Ponyville March 16th 9pm

    Celestia and Nightmare Moon slowly make there way to the Horn and Wing Tavern, picking off the Knights of Ra they come across. Making there way down Sugercoat St. Celestia asks a odd question "So what was that all about before?" Moon pulls her sword out of dead mare that had thrown herself at her "Meaning?"

     "Did Luna really kill Chrysalis?" Moon pauses "Almost, she beat her to death only to have a friendly face drain Chrysalis of her power, Luna shortly left after that." Celestia then asks "Was that you who summoned that Phoenix during the Royal Wedding, kind of hard to miss form my point of view," Moon smiles "Yep a pity Amore had to ruin that little stunt." Celestia does recall that holy presence before her human companion got tossed out the window, Clang, "Awh" she cuts through another soldier "How many of these guys are there?" she asks to no one in particular "Meh, probably started with about 120 or so, should be down to give or take half that number," When asked how she knows this "I got a few agents in the Knights of Ra, Celestia so I know at least a little about them." she rattles off about there worship, a few locations, and more importantly there numbers. "That many? Are there really that many that hate my sister?" Celestia sighs a little "Well her absence for a millennium and Nyx's antics didn't help that, still its less hate and more like preference, most of them even respect Luna, its the diehards we need to worry about, out of the couple thousand a minority of about 300 or so are the ones you want dead." Antumbra flies down to them and says "Your majesty the enemy are if full retreat and...." she stops looking at Nightmare Moon "And?" she asks. Antumbra puts her lips next to Moons ear "If you bring ANY harm that little filly her mother and mentor will be the least of your problems." she whispers threateningly then turns to Celestia "I suppose I should leave before anyone starts asking questions?" Celestia nods thanking the Queen for her assistance and They continue in silence picking off a few stragglers with stun spells.

      Things start to quiet down about an hour later, "Well looks like they lost, or retreated I don't care really." Moon says as the Horn and Wing tavern comes into view, as they approach the door, Celestia holds her hoof in front of Moon then knocks, "Come in we got plenty of room." Frosty Mugs, says from behind the bar. The pair of alicorns walk slowly across the room, revealing it to be turned into a make shift field hospital and shelter for those wanting nothing to do with the now dispelled chaos outside, "Well this is something straight out of a movie, or book" Moon says taking in the wounded, "Is it over yet? And how can I serve your Majesties" Frosty Says grabbing a pair of glasses, Celestia informs him of the quite outside and orders, "Tall, strong, and comforting, we have much to discuss," Celestia says plopping some bits on the bar. Frosty pours them some crimson whiskey and goes around to check on everyone.

     "So you first Tia?" Moon starts the conversation taking a drink.

     "Where do I start, What are you really?"

     "What do you think I am?" moon blinks curious about her answer, "I think your a demon that possessed my sister, no thanks to Sombra and my own actions," no surprise there.

    "I prefer Sprit if you don't mind, I haven't done anything bad now have I?" Celestia nods point taken.

    "Is there anything I should know about you?"

     Moon pauses putting her drink down "There's some things I need to tell you, like that I lied to you a few days back, about Nightmare Moon. but I'll get to that."

     "Right, well, besides that?"

     "Only that I will end anyone you included that harms Nyx, I need her....just like she needs me...." Moon drops her head frowning, her hair covering her face. "What is that supposed to mean?" Celestia asks, "You'd kill me if you knew."

     Celestia grins taking a drink "Try me, I've learned to trust you." Moon look her in eye, then goes back to her drink, tears forming in her eyes "Celestia let me ask you something, do....do you know or fear death?"

      Celestia blinks surprised "Immortality shows you how precious and short life truly is, as for fearing death? You nearly put me in the ground twice now, so yes I do, though less then my subjects behind me sadly." the two continuous to drink, pouring form the bottle, "Well, let me tell you my future, at best, Nyx will take me in, thus the end of the Nightmare forever, at worst, well you know what happens."

    Celestia frowns "The future is not set in stone my fellow goddess, But what makes you say such things?"

     "Celestia, I...Nightmare Moon, IS me....or she was, Look it complicated but basically, the Nightmare that died by in Emblem, she wants to be whole again, I'm safe given I'm dead but she will come for Nyx. I can keep her at bay but not forever, that's why I'm teaching Nyx what I am. one way or another we are going to face each other, and I pray I loss." Celestia gets serious "I see...and I take it you want me to keep quite about it?" Moon nods "That's not the only thing I have to tell, but I'm keeping that to myself. Tell your sister if you must, but that's it got it? Oh and Celestia,"

     "Yes?"

     "Don't worry about Twilight, its not her time, and that is a long time coming ha, ha."Celestia nods "To Twilight?" she raises her glass, "To Nyx," they clang there drinks and proceed to finish the bottle.

     Location unknown

     "Wake up, wake up my little pony....Twilight!" Twilight bolts upright "I'm up!" she turns to see a glowing white alicorn with red hair, "Your not Celestia...Who are you....and where am I?" she stagers taking a look around. "The afterlife, my home to be precise." The alicorn says, "Am I...."

     "No, just drifting out of consciousness, Your daughter is very good at what she is doing to you." Twilight looks down to see her black body, "You got a mirror?" she is presented with one, "Nyx?....Baby are you....ok?"

     "She can't hear you Mrs. sparkle, she's sleeping." Twilight turns to the left to see a transparent Nyx sleeping next to her, "You feeling better?" Twilight nods then turns back to the Alicorn "And you are?" the alicorn sits down in front of nearby desk a typewriter a top it "Lauren Faust, to you a goddess, I do hear your prayers after all." Twilight starts to bow "Don't I hate when ponies and people alike find themselves inferior to me, true as that may be, I consider everyone equal, we are in death after all." Twilight gets up and notices her wings "When did I get these?" she flaps them a few times to find that they work, "A result of Nyx's 'bounding' with you so deeply, they will disappear when she releases you."

     Twilight now gets a better view of the room they are in, white but not overwhelmingly bright walls surround them, the desk is across from a chest on the other side of the room, the bed she awoke on was behind her. "So why are we having this conversation?" Twilight asks watching Faust work, "You have been having trouble with Nightmare Moon have you not?" Twilight looks at her "Well yaeh she NIGHTMARE MOON of course I have problems with her!", Faust sighs "Don't forsake her Twilight she had done more then you know, she is troubled by something that no medicine can cure, as you may have guessed Celestia and Luna are some of my blessed children, alicorns are rare for a reason, you must prove yourself, Celestia and Luna persevered with their mastery of Sun and Moon and defeated discord, Cadance her love. Nightmare Moon is what you would call a 'Bastard' child of mine, still if your present situation is anything, she was meant to be something more." When Twilight asks what Nightmare Moon was for, the answer is not was she expected "Well as her name would imply she has to do with dreams, Luna filled that roll but Nightmare Moon was the original, she was....corrupted by what I don't know." Faust sighs continuing to type, "How can you not know?" Twilight now worriedly asks, "I am not all knowing Twilight, there are things even I can not foresee."

     Nyx suddenly rouses herself smacking her lips a few times "What... where are we?" Twilight turns "Welcome to the afterlife apparently, don't worry we're not dead." Nyx gives a "I knew that" look then turns to Faust "Tell me....Am I....you know," Nyx lowers her head sadly "Nyx look at me, beauty is only skin deep you are the Daughter of the element of magic, just as she will surpass her mentor you will surpass her" When Nyx bring up the point about being adopted "Have you not looked at your hair my dear, that is enough of Twilights blood can influence you appearance, well what does that make her?" Nyx looks at her mother, "I...never really thought about that." is Twilight's response. "So what was it you where saying about Moon?" Nyx asks, Faust sighs "I can not say, she wishes to keep it hidden so only she will tell you. You will learn in time child, for now all I can say is beware the true Nightmare." Nyx nods respecting Nightmare Moons privacy, "Well its been fun but I think you should go, Captain Werner is getting worried about you." the world goes white and they find themselves back in the library.

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     Twilight gets up and looks down, Nyx still attached to her, "Honey don't you think you can come off now?"

  "Not yet still healing your bullet wounds." Twilight walks into the kitchen to make some late dinner grabbing some ice-cream, "Say where did Nexus and the Changelings and Proper Educate go?"

     "Nexus and Educate are upstairs asleep by the feels, probably for the best, The Changelings I suspect probably went back into the fight" with that out of the way she returns to library common room. Back in the common room, she finds her friends had just walked into the library from the sudden rainstorm, "Rainbow did we really need this weather? The night has been depressing enough as is." Rarity complains drying herself, "You want to wake up tomorrow to find the town coated in blood among other things?" the blue Pegasus returns. Applejack with a bag full of medical supplies plops down by the fire, Fluttershy taking note of Twilight "OH, twilight are you ok, we heard you were attacked," Nyx takes this moment to speak "How's the good Captain?" the pegasus motions with her head to a sleeping human with cuts and a few patched holes in his coat and a half empty bottle of medical whiskey in one hand. "Thank god he's ok... Oh, sorry Twilight" Nyx fades and Twilight continues where she left off "I'm ok Fluttershy, as you can see Nyx saved my life." Twilight motions with her hoof, everypony stares long and hard at Twilights black coat and wings, "Nyx...did that to you?" Fluttershy asks, "Awesome!" Rainbow says getting bad looks from everyone, she lands on the floor shamed. "Well, I at least your dressed for funeral!" Pinkie says popping in, Nyx hits her with weak bolt to show how funny that was, "Owww, what black is a traditional funeral attire." the five ponies start asking questions and Twilight quiets them, one at a time she answers slowly. At the end of this flurry of questions AJ does a quick summary "So, let me get this straight, Nyx is covering you from the neck down healing your wounds and is....in your blood? creepy if you ask me, and she is able to talk though you? fair enough." Nyx makes a quick comment on how the blood thing was just to heal the wounds quicker.

      "Hay Nyx, now's a good a time as any to try out my blessing powers," Twilight states realizing everypony is here, "Careful Mom last thing we need is elemental zombies" Nyx warns but allows, "Girls would you mind if I....Tried something on you?"

     "What is it suger?" AJ asks, "Well, just a blessing spell, nothing to worry about, I need to try it some time right?" AJ raises an eyebrow "You have no idea what your doing do you?" a nope is her answer, "What's the worst that could happen? I mean its only....Wait this isn't like last time is it?" Rainbow says eyeing Twilight, "It's...not the same, you might even get some use from it." one huddle discussion later,

    "The worst that could happen?" AJ says suspiciously.

     "You all become mind slaved zombies...hehehe"

   "Could be worse, we could BE zombies." Rainbow steps forward, Twilight blows some smoke in her face and she eyes dilate a moment, "ugh...Twilight what you do...to..." she bows, "My queen."

     "Hold on I got this" Nyx does a goes to do a few tweaks only to get hit by something "Ow what?" she then remembers the Elements of Harmony protect there bearers, "Oh, right, be gentle with it." she slowly worms her way to the blessing "Ok what's the problem this time...ok Twilight drain it a little," Twilight does that and Rainbows eye flicker a few times, she then looks at Twilight angrily "Don't ever do this again if you can help it." she walks over to a corner to fume. Twilight then tries Applejack and Pinkie Pie, both stare a moment scrunching there eyes shut, "This is new, what about you AJ?"

    "Ugh...my head hurts, mind if I go take a nap?" Twilight offers her the couch as Nyx helps ease AJ's pain, Pinkie meanwhile starts poking Nyx about how cool the Mind net was. "Pinkie can you please stop, that hurts, at least your adapting well." Pinkie immediately hits the hay by passing out by J.J., Fluttershy is next and "How do you feel?" Fluttershy stares for only a moment then puts her hooves over her heart "Comforted and... warm." Twilight nods and Nyx says to her "I hope the Elements aren't messing with them, then again yours didn't put up a fight at all...odd now that I think about it." Twilight says it was simply a matter of trust between them and heads off to bed, "Wait, we should probably make sure Celesta and Moon got home safe."

    "Twilight I'm not going to ask about her drinking habits but she'll be fine, she has her worst enemy to protect her, who's gonna mess with that?"

    "That is the exact reason I'm worried." Twilight slips out of the dim lit room and goes off to find the two possibly drunken alicorns.

     Twilight did have reason to worry, said alicorns had just finished there 5th bottle of crimson whisky and a split bottle of spiced rum. "HaHha, he actually fell for that, what a idut, HIC, o dat was a good one, did I ever tell you about the look on Sombra's face when I iced him?"

    "No you didn't in fact you never came to my birthday party, why would you HIC, do that to a pour old mare like me."

     Yeah....Not good, still all things considered they where still sober, more or less, Moon pops some more bits on the bar, "So frosty tele me why are you so nice to us...I mean shuld ad we have gone home by now?"

     "Well you alicorns certainly know how to hold your liquor you are no exception miss Moon, still probably best if you called it a night don't you?" Moon asks for some ghost peppers and bits one, "YOW!!! HOT HOT, HOT!!!" takeing a few gulps of the bottle of black wine she bought, she taps Celestia on the shoulder, "Come sister, lets get you home." Celestia finishes her drink and takes a smaller bit of the pepper, "AWW, HOT!!" and takes a sip of some sweet milk frosty had handed them, "How much?" Moon asks the barkeep as Celestia wonders to the door her own sister having had a few victory drinks as well, "Let's see, yes carry the 2, 300 bits" "Ouch, curse my drinking mates, her, this should cover it." she puts a pair of silver earrings on the bar, "Those are worth 800 minimum, quite the beauties aren't they?" Frosty eyes the earrings closely, "Where did you get something like this, you can keep them there that much of a treasure." the earrings in question belonged to Luna's family and by extension Celestia's (They are sisters but there family's never did see eye to eye ya fallow me? Besides there parents of course) "Alright long as ya don't mind your bits black," she plops them down and he looks them over, "Fine by me they were minted in the same way after all." the 3 alicorns stumble into the street heading for the Library.

     The Tune of My Little Pony could be heard for blocks sang from the slightly tipsy barber shop trio that consisted of Luna, Celestia and Nightmare Moon, Twilight on the other hoof found it quite useful, finding the 3 with ease "Are you drunk? again?" Moon looks up "Lil bit" she tries to squint her hoof to visually show it, "Right, well come on there plenty of room back home," Twilight takes her mentor by over her shoulder and Moon takes Luna, "Moon have I ever told you how I missed you?" Luna says clearly drunker then the others,

    "No and personally I never thought you did."

    "Well, I did, I loved are little chats about everypony, why where they so dum eh? why did they have to sleep, surely someone had to be up in the night to keb watch over de stock no?" Moon just nods as Luna rattles on about mares of the night.

    "And why does everyone blame you? I was the one da HIC, blocked out the sun... I was the da Made you what you are...does that make me your mother?" Moon freezes in place a moment, "What? Oh hell No! Not in the traditional sense anyway, still you gave me physical form so...that's something right?" Luna nods, "Ya know I like you...you, your a good pony, anyone that says otherwise is ether Drunk or blind...I will...will...What were we talking about?" Everypony brakes out laughing "Luna sadly since your the drunk one that sentence is a contradiction," "I'm not drunk! Your eyes are funny, why are they slits anyway....they kind of look like..."

     "Say it and I will put you down for nap!" Moon snaps covering Luna's mouth,

     "I'd ask if I didn't already know...eww" Nyx comments from the safety of Twilights mind, Twilight herself giggling at Moon's expense, they deposit Luna and Celestia in the spare bedroom together, the two clinging to each other for warms "What I wouldn't give for picture of this, there sOOo cute together" Twilight scolds her Daughter for such a thought only to turn around and say "That's not very nice Nyx, besides, its better if you paint it." quite laughter ensues as the 2 head for bed.

     March 17th Sunday morning

     Having sobered up the Princesses decide to follow Twilight to church that morning, the small stone building having beautiful glass windows and a red carpet down the middle with about 14 or some benches on each side, "We wish... we hope... we dream... we pray. By the princesses' rule, light our way." a congregation of ponies chants as they walk in. "Oh, hello everypony, I hope you don't mind the mess, we had a lot of cleaning to do after last night." I said a black robe around my normal dressings, "Your a priest J.J?", "No but I like speaking, I got these years ago from some old guy that wanted to pass them to someone, I always was the spiritual type when needed." Nyx at this point lets Twilight go and forms on the floor, "Man you have no idea how good that feels at times," she says slight history form her long period of bounding, "You ok my little princess?" Moon, Celestia and Luna all take a seat next to each other, the Elements taking seats in front of them, Nyx Next to Twilight, "When this is over we need talk Mare," Nyx messages, "Fine, I have some things to confess anyway, hopefully Faust wont smite me." Nyx recalling the conversation from last night, droughts such a thing.

     Some ponies walk in some looking more hurt from the fight last night then others, many still wearing there trademark pins, one mare in particular takes a seat next to Nyx, "You ok miss, you seem in pain." the mare looks down at Nyx, "just a flesh wound, lost a knife fight ya know..urg, I'll be fine child of the Night," Nyx looks around a moment noticing the camaraderie of all the former enemies that just hours ago where cutting each others throats. She turns to the mare "Let me have a look, please?" she even puts on the pout face, the mare unbuttons her suday best and has Nyx inspect her chest "Here this should help, you like the rest over there should see a doctor." Nyx snaps a bone back in place causing the mare to flinch hard, but still she thanks Nyx and gets back to worship. Moon leans on Celestia whispering "Psst, what's with everyone treating last night like its another day at the office?" Even Celestia had no answer, "Perhaps they see it as pointless after the fact, think about it, all of Ponyville accepts Nyx for who she is, the rest of Equestira on the other hand, that's hit and miss." Filthy Rich walks up behind them "Repenting for your sins Mrs. Moon?" he asks, Moon returning the greeting with "Your money not buying you happiness?" he smiles at the comeback and sits. The service itself it not much different from a Christian service, (as in generic Christianity none specifically, so use your imagination.) probably because they where so similar apart from the ponies obviously, As a joke I put "Awful Beautiful Life" on the record player, Despite the inward groaning on a few faces, everyone gets up and sings to it, if only because of the irony of what most did last night.

    The service when by without a hitch, if only a few ponies questioning Nightmare Moons, unholy presence in there eyes, the only response they get out of her is "If your goddess wants me dead let her kill me in do time, or I would be dead already." everypony fills out of the church and the royals fly off to Canterlot, "So, you wanted to talk Nyx?" Moon says slightly curious "Yes, but here, publicly I mean...I know there's something going on with you, I want to know ok. I want to help you." With Twilight in tow they head out of Ponyville and into the surrounding hills, finding a Willow tree they cut inside, "This should do. So Talk, what is it your hiding from me, us?" Moon frowns "She told you didn't she?" a nod confirms a yes, Moon sighs "If I tell you it will only get worse, please try to understand, I want to tell you...but if I do, Well you probably can guess what happens." Nyx presses forward "I know but can at least tell me why then? surely there is a reason for it?" Moon stays silent, Twilight tries a different approach "Nightmare Moon, listen I...know what your doing, but please why...why is 'she' after Nyx?" Moons eyes widen in horror, "You know...dame...Its nothing you can solve Twilight, I should know, you've tried." she points to the watch Nyx has in her vest pocket, Twilight having some knowledge of time spells, nods "So, what do we need to do?"

    "You can't be serious?"

    "I am quite serious, now what can we do?"

    Nightmare Moon thinks a moment "What can you do? Well you can start by digging around for ritual spells, the one that brought us Nyx is the best bet but I suppose any will do, of that nature of course, or a fusion spell now that think about it." Twilight armed with this new information, heads home to do some research, Nyx meanwhile stays and continues to ask questions, "So Who are you, truthfully who?"

    "You I suppose, the only difference your a child, and I...am a ghost of an old mare."

     "Not true, your just as alive as me, sort of...for the moment anyway, if I can be saved, so can you, and I will be DAMED if I don't keep that promise."

     Moon looks at Nyx a sad expression on her face "Even if you have to die? If so you are truly my equal, Queen of the night."

      Nyx recites her dying words "As long as there is breath in my lung, I will continue to protect ponies. That includes the likes of you Nightmare Moon." Tears, tears are all that Nyx hears as Moon drops to ground and cries, "sniff" "sniff" "Blessed thee child, perhaps...perhaps their is hope after all, I wont get my hopes up but... 'sniff' its comforting." Moon gets back up wiping the tears off her face "How about we go to the Everfree castle, there is a lot of history we need to catch up on."

     Everfree forest Antumbra's hive outpost

     Antumbra walks the halls of her subterranean, Hive, quite the nice place over all, the walls had some indication of where to go, plenty of space to expand, and the best part, no pony would ever find it since none ever venture into the Everfree, less there looking for trouble. "My Queen the Nightmare has been spotted with the child," a scout reports from the shadowy bushes of the Everfree, "Keep watch I want her every move known" Antumbra orders, her children always did as they were told, but weren't unknown to do as they saw fit, a habit of being more free then most changelings. She descends a few levels to where she held her prisoners and sighs "Can't call myself much different when I employ the same methods as my enemies...a necessary evil for us really." she starts to wish she had the crystal heart or something like it, "!" wait, Didn't Amore give me one...the Emerald heart, yes...THATS IT! she calls on her historians "Scribes, record keepers look through are records for the Emerald heart, or some reference to a heart" "Yes your highness" Antumbra smiles at a trapped Chrysalis through a crystal ball, said Changeling having been defeated not once but twice by Twilight sparkle "And who said who would be the death of are race hmm? still I need to free her, assuming she doesn't free herself, maybe diplomacy and blunt diplomacy at that would do...hmm I'll have to think on that. Ugh...right lay eggs first, Then I should head back to my favorite couple, hope Candace hasn't lost it seeing my converts as they truly are," she buzzes off to the nursery to do just that, happy laying 30 new children to add to her swarm, then heads catches the next train to the Crystal Empire.

     Golden Oaks library

   Dear Spell Nexus

     I know this is probably a bad time but I...need your expertise in some research, since you are well aware of Nightmare Moon's presence I will assume you are aware of her troubles and desires, well I wish to aid her. I know crazy right, Me helping Nightmare moon, I feel nuts just saying it, still any information you can provide on advanced use of magic in rituals, summoning's and well whatever you used to give life to Nyx, I welcome it. I don't trust her don't get me wrong, but don't want her to suffer, worse yet whatever has come to her my harm Nyx. that is what I am chiefly concerned with and why I wish to aid her, we're making a deal with the devil here, but maybe like Nyx a angel under all that black.

                                 Sincerely your acquaintance Twilight Sparkle

     "That should be all spike send it." Twilight wraps up and Spike her trusty purple drake sands it off to Canterlot, She then returns to her studies as pile after pile of books both about Nightmare Moon, Luna and what advanced magic she had on hand. "aright lets see, summoning, summoning rituals....this looks good, now fusion ritual and.....hmm this might work," No sooner had she found something, theirs a knock at the door, Knock-Knock "Ugh....who could that be?" opening the door Spell Nexus walks in, notes and books aplenty, "You rang Mrs. Sparkle?" he says with a smile, "Oh, right I think I found something that would work," Twilight shows him the spell,

     "Your thinking to small Twilight, we are talking about bringing someone back from the dead, its harder then it looks not to mention quite the investment."

   Ignoring that last bit Twilight just says "You going to help or not?"

    Spell Nexus gives her a strange look "Aren't you forgetting something Twilight, the spirit lurking over her?"

   "How do you know?"

    "Who says I did?....It shows Twilight, I saw it in her eyes last night, fear, power, it was there, there is something else I feel I need to tell you,"

"What?"

     "If Nyx and her ever 'Bound' as you put it, I fear one of them will disappear. they are parts of the same puzzle after all." When Twilight asks what that means Nexus explains that Nyx while is living, she is not a complete being, not that she needed the part that's missing but its there, "So your saying my Daughter is not truly my daughter?",

     "What I'm saying Mrs. Sparkle is that because Nyx didn't take in the 'thing' that was controlling me, we find ourselves in this situation, I asked Miss Moon about it once."

     "Right lets get to work, there's plenty of provisions in the kitchen if you need them." with that they both literally and metaphorically hit the books.

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     Meanwhile back in the Everfree

     "Moon I think we're being watched," Nyx says taking in the surroundings, "It's just the changelings and wildlife, nothing to fear." Moon reassures her, eying her peripheral vision, "How do you know? This place is feared for a reason." Moon looks down at Nyx "Have you forgotten the fact that you brought the wrath of us down on them, they KNOW us, the changelings meanwhile are simply keeping watch for there hive, I think there's one here somewhere or they wouldn't be here." Nyx nods processing the logic, "Ya know this place isn't so bad, dare I say it has a beauty all its own." the strange shadows and lighting certainly made for a lovely portrait, "Discord is the reason this place is like this, I know his power all too well, still if the sisters thought they undid everything he did, there wrong, still what happened here isn't coming out to play anytime soon." When Nyx asks if they should tell them, "Its too late to stop it now, all we can do is wait, besides there is something in this forest I want to show you, hop on." Moon drops to her knees and Nyx climbs her wing, the two then zoom though the forest Moon skillfully dodging a stray branch or two.

     The pair soon find themselves at a familiar rickety bridge that had seen better days, "Now where is..... ah ha there's the stairs." looking to left a stair case lead down into the canyon surrounding the castle, "what's down there?" Moon looks at Nyx with a smile "Something special I need to get something from, but it wont recognize me you see." Moon flies down into the canyon and slowly walks into a cave, soon they come across a glowing light, and in turn a crystal tree, "Wow, what is this place?" Nyx says in aw, "The birthplace of the Elements that your mother and friends now bear." Suddenly crystals pop out of the ground, "You still won't accept me will you Harmony? I understand. Nyx see if you can get closer."

     Nyx flutter down from her back, and slowly approaches the tree, "child.....of the night" "Did you hear that?" Nyx asks searching for the source "It can't speak like you can Nyx, just open your ears, and listen." Nyx slowly approaches the tree and drops to her knees her head in her hooves, "Odd, child what are you?" Nyx realizes the wind around her is speaking to her "Nyx, Nyx Nightmare Sparkle, daughter of Twilight Sparkle, bearer of the element of Magic, Student of Princess Celestia, Sister to...." "We know this child, and you are?" "Nyx, Nightmare Moons reincarnation....does that make me like her?" Nyx asks tilting her head toward Moon, "Hmm No you look like her...but you do not feel like her....yes, and we see you have proven yourself to be as well, perhaps....." the wind dies a moment and Nyx inspects the tree closely, she Notices 6 holes in the crystal bark, Hay wait the elements could fit in those holes, and are those the princesses cute marks? she looks at the star in the center and sees a small branch grow above it, soon a shield forms and flouts down in front of Nyx, "for me?" the wind somehow gives a nod, the moment Nyx touches it she feels empowered "protection, my she serve you well child of the night." the shild turns into a crow that pops onto Nyx's head, "Sorry but I'm no princess" as if in response the crown turns into a neckless Moon having noticed this says "Personally the crown suits you better, but I suppose it will return to that form if you wish it." The two leave the cave and as Nyx looks up at Moon she notices something's different "Hay Moon, have your eyes always been blue?" Surprised Moon has Nyx show her in her pocket watch mirror, "That's new....Oh dear, I hope that doesn't mean what I think it does, let get moving." she refuses to say anything further and they head into the old crumbling ruins of the Royal pony sisters castle.

     As they move into the castle the two take in the sights, "To think we caused all this." Nyx says taking note of the various holes in the ceiling, "Not all of it Nyx, most of this was from the passing of time since Celestia went from here to Canterlot and never came back, strange don't you think that she left he elements here." The Throne room with a throne for each sister was had a hole in roof from where they flew away, the glass still destroyed, the red carpet none existent, "So this is where...I, we fell?", "Yep right at the top of those stairs, But that's not why I brought you here. For now I just want get to know you or rather you want to get to know me, That and I have something I need to confess, but its better if I showed you." Nyx knows she's in for another possible gruesome flashback, but agrees. The two make there way to library "Here we are, there is bound to be some knowledge in here we can use," Nyx takes note of the dust "Maybe we can clean this place up a little, dust it off maybe," Moon finds the idea a bit tedious but likes it, the two then sit down and dive into the library's contents of ancient books.

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     Canterlot Castle 1:00pm

     Spell Nexus Having teleported to Canterlot to seek some advice from Celestia, nervously made his way though the castle to parlor he knew where he could find the Royal sisters, or sister if Luna was still in bed. Bad memories of what happened about year ago, stuck to the front of his mind, even so he finds Celestia sipping some Tea, by the scent, something from Saddle Arabia he guessed, "Princess can we talk?" he asks bowing, "Spell Nexus you know how much I hate bowing, of course what's on your mind my little pony?" Celestia asks pouring a second cup and handing him a seat. he takes a deep breath, clearly depressed still Celestia offers him some encouragement "Is Moon still getting to you sire?" by teasing him, "WHAT! How do you.....nevermind not important, and yes she is, happy Sunbutt?"

"Feel better?" she returns, laughing off her nickname.

"A little, anyway I need your wisdom on something have a look at this," he shows her some notes and book he brought with him, "It talks about 'the original 3 magics' what are they?" Celestia for her part stare at the notes closely Well well, they survived after all "Nexus what I'm about to tell you very few know of, tell me does this ritual involve an alicorn?" a yes is his replay "Then tell me what are the magics of an alicorn?"

"The wings for flight and control of the weather, unicorn horn and magic is self-explanatory, and the strength and endurance of earth ponies along with possible magic with plants right?"

     "Plants? If you mean there gardening skills then no, what most ponies don't know is that earth ponies do have magic, just not in the traditional sense," When Nexus asks if she is referring to alchemy she shakes her head "A long time ago, Earth ponies possessed magic similar to Unicorn magic except it was more...natural based rather then arcane, for example they could grow plants almost simultaneously and they would blossom in seconds, but also they had there own arsenal of combat spells among others. Sadly the last bastion of this magic was lost in the crystal empire 1000 years ago, and even now that it has returned they don't seem to remember it." Nexus asks "So what am I or rather me and Twilight to do then?"

     "Twilights helping you? Excellent, Nexus give this to her, I want her to go to the empire and find any and all evidence to Earth pony magic. I happen to recall the tomb of the founders might hold the key to unlocking it, it wont be easy however, they are natural cautious of any but earth ponies or there own kind."

     "There own kind princess? Are they really so different?" Celestia frowns "They along with a few unicorn and pegasi sympathizers went to where the Crystal Empire now stands, to get away from the unicorns and pegasi that seemed to control them, not like before but you can imagine. The ponies discovered that they had Crystal magic as well as Earth magic, basically if its natural or in the earth they can manipulate it. The crystal heart is there crowning achievement and from what I heard they made more then one, one they gave to a changeling, how I wish I had met her, and the other was buried with the 3 founders in the tomb, to honor them of course. sadly I have no idea where that is." Nexus takes the letter and premises to deliver it,

    "But Princess, I've been told you ran into a changeling queen when you confronted Sombra? surely that was the changeling you speak of,"

He immediately regrets being specific when Celestia asks "Who said it was queen?"

   "Your sister, if you recall J.J asked her once." buying the excuse Celestia calms "Well do you know that she is....related to Luna?"

   Its Nexus's turn to look stunned, "Excuse me?"

     "I know my niece when I see her, she came during the royal wedding, disguised as  Luna's with Nightmares eyes, not many know how she looked back then, myself aside she is the only one I know that would."

     "So wait, your sister has a changeling for...." he looks around "A daughter?" Celestia nods, "I know she's alive If Captain Warner's little show at the award ceremony after the war was anything to go by, also Luna has been very perky lately, and when she...fell I recall something or rather someone scream 'Mother' before she was knocked out of sight."

     Nexus thanks her for the information but before he leaves he asks "If she just dropped in to say hi would you be surprised?"

     "More then I dare to admit, and if you bump into her, tell her I miss her just as much as her mother. Good luck Nexus and with luck I just might be able to stick it to some of those more elitist snobs I call nobles." Nexus laughs remembering why he didn't do politics, the two part an Luna comes out of the curtains "You knew?"

     "But of course Luna it didn't help that she kept close to me while you where away. Besides she left a note, before she left my castle staff years ago, having been satisfied that I would not end my life over you."  Luna smiles and looks to the forest she is still closer then you'd like Tia.

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     Meanwhile elsewhere in Canterlot

     Much to my surprise I got a letter from a Mr. Lord Phoenix wishing to speak with me, that morning I hoped on a train to Canterlot and met him at a rather fancy resterant, or rather I was supposed to. When I showed up he was not there so I sit down and the waiter asks "Anything for sir?", "Hmm, just some wine, white wine, someone asked me here, must be running late." after about ten minutes he shows himself, "Forgive me MR. Werner, traffic you know." he says casually, "Right, so you want to chat or get straight to business?" His expression shows his surprise that I could read him that quickly,

     "Why not both, you see we clearly hate each other but perhaps for the wrong reasons." I give him a skeptical look, "Politics or 'shady' business?" I say taking a sip of wine,

    "Again both, from my prospective anyway, Tell what do you think of me? Don't hold back now, King of the Night."

    I glare at him, "Funny, still its true, since I married Nyx. What do I think of you? You are the head of the Knights of Ra, that worship Celestia's Butt far more then any healthy stallion or mare should. Also you are...intriguing since we're talking right now,"

     He grins "like you don't? its hardly a secret you know, as for the second part where you expecting more?" taking a sip of wine.

     I blush "Guilty I admit, but who hasn't am I wrong? Surely you didn't call me here to just talk, then again since your drinking the same thing I am its not poisoned." He nods putting his hooves together "I recall you have a weird habit of riding to the middle of the battlefield and offering the enemy surrender, is this really so different?" Point taken I nod "So what do you want hmm? and if you don't mind being honest, did you order that attack in Ponyville?" he looks at me eyebrow raised, then takes a breath "I had nothing to do with anything in Ponyville, I ordered them to watch Nyx not kill or kidnapper her, I simply want to understand you Captain, just as you want to me."

      "So Ponyville was just you overzealous ponies becoming even more overzealous? sound about right?"  he nods "What do you want to know, I mean, we both back a princess, future princess in my case if she chooses, we both lead large groups of ponies and in my case other things. We both are in the upper class, anything else?" He looks to window "Do you believe what you do is for the best, the right thing to do?"

     "You do know both Luna and Celestia used to be war horses right? that's only expiation I have for what I saw Tia do to your predecessors, she is still fit to rule due to emotional trauma at the time." I look at him a soft eyed look on my face "There's nothing good about war Mr. Phoenix, We all have are differences, still perhaps we can come to an arrangement?" He actually looks shocked "Arrangement?" I explain that since he has a beef with Nightmare Moon, not Nyx that once Nightmare Moon is free we could help keep an eye on her, "Are you mad? she should just die don't you agree?",

     "Sir, she is different from before I know so, Look she had the familiar Nightmare barring down on her, by the gods she will not go quietly, how about we...work together against a common foe, after that we can go kill each other later, sound good?"

      Phoenix laughed out loud "oh, oh Mr. Werner you are a riot, I agree but, you do realize Nyx isn't on my agenda, I've seen her in person myself, As you say she is not the Mare in the Moon we new. That does not mean I don't keep my eyes on her." Right, "cough, cough" bullshit "That would explain the Blackcoat's killing you, I have no authority over them less they let me, so I have no dought there watching us at the moment." I glance out the window, yep there their in shadows, "Thing is....Look the back and forth between us, it's getting old Phoenix, what are you after? Are you afraid of my quote "gang" or do you have something else in mind?" He glances at my watch slowly ticking on the table, "Look at it this way, we both have are personal agendas right? You wish to protect Equestira, so do I, we simply go about it are own way, You believe in equilibrium, and I see both Nyx and this Nightmare as a threat. Its not that am Zealous as you put it, just highly concerned Celestia's age is catching up with her actions, if you will." I nod finding Celestia's actions since I met her questionable at times "I think we're done here, good luck and my the best man win?" he shakes my hand "God have mercy on our souls, Captain." The two of us pay the bill and part ways, satisfied we understand each other. He is a zealot who cant see the pony behind Nyx's appearance or Luna for that matter, and I am the black knight of Nightmares court, a funny set of circumstances to be sure, such is the way the chips fall. out of the corner of my eye, I notice Luna slip into the shadows, Guess she heard everything, poor girl, I decided to head back to Ponyville to help Twilight.

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     Back in Ponyville

     Nexus for once was grateful for teleportation, having popped back into Twilights library in same spot he left, "Mrs. Sparkle I'm back!" he announces to wall of paper, "Over here, what did she say?" Twilight says sorting the papers aside, "Geez I forgot how much you love this kind of work, the good news is that I got and answer, the bad news is its not straight forward," Nexus gives the explanation Celestia gave him, "Earth pony magic huh? That makes sense given the massive increase in magic in alicorns, so do we know anyone that can do that?"

     "Mrs. Sparkle, no pony far as I'm aware even knows about this, other then the Crystal ponies that is, but even they clearly have no memory of their past. A pity Sombra is no longer with us, he seemed to know a thing or two." Twilight not sharing his sympathy sighs "Well lets wrap this up and see if we can find any references to earth magic, or crystal" Nexus compacts the notes into packets twirling them around himself, setting them aside, they start by looking at books that spoke of the Crystal Empire and other history books. As they speed read and flip though books, Nexus find a odd book, "What's this?" he find a old looking book with The crystal Royal family crest on it, "Twilight have you seen this book?" Twilight looks if over, "No, and by the looks its in a foreign language, maybe Radiant knows it." Nexus familiar with the Changelings agrees, the book in question looked almost brand new, it had 2 crystal hearts with gold lace, similar to Candance's cutie mark, the name of it being A black wolf among sheep, a changelings life "By the way did anyone tell you that there former Crystal ponies?" Twilight looks at him "You serious?"

     "Yes, she talked about King Sombra to me like he was an old friend, so yes, she is at least, the others well there less forth coming with that information." Twilight nods remembering to ask about that later, "Lets keep looking maybe we can find some old books about the Empire in here." the two dive back into there study session, now on a more focused field of study. Next Chapter: The Nightmare's secrets Estimated time remaining: 29 Minutes