Author's Notes:

I'm back at writing this story of mine! And with the return, I have something special for you...

Music I made by myself!

So, warning to real musicians who do the best: I am no professional, I don't even know how to read the notes, nor did I study anywhere to make what I made. So, if you get earbleeds, I'm really sorry.

Anyway, I would like to hear your opinion, dear readers. After all, I would like to know how my music is to others.

It was night in Canterlot. Most ponies were asleep, most lights were out. The night was darker than usual, the sky was blotted with dark clouds that obstructed the moon. The castle was quiet, only clop of guard patrols' hooves could be heard in the silence of the night.

However, the lunar alicorn was awake, waiting for someone in her room. And that someone was Arantir.

He moved through the castle to Luna's room. Guards glanced his way, but all of them were told that he is allowed entrance there. So, guards gave him no problems as he passed them, not even looking anywhere but forward. His mind was still partly focused on keeping the spell under which Andromalius and Harold were. It wasn't hard for Arantir to do so, though, as he has done that spell a few times before.

After a while, Arantir knocked at the door of Luna's office. After he was allowed entrance, he entered the room and closed the door behind him. The room was dark, only a few candles provided some light, and Arantir was able to see Luna's silhouette.

"Good evening, High Lord Arantir." the lunar alicorn greeted him.

"Good evening, princess Luna." Arantir made a polite bow. "So, it seems you've made up your mind about necromancy."

"Yes, I did." Luna nodded. "And I am ready to listen and learn. I have a bad feeling about the future, and I think it shall be better if I learn some new tricks by then."

"That is reasonable, for I know that you are completely right about the future." Arantir nodded. In much darker and quieter voice, he added: "There will be war, princess."

"War?" Luna asked warily. "Who against whom? What is the reason?"

"Asha has told me only this fact. Nothing more is known to me." the necromancer replied. "So, you want to learn. Good. Then, you need to show me a place where the dead still lie, buried without ritual. Battlefields, for example."

"I think I have one in mind. It is very ancient." Luna frowned. "Those were dark times... Times of murder and destruction. Unicorns, earth ponies, and pegasi fought against each other. It was the first and the last battle they fought in Equestria three thousand years ago..."

***

Arantir and Luna stood under the moonlight in what seemed to be just a large field. Standing on a huge rock, they saw the field completely. They could feel the pain and suffering coming from the ground and the air, as the green blades of grass were once drenched in blood of one kind that fought against itself in hatred. These dark emotions still lingered in the air, in the earth, and in the water, poisoning the once pure fields.

"This is a perfect place to begin." Arantir spoke. "There are many souls trapped here. They are still willing to serve, to kill or protect. They will eagerly serve you if you send a call."

"And... what must I do?" Luna asked warily. She was afraid of this place. Her ears were folded, her body was tense. She felt the darkness in the air, such darkness that her night does not create.

Arantir used levitation to take off something that was around his neck. That was the Amulet of Necromancy, a small wooden coffin with a symbol of a spider. He levitated it to Luna.

"This is the Amulet of Necromancy. Wear it, and your first time will be easier, and your power will grow faster." Arantir told Luna as she put on the amulet.

"I feel strange..." she said, touching the amulet. It reacted to her touch, starting to pulse barely noticeable. "Darker than usual."

"Because the amulet is charged with the Dark Energy, a kind of magic that allows you to raise the dead." Arantir explained. "Your will is strong, you will not be consumed by the amulet. Instead, it will help you reach higher and higher in the art of necromancy.

"So, allow me to demonstrate first."

Arantir stood on his hind legs, closing his eyes and unfurling his wings. Invisible gust of wind swirled around him, green mist seeped from his front hooves. He opened his eyes, which became fully toxic-green. From the ground in front of him, the earth began to treble. Soon, a hoof in rusty armor pierced the ground from underneath, scaring Luna, making her take a step back. Soon, a unicorn battle mage stood before the two. Judging by the bone structure, the unicorn was a stallion. He was dressed in rusty light steel armor and tattered cloak with a purple symbol of magic — six-pointed star. The eyes of the unicorn were glowing green, the smoke of same color seeped from his mouth like a drool of the insane.

"He who stands before me is a slave to my will from now on." Arantir spoke, standing back into normal position. "He is willing to serve, and no more does he see any difference between unicorns, pegasi, and earth ponies. His soul became just a desire to serve, to obey, to have him used. He has no mind any longer, no personality. All of that was destroyed a long time ago.

"So, princess Luna, shall you try or did you rethink your decision?"

"I shall try." Luna nodded, then closed her eyes. She stood on her hind legs, her wings unfurled, one of her forelegs straight, as if the hoof wanted to grasp the whole field. Luna reached out to the field, her magic worked with its. However, her horn didn't glow — her eyes did as she opened them. Then she felt it: hundreds of souls drenched in ancient blood, swirling around the field. She heard their calls, heard their pleas, heard their desire of servitude. Unicorns, pegasi, and earth ponies alike desired to be under her command, for they felt she was the one rightful ruler to lead them into battle once again.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkAcN3z9R8k&

So, they rose from their battle-graves. Clanking with their rusty armor, holding their weapons with their mouthes or in their remains of magic, they rose from the dark ground, and all were looking at Luna with endless devotion, endless desire for eternal servitude to her and only to her from then on.

Heavily armored earth ponies, fast and agile pegasi that somehow still had their wings, unicorn battle mages, all of them stood up to see their new mistress. And Luna watched them with shock in her eyes as they rose, their eyes glowing midnight-blue.

"This is astounding!" Arantir exclaimed, looking over hundreds of ponies Luna has risen. "It is the first time in years since I've seen a beginner raising so much dead at once!"

"I... I heard their call, I answered it." Luna replied shakily and nervously, her eyes returning to normal, her heartbeat increasing. "And... I fear it!"

"Princess, you have no need to be afraid." Arantir assured her. "They are yours, their un-lives are yours, they are your eternal servants, they are your fearless warriors... I see a great potential in you, Luna.

"And don't even think that you became evil the moment you raised the dead! It is absolutely not true. You answered their call, you gave them what they wanted, you fulfilled their desire. You didn't force your will against theirs. You are their rightful mistress."

"We exist... to serve thee, mistress Luna." the undead spoke in perfect synch. "Guide us, command us... Bring us to the battle so we being thee glory... We are willing to serve... Take us, make us thine!"

"I... I..." Luna stuttered. "I just..."

"It is sometimes hard emotionally." Arantir walked to Luna, who was about to faint. "Take it easy and slow. Take a deep breath, calm yourself down. There is no danger. There is no evil. There is serenity, princess."

Princess Luna nervously sighed, still keeping her eyes on the army of the undead. After a few minutes, she calmed down enough to speak.

"What do I do with them now?" she asked Arantir.

"They are now your personal army, princess Luna." the necromancer replied. "Do as you see fit. But if you want to hide them, find a dark, lifeless cave. I suppose there are plenty of those around.

"Until the time comes, hide them from the living. Find other fields of battle, raise more troops for your army of the undead. I suppose there are plenty of those who will serve you gladly even in death."

"I... I know it must be done, but... It's harder than I thought." Luna admitted. "It's like it drains life energy."

"The first time is always exhausting, princess." Arantir nodded. "But worry not, your mind or soul won't change. Yes, you will become less emotional, but you should have your friends around, it will fix the situation. Remember, the darkness that you control can be used both for good and evil. Remember that, keep it in your mind."

"I... I will." another shaky sigh escaped her lips. "Thanks, Arantir. But, well, I didn't think thou art a supportive person."

"You remind me of someone I had under my wing." Arantir replied. "She was such a good learner. She had so much talent..."

"May I ask who art thou talking about?" Luna asked.

"Her name was Ornella." the necromancer replied darkly. "She was once a student of mine, a very clever student. She was a princess like you, princess of vampires. But, well, Asha had a use for her life, for Ornella had to face her final death to serve a greater purpose."

"She... died?"

"She did." Arantir nodded. "But doing so, she allowed me to complete my mission and destroy the facade, to show the truth. Her life was not wasted." he looked at the sky. "But enough of this. Let us return, for the dawn is coming soon. I suppose you have much to do, princess."