When Skyward awakened, she realized to her chagrin it was nearly afternoon. But when she got up off the floor and winced, stretching and shaking herself out, she saw the Rod of Seasons and the Harp of Ages on the bed still, and her shoulders slumped. How the hay was she going to explain this one? She walked over and picked up the Rod of Seasons in her magic, staring at it...the hay was she was supposed to do with this thing?

And as for the Harp of Ages...

She sighed--what was her mentor thinking? What was she supposed to do with these?

"Atop a tree stump," she muttered, and sighed as she put it on the bed, burying her face in the covers. Her ears flattened and she growled as she put the Rod aside and picked up the Harp...

Though she held it in her magic, she didn't dare pluck the strings. This was a dangerous relic indeed. She grabbed a spare tunic and wrapped the harp carefully, sticking it in her saddlebags and securing it tightly.

"Pray I never need to use thou," she muttered as she ran a silver brush through her mane and tail. A rap at the closed window made her whirl around, stuffing the Rod of Seasons under the bed before she looked outside.

It was Princess Luna, who let herself in by means of her magic. Once she was inside, the Night Princess closed the windows and the drapes, and looked at Skyward with a somber mien. "I trust thou knows why I am here."

Skyward grimly nodded and glanced at her bare flank. Though she could see nothing, she turned and pulled the Rod of Seasons out from under the bed. "...One cannot believe this, Princess...this...this is insanity incarnate...I...I cannot..."

Luna looked upon her with a compassionate eye. "But thou art. Thou art the very hero that thy kingdom sings legends of. That lore and legend and song hath kept immortal throughout the ages. Skyward. Understand that my sister knows, and we will help you anyway we can.
For now, blend into our kingdom, and learn our ways. I suspect it may be more than a week, given the vile fiend is seeking thy Princess."

Skyward looked up at Luna, eyes wide. "But I..."

Luna shushed her, giving her a stern look. "Thou canst do anything for thy Princess, but thou can do something to protect Equestria. If his evil does manage to breach between realms, thou art our sole line of defense. Mind, we shalt bring our own troops into play if thou needs aid, but understand, one knows wishes to keep this quiet."

Skyward turned to look towards the window, her tail flicking from side to side. She closed her eyes, sighing heavily before she turned towards Luna. When she opened her eyes again, they were hard and resolute. "What must I do?"

Luna crossed to her and put a hoof on her back. "Listen to me. Mine sister and I wilt keep an eye and ear out for trouble. Should we need to tell thee...we shalt send a message through Spike."

Skyward looked surprised, raising an eyebrow at the moon princess. "...Thou wish the others to know?"

Luna nodded at her. "This is not the sort of secret thou shouldst keep from them, Skyward. Besides, they may be able to aid thou in thy quest."

Skyward stamped a hoof on the floor. "How? They art not trained for battle! They know not how to kill---I fear for them if they run into any sort of creature from mine own home..."

Luna chuckled at her. "Do not underestimate Twilight and the others, Skyward. Thou wilt see that in time. I shalt craft thee a spell that, when thou art in need of the Rod or the Harp, thou shalt be able to summon it when thou needs to use it."

Skyward's ears laid back as she looked at the innocent looking instrument lying on the bed, giving it a wary look. "One hopes one shalt never have to use the Harp of Ages--time is a dangerous thing to trifle with."

Luna nodded quietly at her. "One wouldst suggest thou study Equestria's history thoroughly, so thou dost not make any mistakes if thou needs to go back in time. There seems to be something sticking out of the harp's peak, methinks..."

Skyward walked over, retrieving the harp and plucking out the tightly rolled yellowed piece of parchment stuck in the Harp's ornamental piece at the top. There was clearly a strong enchantment on the parchment to keep it from crumbling away if touched or 'moved'. She unfolded it to reveal a series of horizontal lines and dots on the lines, each dot placed at different intervals while they went up and down. There was also writing under the dots and lines---the message was written in Haylian.

To mine grandson or granddaughter

If thou hast found this, it means that I, Skyward Sword, brother of Time Link, hath passed on, and the Harp of Ages is now yours. But be warned--by playing this harp, thou wilt be sent back in time...but thou must focus on how long thou wish to go back in time while thou art playing this song. This song above this missive is the Song of Ages. Playing this shalt result in creating a Time Portal, which shalt lead thou into the past. Playing the song again shalt return thee to thy current time; though 'tis better to return the way thou came, so not to leave 'loose ends'.

Skyward Sword

Skyward put the old letter down, looking bemusedly at the harp, and at the song's notes. Royal blue eyes flicked over the notes, her head bobbing a bit as she counted tempo and rhythm. "....One should copy this song, and practice on a regular lyre, just in case."

Luna nodded. "Be careful, however. I hath been reading some of the books related to thine world--it seems certain songs hath great power, even if played on a regular instrument."

The Haylian mare nodded somberly--she started when she heard bells ringing outside, then when she glanced at the timepiece in the room, she groaned. "Nayru's sapphirine horn--what a terrible guest one must be..."

Luna only chuckled, giving her a wink. "I informed mine sister of our meeting and told the others to let thou sleep in, do not fear."

Skyward sighed as she sat on the floor. "What didst thee tell the rulers of the Crystal Empire? And Twilight?"

The Moon Princess regarded her with a calm gaze. "Thou shalt have to tell Twilight and the others...as for Cadence and Shining Armor, Celestia likely hath informed them of recent events. Fear not--they know how to keep a secret."

Skyward sighed heavily. "I fear one of thine own kin finding the truth. He certainly has grudge enough to do so--private duel or not, he is a serpent in pony's clothing."

Luna arched an eyebrow, then nodded. "Celestia is keeping a very close eye on him after that fiasco, do not doubt. But! Enough of such somber matters. Are ye planning on attending Nightmare Night? For when Twilight and thou return later this day, the festivities shall soon commence when night falls."

Skyward nodded her head. "Aye, I am. Mine costume is...well..."

Skyward looked embarrassed, and Luna grinned at her. "One cannot wait to see it when we come to Ponyville. And fear not, Skyward. Enjoy thyself whilst thou art here. Who knows? Mayhap you may make more than just friends in Equestria..."

(Luna, thou art indeed wise, powerful, beautiful and kind, but what art mine chances of THAT happening to me?)

Skyward snorted softly as she shrugged into the costume Rarity had made for her. She was thankful it wasn't a dress...but....

(Hero of Time...bah, now one actually LOOKS the part!)

Rarity had changed the coloration from the normal green tunic and funnel cap to a cornflower blue--it in truth looked like Zora Armor, what with the tiny blue gems she had painstakingly sewn onto the tunic and the finned funnel cap, giving it a 'scaled' appearance. The cloak she had added to hide Skyward's 'blank flank', and Twilight had cast an illusion on Skyward's sword to make it look like the Master Sword.
She looked at herself in the mirror, sighing softly as she picked up her sword and shield in her magic and placed them on her back. She adjusted her tunic and turned to walk down the stairs from the guest bedroom, where Twilight and Spike were waiting for her. They had returned from Canterlot just as the sun was beginning to set, and it was very nearly time for Nightmare Night to begin proper.

Spike gave her a thumbs up when he saw her costume. "Hey hey! Not bad, Sky! You could pass for Time Link himself! Just missing the mane and tail and fur color though."

Skyward shrugged, looking wry and Twilight nodded her head, lighting her horn and giving her a grin. "You sure you don't want the blond mane and tail...?"

Skyward's eyes widened and she shook her head frantically, Twilight and Spike laughed as all three of them left the Golden Oaks Library.
"So where art we headed?"

Twilight beamed at her Haylian friend. "Right here in town--Applejack's got a few events going for Nightmare Night at Sweet Apple Acres too; pumpkin carving event, apple bobbing, a corn maze...you'll see, it's all going to be so much fun!"

"Nightmare Night! What a fright! Give me something sweet to bite!"

Skyward smiled, hearing the chant from young fillies and colts as they walked about in costumes gathering candy and treats--ranging from princesses to sailors, pirates to ghosts and mummies to musicians...

"Hey, Skyward! Awesome costume! You really do look like Time Link! Only...bluer."

Skyward snorted in amusement at Rainbow Dash, who was dressed up as a warrior--she wore dark leather armor and tight boots, her mane and tail tied back and she held a chakram under one wing. Twilight Sparkle had dressed up as a Roman guardspony, Fluttershy looked like a vampony, wearing fake bat wings over her normal feathered ones, with red eyes and tufted ears, her usually soft mane and tail looking rather unkempt, and she had fangs--likely an illusion of some sort. Rarity was dressed like a merpony, Pinkie Pie was dressed like a turkey, much to their amusement, and Applejack was dressed like a scarecrow. Spike looked like a pirate captain, mustache and all, even giving himself the 'pirate accent' when he spoke.

When they reached Ponyville, everypony had turned out for the event, all of them laughing, trading jokes, grabbing cups of punch or cookies, cupcakes, pie or cake, apples, the foals running about, and the screams from some areas of the town...
Skyward had to rein in the urge to not go running off after the screamers, since this was Nightmare Night and also a night for pranks as well as laughter and cheer. The cries were not of true fear or that of a pony threatened with certain death, after all, but old habits died hard. Thunder rumbled overhead, and swirling black clouds filled the sky, creating a vortex high overhead of everypony. Lightning shot across the sky with mighty cracks, flashing menacingly as a frightening looking black chariot descended from the stormy skies, pulled by two thestral pegasi guards. Everypony shrank back at the terrifying display, foals running to hide under or behind adult ponies as the menacing looking chariot landed on the ground with nary a bump.

But when Princess Luna stepped out of her chariot, everypony burst into hearty cheering and applause. The Princess of the Night bowed to her subjects, before lifting one hoof and speaking in the Royal Canterlot Voice.

"CITIZENS OF PONYVILLE! WE THANK THEE FOR THY WARM WELCOME! WITHOUT FURTHER ADO; LET'S GET THIS PARTY STARTED!"

Cheering and more applause erupted from the gathered ponies as Nightmare Night officially began. The Night Princess spotted the Mane Six, Spike and Skyward, and smiled broadly as she came over, nodding in approval.

"Thou dost indeed resemble the Hero of Time, eh, Skyward?"

Skyward facehooved and shrugged, grinning nervously, but Luna slid her a knowing wink, since the others were too busy cracking up at the Haylian pony's discomfiture.

Skyward tried her hoof at spider toss, bobbed for apples, and laughed herself sick when Pinkie Pie blared an airhorn right behind Applejack, causing the farmpony to scream and run like blazes, losing some straw from her costume proper. Skyward decided to get Rainbow Dash back for the 'Hero of Time' bit...she hid behind a funnel cake stall and turned Rainbow Dash's chakram into a life preserver, and cackled behind her hooves with Applejack when somepony made a crack about her being a 'lifeguard'. Twilight however, turned her mane and tail blond when she wasn't looking, and she yelped in shock, chasing the other mare around before she had to stop from laughing so hard.

There was even a costume contest. She didn't want to participate though, but when Apple Bloom, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle all gave her 'The Eyes', she caved in and joined the line on the stage, sticking her tongue out at a laughing Rainbow Dash and Applejack. When it came her turn to show off, she displayed her swordsmanship, using her magic to enact the battle between Time Link and the spider monster Gohma, before she 'killed' the beast with a powerful jump attack from her sword, 'vanquishing' the monster. The foals cheered--Skyward smiled at them, saluting them with her blade before using her magic to teleport herself off the stage.

She came in second place, much to her surprise; she hadn't expected to win anything, really, and accepted the red ribbon with a quiet smile from Mayor Mare. She came down from the stage, and went to the refreshments table, getting a cup of punch for herself. As she drank her beverage she looked around...

Peace.
Joy.
Laughter.
Happiness.

All the things her own land had in scarcity. This reminded her of her fated task, and she sighed heavily, staring down at the remainder of her drink. Tell them, or not? She didn't want to put them in danger...

"Um--Skyward? Are you okay?" Skyward looked up to see Fluttershy, who looked worriedly at the Haylian pony. "One is well, Fluttershy. Just...just missing home."

Fluttershy nodded at her, getting a cup of punch for herself. "I'm so sorry. I'm sure you want to go home right away..."

"It...it is not that. Believe me, one loves it here. This--do you know how lucky all of thou art? Look about thou...no war, no having to watch your flank every time thou goest somewhere, no need to sing songs of battle..." Skyward put down her cup and looked at the ground. "War is all one has known. But 'tis why I fight. To give other ponies a peaceful future, one hopes."

Fluttershy regarded the mare and gave her a hug, which made Skyward stiffen--she wasn't used to displays of affection like this. But the butter yellow pegasus didn't let go, and pulled back to smile at her. "You've done a lot for other ponies, Skyward, but it looks to me like you're not doing anything for yourself. I think you need time to relax, and not be so hard on yourself. See--everypony--and I mean Twilight, Applejack...we want you to be happy too."

Skyward looked confusedly at Fluttershy. "Why?"

Fluttershy smiled warmly at the Haylian mare. "Because we're your friends, silly filly. Now, come on. Just forget about being a soldier for one night and come play with us!"

Skyward smiled, albeit a little sadly as she drank the rest of her punch and followed Fluttershy to the others. They participated in the corn maze--Skyward freaked out when a shadowy figure suddenly loomed out of a side passage and released an eerie sounding shriek--she twisted and bucked it...or tried to, as the figure ducked the strike.

"Hey, watch it!"

Twilight grabbed Skyward before she could charge Bon Bon, who had been playing the part of the ghoul hiding in the shadows. "Sorry, Bon Bon. Skyward's just been on edge tonight."

The Haylian pony mentally cursed herself--Din's breath, this was a night meant for fun, not fear! "Forgive me, Bon Bon. You...you sounded and looked like a creature from a tale I once heard, that is why I struck at you."

The pale yellow earth pony with the navy blue and pink curled mane and tail blinked curiously, forgetting her indignation as she came out from the passage. "Oh really? What kind of creature was it?"

"Worse than what thou hath dressed up as. Thou see...these creatures--they art driven by a ravenous hunger--tis all they know, it is said. They hath even chewed off their own lips because of this, and they are little more than emaciated skeletons, skin against bone, and as for eyes..."

Skyward shuddered openly, blowing out a breath. "One hath heard tales of their gaze--'tis said it can freeze a pony in place, and their scream is akin to hearing a rusted gate and claws against a chalkboard in unison. To be cornered by such a creature is certain death, mayhap even become one of them."

The other ponies looked at one another, their eyes huge, and Rainbow Dash leaned forwards. "Have you seen any of these?"

"Never...but one hath seen drawn caricatures of such things. 'Tis said that, deep within a dark temple, hidden within the confines of a town close to mine village...'tis said that is where the shadows sleep, where the dead dream, and the cries of the damned echo. To enter is to descend into the maw of madness itself."

Bon Bon shivered, and the others shuddered at the description. "Wow. I didn't know my costume was that good. Maybe I might do this again next year."

"Truly, one apologizes, Bon Bon..."

"Oh, don't worry about it! Oooh, you guys might want to run...I hear more ponies coming!"

"Here...may I see thy mask a moment?"

Confused, Bon Bon gave it over, and Skyward lit her horn, touching the tip to the eyeholes in the mask. Her horn flared silver twice, before she handed it back to Bon Bon. "There. Now thou shalt frighten the masses proper," she chuckled, and Applejack grinned.

"This I gotta see. Girls, let's hide over here."

Bon Bon quickly donned her mask, and the seven ponies plus one dragon hid in the shadows as two more ponies came by--Ruby Pinch and Mayor Mare. Bon Bon lurked in the shadows before she loomed out of the darkness....

Skyward's enchantment flared to life--a high pitched ear rending shriek filling the air when she screamed at them; an unholy cry of ravenous hunger and unending torment all rolled into one. The eyes blazed a demonic crimson, and the visage on Bon Bon's mask was little more than a rotting emaciated skeletal pony face, the rim of the pony's mouth gone in bloody tatters, pus and old blood oozing from rotted sores. Where short, blunt teeth meant for grinding vegetables had been, were now sharpened and rotten, and looked caked with decay and old blood.

Both ponies let out twin shrieks of unfeigned terror---Ruby Pinch practically wet herself before fleeing into the maze, dragging a paralyzed Mayor Mare behind her, who hadn't let go of her tail.

Bon Bon blinked, removing her mask as they came out from their hiding places. "...Wow. That was..."

Rainbow Dash slapped her hooves together, laughing. "Totally awesome! Wow! That was SUPER SCARY!"

"M-maybe t-t-too sc--scary," Fluttershy eeped, looking out from her mane at them, and Skyward looked sheepish. "I shalt remove it--but aye...that, is the visage of the vile creatures that lurk within the dark temple's confines."

Bon Bon shook her head however. "Remove it? No way! This is amazing! Ooop...here come more ponies--you all better scoot unless you want to be scared next?"

They scooted out of the maze, and Skyward shook her head, looking rueful. "Mayhap I should not have enchanted that mask..."

Twilight Sparkle nudged her. "No, it was nice of you to do that. But...do those things really exist?"

Skyward's answer was a grim, silent nod, and they all looked at one another as they exited the maze. Rainbow Dash sighed and nudged Skyward, who looked up at her. "Okay, spill it, sister."

Skyward blinked up at the rainbow maned pegasus. "What?"

Rainbow Dash snorted, giving her a poke with one hoof. "You've been acting pretty weird all night. You sure somethin' isn't chewing your tail? Never mind what you did for Bon Bon--which was pretty cool, by the way; but you were kind of spaced out earlier."

Skyward heaved a sigh--leave it to Rainbow Dash to prod at an open sore. But...Luna did have a point long earlier. They deserved to know. This land was, after all, their home. "Dost thou know of a place we will not be overheard?"

Rarity tapped her hooftip against her chin. "Perhaps by the Nightmare Night statue? The foals won't be delivering their tributes there just yet--they're listening to Zecora tell scary stories right now."

When they arrived at said clearing, Skyward glanced around---for now, the clearing seemed empty; it was just them and the statue of Nightmare Moon, and the tribute platter of candy and sweets. The others noticed her wary look and they too began looking about, as if trying to see/hear/smell anypony trying to eavesdrop.

Applejack pushed back her hat. "So what's this all about, sugarcube?"

Skyward took a deep breath, let it out, and removed the Rod of Seasons from her mane, showing it to the others. She'd left the Harp of Ages with Luna, telling her unless it was ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY to keep the Harp in safe hooves. Licking her lips, she began to speak. "Mine mentor contacted me in Canterlot whilst Twilight and I were guests of the Princesses, through the dream realm. Princess Zelda managed to find me, and inform one of matters going on at home."

Rarity smiled brightly. "But that is such wonderful news, Skyward! You must be so relieved!"

But Skyward's somber expression warned them not all was well. "One wishes it was so, Rarity. Princess Zelda is on the run--Hayrule Castle Town hath fallen, and a powerful magical barrier hath enveloped the castle proper. Though the town was evacuated, there were heavy casualties in civilian losses and in soldiers. Hayrule is on her last legs...Ganondorf's hoof lies heavy over mine land."

The others cried out in shock and dismay, and Skyward lifted a hoof, asking for silence. "Princess Zelda plans to contact the Royal Sisters a week from now, but that may actually take longer, since she is being hunted. And she...she revealed some very startling truths..."

The Haylian mare faltered, and she shook her head, stamping one hoof on the ground. Applejack came over to pat her shoulder in comfort. "C'mon, sugarcube. Ya can do it. Jus' say what ya got t' say."

Skyward opened her eyes and looked at them. "Remember when one told all of thou that I hath not earned mine cutie mark, and that I was not Time Link's descendant? Well...the Princess told me otherwise. One is, in truth--Time Link's many times descended great-niece. Mine ancestor Skyward Sword, was his younger brother."

Skyward conjured an image of her ancestor---he did look just like Skyward, but he had no indigo streak in his mane, only bluesteel fur, royal blue mane and matching eyes.

"So I am related to the Hero of Time. But what is more...I actually have mine cutie mark. But Princess Zelda hid it when I was seven seasons old, because of its nature, and the fact that Ganondorf's forces would have descended on mine village in a fury of fire and blood if they knew of it. I dost not expect any of thee to believe me..."

"Considering how you've been acting totally weird all night, you really wanted to tell us, right?" Rainbow Dash asked, and Skyward nodded mutely in reply.

Twilight Sparkle stepped closer to her, tilting her head. "So...she hid your cutie mark because..."

Skyward looked at the six mares and one baby dragon in front of her, tears pricking her eyes with salty heat. "Because I am the Hero of Time. The mark I bear is the Triforce of Courage."

Total silence reigned in the clearing, and Skyward began to turn around and walk away, tears pricking her eyes again. She hadn't expected them to believe her, much less understand...so why was she trying not to cry? Rarity trotted forward, getting in front of Skyward before she could vanish into the trees. "Now just a moment, Skyward--where do you think you are going?"

Skyward sighed as she tried to move around the white unicorn mare. "One understands if thou art angry and no longer wish me about. Fires of Din, how could anypony wish to believe one about this?"

"Now wait a second, Sky--we didn't say we didn't believe you," Spike spoke up, coming over to the mare and tugging on her tail. "I'll admit it's a bit much to swallow but--you've been honest with us from the start, and that's saying a lot about you."

"Besides, if you left us, it would really make us sad, and we'd miss you so much," Fluttershy stated, giving her another hug and making Skyward sniff back tears despite the 'tough pony' act she was trying to keep.

"Then we'd have t' come lookin' for ya an' drag ya back by yer ear if we had to," Applejack joked, but she nodded seriously at Skyward. "But Fluttershy's right. We ain't gonna abandon ya when things get rough."

"You got that right! Friends stick together no matter what, yanno? And we haven't even pranked half of Ponyville together!" Pinkie Pie laughed, playfully tackling the Haylian mare, giving her a hug--all six mares and one dragon came together in a group hug, Skyward at their center. Faced with the truth that they weren't going to abandon her, that they were in truth--her friends--Skyward broke down and cried into Applejack's mane, the other mares murmuring soothingly and Spike patting her withers in comfort, until she managed to calm down about twenty to thirty minutes later. Rarity offered her a handkerchief to wipe her eyes with, which Skyward accepted graciously, using her magic to cleanse it before giving it back.

"But there is another thing all of thou must know. And...one will warn thee. Thou must be prepared to fight--even kill, to protect thine lands. Understand the Princesses hath given their permission for me to tell thee this, and for all of thou to act as thee see fit."

"About what exactly, darling?" Rarity asked with confusion, and Skyward's gaze turned hard.

"The reason is because Equestria may come under attack from enemies from mine own world. Ganondorf has the Triforce of Power, and he now seeks the other pieces. He may seek to send creatures from mine world to this one, as scouts...if any strange creatures are found, end them instantly, or find a way to tell me so I can take care of it."

Applejack nodded, but then she also looked confused. "Ah don' get it. What's so important 'bout this...'Triforce' anyway?"

Skyward gestured at her bare flank, and then drew the symbol of the Triforce in the dirt with her sword. "Thou see, if anypony gets their hooves on the completed Triforce, he or she can make a single wish for their heart's desire, the Goddesses having no choice but to descend to grant the wish. However, if the Triforce is gained by one who hath not all three virtues in balance--Power, Wisdom and Courage, the pieces fly off to find their 'chosen wielders', the sole piece that stays with the pony that touched it is the one it most personifies. Once they hath gathered the two other pieces, they can make the wish. That dost not mean however, that making the wish is exempt to only one pony."

Fluttershy looked at the drawn mark in the dirt, then back at Skyward. "So...so you're saying you're the wielder of the Triforce of Courage?"

"Aye, because of mine bloodline through my ancestor, Skyward Sword, who was one of the original Hero of Time's kinstallions. That and clearly, Ganondorf personifies 'power'. Haylian lore sometimes states that he is in truth the Chosen of Din, Goddess of Power. But one cannot stress this enough--if thou find a creature you know not to be of Equestrian origin...kill it. Destroy it without mercy because one can tell thou all; I hath seen his forces kill innocents without reservation, and I will NOT let that happen here."

The Mane Six looked at one another--they knew Skyward wasn't joking, and this news was sobering indeed. Rainbow Dash flew up and pointed at the Rod of Seasons. "So what's this doohickey ya got there?"

Skyward shifted her 'hold' on the rod, turning it over to show them the symbols on the rod's 'head'. "This is the Rod of Seasons. Mine mentor told me it was mine inheritance from my long dead ancestors. There is another, in Princess Luna's safekeeping. I dare not use it unless there is nothing else to be done."

Pinkie Pie examined the rod curiously, sniffing at it and prodding it with one hoof. "So how d'ya use this thingy anyway?"

Skyward moved the Rod back towards her mane, which shrank down accordingly and vanished from sight. "I do not intend to use it unless I hath no choice, Pinkie. But with this rod, one can change the seasons at will, if standing atop a tree stump and swinging it in the cardinal direction associated with said season."

That got a reaction from everypony right there--Applejack looked thunderstruck, Pinkie Pie's eyes were wide as dinnerplates, Twilight looked like someone had just told her they had torn a book up by accident, Rarity and Spike wore matching expressions of 'No bucking way' and Rainbow Dash looked like someone had smacked her upside the head with a two-by-four. And Fluttershy looked utterly confused.

"Yer kiddin' me, right? Ya...ya can control th' seasons with that there rod?"

Skyward nodded quietly. "One does not intend to use it unless things are dire, Applejack. Understand...I wilt try to not use it near thy orchard, for obvious reasons. But know this--I will protect Equestria from Ganondorf's vile touch...and I swear to thou all here and now, on my uncle's Farore-blessed bloodline I wilt restore the proper season once the battle is over."

Twilight Sparkle moved forward, lifting a hoof, her eyes suspiciously bright. "Wait wait wait...you can control the seasons with that?"

Skyward's ears flattened a little. "Aye, one just said one could, but I shalt not change them now, and not here, not with so many ponies about. Princess Luna told me to tell ye all of about this as it is."

Applejack rolled her eyes and nudged Twilight with one hoof. "Twi, she ain't just gonna hop on a tree stump an' wave that there rod around. She's got a point, an' she ain't tryin' t' attract attention. This ain't somethin' we need t' be playin' round with; especially with harvest season so close."

Twilight pouted--it was obvious to everypony she wanted to test it out; given the magic of Hayrule was entirely different from Equestria's own; but the farmpony had a very good point. It was crucial that very few ponies knew about Skyward's true origins, and that included any relics she had gotten from her mentor. "Ugh...okay. But can I be there when you do have to use it?"

Skyward sighed, but nodded her head. "If I do need to use the Rod of Seasons, then aye. However, be fast on thy hooves, Twilight, for once I use it, I shalt not do so again until the time comes to change the season back to its proper cycle. Understood?"

The violet unicorn nodded, and Spike spoke up next. "Look, how about we just go and enjoy the rest of Nightmare Night? Besides, if we stay here too long, somepony might come looking for us."

As if Spike's words had heralded prophecy, the rustle of brush behind them made them jump--Skyward spun around, sword drawn; but it was only the foals, who had come to pay tribute to the statue of Nightmare Moon. One by one, they laid a small share of their candy on the platter, and backed away to let the others do the same. The group left the area proper, seemingly leaving the clearing empty. The wind blew over the grass and through the trees...but near the statue's base where the candy platter was laid, parts of the grass did not move. Cold orange reptilian eyes peered out of the darkness, a forked tongue flicking in and out of its scaled mouth, and its lips turned up in a sinister, fanged grin...