Spectra’s armor bared lightly upon her as it was a mix of crystal chainmail and of light blue leather. It was greatly adorned with brightly colored gems that glistened in the night. A single purple diamond hung around a tight golden necklace. It fit well and she marvelled at her own work. She as well changed her mane and tail style to something more accepting on a battlefield, as recent events have changed her and two of her closest friends. Her mane was finely combed back and pulled into a ponytail, although some strands of her mane hung down over her face over her cheek.

She stood proudly atop the tallest tower in Blacklight Hold. Leaning over the balcony she saw that the Children of the Night worked fastly in rebuilding their charred town. They worked fast and efficiently. Leaving no debris in the streets and cleaning the town buildings of the blood and mucus stains. It was almost inspiring seeing the Children of the Night work to bring their town back to its former glory. She admires Empires such as these, ones that care for one another and will hold fast against any danger.

Spectra did not read much books when she was a filly. But the ones she did read were those of both fashion and of history long forgotten. At a young age she discovered she and her younger sister Sweetie Belle were both adopted from a very unlikely parentage. An Alicorn and a Crystal Pony. Her step father did all he could to enrich her with tomes left by her birth father. But her step mother on the other hand tried so hard to force her only into the field of fashion. Sweetie Belle was too young to understand and followed their stepmother very willingly.

One day, when she was barely a teen she discovered something amazing. Her step father came up to her and said in his kind and caring voice that brings bliss to all who hear it,”There is something that I need to tell you Rarity. While freedom from the Alicorn Empire is nice, certain ponies are left with longing. I served under your father when the Alicorns went through civil war. While some came under the banner of Midnight Shadow, I was under your father’s banner. Highlord Uther Crystalline. He was a great and powerful Alicorn that wished nothing more than to live in eternal peace in Equestria.

“He was the only survivor of the Alicorn Schism, and the only surviving member of the Royal Alicorn Council. He escaped the ruined Alicorn Capital and fled to the Crystal Empire where he met your mother. For years he lived there and settled down and had a family, he met his true love there your mother. Spectral Facet. But, not more than fifteen years later did two Alicorn Princesses of the New Equestria come to visit him. Luna and Celestia. They came to him and asked of his assistance in fighting a new foe that threatened all of Equestria. King Sombra. Uther did his best of explaining to them that their King was not one to be trifled with and not one to be a tyrant. But not long after that something happened to Sombra.

“Mystery and speculation flowed through the Crystal Empire of what really happened to King Sombra. But something happened that changed him. He enslaved the Crystal Ponies and made them either into Slaves or his Zealots. Uther could not stand for this and accepted the help of the two sisters. You were no more than a three years old and Spectral was pregnant with Sweetie Belle at the time and Uther requested her to leave the Frozen North immediately and promised that he would find her as soon as they were finished dealing with Sombra.

“Needless to say, nine months past and your mother gave birth to Sweetie Belle and died while giving birth. You two were left alone for a while. Until Luna and Celestia found you two and brought you and your sister to us. Celestia told me that your father saved Princess Luna’s life, and he made the final blow that killed Sombra. But the effects of Sombra did not simply go away. They had to banish the entire kingdom to keep the spreading of Sombra’s influence. Thus he made the ultimate sacrifice of staying with the leftover effects of King Sombra to keep them in check.

“Service was given and an unmarked grave was put next to your mother’s. Princess Luna and Princess Celestia gave him the honorary title of the God of Hope. Whether or not he was felled long ago while fighting Sombra’s magic or whether he is still alive and well we will not know. But I feel that you should know this information to tell your younger sister one day…”

Spectra returned from the flashback with a tear coming down her eye. She heard hoofsteps and wiped away the tear and looked to see who was approaching her. It was the guile and warrior walk of Rainbow Dash. Her heavy plate mail armor clanked announcing her approaching. The armor was finely made and was a dark blue color. It accented very well with her coat and her rainbow colored mane and tail were as well combed back into a ponytail but more wild looking. Spectra smiled as she remembered the gown she made for Rainbow Dash the night they went to the Gala.

Dash had grown taller and more determined. Her physique was more lean and fine toned. Her dark violet eyes met with hers and she said,”Say all you want I think I look pretty awesome!”

Spectra kept her smile and said with a hopeful and soothing voice she always had,”Why darling you are simply ravishing.”

Rainbow smiled and said walking next to her,”Thanks Rare. Some of the Chi...I mean some of our brothers and sisters brought this for me. They told me that it belonged to a very powerful Werewolf named Lycan. Said that when I transform into a Werewolf so does the armor. I haven’t tested it yet but I think I’ll figure it out soon enough.”

Her cocky demeanor and overall egotistical voice always brought a smile to Spectra’s face. Rainbow always reminded her of herself when she was younger. Brash and very, again, egotistical. Spectra looked away from Rainbow Dash and looked out at the dawning sky. She said,”I as well recieved an outfit from our brothers and sisters. I of course made a few cosmetic changes.”

Rainbow chuckled and responded,”I somehow knew you would.”

A few moments of silence ensued and Rainbow broke the silence with very despairing words,”So...when all of this is done. I mean, with the Dark Crusade. What will happen?”

Spectra shook her head and said,”I don’t understand the question.”

Rainbow half looks at Spectra and says,”I mean...what will WE do next?”

Spectra processes a quick answer and replies with her Royal sounding voice she always seemed to talk with,”Well I would assume that we would somewhat return to our normal lives. I still have a Boutique and a sister to look after. You have weather duty to return to. And along with that we are two of the founding members of the Knights of the Moon, we have some role to play with the Children of the Night. Our deeds are never done darling. On the horizon there is still something to do about the evils of the world.”

Rainbow nodded in agreement and says,”Yeah...hey Rare? I have another question for you. Why did you change your name to Spectra?”

Spectra lost her smile and her tender loving demeanor and changed to a pony of despair. She replied,”That was my birth mother’s name. I chose the full name of...Spectra Crystalline. In honor of my true father and my true mother…”

She stares out longingly at the night and Rainbow notices the sadness in her eyes and says,”Sorry I brought it up...just...wanted to help…”

Her pride was somewhat broken and Spectra says,”Do not blame yourself for trying to help. You didn’t know exactly what the question would entail with the answer. Memories can have that effect.”

Rainbow lifted the emotional weight off of her shoulders and says,”Well...at least we have them. Anyways, can you help me with these new powers as a Knight of the Moon. I’m still a little clumsy.”

Spectra smiles and says,”Sure. Meet me in the courtyard in a few minutes.”

Rainbow nods her head and hovers down from the tower. Spectra watches her descend and slowly shakes her head. Rainbow was very out of who she is at those moments. Maybe she had slowly changed over the course of the past couple days she’s been a Werewolf.

Spectra concentrates her magic and a bright blue flash erupted from her form and she teleported from the top of the tower to the steps descending into the main courtyard where Rainbow Dash was waiting. She had a broadsword drawn and was practicing many series of slashes and thrusts. When Spectra came into view Rainbow Dash stopped and sheathed her blade. Around them was the bare white colored grassy courtyard. In the middle was a single white tree that seemed to tower over them and watch over them. Rarity carried herself as she always did, with great nobility and meaning. She summons her staff made from a purple wood and at the top of the four foot long staff was a sharp pointed and thick pink crystal that seemed to glow in both the setting moon light and in the eerie blue aura around it as she carried the staff with her magic.

Crystals of the same color floated around the top of the staff. She slammed the bottom of her staff on the ground announcing her approaching. Rainbow Dash turned and winced at Spectra and said,”Don’t look like much of a Knight if you ask me.”

Spectra stood firm and said with a half smile,”Do not be decieved by looks dear Rainbow Dash. It could get you killed one day. Now pay attention. Your new powers as a Knight of the Moon are ones that counteract the powers of magic. It can be used to reflect or absorb magic itself, while it might seem to be a defensive magic it can be used on the offensive. As it can kill the magic inside a magic user, effectively killing the wielder of magic. Your source of mana is one that is very odd, it comes from the moon and stars. Call upon it to give you the strength you need and to cast spells through it. We will start with a simple reflect spell.”

Spectra does not understand how she gained quick mastery of her new powers. It just came naturally to her. Spectra spun her staff and got in a ready position to fight, she waited for Rainbow Dash to summon her new powers. Rainbow strains her eyes and summons within herself, Spectra could feel her channeling the powers of the moon. Rainbow shoots her eyes open and they are glowing bright blue energy and swirling around her is a bright blue aura. Rainbow smiles and waits for Spectra to attack.

Flipping her staff through the air and finally drawing enough energy she shot a bolt of pure magical energy at Rainbow Dash. Rainbow held out her broadsword and swung it at the bolt of energy. The bolt shot away from her and dissipated into nothing. Spectra smiled and said,”Very good. Now let us see if you can absorb magic.”

Spectra sheaths her staff and levitates herself in the air and her eyes glow violently with bright blue energy. Her forehooves glowed blue energy around them as well and summoning around her are bright glowing blades. Twelve of them. She thrusts her hooves at Rainbow Dash and the pure magic long swords flew at an amazing speed at Rainbow Dash.

Rainbow Dash moves her broadsword in front of her and cyan blue energy swirled around it and a small wall of energy summoned around her blade. The magical swords were each absorbed into the wall of mystical energy. She dug her back hooves in the dirt as the swords were absorbed into the wall of energy. As each sword was absorbed the energy flowed through her veins and gave her improved strength. Once she stopped being pushed back she lowered her sword and breathed heavily at Spectra and slashed a wave of magical energy at Spectra.

Spectra sees the bright cyan blue energy and a Wild Werewolf come out of nowhere and her eyes grow wide and then straighten into a threatening stare. Her eyes glowed dark blue and she caught the wave of energy with her forehooves and began making it grow. Just before the Wild slashed at Rainbow Dash she shoots the wave at the Wild.

The Wild looks at its impending doom and faltered. It was blown to pieces as the wave of dark blue energy shot at it. Rainbow Dash sees this and transforms into a Werewolf anticipating another attacker. Spectra lowers herself to the ground and they both stood back to back. Spectra unsheathed her staff and began infusing herself with the energy of the moon and glowing tattoos appeared on her coat, glowing bright blue and her eyes were glowing the same color.

There were ten of them, but they were not simple Wilds. These were infused with the dark magic of Living Shadow. Dark energy came off of their material bodies and their eyes glowed bright red. Five Werewolves, three Vampires, and two Phantoms. Spectra smirked as she began to have flashbacks of her first fight. She tried to anticipate what would happen. The Werewolves would charge them head on and the Vampires would support with either defensive magic or occasional offensive magic and the Phantoms would combine attacks to stab them from the shadows. These Werewolves however had metallic gauntlets with stained green blades three feet long on the bracers. The Werewolves bared their fangs and snarled.

Rainbow turns to face the other Werewolves. She stood taller than the other Werewolves and gave off a very threatening aura. Spectra flips her staff and says,”Watch out for those blades their poisoned. Keep your attention on the Werewolves. I’ll take care of the others.”

Rainbow simply nods her head and bares her fangs at them, as if to say bring it on. One of the Vampires stepped ahead of the others. He had a long black leather trench coat, his eyes glowed bright yellow and had many scars across his eyes and neck. He stood tall and firm, his charcoal colored coat accented well with his frost colored mane. His cold voice pierced through the very wind and said,”Come let us be civilized about this. There is not much we want, but it might be costly in your eyes.”

He had the same noble sounding voice as Fancy Pants. But it was more metallic and less lively. Spectra moves her hoof in front of Rainbow telling her to stand down for the moment. She planted her staff firmly in the ground and said,”Speak quickly or there will be blood that will be spilled this night. And it will not be ours.”

The charcoal pony smiled and said,”My, such strong words from an equally strong mare. I actually might have been intimidated if I was outnumbered, but alas that it not the case.”

Rainbow lets out a low growl and says,”Get to the point!”

The charcoal pony says,”Well. Alright, we were essentially supposed to come here to kill Dracula as by orders from Living Shadow. But on our way here we were received a counter offer from a certain Nightmare Moon. She said that in exchange for unconditional loyalty to the Children of the Night from us, we must bring her the Orb of Darkness. Now if you are smart mares, like you look, you will give up the location of the Orb of Darkness. Or we will…”

The charcoal pony was interrupted by an ear splitting sound coming from the sky like a large boom. They all looked up into the sky they saw a streak of red energy smashing into the ground in between them. Dust and earth erupted from the ground and clouded the sight of Spectra and Rainbow Dash.

The smoke started to clear and they saw hovering in the air the large muscular form of Dracula. His dark blue coat and his jet black steel plate armor glowed a bright red energy. His large wings flapped loudly in their ears. His threatening demeanor did not change as he descended to the ground on the other side of the crater facing the charcoal pony.

He was nearly the size of a fully grown Werewolf. Werewolves stand at least 6 feet off the ground when on all fours. An average pony stands only 3 or 4 feet tall on their hooves. He stood tall and his dark red glowing eyes stared deep into every Wild present daring them to make a move. He spoke with great wisdom and a deep echoing voice,”I will not be made a fool of. I am very aware of Nightmare Moon’s demands. I am working on finding the Orb. But do not threaten the lives of my students or there will be repercussions to your actions and words you do next. Choose them wisely.”

Spectra and Rainbow Dash were even shaking in their hooves at Dracula. They chose the wrong actions to take. As quick as lightning the Werewolves moved to strike against Dracula. Dracula barely flinching a muscle activates the dark red aura around his horn and grabbed them all with his advanced form of telekinesis. Red energy swirled around each of them and it began seeping into their bodies very quickly. They screamed and howled in anger and pain as their flesh slowly began to decay and were left nothing but ashes. He let the ashes blow through the wind and he shot a threatening glare at the Vampires who shot large bolts of magical energy at him.

Dracula let the barrage of arcane infused bolts strike him and watched as they dissipated when they struck against him. He smiled crookedly and lifted his hoof in the air. His hoof glowed bright red and Spectra saw that he was choking the two Vampires that shot magic at him. They choked and gasped for air, but to no avail. Then in one swift movement he snapped their necks and blood splattered around them and Dracula did not flinch as it splattered on his face.

Spectra waited for a moment for the Phantoms to swoop down and strike against Dracula, but he saw that they would do this and when he came in he killed them first. Spectra looked around and saw their dead bodies lying in a heap in the corner as they had been viciously cut and stabbed with a weapon. Most likely his Void sword. She turned and saw the charcoal pony moving away from Dracula. Skittering on the ground and finally Dracula moved him into a corner.

Dracula looked threateningly at the pony and said while choking him with his hoof and lifting him into the sky,”Lord Elijah Blackwood. I expected more from a backstabbing fool. I will keep you alive to tell Nightmare Moon that she will have her Orb of Darkness in due time, I just need to find it. And she will receive it when I am good and ready. I will not be made a fool of.”

Elijah nodded his head as he gasped for air. Dracula’s eyes slowly dissipated of the red energy and he dropped Elijah. He went into a coughing fit as he fell to the ground. Dracula stepped back and said in a threatening voice,”Now leave this place and never return. The next time I see your face or of any other Wild that shows their face in anyone of the Children of the Night settlements, will have their heads on a SPIKE!!!”

Elijah scattered away and Dracula took in a deep breath and his form slowly changed back to his normal Alicorn form. His armor seemingly shrunk to his normal size and his hood reappeared. His demeanor changed as well, back to the stern noble demeanor. He was not as intimidating and he turned to face Rainbow Dash and Spectra. Dracula says,”Do not get used to that form. I will lose it when I kill Living Shadow.”

They were still stunned at Dracula. But Rainbow was the first to speak and she lowers her head and looks at Dracula with a dark look,”Why are you working with Nightmare Moon? You do know that she tried to kill us right?”

Dracula steps closer to them and says,”I am very aware of what she did. But she is the enemy of our enemy, therefore she is our ally. She has trained her Wilds very well and we could use their expertise. She has sent scouts to find out there next move. We are pushing back our counter invasion by a couple hours. But do not expect them to be our allies after Living Shadow is dead.

“She has not changed the darkness that is in her heart. She no doubt has her own plot to set in motion.”

Spectra stood sternly and asked,”Why does she need this Orb of Darkness?”

“The Orb…”Dracula answers woefully,”The Orb acts much like the Elements of Harmony, it amplifies the magical output of a Child of the Night. Only a chosen few can wield its power and live. It is our back up plan, in case nothing goes right.”

Dracula turns to see they both have sorrow and hatred on their faces. Dracula steps closer and lifts their heads up, in his wise voice he said,”Look, I don’t want to work with Nightmare Moon anymore than you do. She’s deceitful. Backstabbing. And most of all she is tricky. There is a deeper plot inside of Nightmare Moon, something that will surely break us in the now or in the future. But we have to use every advantage that we have, this is Living Shadow.”

Rainbow pulls away from Dracula and says,”But this is Nightmare Moon! She nearly killed us! Why don’t we just end her now, while we have a chance!”

Dracula snaps at Rainbow Dash,”You are a fool if you think that she can just be killed. She is not a material thing, she is very much made of every nightmare, every fear, every shadow of the night. You can’t kill shadow. You can’t kill Fear. And you most certainly can’t kill NIGHTMARES!!!”

Rainbow resists further and says,”You call me the fool? You have almost released the mare that we so closely hoped to keep locked up. What does Princess Luna know about this?”

Dracula responds coldly,”She has accepted her temporary help, because she understands the threat that we face.”

Dracula summons the dark red energy in his eyes and bares down threateningly at Rainbow,”You do not understand the threat we face. He is the manifestation of true fear and true shadow. Do you know what it is like to keep him from invading your mind? Can you even comprehend the amount of fear one pony can have walled up in their body? We share one mind and he is constantly imagining him defeating us. Over and over and over and over and OVER! I have seen us die so many times...so many times…I fight against him to save my new family from his cutting steel.”

Rainbow looked attacked and felt sorry for what she said, but knowing her for as long as Spectra has known her Rainbow will never openly apologize to somepony she met no more than a few days ago. Rainbow choked back tears and flew away. Spectra went to stop her but she was too fast, she left nothing behind but a trail of rainbow. Spectra looks over at Dracula and steps next to him.

She puts her hoof around his shoulder and he said,”I’m sorry for this Rarity. I never wanted any of this to happen. First I lose my brother Sombra. And now I don’t know who else will die in front of me.”

Spectra moved her gaze past Dracula and looks down at his hooves. He was sitting down and Spectra replied,”At least you have Twilight.”

Dracula looks up at the night sky to see her star glistening next to his. He says with a smile,”Yeah...and I have you too. You two accepted my friendship better than everypony and I have to thank you for that.”

Spectra meets his eyes and she says,”Darling, I will follow you to the ends of this planet. Do not think for a moment that I will ever abandon you, Silver.”

Dracula smiles and he says,”Thank you. Keep practicing your new powers until you have mastered every single spell I have taught you.”

Spectra nods but then she reels in pain as she felt a fiery sensation on her neck. Dracula goes to catch her and he says,”Spectra! What’s wrong?”

Holding back tears of pain she said,”My...neck!”

Dracula looks as the pain began to subside and he sees a very familiar marking. It was a marking of a crescent. His eyes grew wide and she said breathing heavily,”What Dracula? What is it?”

Dracula slowly shakes his head and said,”I thought...I thought we would have more time…”

Spectra moves her hooves on his forelegs and said,”What? What did you need more time for?”

Dracula slowly blinks his eyes and he says,”Sombra was the first and only Warlock, there can only be one Warlock because of the amount of magic inside of them. Once the Warlock dies, his mark gets past on along with their power. It...it appears that you are the next Warlock.”

She did feel some amount of power rushing through her and she felt rejuvenated. She also knew more spells than before and she would have to practice them. They both hear hoofsteps and rush to stand. Walking in was the stamping of Wraith’s hooves. He stood proud and firm as he walked into the courtyard and said in a metallic voice,”I have brought some of my Death Knights with me, the rest will be here within a day. The Liches stand with you Lord Dracula.”

Wraith nodded his head low in respect and looked at Dracula. They both stood the same way, very firm and regal. Like whatever they had to say had weight behind it. Dracula nods his head and says,”Good. Prepare the Knights you have with you, we march for Ponyville in a few hours. How many have you brought?”

Wraith responded,”One thousand. When the rest come we will number in one hundred thousand. The Lichs were busy when I came to them.”

Dracula nods for him to leave and Wraith bowed. He left into the darkness and disappeared. Dracula turned to face Spectra and said,”Go to some of the Children of the Night, some of them are worthy of being Knights of the Moon and if you can get Rainbow to help you that will no doubt speed up the process.”

Spectra nodded and left into the darkness leading into the streets of Shadow Garden. Her destiny was unfolding before her at greater lengths and she moved a hoof over the scorched crescent mark on her neck. Unfolding quickly.