The fires of Ponyville had long been put out now, the only thing that was really damaged was Applejacks farm and the roof of several houses. I had rather quickly hid in Ribbons shadow when more guards started to show up and had been refusing to come out for at least an hour, so instead Ribbon had been guarding what was apparently Nightmare Moon. Right now, it looked like a large mangled rock about the size of my head with her starry miasma coming out of it. Just looking at it made me feel like a complete idiot for not realizing she was the reason for my moments of batshit insane mindless rage.

’Won’t you come out? I’m sure it’s not that bad. They might be fine with it, you don’t know how they’ll react.’

-No! They’ll hate me for what I’ve done and become!-

‘But what did you do? From what I can see, You beat a demon into submission long enough for it to be imprisoned and broke a few homes doing it.’

-And if it wasn't for Malices intervention, I wouldn't have stopped there!-

’But that’s not your fault, that was all Nightmare’s doing.’

-Do you think anyone is going to be able to look me in the eyes and tell me their not afraid now!?-

’What if we just show the princesses what you look like and maybe some of the lunar guard afterwards. You’d have more in common with them than the rest of the ponies.’

-O...okay… Uhh, do you hear that?- I could hear something, not quite hoofsteps, when…

*Bark!* -Wait… Gary!?-

Sure enough, before either of us could react, Gary come out of nowhere and started licking ribbons face. The guards almost immediately begun closing in around him with their spears raised but stopped when they heard Ribbon laughing.

“Hahaha! Stop it Gary!” she pushed the incredibly large okean timberwolf off her and stood back up. “I missed you too.”

“wha…?” was the unintelligent response from one of the guards.

“Everypony, stand down. He’s fine, He’s Chitsuki’s pet.”

“Dare I even ask how she keeps it fed?”

“He assimilates wood, which includes paper, and hunts in the Everfree.”

“Oh… speaking of which, where is she? We heard she was here fighting the demon.”

“She did, she just doesn't want to really… well do much of anything but hide away right now.”

“Is she at least willing to talk?”

“I suppose so.”

“Then you and her can give your report of what happened to the Captain.”

“Very well, I’ll give my report to both Princess Luna and the Captain through my changelings and will head to Canterlot.”

“Very well. We shall get somepony on the job of getting a train here, now that the griffons have cleared out.”

Within a few hours, a train had pulled in, composed of an engine and a single passenger car, and after the guards had looked it over for signs of tampering, Ribbon and her guards got on, carrying the Nightmare fragment in a bundle of cloth, as after I had questioned her about it, she had said she was worried about what might happen if somepony touched it or if magic was used on it. There was about half a dozen changeling guards on there way to Canterlot with us, leaving me feeling rather nervous and deciding to stay in the safety of Ribbons shadow.

’I think it’s safe for you to come out now.’

-And what makes you think that?-

’My changelings already know something happened, they just haven’t seen it yet. You’re safe here.’ Ribbon assured me.

-Okay- I climbed out of her shadow, keeping my eyes shut until I had finished getting out,and just listening to how they reacted. Some light murmurs but nothing bad, the most common seemed to be “So that’s what happened.” Then I finally opened my eyes, waiting for the inevitable gasps of shock. I saw a few of them cringe and look away, the others seemed to be trying not to look at me.

When I saw them avoiding eye contact I couldn’t help but think of Pinkies silly song made for Zecora.

-why are they all refusing to look at me? I know I have freaky eyes now, but, damn.- “Am I really that scary?” Ribbon leaned into my side.

“Probably trying not to stare. They don’t want to anger me by making my marefriend feel uncomfortable because of the way she looks.” I looked back at them and they seemed even more uncomfortable than me now since Ribbon knew. Sighing, I closed my eyes again, hanging my head in defeat.

I felt Ribbon pull me into a hug, where she began gently petting my mane, but it just didn’t help. I slipped out of her hug, and sunk back down into her shadow. Was everyone going to be afraid of me now?

After finally arriving at Canterlot, Ribbon and I had made a beeline for the castle, so that Ribbon could deliver her report. Well, more like I spent the entire time in RIbbons shadow, not wanting to show my face.

“You may enter now.” With that, the guard to Celestia's courtroom stood aside, as the door swung open. Without a word, Ribbon entered, coming face to face with Celestia.

“So how is the town, did it survive?” Celestia said, a look of concern on her face.

“Yes, the town will do just fine. Most of the damage was at Sweet Apple Acres. It seems the griffons were throwing molotovs to set the trees on fire, while the damage to the town itself is contained to the roofs and a few other select buildings caused by Chitsuki from what my changelings told me.”

“Chitsuki was there? I thought she was staying at your hive, here.”

“She was. I think she showed up at Ponyville when I did, but I am unsure as I was knocked unconscious. When I woke up I was in her shadow, the same way she can hide them, but she was acting strangely and even threatened me. I can’t be sure, but I believe she was fighting Akuma, the demon Malice told us to capture. I think it was Nightmare Moon who was doing the fighting though.”

“Can you be sure of that? I’m most that the Elements would have destroyed her this time.”

“I’m sure.” Ribbon signaled for her guards to bring up the… Parasite, and unwrapped it for Celestia to see.

“Oh my. How is it that it became like this?” Celestia seemed intrigued by the nightmarish rock.

“When I’m in Chi’s shadow It’s very hard to see, but I can hear fine. I heard Malice thank Nightmare for weakening Akuma enough for him to take him back to Tartarus, and then promptly told her that he would remove her from her host as a reward for Chi having beat Akuma. I heard a lot of shouting and then screaming before I was able to leave Chi’s shadow. And saw Chi dying... again. The portal to Tartarus didn’t close until after Chi revived where he told her about what happened to her appearance and removed his mark from her.”

“So Malice confirmed that this is Nightmare, or at least a being like her. What did you mean by ‘her appearance’?”

“Last time something happened to her, when Everfree was sort of invading, you remember her mane turned pitch black?” Celestia nodded her head for Ribbon to continue. “And when she unknowingly used dark magic her eyes turned red?” Celestia nodded again, and seemed to be growing worried. “She’s changed again and Malice had said this is what she truly looks like, and it’s a tad… startling.”

-I’m guessing this is the part where I have to show myself?-

’If you would’ “She’s right here, I was hoping you would see this.”

I pulled myself from Ribbons shadow, Looking Celestia in the eye as I did so, until I had fully extracted myself and stood up fully. “I can see why you would find this concerning.”

“I almost look like vampire for the love of god.” Looking away from Celestia, suddenly finding the floor very interesting.

“Your fangs certainly don’t help. If you would like, You both have access to the royal library in finding a spell that would hide your eyes. You may also look in Starswirl the Bearded wing of the library.”

“So, what is going to be done with what's left of… well, her?” I said as I eyed what was left of the Nightmare.

“We’ll lock it up where it will never see the light of day again, I’m sure it’ll like that.”

“Mama!” Wha- Before I could blink, a projectile about the size of my head, if not bigger, collided with my chest, revealing itself to be Mirage.

Celestia sighed in annoyance. “I wish Luna hadn't shown her the passages in the castle, now she won’t stop sneaking into places she shouldn't be and stealing my cake.”

That actually got me to chuckle, Mirage was sneaking about like a pro, and managing to annoy Celestia as well. “Then perhaps now that we’re back, we can take her off your hooves.”

“Please do, I need to talk to Ribbon about her Illegal production of weapons.”

“She's just exercising her second amendment.” Celestia just seemed confused. “Right, you wouldn't get that.”

Ribbon continued. “The right to bear arms. I only intended to stock them up and put them in a vault knowing the Griffons would try something, I never intended to sell them to the public.”

“Regardless, these weapons are banned in Equestria for a reason. And not only have you made these griffon firearm but have improved them, making them lighter, stronger, and faster. It is most worrisome.”

“If anything, I’m the one you should be angry with. I gave Ribbon the ideas in the first place.”

“It’s true. I just wanted a challenge, it’s boring making the same things over and over. So when I got my hooves on some griffon arms and Chi saying she used use those types of weapons before, I just had to try.”

“And it just took off from there after she found out just how inferior those Griffon firearms were compared to some of the things I’ve used.”

“How much more powerful were your kinds weapons?”

“Strong enough and accurate enough to remove Canterlot from existence. Without magic. Does the term ‘nuclear fusion’ mean anything to you?”

“It does not.” She gave Ribbon a stern look. “I would hope you don’t make such weapons Ribbon.”

“I never intended too, I started it and had gotten interested in artificing when I was making the ammunition. I wanted to see it through before I did instead.”

“The only kind of weapon I really know much about are firearms, not missiles or warheads, I wouldn't be able to reproduce one.”

“Well, while I would like another artificer in the kingdom. Once the griffons are are taken care of and forced out, I want you lock those weapons away and keep me informed this time of anything you make.” Celestia said, in a very serious tone to the both of us.

“Yes Princess.”

“Understood, was there anything else you needed from us?”

“No, that was all. You may leave now.”

Without another word, I sunk back into Ribbons shadow, as she left the chamber, Mirage skipping happily after her.

’I think I know what’ll cheer you up Chi.’

-Oh? Do tell.- Ribbon had gotten my attention.

’I’ll need to get some stuff and will have a day tomorrow with the staff in our shade form.’