Friday March 15th Noon

      A few days pass and Silver and Nyx become secret friends in dreams at least, Nightmare Moon helped Nyx hone her dream walking and practice her powers, Twilight having volunteered 2 more times as Nyx's "victim" so she could learn more about her influence and help her host. I on the other hand had decided to teach Twilight how to fight with her sword, should her magic ever be restricted or none existent. Toward the end of our 3rd session together while her and I were cleaning up, a letter pops out of the air and floats to the top of the desk in the sparring hall, "A letter from who?" I say picking it up Spell Nexus, for Captain Werner, nervously I open and start the read it.

     Dear J.J.

     I need to have a word with you at once about "The Family" also it would appear the Princesses have gotten a hold of one of your plans, you might need to come to Canterlot to explain that one away. Ether way I'd like you to stop by if possible, I hear Nyx is doing well with Miss Moon, Twilight inquired about her from me. If you read this I look forward to seeing you soon

                                                                                                                                                                                  Sincerly Spell Nexus

     Well I wonder what could he want, and for god sakes I read these things. "Twilight I need to head off to Canterlot for a moment, how about you head home for today or go get Nyx."

     "Sure, but how are you going to get there so quickly?" i grin and point at the floor, "A teleport spell obviously, such conveniences of magic, before you ask this is engraved in every place the old cult has been, so I can go from here to the Crystal Empire or Canterlot and what not at any time if i wish," she naturally asks if the princess knew and I told her yes, "Only the former cultist can even use them Twilight, its wired into the blessing ya know, before you ask, there is residual magic from the blessing, hence everyone's memory being a bit fuzzy, still a small trace will inevitably stick with them that has no effect" I say slipping on my coat, hat and heading to the a circle in the middle of the floor.

     One Teleport and emerald flash later I find myself in Nexus's manor Ow...ok I really need to get used to that stretching a bit, i walk up the stairs to his study where he is waiting for me. I stick my fedora on the coat rake "So which of my plans did they find?"

"Operation Phoenix" a Voice says behind me.

     My hairs stand on end, I spin pushing at whoever was behind me, pulling my pistol and getting a shot off, only to hear it plink against something metal. As I finish turning I find Celesta standing there a gasp, "Oops" recovering i yell "JESUS CELESTIA! HOW MANY TIMES HAVE I TOLD YOU NOT TO SNEAK UP ON ME!" I stick my gun in its holster and straighten myself out "Sorry J.J. I thought he told you I'd be here." she says apologetically. "Operations Phoenix huh, well not much point in it now, less Canterlot mysteriously falls one of these days." Celestia asks what it was about "In short my way of taking down Nyx the hard way while keeping her alive, also did I ever apologize for trying to kill you when you where taking Nyx from Twilight,"

     "I thought we agreed never to bring that up, and what you did for Equestira was more then enough compensation."

     I nod, "So who gave you this bit of information?" "Lord Moloch the III, the current head of the Gentry Society,"

     "A millennium and only the third son?" I ask, she tells me the family abandoned the name after a unfortunate incident "Isn't that the same guy and people that...." Celestia Explodes in clearly suppressed rage "YES THE SAME ONE THAT CONDEMED MY SISTER TO THE NIGHTMARE!, ," Ears ringing I say "Ow my ears...How are they still around, didn't you uproot them or something," Celestia is slow to respond "I... Slaughtered them, the only ones left where the children and there mothers, who I gave a very strict warning to." I stare into her face "You did what... I find that hard to believe, Mind if I see it for myself" she nods slowly and warns me it's not her brightest moment, I pull out my Pocket Watch which did more then just tell time but show it as well, I set the date clicked the button and the world shifted.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

     1000 years ago

     I find myself on one of the castle balconies, below me is Celestia and gathering of ponies, "So far so good" as my hearing returns I start to pick up on what Celestia is saying, "...Today my little ponies I called you here to give you a 'gift' for you troubles," yeah even I wouldn't buy that but then again I don't worship that women like a god. The apparent head of the Knights steps forward, "Your majesty I'm sure lord Moloch would love to be here, I Firestar come in his place," Celesta smiles "Would your children and there mothers please come on this stage," The various foals and there accompanying mares slowly make there way though the crowd, as they move I take note of Celestia's body language "dame she is pissed" I check my watch "No wonder this is only a couple days after her sister was banished....Oh shit Tia NO!" I come to realize what she's about to do and grip the railing and start futilely praying I'm wrong.

     Once all the mares and children are on stage Celestia asks "Now I know of your...worship of me, if any of you had nothing to do with those ponyies please leave, I wouldn't want those not worth to receive this 'just' reward," how in there executioners name did that not get that hint, even the guard start to hide themselves sensing there princesses displeasure. At this point I notice the night guard had taken residence on the roof and wherever they could get a view. I decided to ask one of them whats going on so I pop myself into existence and tap one of them, he looks at me a moment "I'm not from here, what going on if may ask?" the guard looks me over then I show him a ring Luna gave me as present once, satisfied he says "These traitors execution, there so gullible aren't they?" I nod and hop back down to the balcony and disappear from there prospective.

     After five minutes  When Firestar stepped up to Celestia and whispers "Give them there prize, Goddess of war" he then flees to the far corner of the courtyard, Celestia summons a flaming highlander sword and closes her eye moment, her mane goes taught then bursts into flames and her eye are crimson red Hello Solar Flare I mutter to myself nodding in approve, the crowd starts to back up only to find the gates locked and bared, Celestia's voice starts out as a cold tone then rage, "You have forgotten that the 'goddess' you worship can just as easily forsake you, THIS IS YOUR REWARD FOR TEARING DAMING MY FAMILEY! SEE YOU IN TARTAROUS!" the young and women on stage are trapped in a shield of gold, the guy that stepped guy that stepped into Firestars place gets his head removed flying off to the left from the swing, The Flaming Goddess then slowly makes her way though the crowd cursing them, those that fight back easy surcome to the heat if not her blade, or there skulls being crushed under her hoof, Jesus Christ this is...I don't even know what to think here uphauled I take swig of my flask and duck down behind the railing listing to the sounds of cold blooded murder. After about 20 minutes pass I look over and dame near vomit at what I see, I've seen people chewed by dragons, sucked dry by vampires and even cleaved in twine among other things, but good lord the courtyard was crimson everywhere you looked, the walls, the grass, even Celestia was covered in blood her legs up to her knees seemingly. The ground had puddles in places and the foals had there mothers shakingly shielding them as Celestia slowly makes her way over to the pristine stage. "Consider this a warning for your children, if you EVER cross my sister when she returns or myself again I will NOT hesitate to execute you as well UNDERSTAND!" she delivers before her form returns to normal, the blood still flowing off her highlander. The mares nod and I hear a child say though tears "You...(sniff) YOUR A MONSTER!" Celestia sighs "Yes child, that I am... please in the future find it in your heart to forgive me. My sister was precious to me and I would give anything to have her back, my own life included" I look over to find Firestar weeping, I guessed he had a lot of friends among them, the world shifts again as I return to the present.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

     Present, Nexus Manor Canterlot

     I drop to my knees in shock, my watch tumbling to floor, I give Celestia that 1000 yard stare "You....You... AND THEY THINK NIGHTMARE MOON WAS SCAREY, WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU CELESTIA!!!!" I screech, slowly trying to gain any sense of reason. Celestia hangs her head in shame "Are you going to kill me? Am I not what you expected now my Prince?" Oh right I forgot she made me a prince after the invasion of the Changeling homeland, "It's...Not out of the question Celestia, fortunately you'd get off with temporary insanity by loss of a loved one." I say rising to my feet, "What did you see?" Nexus asks, I look at him and he immediately shuts up "That bad? Well Just so you know that is all she needed to know, less of course you wish to inform her of your...side projects," I take a drink of my flask again "You can go Tia, you do trust me don't you?",

     "You are an ambassador of your own people and what you have done in service to the crown has some nobles green with envy, I may question you Mr. Werner but I do trust you to have the best of intentions." she teleport out as causing me to become far more comfortable.

     "Nexus how's the Night Colt coming along, Are the cashes still intact? Have they been cleansed of the Blessing?" Nexus for his part stares at the fireplace " All the cashes of arms are accounted for and those changeling friends of yours have made slow progress, Also I considered your offer and I accept, however for now I would just like to be 'a friend of the family' as you put it, the others have given there opinions and when it comes to Protecting Nyx from harm they agree, the other part however is what there divided on." Ah yes the Night Colt, quite possibly the worst or most questionable decision I've made in Equestira yet, at first it was just getting the gang back together to help keep Nyx safe, however the more I thought about it, I realized the need for a "Those that watch the watchers" organization, What the colt managed to get away with was the main reason I considered it, It took some time but the cultists eventually agreed, and last I checked the books we had give or take fifty, one hundred members consisting of the 3 race's of pony, humans and friendly changelings.

     "What are they divided on?" I ask, "A lot of them don't like the Royals not being in on it, even more so is the possibly of over throwing them at some point," "Nexus that last part will never happen ok, its just a 'what if' ya know. As for the Princesses not knowing, don't worry I plan on telling them at some point, I'm just a little...hesitant, that break in wouldn't help are case ya know" Technically the only bad thing we did was brake into a armory full of cult weapons, but that was on the notion that they would be stolen and I had asked Luna for the best course of action, she told me given what was to do as I saw fit. Nexus nods and turn to look at the portrait on the wall "For the Queen then Captain Werner?" I light the pipe I kept in my pocket and grin, "For Equestria." I turn and teleport back to Ponyville.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

     Ponyville Schoolhouse

     Lunch and recess had just started so every filly and colt poured out on to the playground, Nyx and the CMC took up there usual seats on the table. "So Nyx you feel like crusading later?"

     "Oh sure girls, I just need to go by the castle for a bit of studying,"

     "Studying? for what?" Sweetie Belle asks, Nyx tells her its some magic she's trying to learn. "Hay girl how about we try getting are cutie marks in Castle Cleaning?" Nyx has J.J.'s voice pop up in her head "NO ALL OF MY NO! sorry for easdroping but I was just seeing what you where up to," Nyx responses with a mental nod and speaks "Girls maybe you can help me with my studying, some of this stuff requires others to work," the three filly look at each other, "Sure, we'll help ya, so what kind of stuff you looking into?" Nyx pauses to find the right words "Well...I'm looking into some spells that change things and some mind magic, nothing serious of course just some medical stuff," Nyx half lies, Moon had her working on the blessing magic and some Detection spell for changelings, she also was looking into some spells to help her friends in there crusading, if only to keep them safe.

     Silver soon joins them "Um mind if I sit here?" Scootaloo eyes her suspiciously "Sure there's plenty of room."  Nyx says scooting over a little, "Thanks, so what are you all up to any luck with your crusading or the same old jig?", "Jig? Oh you mean gig ya same old story, we trying something and it goes straight to crap" Sweetie Belle says biting into her vegie nuggets, "Not gonna lie I thought about doing a running comedy on your success, not to be mean but you got to admit it's funny." The girl look at each other then whisper to each other a moment "Sure, we could use some humility, besides it would help get the Cutie Mark Crusaiders out there." Silver Spoon writes a quick note and looks at Nyx "So...um you said you wanted to talk about something?" Nyx puts down her lunch and says "Yes I was wondering of you would...like be apart of something bigger, assuming J.J. hasn't done it already?" Silver questions her further "I don't feel comfortable speaking in public about the details, I'm simple asking you and my friends here if you want to...help with some 'off-hand' work." When asked what that entailed Nyx simply wanted everyone to keep there eyes and ears open for anything suspicious, everyone nods and agrees to follow Nyx to the castle later.

     Friday 2pm

     The bell rings and Cheerilee says goodbye to everypony, Nyx and her entourage minus Silver for obvious reasons made there way to the castle. the same changelings greet them and too Nyx's surprise they weren't disguised "Say why do go around 'naked' I guess?" Hawkeye answers "Well, at a distance we look like guards and even then we don't need the guard arresting us, not that they no we're here." Silver soon joins them having taken a different rout, they make there way to the throne room. Nightmare Moon is patiently waiting for them, "Well hello everypony, I didn't expect a small audience," Silver freezes in place, "N-N-N Nightmare Moon ugh...." she faints, Nyx politely deposits her on couch in to the side, "So what's on todays agenda Moon?" summoning a list said mare goes down it "Hmm did that, no not that we did that yesterday, No defiantly not, AH here we are temporary blessings, ranged blessings and transformation." the CMC try to dart out the door only to have it slam them in the face "Girls calm down ok," Moon says turning on her angelic voice "Do you really think Nyx would do something harmful to you at this point?" they shake there heads "I didn't think so, now here have some candy for your troubles" bags of candy drop from the ceiling full of chocolate, peanut butter cups and some lollipops among others. the lesson starts as the girls line up and Nyx takes a moment to wake Silver and give some explanation for Nightmare's presence, "So wait she came to you in a dream and now she's manifesting herself? You really are crazy you know that," Nyx response with a "Tell me about it" look and Moon starts to speak "Ok Nyx start by forming a blessing like normal but keep it in your mouth this time," Nyx does as she's told, "Ok now spit it at them," Nyx lets out 3 wads of spit, looking like black goo which hits the CMC in the chest "um is that stuff...moving?" Sweetie asks nervously, no sooner said then done they blessing move to the back of there heads and disappears, the CMC stand ridged eye green "Yes your highness?" they say in unison, "Ok that's just creepy, call me Nyx ok," "Yes Nyx" still creepy "Ok good Nyx now remove it you do remember how right?",

"Its not gonna hurt me is it?"

"Nyx its your own magic why would it?" point taken Nyx tosses a taf of her ethereal mane at them causing them to become normal "huh what happen?" Apple Bloom says groggy, "Just blessed give it a moment," 2 seconds later they remember what they said "WOH, trippy right?" Scootaloo says before hitting the floor. about 5 minutes later everyone decides to take a brake and grabs lunch, "So Nyx what was that 'part of something bigger you where talking about' earlier?" "Well I was thinking about the group J.J. has keeping an eye on things, I want to help him, how about you all join our...oh forget it cult, gang, whatever works for you." The four talk about it among themselves, eventually Silver is the first to speak "So what's the catch? And any reason we should? Not that I don't trust you its just...well do I need to say it." Nyx nods knowing what she means "Well you can see in the dark for one, and well you can talk to each other with some practice form anywhere, that has many uses I'd rather not mention. The catch is small, your eyes will turn green like before and well, you may or may not call me queen or something of that nature at first, I haven't perfected it yet, other wise just report to J.J. or leave your report on his desk in his office." she explains that I had a little spy ring going on meant to uncover Changelings and other such threats to Equestira.

     The CMC willingly agree treating it as a joke Nyx asks my opinion on the matter "Well, I am so going to regret this but do it, it will at least keep them out of trouble" the connection ends and Nyx gives recites some script she clearly memorized and the CMC agree to it, it was just about not abusing there power, don't betray the cult and to take responsibly for there actions, ya know normal stuff. Nyx builds up a blessing for the three and lets it go, the wisps of magic floats to their mouths and soon they get that familiar feeling, "Ugh, Nyx you really need to make that not suck at the start" Scootaloo cringes then the 3 of them go back to being drilled zombies, "Um Moon are they supposed to do that?"

     "Oh, opps you might want to take the power down a bit that should fix it." Rolling her eyes Nyx drains them a bit and turns the energy into little dust piles, "It goes without saying but the young need less of a kick in there heads" Moon says apologizing to Nyx for not mentioning that earlier, "Um Silver you don't mind if we borrow you for a bit do you," she walks nervously forward and Nyx says "This blessing will only be tempory since I know you want to think on it, it should were off in say an hour or so," Nyx conjures up a Smaller wisp that was a slight tint of white "Here your eyes won't change with this," silver takes it pops it in her mouth like a piece of candy and after a minute or so bows "Thank you my quee....Nyx sorry you do really need to work on that." Nyx nods and asks if some of the other CMC would like to help, The founders say said they'd ask but no promises were made.

     At around 3pm Nightmare has Nyx get ready for something special "Ok Nyx this one is something I suggest you KEEP under wraps or your mother will flambé my hide!" Nyx nods and asks her to continue "Well I'll tell you a secret, you can...restore you magic maturity back to what you where Nyx, it's rather simple really just channel your magic and focus on something, be it rage, love ect. give it a whirl," Nyx plants he feet to the floor, closes her eyes, and lets her magic flow, like before her mane turns ethereal, unlike before just like in her flashback black wisps form around her and she eventually gets surrounded by a black ball of magic. a moment later a grate flash and boom is heard as the balls brakes apart.

     Twilight and myself end up asking "WHAT THE HELL DID YOU JUST DO?!!!" Mare responds "Calm down and Just some magic build up no need to panic." Not buying it, I pop in a few seconds later and STARE gob smacked at Nyx, grown to full height her mane flowing over her shoulder, her horn gone from a point to a sharp spear tip, and her majestic wings in full bloom, "Holy, Sweet, Goddesses, Your gorgeous my Queen." I bow slightly a habit I formed as gentleman. Nyx opens her eyes "What is it with you and chasing alicorn?" only to find her mature voice reaching her ears, "Wow I did it! I really did it!" she does a few flips in the air, "Yes good job, now I subject you Undo IT before your mother Kills us both," I say peering out the door.

     Nyx Terrified by the idea of her mother seeing her in her present state looks at Mare for an answer "Really? just meditate a bit, you will eventually be able to do it at will and without the fancy effects minus the magic signature," Luna suddenly pops into my head and I'm pulled into a mental space for the conversation "Should I dare ask what that was?"

     "Just magic experimentation no need to panic" sweating bullets hoping she'd buy that, "Really, you have said that a lot, now what happened?" "shit not good" I say to myself, "Do you not recall some of those spells that have to do with magic capacity or the like?" she nods "That happened, I was curious what that spell would do and well somepony bothered to test it, we're good I will give you anything don't tell Twilight, its that bad," taking the hint Luna nods and goes tells her sister to nothing is amiss.

     Returning to real world Twilight darts around the corner, I glance over my shoulder to find Nyx having split herself into 10 clones "Are you sure that's enough for...that big of a bang?" She nods pointing to the ceiling "Oh that will do" there where 100 or so Nyx bats hanging from said ceiling. Twilight bolts in the door and Looks around "What Happened? Ok which one of you is the real Nyx?" she said flustered from the amount of daughters in the room, Nyx detaches herself from the ceiling and floats down "Um hi mom, sorry about the mess new trick didn't go quite as planed well, hehehe" Twilight Eyed her daughter then takes note of the chitterling bats above "Well I am impressed my dear, your magic is coming along nicely," Moon joins in "Twilight it was just a burst of magic from the spell I asked her to try, it will take some time and few more of those to get rid of it." the various Nyx's plot down and slowly start to phase into Nyx her mane growing as a result, eventually her mane was full grown but other wise Twilight was clueless "Magic capacity spell?" she asks "Yes, it would help with some of the more enduring tricks," after questioning, more like interrogating Mare on her honesty Twilight goes to grab some books from the library, Nyx for her part goes back to how she looked before "I really need to get this down, thanks guys" she says out of breath, I slump against the wall and say "Warn us next time you do that ok, do you even know how that feels though the Mind Net?" she shrugs "Ugh nevermind, while we are on the subject, remember that watch I gave you as a late birthday gift? well if you haven't tried it yet what may seem like hours is only a few seconds, also the Mind conversations work in the same way less your busy, in which case a 'ghost' follows you. in witch case it happens in real time obviously." Nyx eventually undoes her transformation and nearly faints "Uuugh...I don't feel so good," Moon grabs Nyx and holds her "Easy kid just breath. Girls go home where done for today," Moon summons Radiant Hope and takes Nyx to the medical wing The 4 fillies in toe. Unnoticed by even the eagle eyed guards, a pony with a spy glass had seen everything and had been for the past couple days.

     In the Medical wing Nyx is put on a soft bed and Radiant has a look at her. "Please tell me I didn't just kill her doctor," Moon says with worry in her voice, Radiant looks up "What did you do earlier we all felt that spurt of energy?"

     "Magic maturity, its something unique to her given the circumstances of her 'birth' and all that," Twilight was unfortunately within earshot and she was pissed "You did WHAT! DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW DANGEROUS THAT IS!!" Moon turns to address her "You don't even know how it works! I would never do something to Nyx that would kill her, this was unexpected," she turns to the Radiant Hope again "She is magically drained and her body is in complete shook, she'll have to stay the night and possibly more, I subject you don't try that again any time soon." Twilight continue to fume at Nightmare Moon "How could you do something so stupid without telling me, I could have HELPED make sure this didn't happen,"

"Twilight, shut. up." Moon stares at her "You, I suspect where the reason, She didn't want you to see her like that and I dought you would have approved of half the things I've to teach her,"

" When Nyx gets better YOU had better crawl back into whatever hole you crawled out of or I will see to your exorcism"

"YOU HAVE NO RIGHT!"

"SHES MY DOUGHTER!", Twilight suddenly finds herself trapped in Moon's magic and is brought to her face "Don't argue with someone who can snap you like a twig Twilight Sparkle." the alicorn threatens. Twilight fearlessly says "Do it! Prove your the Mare In the Moon NIGHTMARE!" Moon simply throws her to the other side of room where she skids across the floor, "Tempting but no, Twilight to be honest all you need to know right know is there are things in this world and the next that want your daughter dead. I have no intention on letting that happen she is the child I will never be, if it means I must play the devil then, TO TARTURAS I WILL PLAY THE DEVIL DAMIT!" her Royal voice coming into play. Twilight less rage and more motherly concern says "Leave, just go back to wherever you came from for a while, girls go home and get some rest I want to examine you all in the morning ok?" Silver says that her's will wear off by then but agrees and the girls go home.

     Twilight pulls out a cot and sits by her child, "Mrs. Sparkle um, mind if I ask you something?" Radiant asks. Twilight sighs and listens "Do you know what has become of King Sombra?" Dead she replies, "Oh...I thought as much, poor boy he was such a nice child, if only he hadn't known his destiny," Twilight raises an eyebrow "What's your name Changeling?" "Radiant Hope, I know you've heard of me, Sombra's journal if I'm not mistaken." Twilight freaks a little how she knew about that and asks "How... How old are you Miss Hope?"

     "I stopped counting years ago but I believe I'm 1016 give or taken a few years.", Twilight demands an explanation immediately "Are Queens name is Antumbra. She is referred to as the Night Queen, because she is Luna's heir, well her creation at least and daughter."

"What...did you just say?" Twilight says speechless.

     "You heard me correctly, she even got to know who the prior ruler of the Crystal Empire was, even helped her," When Twilight asks Who that was, "Princess Amore, the present Ruler's Princess Cadance's... cousin or sister I believe, anyway our Queen was imprisoned by Sombra but was freed when the Sisters came for him, Luna sadly but probably for the best not recognizing her, before she was imprisoned she and her hive were smuggling slaves and the like out of the empire and helping any resistance to Sombra's power." She goes on to explain that Antumbra offered them a place in the hive so they could wait out the return of the empire, they all accepted without a second thought, "a couple hundred years ago she and us rebirthed ourselves, basically we get new bodies and the like, in her case she would transfer herself from body to body, even I don't know how she did it, I'm guessing she died and was reborn in that sense, she even went to school with your brother and his lover hehe,"

     "Really I'm sure he'd love to hear that, and you guys?"

     "We got similar treatment but we simply where supplied with a healthy supply of love so we lived longer, we did age of course and rebirthed only once, in this case are bodies were made youthful though healing, she said she added some special resin to our healing pods, probably some healing herbs and strong love , like Cadance's for example," "how long ago was this 'rebirth'?" Twilight asks clearly concerned "Oh, sorry I hope I didn't give you the wrong impression, that was oh maybe 300 year ago. We where doing are part to repay her kindness and we all eventually over did it, we can make are own love so we don't need to feed, but we worked so hard and gave so much are bodies just couldn't keep up." When Twilight inquires what that means taking notes Hope explains that her and her fellow Crystal converts where special in the sense they were changelings that were meant to be changed back, unlike normal converts they still had there emotions and everything so they didn't have to feed but did so to save there fellow Lings the trouble of finding food. they go on for hours about the subject, Twilight falls asleep in the coat, Radiant throws a blanket over Twilight, taking a small bit of love from her, apologizing for it and wishing her a good night. Next Chapter: Knights and The Night Cult Estimated time remaining: 1 Hour, 52 Minutes