew and mold heavy in the dank and depressing air. He slowly turns his head into the darkness, his eyes adjusting as he searches. In his vision of the shadow, he can make out the appearance of cold, iron bars just a few feet away, with nothing more in the desolate room but a single cot suspended to the wall by great, heavy chains, and a small mound of what might be hay stuffed into one of the corners.

'This looks to be a prison cell, Jay.' Nightmare answers in reply within his mind. 'There must be an anti- magic field in the area. I can't form my own body right now, nor can I force control of yours.' Her voice echoes in his thoughts, the tone laced with ice and contempt.

"So it wasn't a dream..." He whispers, rising to his feet. As he moves, he feels a heavy steel collar tugging at his throat, his hands coming to and tracing a long metal chain coiled upon the floor, with an anchoring point in the center of the small room. At his full standing height, he nearly touches the ceiling within the cell, the top of his hair brushing against the cold, dusty concrete.

'I had sensed something for a brief moment, before everything went dark. I...I'm sorry Jay, I must have been knocked out as we were captured. Who---or whatever had done this is going to die once I get us free.' Nightmare Storm fumes within Jason's thoughts. He can't help but to grin at her optimism for a moment, before returning to laying down upon the cot.

"Looks like we were caught by the bloody bastards then after all, moony." Jason whispers, letting out a sigh. "So much for escaping the A.M.A. Why couldn't we just be left alone to live in peace?" As he's about to speak more, he freezes when he hears the sound of rusted, cold metal screeching against more metal; the sound of a heavy iron door opening quickly, the swinging of rusted, squeaky hinges.

"Back to the dungeons with you, human! No pony disrespects the princess, not on my watch!" A guard all but shouts. There's the sounds of shuffling feet or hooves, another sound akin to something being dragged, then tossed into the neighboring cell. "You should be grateful her highness Celestia didn't fry you for being so foalish!"

Coughing, then the sound of an angry, raspy and yet deep voice replies in the shadows. "And I'll do it again to old sunny butt, every time! So fuck off, asshole!" The voice responds. Nightmare Storm can't help but to chuckle at the nickname for Celestia.

"We'll see how long that attitude of yours lasts when the prince gets down here to interrogate you two personally! Impersonating either one of the princesses's is a crime, and considered high treason to do so in mockery! You two and your wretched sky demon will pay for sure, so keep talking you filthy beast!" The guard shoots back. The sounds of keys being tugged at echoes in the air, followed by the clip-clop of heavy hooves approaching.

"Bring it on, mother fucker!" The mans voice shoots back, the sound of him possibly kicking the iron bars echoes loudly with a resounding whump. "I've eaten things scarier than you AND sunny butts flunkies! I've had to deal with Twilight's cooking!"

A soft laugh at the comment echoes in the air, right after the guard passes by Jason's and Nightmares cell, heading to a set of stairs leading away from the dungeons. A feminine voice. "Mine flame...ha ha...did thou honestly have to mention fair Twilight's cooking? It surely wasn't that bad."

"You're right. Yours is scarier." The mans voice replies.

Silence, followed by the sound of a loud THWACK! in the darkness. "Thou art so mean sometimes, mine husband!"

Jason lays quietly, listening to their conversation. Knowing those two from earlier are also detained in this place gives him some comfort, at least he knows now they weren't A.M.A., which also means that for whatever reasons they're detained, now they all have a common enemy.

"Fuck!" Another loud kick against iron, followed by a sigh from the male voice. "And the bitch even had to take my smokes. Fucking inhumane fiery cu--" He's cut off.

"Mine flame! Hold thy words. Even if this worlds Tia is such, thou still insults mine sister and your beta. Thou shouldn't utilize such words." A pause for a moment. "Besides, thou knows it likely isn't fire down there in her nether, likely nothing more than a mass of sand in her plot."

Deciding he's heard enough of the conversation, he clears his throat to interrupt and possibly communicate. The two other prisoners fall silent, as Jason begins to speak. "Oui...you sound like a yank. Did the white blimp catch you two as well?" He asks, hopeful they don't know his identity. Ask questions first, give information in exchange later. If all else fails, follow the faithful advice of his alicorn. Lie, deny, lie.

Coughing again, followed by the mans voice. "Yeah, We were just trying to get a few hours of sleep in before we tried to make it home, and next thing we knew I had a huge horses ass pinning me to the ground, and some asshole and a butch Pegasus mare trying to hog tie my wife. They hit us with some stun spell, and next thing we knew we were here. Scary thought...being the last thing I seen was the glaringly wide ass cheeks of sun butt the heavy. That mares plot should be labeled as a weapon of mass destruction!"

Again, Nightmare Storm laughs loudly within his mind at the comment, unable to keep it in. 'Oh, I like this one Jay. We really should have tried communicating after all.' Jason rolls his eyes, unable to help himself from grinning at the way the man described.

"I'm Commander Masters, United States Navy. My wife and I were simply lost, and had landed nearby to refuel, then we were going to try and get home. Whatever these guys want, we had nothing to do with any pony or anything here." The man replies.

"Well Mr. Masters, my name is Jason." He responds in kind. "What's a Yankee navy guy doing in Equestria, and with a mare that looks like one of the alicorns doing here?"

"Tis a long story." The mares voice chimes in, the voice sounds close by in the shadows. Jason strains to search in the dark, trying to find a location or get an idea of their placements within the prisons. "They seem to have some strange and outdated law in effect, and they're foalishly accusing us of a crime that they themselves have no comprehension of." The voice thickens with steel and venom. "Thou may call me Luna. Mine flame, Talon and myself are not of this world. We art simply lost thanks to a magical mishap, and are trying to find our way home."

'So the other mare I had encountered was real after all. It's just as I thought Jay...these two really are not from here! That might actually be another princess Luna!' Nightmare Storm whispers in Jason's mind, an almost uneasy giddiness within her words. 'We can use this. If these two aren't from here, then we have a common enemy, and a way out of here. Luna was a lot of things when she was my host. A powerhouse and the original element of magic for the harmonic elements makes her all the more useful.'

Jason clears his throat, thinking quickly. "It's the same for me. I got uh...pulled here by some strange rift thing. One minute I was at the pub in Brighton, next thing I knew I was being chased by a madman and a few of the locals here. It's like every bloke here has a few screws loose, or short a few drops of a pint."

'Oohhh, good use of euphemisms. I taught you so well.'

"Hush you. I'm working on a way out of here." Jason whispers to Nightmare, then focuses back to the pilot. "So, any ideas how to get the hell out of here?"

Silence, followed by the mare known as 'Luna' speaking up. "There's some kind of suppression field in here, likely this is the detention cells in Canterlot Dungeons. They usually only throw the most dangerous unicorns in these old catacombs beneath the palace. On our world, these have fallen into disuse, and haven't seen any pony in a single cell for the last several hundred years. We decided on our world that it's too barbaric to hold one in such, and by some miracle of mine mother haven't seen any serious crimes within mine kingdom since we closed these. As to how or why this world still utilizes such barbaric things, I'll never understand."

* * * * *

"Tia...do tell me what part of that operation required you to sit on the American." Chris deadpans, looking at Celestia with an un amused glare. "Are you seriously telling me that with all of the Godlike power you wield, your only solution to subdue the man was to sit on him?"

The white alicorn blushes for a moment, looking away with a sheepish grin. "Well...my magic nearly slipped off of him. I don't know what it is, but for some reason him and that lulu look-a-like have some resistance to my own harmony. I couldn't explain it, so I did the only thing I could think of."

"And you never thought to ask one of the dozen guards, or even myself to take him down? You just decided your posterior was perfect for the job of holding down that things flunky? What would you have done if he was armed?" He retorts, shaking his head.

Celestia eyes him carefully, sensing and feeling the rage within her lover. 'The spell must be wearing off...' She thinks. Drawing a soft breath, she comes back to her hooves and approaches the bed within their chambers, a seductive smile upon her muzzle. "Now Chris...it turned out well, didn't it? Everything will be just fine. I just wanted to help take these three in, and insure no harm came to any of them." She states, her voice light and loving. "I simply did the safest thing that came to mind to protect you."

As he's about to speak in response, the white alicorn sneaks in yet another deep kiss, holding him against the bed for a moment. His world once again turns to haze for what feels to be an eternity, before she breaks off. A golden mist is exhaled from him as she backs away, this time...he noticed it. Through the brief fog, he suddenly feels quelled of his anger once more, his thoughts drifting to serene and peaceful fields. He nods dumbly, a dopey, stupid grin once more upon his features.

"Now, let's go to bed, my lo--" She's interrupted as she hears a knock at the door. Celestia sighs and rolls her eyes, pausing in her advance. "On second thought...hold that for just a moment." She turns on her hooves and walks to the door, taking a deep cleansing breath. The door knocks again, before she adopts her serene, calm regal mask and opens it, completely forgetting her regalia and crown.

"Princess Celestia..." The guard states, hiding a blush under his stoic, well trained demeanor. "Uh, Your highness, the prisoners are all awake now, and communicating. I was ordered to alert you, and ask what you would have me do."

The white alicorn takes pause, thinking for a moment. Almost as if a light bulb clicked on in her mind, she smiles sweetly to the faithful solar guard. "Iron Hoof, is it?" She asks. The guard nods with a smile, his muzzle alight as if just hearing his name spoken by the princess was enough to send him to Heofon. "Please post a guard near to monitor their conversation. The prince and I were just...discussing what to do with this situation. We will personally oversee the matter once we come to a viable solution that befits every pony well." She states with her regal, even tone that sounds gentle, motherly even.

The guard salutes and bows. "As you wish, princess. Please return to your important conversation and plans with the prince. I will personally oversee the prisoners."

She smiles sweetly again, planting a small peck on the forehead of the earth pony guard. "Thank you, Iron Hoof. We will see you at dawn then." She says as she closes the door, the love and awestruck guard backing away from the door as she does, the expression as if he had just won every lottery in Equestria. Twice. On one ticket.

Turning back to face Chris in the bed, she smiles with a seductive, alluring smile, sauntering back to the inviting comfort of the plush mattress and the sirens call of her lover. "Now...where were we?" She asks him, eyeing the dopey, love struck grin plastered across the humans face. "Ah yes...I was just about to reward you for your heroism tonight..."

* * * * *

In the gloom of the dungeons, Talon rests against the wall, holding his midnight alicorn close to his chest, keeping her warm and wrapped in his jacket, trying to share his own ambient heat with her. He sighs uncomfortably as the sleeping alicorn shivers uncontrollably, wishing this hellish nightmare would end. His thoughts drift to their children, wondering if they'll ever make it home at this rate. He misses his family. He misses Dusty Shine. He even misses his Sunny Butts antics and crazy pranks. But most of all, he's being driven to insanity not being able to see he cherished and treasured daughters.

"Hey...Talon." He hears, perking up and listening. Jason is speaking to him again. "I know this is going to sound weird...but I think I have an idea of how we can escape."

The pilot cocks his head to the side, confused, but nods silently. "What do you have, Jason?" He responds.

"Call me Jay. All of my friends do." The voice speaks in reply, echoing off of the walls in the depressing darkness of the dungeons. "Look...I haven't been completely honest with you. I know this is going to sound weird, strange even. But I know a bit about this world. I have an alicorn...spirit I guess you could call her. I call her Moony." The pilot can hear him draw a breath. "She thought up a plan to get us free, but it's going to take us working together to make it work. It's an old, way outdated law they had here back when Jesus walked the Earth, but it might still be in effect if we can use it."

Talon glances down at his sleeping wife, pulling her tighter to him. He speaks up. "Jay, where I'm from, I've seen and heard some crazy shit. So if you have your own ghost-icorn thing, I'll just chalk it up to PFM and run with it. So what's the plan?"

"Oh yeah, you're an American alright." Jay responds, Talon almost able to hear the smile that crosses the younger mans features in the dark. "So I was thinking we could...---" He's cut off by the loud clacking of approaching hoof step echoing down the stairs. A single guard approaches, coming to a rest between the two prison cells, eyeing both of the captive humans and alicorn.

The minutes pass in silence, Talon glaring at the guard. 'Well son of a bitch. Just when things were starting to turn around.' He thinks, lifting his hand to flip the guard a rather vulgar hand gesture. The Earth Pony disregards it, never having of seen it before, therefore not understanding the insult.

Tap.- Tap Tap Tap.--- Tap Tap.-- Tap Tap Tap Tap. The pilot listens, instantly recognizing the pattern. 'Well...I'll be. This kid must have been a military nut like I was at his age.' Talon thinks, listening intently to the message. Morse Code...pure genius. There's no way these ponies here would have any clue of an Earth language like this one. With a smile, he tests the theory and responds, using the wrist bangles of the bindings to communicate, tapping the metal against the concrete ground in response.

The tapping echoes in the dungeons, then silence for a moment, before Jason responds on his own. They watch the Earth pony guard, who only seems to be annoyed by the constant tapping, completely unaware of the communication ongoing.

It takes a few minutes more, before the guard gets annoyed. "Will you two humans stop that pesky noise?! I wont be driven off by your attempts of idiocy. We of the Solar Guard are far to proud to be beaten by something so stupid."

The pilot grins, his theory correct. That idiot guard just proven him correct. He inhales deeply with a smug grin, his response perfect. "That's good then bub. We can go all night. So lets test that iron clad nature of your training, shall we?" He replies, trying to be as abrasive as possible. Normally he would be more kind, as most of his friends back on his world were in the guard. But even on his Equestria, this particular guard was known to be a total douche bag. And even reprimanded by Celestia herself twice for being such.

Tap.- Tap Tap Tap.-Tap. He responds to Jason, letting him know the coast is clear. He waits for a few moments, before he hears a response. Listening carefully, he wishes he wasn't so rusty on this method of communication. It's been years, nigh a decade since his last use of it, but he gets the jist of it never the less.

The two continue to communicate, formulating the battle plan on how they intend to carry things out. The pilot thinks on it, running over every detail in his thoughts, tracing it again and again. It's crazy. It's foolish. It's just insane enough to work. Anything this insane has to work. Because fuck you. That's why.

* * * * *

Princess Celestia raises the sun, A calm, serene smile upon her features as she begins her morning routine as she does every day. Breakfast in her private chambers, reading over reports, and the newest addition to her routine, enjoying time with her long lost- and now found lover.

As she watches Chris awaken to the rising of her beloved celestial charge, she turns to approach the bed again from the balcony, a warm smile upon her features. "Good morning, my prince." She croons out adoringly. Did you sleep well?" She asks, her tone gentle and sincere.

Chris rubs his temples, a slight pain akin to some pony jamming an ice pick in his brain, throbbing at the front of his head. "yeah, Tia...I have a bit of a headache, but otherwise I'm fine."

"I'm happy to hear that. She states with a smile, finally coming to a rest on her haunches by the bedside. "I've already ordered breakfast for you, my love. I was thinking perhaps a hearty helping of your favorite would lift your spirits before we go speak with Nightmare Moon and that poor, poor confused boy she's holding captive.

Chris quirks an eyebrow. "You ordered maple bacon and eggs, and corned beef hash for me? Where the hell did you get the meat?" He asks. "I thought ponies here only eat vegetarian stuff, and fish. I don't even like fish!"

Celestia stutters for a moment and flinches, almost as if she was just slapped across the rump. "Uh..." She blushes. "Well, It's...soy...bacon. I know you can't consume hay like I can...so I ordered something that would be close. But I'm sure you will hardly notice the difference!" She quickly adds.

"Tia." He deadpans. "One does not simply eat fake bacon."

Changing the subject before she walks into dangerous territory, she lets out a sigh. "Well...we must eat a good breakfast, Chris. It's the most important meal of the day, and we do have a very important matter to attend to. We should interrogate that elder human and that Era forsaken copy of my sister, and see how we can dismantle that wretched machine that Nightmare brought with her. I refuse to allow such a device within our kingdom, and left unchecked."

Chris shakes his head. "You...you just don't get it, do you?" He asks, his senses long since returned to him. "You can't just go around making decisions for everything, against their own will. Just because you're a princess, a so called benevolent one at that-, You can't just say something and poof, it's done. I highly doubt that man and the other pony have anything to do with that thing. There's just no way they got their hands...hooves on something like that. I'm telling you there's more to this than we initially thought."

The white alicorn smiles coyly, raising her hoof to her muzzle as if to inspect it. "Chris, it is because I am a benevolent ruler that I must do what is right to protect my subjects. Even if what you say is true, such a weapon should not be permitted to exist. Even if the man you speak of is innocent. They were all found together in the same area, and sleeping peacefully. You can't tell me it's just sheer coincidence that they were all together, just like that."

"I can, and I will." He responds, rising to his feet. He begins to put back on his clothes he had on yesterday, searching the chambers for his underwear. Looking up, he notices them hanging precariously on the chandelier above the center of the room. Shaking his head, he moves to the nearby desk to get a chair, climbing up to retrieve the errant article of clothing. "You and I have no idea what the situation was. It was your fucked up planning that screwed up my life. It was your fucked up, half baked plan that made everything in my world turn upside down and inside out. You need to think things through before you make such decisions. I don't care if you're wise or not, I don't care if you're older than dirt, Tia. You have no rights to make that call without finding out the details first."

She flinches in place at his harsh words, as if she was just kicked in her muzzle. "Chris...I." she begins, coming close to him. "You must understand, I was young and foolish back then, but it was my love for you that made me make that decision. Please...be at peace with it." She says softly, moving in to kiss him.

Chris backs up. "Oohhh no, not this time you crazy mare." He holds up his hands to defend himself. "You're not going to ninja my brain this time." He lets out a sigh of relief as she halts her advance, confusion written all over the white alicorns features. "Look...I'll forgive you in time, I'm sure. But if I'm going to do it, it's on my terms. Not yours."

"So...you will forgive me? You'll put this behind us?" She asks, hope laced within her voice. A small, thin smile crossing her muzzle. She watches as he puts on his clothing finally, letting out a huff of relief as he nods.

"In my own time, yes. But you have to let me handle things my way. Humans aren't as easy to push as you may think. And if you have any respect and love for me, you'll do this and listen to what I have to say. Let's talk to them first. I honestly have a feeling that the American and his alicorn are here all as an honest mistake like she was trying to say, and not here to hurt any pony. As far as the other guy goes...There's something up too. There's a lot more to this than you or I know at this point."

Celestia nods, agreeing with him. "Very well. We'll do things your way then, Chris." What harm could come of it anyway? She clears her throat, to ask a question. "I would like to know, however...are all...Am ear-ee-kans..so brash?" She inquires, having extreme difficulty pronouncing the word.

"Americans. 'Murica'." He responds. "Yes. The blooming yank's were always like that. Once I met this bloke visiting from some place called Arizona, he came to London on vacation. The bloody idiot drove on the wrong side of the street, and blimey, he was such a snobbish jerk. Called me a blooming limey for telling him how to drive correctly. Though I have to admit, It was a spot of a laugh to see him struggle with a roundabout. The bastard must have circled the bloody thing a dozen or so times before he got out of it."

"So then...it's normal for them to talk like they're mindless oafs?" She asks. "Then how is it he seemed as if he knew me...he even knew the nickname you gave me, with an added flair." She notes, thinking on her initial conversation with him. "He just seemed so...angry."

"Well in his defense." Chris starts. "I would be pretty riled up if some pony woke me up by immediately sitting on my chest, and their opening line was 'Welcome to Equestria. You're under arrest by the crown.' Just so you know."

She shrugs, nodding in agreement. There's a knock at the door, followed by the entrance of two solar guards, and a palace chef wheeling in the breakfast cart. The couple watches and greets them formally, Chris paying no mind that the three are practically seeing Celestia and him in all of their God given glorious birthday suits, minus a thin, short bit of fabric covering his jewels. The ponies leave, the now unattended cart with the silver tray and polished domes bearing their meals remaining in the room. The white alicorn smiles with satisfaction. "So then, breakfast? May I feed you, my love?"

* * * * *

The dimly lit dungeons have been busy with activity throughout the night, a series of taps, clicks and more taps being the constant sounds, followed by the annoyed, pained breathing of one very, very close to snapping royal guard. The two have completely formulated a plan, with a backup plan on top of a backup plan. More guards have since entered, now bearing shackles fashioned for the humans, and one heavily armed Pegasus mare carrying a series of bands that glow with an eerily dark light, held by a black pillow. Luna eyes the bands with extreme terror, backing up quickly against the wall, her wings held tightly to her sides as she begins to shake violently.

"Mine flame!" She whispers hurriedly, Talon stepping in front of her to defend her. Luna begins to shake uncontrollably, her jade orbs pinpricks with fright. She knows exactly what those rings are for. Talon studies them, then glares at the guards.

"Come one step near her with those, and I'm going to rip out your throats." He warns, holding up his fists. "I won't give you the chance."

The Pegasus mare clears her throat. "By orders of the princess, her royal majesty Celestia, you three are to be escorted to the throne room under guard and magical inhibitors. Resistance, would be unwise."

"Then feel free to try. I promise you motherfuckers I'll give you a real taste of American Firepower. You came looking for a fight, so let's go!" He shouts in anger, balling up his fists in a defensive stance. "I won't let you near her!"

The guards open both gates at the same time, three into Jason's cell, three into Talon and Luna's. As the pilot pinpoints the other gate opening, he charges forward. "Now!" He shouts, tackling the three ponies within his cell to the ground. Luna whirls around and gives a double back kick HARD to the Pegasus mare's muzzle, sending her flying back through the gates, scattering the rings in different directions.

Jason does the same, delivering a hard punch to one of the guards within his own cell, then clothes lining and kicking the other two away. He bends down and steals the keys from one of the fallen, before rushing over to the seventh and final guard, the douche Iron Hoof, and knocking him out cold with a single, terrifyingly hard punch.

"Well, how about that. The field only affects the cells, not the hall." Nightmare storm comments, her dark voice coming through the mouth of Jason's form. A sinister grin crosses the boys face as he turns and bolts out of the dungeons to the stairs, Talon and Luna hot on his heels.

The three run in close quarters together, rushing through the staircase and into the open halls of the castle proper. As they run, more and more guards come in their path, Jason knocking them against the walls with a discharge of dark energy, the black crackling arcs of lightning discharging off of his fingertips. They cut down scores of the seemingly endless and comically small guards, blowing past blockades as if they were never even there.

"This way!" Luna shouts, turning left down a corridor. "If this is like mine palace, this should lead us to the courtyard! Perhaps they have mine flames and I's war machine, so that we may escape!" The two humans follow her, none of them noticing the shadow cast beside them on the walls, the shadow of a black alicorn running with them.

They continue to run, coming to what Luna and Talon never expected. A dead end. "What?! How is this possible?!" Luna cries out, confused. "There should be a door here!" She turns and looks, only to be blind sided by a golden arc of arcane energy and sent impacting against the wall with a bone crushing crunch.

The pilot and Jason turn to face the attacker, only to be nailed by two more golden plasma bolts, also sent flying. Caught off guard, the Solar Diarch stands. Celestia's nostrils are flares, her wings held out and twitching with absolute rage. Talon tries to stand again, only to be sent smacking against the wall with another agonizing blow to his torso. He coughs and wheezes, knocked down and the wind taken out of him.

"If you want something done right...do it yourself." She says, an impassive tone to her voice. "Restrain them, and place a double seal upon the mare. If she's a true alicorn, one ring won't even begin to smother her power." Celestia steps forward, placing her hoof upon the pilots back, driving her weight into him to keep the man down. "And here it was I was just simply going to talk with you, and possibly let you go. Now I know you're indeed a threat to this kingdom." She says, looking down at the human from her muzzle. "So tell me, are you working with that demon mare? Is your so called con artist pet with her too?"

Jason Storm coughs, getting to his feet, only to fall back down into a sitting position. Blood trickles from his lips, the blow to his body more damaging than he had initially thought. He wheezes to get his air back into his lungs, before speaking.

"Kil...Kul Neigh Var!" He shouts, coughing repeatedly. "We challenge you to the rite...of grievance!" Celestia looks at him, wide eyed. He continues. "You...YOU MUST OBEY THE LAW, DAWN BRINGER. We challenge you to the rite!"

Celestia backs up, turning her head and glancing with her magenta eyes to the nearby guards, Crystal Justice coming to her side. His forehead glows with the sun crest upon his form, his gaze unrelenting. She lets out a defeated huff, then removes her heavy hoof from the pilot. "Very well."

They watch as the two humans and unconscious alicorn are brought to their feet and hooves, dragging them to the arena. Celestia personally snaps and embeds the anti-magic bands upon Luna's horn, glaring at the smaller alicorn with absolute disgust. This imposter infuriates her, and she will see to it justice is brought before her hooves this day.

* * * * *

The arena lights all kick on, thousands of candles upon the walls all sparking and erupting to life in an instant, guards, nobles, and palace staff all filling the seats. Jason Storm and Talon Masters are dragged to the arena floor center, their wrists and feet bound in heavy solar steel chains, laden with rust and corrosion of the ages. Two dull, blunted swords are dropped at their feet as their shackles are removed, the bruises and marks obvious to all who can see. Both of the humans are bleeding from their lips, and several cuts upon their faces, necks and arms, Talon appearing the worse of the two.

"State your claims, before every pony here." Celestia demands, her tone neutral, a tight, impassively discordant frown held upon her muzzle.

Talon looks to Jason who nods, the shorter, younger man looking up to the pilot in agreement. So far, all according to plan. The pilot turns and spits blood upon the dusty arena floor, then glares up at the regal white alicorn. "Our demands are that you release us, ALL OF US, including my aircraft. We want nothing to do with your oversized sunny butt, and simply wish to depart that God forsaken hell you call a kingdom."

The arena falls silent, a hushed murmur being said between the viewers and spectators present as Celestia steps forward onto the podium, looking down at the two humans from her muzzle. She completely ignores the midnight alicorn being held in binding restraints, at spear point by the heavily armed solar guards, the spears nearly piercing the wounded alicorns neck. Talon can see the small trickle of blood falling on Luna's fur, rage boiling over within him.

"Very well. If you defeat our champion, then you shall have your grievances annulled, and I shall release you." Celestia dismisses, the crowd gaining momentum with her declaration. "I will also see to it your machine is returned to you, unharmed, and all we ask in return is that you leave peacefully should you win."

Talon clenches his fists, almost shaking with rage as he seethes and fumes with unbridled fury. This Celestia was in his eyes not a benevolent ruler as his Celestia as. This one was but a selfish, spineless teenage girl in his eyes, one that he looked forward to wiping that smug smirk off of her muzzle just to do the universe a favor.

"But." Celestia interjects. "If you both shall fall before this gathering of your peers...then the result of your failed challenge will be banishment. Your machine will be dismantled and destroyed, and you three must never return to this kingdom, or the Crystal Empire, under pain of banishment to my sisters moon, for no less than ten thousand years."

Jason swallows hard, looking at the white alicorn with a degree of disgust. 'See Jason, I told you she wasn't the kind hearted mare you thought she could be. You can't trust any pony but me. No pony from this world can be trusted.' Nightmare Storms voice resides and echoes within Jason's thoughts, the boy nodding in agreement.

"Let's just get through this moony. I'm counting on you in here." He whispers to his love in reply. The truth is in his mind, however; no matter where he goes, be it off on their own to be free, or banishment to the moon for an unfathomable amount of time, he would be happy to be with his moony.

"Your terms are accepted!" Talon calls out. "I promise you this though, you crazy bitch. When this is over, I'm going to make you eat those words." He sneers, angrily glaring at her. "And before this is all said and done, You'll be the one wearing those wicked rings you placed on my wife. I swear it!"

The crowd all boos, some taking to throwing whatever snacks their eating at the pilot, one lucky piece of an ice cream cone colliding with his tattered uniform shirt. He grumbles and ignores the crowd, leaning down to talk to the boy.

"You remember the plan?" He asks, muttering under his breath so only Jason could hear.

"Yeah, Tal. We kick some ass, steal your bird, and fly the fuck away from here." Jason responds, nodding slightly. "Just make sure you do your part, and moony and I will do ours."

"Ok Jay. Just make it look real when their idiot comes out. If we work together, we can save both of our ladies and make that crazy mare pay. I've got a score to settle for that ass crushing my dignity, and stealing my smokes."

Jason raises an eyebrow. "I'm glad I don't smoke. I'd be an insane asshole by now like you."

"Hey...whatever works." The pilot responds. The horns bellow, and the arena falls silent, a door on the far eastern wall opening. Slowly stepping into the arena, Crystal Justice and Firefly enter side by side. The Pegasus mare escorts the prince into the arena, before removing his cloak for him, and hoofing over a saber. Talon looks the guy over and sizes him up, noticing this individuals sword is perfectly weaponized and razor sharp. Glancing down to the ground, he sees the dull and useless sword at his feet, rolling his eyes. "Now how the hell is this fair?" He asks to no one. Jason only shrugs, and nods in agreement.

"Our champion, prince Crystal Justice!" Celestia announces with joy. The crowd cheers wildly and stomps in enjoyment, eager to see the match begin. The last recorded rite was over nine hundred years ago, so this is more than a rare treat for any pony lucky enough to be present.

"Here we go." Jay comments, his voice suddenly taking on a dark, dual tone as he speaks. Talon notices in his peripheral vision a glowing black aura growing and pulsating around the boy, Jason holding out his hand and the sword magically flying into his grip. Black arcs of arcane energy dance off of his visage as a cold ghost wind blows through the area suddenly. "Time to die, everyone..."

The pilot grasps the sword, standing beside Jay as the Pegasus mare leaves the arena, the doors of the high, towering marble walls closing, leaving the three humans to fight in an anything goes contest of strength, will and endurance. Celestia amplifies her voice with her magic, calling out to every pony. "BEGIN THE KUL NEIGH' VAR!"

Crystal Justice begins to charge, his palm opened wide as he blasts a golden arc of energy at the pilot, Talon being the first to be struck, the wind taken right out of him. The pilot is sent tumbling backwards as he reels from the blow, knocked to the ground.

"Oh...so that's how it is." He grumbles, coughing and rising to his feet. More blood fills his maw and he spits to the side, wiping the blood on the sleeve of his shirt. "You think that's going to stop me, you fucking limey?" Talon calls out, laughing despite the pain. "We Americans kicked your ass in seventeen seventy six, and I'll be sure that I keep my countries polished record!" He charges forward, throwing insult after insult to try and cause the enemy to lose focus, to make mistakes in the fight.

He tackles Chris to the ground, pouncing on the smaller, lighter humans chest, landing blow after devastating blow upon his face and chest. Talon swings again and again, bludgeoning him with all of his might, wanting to quickly pulverize him right here and now.

Jay comes in from behind, circling around to deal a deathblow to Celestia's human, rushing quickly to aid the pilot. Before he could get close enough however, Crystal Justice suddenly kicks the pilot off of him, blasting Talon in the chest again with a massive plasma bolt of golden energy. The cutie mark of Celestia glows brightly upon his forehead, his eyes seemingly glassed over as if he were naught but a doll.

Jason Storm is knocked back, sent flying against the wall with a bone crunching impact from the sheer shockwave of the bursts from Crystal. Shaking off the initial shock, he looks up to see Talon dodging the attacks and sword swings from their enemy.

The pilot rushes forward and rolls onto the ground, narrowly missing the enchanted blade wielded by Crystal Justice. "Holy Shit!" Talon exclaims in surprise. "Why does everyone want me dead?!" He cries out, grabbing his fallen sword from the ground and taking off running again. Shadow bolt discharges detonate behind his heels as he steps, the shots fired by Jason Storm aimed just behind the fleeing pilot.

'Master, now would be a VERY good time to let me intervene! These two have magic, and YOU don't!' Nightie chimes in, her voice echoing in the pilots mind. Talon rolls his eyes, continuing to dodge and evade the constant barrage of energy and physical attacks by the other two humans in the arena.

Up in the stands held by guards spear-point, Luna dazedly watches the fight below, the anti magic band embedded into her horn numbing the world around her into a near drug induced haze. She fights her hardest, trying to steel her mind enough to focus and find a way out of her captivity. Her legs and body feel heavy and numb, like a limb that has fallen asleep. Her wings feel the prickly sensation of a dull, stinging pain, her mind unable to communicate with them. All she can do is remain helpless for the moment, held captive by the princess Celestia of this nightmarish world.

"Your human doesn't have a chance you know. Not against my Chris, and especially not against that accursed mare and her human." Celestia sneers out, watching the match unfolding below. "Rules are rules however...though I still don't know how Nightmare Moon managed to teach that Jason boy about the Kul'neigh'var right."

Luna slowly turns her head, trying to focus in on the distorted and spinning world around her through the haze of the anti-magic band. Celestia's voice rings out to her in a dark, almost demonic tone, her glassed over fogged eyes blankly staring at the white alicorn a short distance away. The midnight alicorn swallows dryly, her attention turned back down below as another detonation from Jason Storm rocks the arena floor, her flame and Crystal Justice both sent flying into the nearby wall, both humans landing with a crash.

"Oh this is too easy Jason. You really didn't have to worry about a thing. We'll be out of here in no time, and finally away from that foalish Sun Princess once and for all. Not our problem if the outsider gets squished in the crossfire." Nightmare Storms voice echoes darkly through Jason's mouth, another shadow bolt forming and crackling with arcane malevolence from his palm.

Talon rises to his hands and knees, his eyes blearily focusing upon the dirt floor of the arena. He's panting hard, blood trickling from his brow due to a deep cut upon his forehead from the impact against the wall. He heaves a tired breath and coughs loudly, his fingers fumbling for the grip of the dull, useless sword given to him for this fight. 'Outmatched and out gunned...looks like this is the end.' He thinks. He nods while coughing, returning his gaze to Jason Storm and the now standing and charging Crystal Justice. Even from here, the pilot can see the glowing crest of Princess Celestia upon his forehead. "Alright Nightie...let's do this." He coughs out. Drips and spatters of blood spill from his mouth, the blood droplets collecting upon the floor just below him.

The bauble dangling around the pilots neck begins to glow and flash brightly, casting out a blinding light that stuns and freezes Crystal Justice's and Jason Storms ongoing fight in it's tracks, the flare illuminating the whole of the arena. He lets out a blood chilling roar as Nighties miasma once again overtakes his form, the ghostly mist swirling around him momentarily. As the flare of light fades and the two other humans within the arena regain their vision, they're greeted by something no pony expected. Now charging toward them at full speed, was a cobalt blue armored tank, the orange honeycomb visor somehow appearing to be the most frightening and menacing thing ever. There's a loud sound of metal screeching as sparks erupt, twin sets of scorpion like blades springing out from the armored bracers, the pilots every step thundering and shaking the ground below their feet.

"What in Tatarus is that?!" Celestia cries out in alarm, her heart nearly stopping in her chest as a solid, bone shattering punch is delivered to Crystals jaw, sending the human flying clear into the stands on the top, back row of the arena. She stares in absolute disbelief, then screams out in fright. "Guards! Kill the humans and the mare! Put them to death at once for this witchcraft!"

The pilot in alicorn armor looks up and seethes in rage, the poison of Nighties power causing his aggressive nature and anger to surge with unfathomable torrents of pure malice. Nightie never liked the sun bringer. But this one was a thousand times worse than the one she fought upon her world. She coils power to the legs of the armor, thrusting the pilot high into the stands, landing just a few feet away from the wicked, white mare. All hell breaks loose.

Jason also rushes to the stands, a blast of arcane shadow kicking him high into the air, Nightmare Storm also bringing the fight to Celestia. They fight in unison, throwing guards over the walls edge and into the arena floor, Jay laughing darkly as they see the hundreds of ponies gathered all swarm the exits, fleeing like cockroaches do from the light. Celestia backpedals and launches attack after attack at the duo from her horn, the blasts of energy bouncing harmlessly off of some kind of field suspended just off of their armored bodies.

The cobalt blue behemoth in armor grasps the midnight alicorn, quickly removing the rings upon her form with absolute precision and delicacy, then grasps them within his hand, thanks to the diversion provided by Jason.

"You should have killed us when you had the chance, dawn bringer. Now...my love and I will kill you and your vile subjects." Nightmare Storm seethes out through Jason's mouth, the dark energy around his form turning into a towering shadow of the black alicorn of death. "For you, it is whom the bell tolls!"

Talon holds out his arm, blocking Jason's path, before he steps forward silently to the fleeing solar princess. He grasps her tail root and yanks hard, ripping her back to him with unimaginable force. Celestia cries out in agony as the silent tormentor towers over her, feeling the dull stinging pain as the rings are slid over her horn, then crushed in place by his incredible strength. He then picks her up by her chest regalia, and tosses her into the ring where she lands on the pile of still alive guards with a resoundingly dull thud.

The pilot picks up the still woozy alicorn mare laying in the stands, and gingerly holds his beloved carefully, clutching her to his armored chest. 'Master. Luminescence is still alive. We must get her to our machine, so that we may depart! Please, Hurry!' He hears Nightie speak within the armor to him.

The two turn and rush out, the pilot carrying the dazed alicorn in his arms as they race through the palace, hunting for the war machine to make their escape. They take twist after turn, blowing past the scattered and disorganized guards trying to bar their way as they run. They come to a long hallway shortly, a bleeding Chris standing and panting before them.

"Move, boy. Or my friend here will give you another right hook." Jason growls out, stepping forward. "We just want a way out of here, so they can return to their home, and we can find a peaceful place to exist."

Chris drops the sword, the saber vanishing in a flash of light. "I wasn't in control...so I understand. Your machine is here!" He says, opening the door beside him, leading to the ball room. "Tia...she said she wouldn't hurt you. But that punch you did broke her spell on me and let me see what she did. Believe me...we're going to have a long talk about her control issues when this is over."

The two follow Chris into the ballroom, the aircraft exactly where he said it would be. Talon looks around through the orange haze of the visor, disbelieving that this palace would not only have a bigger ballroom, but Celestia of this hell would actually put the warbird in the same damned place. What weird fucking luck! The armor wisps off of his form, the miasma returning to the bauble as he quickly walks, returning to the aircraft and climbing up the side steps without a word. He frees one arm and punches in the code into the canopy lock down keypad, then struggles and hefts the delirious alicorn into the co pilots seat.

"Hey, Yank!" He turns looking at Chris. "Where are you two from...why did you bring a military craft to Equestria?"

Talon shakes his head, climbing into his own pilots seat. "I was brought to her world a few years ago on a mission by mistake. He says, nodding his head back to the alicorn coming to. "We came to this one by mistake, while we were on a return trip from a botched portal spell."

Jason turns, tearing open a rift and stopping to look at Chris. "Hey, no hard feelings mates. But I'm out of this place. Moony and I never wanted a fight, but your bloody insane mare friend kinda of picked it." He turns and looks at Talon. "I'd go with you, but you two aren't heading my way, and your cabin looks a wee bit cramped."

Chris looks at them, completely shocked by their candor, as if the fight didn't mean anything to them. He watches as the pilot continues to flip switches, hearing the beeps of the machines computers coming to life. "Nightmare." He calls out. "If you use a portal...she'll just find you again. Your best bet is to scramble on foot, or fly out if you can."

Almost as if on Qu, the shadows around the room once again contort, an eerie darkness settling in. Pounding on the doors behind them leading back into the castle proper can be heard, shouts of guards attempting to break down the very walls to get at them.

"Oh? You would help us, despite betraying your precious Celestia? My my. whatever would the prissy princess think?" The shadows all call out, then coalesce into a solid form of a towering, terrifying black alicorn. Her teal demonic eyes focus in on Chris's, staring him down.

"Hey, she needs to learn it's not always going to go her way." He shrugs. "Consider this my own form of payback for making this mess to begin with. Now get going, I'll hold off the guards!" He calls out, turning to the doors.

"Wait!" Talon shouts, looking at Chris. He pauses for a moment, then nods. "You have my thanks...listen, once we're out of here, you'll be better for just talking things out. I know she's a crazy, manipulative bitch... Mine can be too, but trust me. The Celestia I know has a heat of pure gold. Give it a chance, you'll be surprised."

Chris nods, then smiles. "I think I will. Good luck, you four." He says over his shoulder, heading back to the door to secure it.

Jason watches as Nightmare Storm kneels with her forelegs, crouching down so he could mount her back. "Where do we go?!" He shouts, looking to the pilot. Talon begins to close the canopy, moving to speak to him still.

"Head west, I'll cover you!" He shouts, over the sound of the canopies mechanical components. As the canopy closes, he turns and looks to the computer, throwing only his headset on. "Initiate Scram Jet Sequence!"

They see guards, Celestia included beginning to form up just outside the opposing wall leading to the outside, the unicorns and Earth ponies all backing up and away from the massive doors. The jet engines begin to screech and howl as they come to life, the fires of hell leaping from the turbines.

"Fire, every pony fire! Stop that machine!" The alicorn screams out, fury written all over her features. Her mane and tail seemingly spark off in wisps of flame and smoke in patches. Nightmare Storm only grins.

"Oohhh. I haven't seen Celestia this pissed off in ages. This human. I really like him, Jay. Can we keep him?" She asks, a sardonic Cheshire grin upon her muzzle. She cranes her head to look up at her love, only to see him also grinning. It's when she sees his look suddenly turn to terror, she whips her head to look in front. A loud, groaning metallic clatter overtakes the sound of the screaming jet engines, as two bay doors below the war machines belly suddenly open. A large rack from the forward bay rolls out, a rocket at the ready. Nightmare scoots on her hooves quickly, bolting for cover as Chris does the same. Without any further warning, the pilot pulls the trigger within the cockpit, sending the projectile forward, blowing the entire side wall and guards half to hell.

The ponies outside, princess included are all caught in the massive hellfire explosion, sent flying backwards end over end. As the flames billow out, the smoke overtaking the area, the howling increases louder and louder, the nose of the war machine inching out of the broken castle room.

The aircraft lifts off of the ground, it's turbines turned downward as it begins to take off, igniting the afterburners as it takes to the heavens, quickly ascending and retracting it's landing gear. As the smoke begins to clear, the black alicorn and human step into the clearing, quickly bolting out and also joining the machine in the heavens, racing away to safety, far,far away from Canterlot.

* * * * *

"Luna, angel? Are you still with me back there?" The pilot chokes out, placing the machine on auto pilot. The aircraft levels out its wings, reducing itself to a cruising speed as it's computers take control. Turning around, he sees the midnight alicorn coming around, a hoof to her head as she fights off a headache left by the bands.

As the pilot slips her headset over her ears, she pants gently, placing her hoof on his hand. "I am...I am here, mine flame. I'm alright." She squeaks out in response. She tries to catch her breath, the effects from that wretched band ebbing away finally.

He sighs with a smile and takes back control of the warbird again, climbing higher and higher into the heavens, far above where even Celestia could fly safely. After a few minutes of letting her rest, he switches over the communications, turning on the radio. "Angel, just take your time. When you're ready, open the portal and bring us home."

Luna nods, heaving a tired, irritated sigh. She closes her eyes, then concentrates, focusing on only one thing. Their children. Her only thoughts are on them, the fillies Stardust Kiss, and Moonlight Way. Opening her eyes, she alights her horn and casts.

* * * * *

Walking out amongst the rubble, Chris steps to the woozy, but very much alive Celestia. Despite the total carnage, there was surprisingly no fatalities! He nods, impressed by the pilots handy work, then helps the regal white alicorn to her hooves.

"I told you Tia...you should have asked questions first, and not played God." He groans out, patting the dust off of her sides and coat. "This is what happens when you just make decisions on the fly." Chris watches as her lower lip begins to tremble, the dirty white alicorn on the verge of tears. He sighs and wipes away the salty tears from her, smiling. "Come on, let's go get you cleaned up. You've had enough excitement for one day."

Celestia only quietly nods watching was all of her disoriented, but still alive guards climb to their feet. She lets out a tired huff, debating what she should say to them.

* * * * *

"Hey Moony..." He says, enjoying the scenery while in flight, never before having actually been off of the ground before, not like this. "So...what do we do now?"

"Well Jay...not bad for your first day in Equestria. I think...I think we should find some place to call home now. We've come this far...and endured this much. My mother, Era did state we would have hope. So let's find it, together. Let us enjoy our new world together, my love." The alicorn responds thoughtfully, gliding upon the wind.

"Yeah...home. I like the sound of that."