The morning sun rose across the land, it was now back on it's proper scheduled. the night before lasted way longer then it should have, but once six AM hit the moon lowered to give way for the sun, with the Day and Night time cycle back in it's proper place things began to feel right. however Equestria was far from back to normal. the land was still grey, and despite their attempts, Luna and Celestia could not thaw the ponies who were completely grey. as with their life force gone, their bodies had no warmth, no life, yet their souls still resided in their bodies, forever trapped. their bodies now turned into prisons.

Thus, Princess Celestia and Princess Luna did the only thing they could, stand vigil and wait as their hopes and prayers go to a certain little Purple Unicorn and a little black Alicorn filly. Celestia always had faith in her student, but with that faith she knew Twilight had her friends on her side as well, but with five of the six elements of harmony suffering the same fate as the rest of equestria, Celestia realized Twilight was truly alone. Well, not completely alone. Twilight had one Companion to aid her on this quest, Nyx. however, Nyx was not fully grown, she had little Magic of her own since Luna took away Nyx's Magical abilities. but she did know Nyx has received training from Shining Armor. training which Princess Luna requested upon. Celestia did not know why, true the Filly's Cutie Mark did show when Nyx told of how she would protect her friends no matter what, but many other ponies had similar talents, it didn't mean they went out to become super heroes or formed some sacred order of equestrian defenders.

But Celestia had to put her worries aside, Canterlot was at it's weakest, with the royal guard encased in Ice and petrified, She and Luna had to protect the Equestrian Capitol on their own. they have sent many urgent messages to Cadance and Shining Armor for reinforcements, but so far there's been no reply. what could be preventing them from replying? Cadance would never stand and wait while the rest of equestria needed help, she'd send relief teams, soldiers to protect towns from monsters who would love to take advantage to this situation. already there has been news of Elemental Atronach attacks. and why have they not been Affected by the ice? is it because they do not possess any life force like the kind Ponies and other beings need to live? or are they Queen Ryugu's Heralds, to determinant if their defenses are still holding.

Either way, Celestia vowed to protect Canterlot, and there were no monster, elemental, or demon that would force her to abandon her post. for if Canterlot were to fall, so would Equestria!

------

The Camping tint's flap unzipped as Nyx Emerged, giving out a yawn bigger then her small body could manage she stretched out and shook herself, letting the hairs of her obsidian black coat move back into place from laying on one side, the whole night she and Twilight took shifts, keeping watch for anymore Elementals or in a best case scenario, anypony who could help them. but so far the woods has been devoid of any life that didn't amount to small woodland animals, birds, and a Squirrel they come to call Ms. Almond, for account that Nyx caught her eating the bag of Almonds from their food supply bag. however since that morning said squirrel has not been seen, no doubt took the Almonds and went back to her nest.

"Little thief." Nyx giggled.

Nyx lowered the food bag to check their food supplies, they were quickly running low again. the night had been longer then expected so they kept camping for what felt like two days. Nyx had wanted to go salvage what food survived on the Elegance, but Twilight refused. stating the food would have either been rotted by the ice that now covered the airship, or the animals took it by now. they both hoped the latter, they rather the woodland animals make use of the free food then it be wasted.

As she started to pack up the food, Twilight emerged from the tent, yawning and stretching, she could even hear the pops emit from Twilight's back, legs, and neck. and after a good stretch of her legs and back the purple unicorn began to put her armor on, to her amazement, the cut mark on the chest piece was repaired.

"Wow, Princess Celestia's armor is enchanted?" Twilight said as she inspected it.

"Maybe it takes a while for the repairs to take affect? it wasn't like that last night." Nyx said as she dumped dirt on the fire pit.

making sure each ember is snuffed out. all too familiar with what happened when an ember from the BBQ Grill that Hearth's Warming Eve, though she now knew it was Snapshot and Column who started the fire that almost ruined the logs, she still took the incident to learn from. a good gust of wind could easily start a forest fire.

Twilight secured her helmet before looking at her silver sword, the purple hilt had a mouth grip for a unicorn who chose to fight earth pony style while keeping her horn free for using spells and wards. she placed the hilt in her mouth and gave the blade a few practice swings on a bush that she imagined was the most evil thing in the universe. the blade made short work of the thorned foliage, moving like glinting line from the sun itself. once finished, she managed to turn the bush into a sculpture of Princess Celestia.

"ooh pretty!" nyx chirped, clapping her hooves adorably.

"Thank you!" Twilight smiled. "Rarity taught me the spell to make bush sculptures, but she also said using a blade or scissors is a good way too."

as the two began to pack Nyx also put her armor on, then choosing her own bush also practiced with the small blade. the curved obsidian black blade was like a sliver of the night itself, cutting and slashing the bush chosen for her to practice on, although when completed she jumped back at the bush sculpture she created.

"N-Nyx, Wha-What is that Supposed to be?" Twilight stared at the sculpture laterally speechless.

"Uuuhm, would you Believe Princess Luna?" Nyx chuckled unenthusiastic.

The two stared at the foliage sculpture the filly had made. what was supposed to be Princess Luna was more like a bipedal monster with a phallic head, a maw of teeth with a tongue with a smaller maw of teeth. overall having an insectoid appearance.

"uuuhhh, heh, uhm A for effort?" Twilight chuckled as she rubbed the back of her head.

Nyx quickly sheathed the dagger and put the rest of her armor on as she and twilight went to disassembly and pack the tent up. disregarding Nyx's attempt at land sculpting, the two began their journey once again, though the journey has been long, the two were happy to know their path to Hollow Shades were coming to a close.

But as the two continued their trek down the rail road track, they could shake the feeling they were being hunted. not just watched. Whenever they would look up at the trees, they could have sworn they saw the bark and leaves move and shift. though they tried to rationalize it with the wind blowing on them. but as they kept going, they felt their rationalization of it being the wind was turned into desperate wishing.

After two hours of trotting they noticed whatever or whoever was watching them no longer made an attempt to conceal themselves. perched in the trees they saw equine shapes in the trees, what looked like clawed hooves grasping the branches. this caused Nyx to think back to the Storm Atronachs. but she quickly tried to dispel that fear. an elemental wouldn't be this dramatic.... would they?

"HALT RIGHT THERE!"

Twilight and nyx froze, they looked forward to a roofed bridge, on the roof was another equine in a cloak of sticks, bark, and leaves. a Hawk perched on his foreleg, his hooves also having the clawed horseshoes but up his leg was a fabric gauntlet the hawk's claws wrapped around, no doubt to protect the pony's pet from shredding his foreleg in a bloody heap.

"H-Hello? I'm Twilight Sparkle, I come from Ponyville in search of a ruin called Saddle Tor, i'm on my way to Hollow Shades and---"

Twilight was interrupted by the sounds of large wings flapping as the equines flew down, a good number of the shrouded equines were pegasi.... they were ponies.

"Your pegasi?" Nyx asked softly.

"Hollow Shades was the first land home the Pegasus Tribe founded." the Pony on the bridge replied.

Nyx didn't think she was anywhere near loud enough to hear. she then tried to hide behind Twilight as the hawk eyed her. like she was it's prey. however it wasn't long until she got that vibe from everypony else.

"Twilight, something's wrong. I don't like how they're looking at us... at me."

"Shh, just be calm." Twilight whispered before clearing her throat. "please, my daughter and I are in need of help. the whole of Equestria is encased in Ice and the land and everypony else have turned grey like they're---"

"Petrified?" the pony on the bridge finished. "turn back. go home and leave. we don't want your kind here."

"Our kind?" Twilight couldn't believe what she was hearing but continued anyways. "sir, please it's been well over a thousand years. the three pony species has learned to coexist together we---"

"I meant no such notion! Hollow Shades was founded by Pegasus but has planty of Earth and unicorns in it's Population. No. I mean, we don't want THAT in our Midst!" he said pointing his clawed hoof at Nyx.

"Wha, Me? why?" Nyx asked. "I know I did bad things as Nightmare Moon but, I am a good pony why are you---"

"WE DON'T GIVE A UNICORN'S SPARKLY HORN WHO YOU ARE OR WHAT YOU DID!" the pony shouted, his hawk friend screaching in aggrivation, as though whatever the pony was feeling fed into his feathered companion, and right now that hawk was hungry for Nyx's flesh. "we don't want that Abomination anywhere near us! you can say the same to her sisters as well!"

"What? Nyx is an only child i mean....." it's then Twilight began connect the dots. "wait. it's because she's an Alicorn isn't it?"

"Now you understand." The pony on the bridge said as he threw back his hood, he too was a Pegasus, silvery white coat with black mane, his eyes gold like the hawk who perched his foreleg. "I will ask you one last time. Leave, and take that spawn from Hades with you!"

Twilight looked at Nyx and snorted. her eyes locking onto the Pegasus stallion on the bridge. her eyes furrowed as she locked eyes with him. they weren't like a pony's eyes, they reminded her of Guilda's but more predatory then even a griffon. judging by his pet, she saw where he picked it up from.

"I'm sorry, but my daughter and I are on a quest, we're going to Saddle Tor whether you let us through or not!"

The stallion snorted and growled. indeed he did NOT act like a pony. though it was soon the others began to act the same. they too were more predatory animals then Equestria's normal Pegasus Pony.

"I admire your bravery young one. But we shall not permit another abomination in our town!" the pony said throwing off his cloak, his body was clad in heavy armor with a hawk like design, it was stream line, sharp, and on his wings three blades attached the end of his primary feathers that glistened in the sunlight, almost blinding Twilight. his cutiemark was that of a beaked creature that looked to be falling mid flight.

"W-Wait! We don't want to fight you, we just want to stop---" Nyx was silenced as the hawk then swooped over her and nearly clawed her eye out. "GAH!"

Twilight snorted and blasted the hawk away from Nyx, however this act was like shaking a hornet's nest as the other Pegasus removed their shrouds and began to circle the sky like vultures whinnying and neighing as they swooped down and took their fair share of hits at the two like birds of prey swiping and clawing at an invader to their nests.

Twilight tried her best to fight back, she proved to be quite adapt with the Shortsword, it's handle clenched in her mouth as she parried and struck back at the Pegasus, she didn't like the idea of hurting another pony. but Negotiations proved ineffective. She kept close to Nyx making sure if the hawk returned she show how dangerous a pony could be when you mess with her young.

Nyx however did not expect to be fighting other ponies. an idea that brought her sick to her stomach. even as Nightmare Moon when she infiltrated Canterlot Castle all she did was knock out the guards with a sleeping spell, same with the staff. it was Celestia and Luna where she actually drew a blade. but at the time she was confused, she believed it was what was expected of her. what she wanted.

But now, if nothing else these ponies wanted to do harm to her, all because she was an Alicorn? the prospect was alien to her. even now the ponies who hated her and wanted to do harm to her didn't feel that way because she was an Alicorn, it was because she was Nightmare Moon Reborn. it made little to no since, and the more she thought about it the more she wondered why? Did Celestia burn somepony's house down while she was there? did Princess Luna eat some pony's Pie without asking first? WHAT HAPPENED to make these ponies despise Alicorns?

Eventually Self preservation set in and Nyx began to defend herself, using her Dagger she blocked and slashed at a Pegasus that tried to shred her to ribbons with their clawed horseshoes. unfortunately due to inexperience some got some lucky hits. but were it not for the armor Luna gave her, they'd make quick work of her.

But as Nyx was busy with one Pegasus who tried to pummel her with his hooves, the hawk returned and grabbed her from behind Biting and scratching at her.

"AAH! M-MOM HELP!" Nyx Screamed, eventually using whatever spell she could to shoot at the hawk, though she was limited in what effective spells she could use. she began to cry as her face, neck and exposed parts of her legs began to bleed from the scratches and pecks.

Unfortunately the Pegasus Flock used the distraction to their Advantage with murderous intent. they began to use hit and run tactics, slashing Twilight with their hoof claws in a bum rush at her, only to veer off before she could make contact with her blade. Twilight tried again to defend herself only for a Pegasus to knock her sword from her mouth as they bucked her in a hit and run flyby.

"AH! NO!" Twilight cried as she spat out blood, a tooth had dislodged and tumbled to the ground.

"You had your chance to leave with that Abomination!" Freefall said as he trotted up to the two as he recalled his bird, leaving Nyx shivering on the ground bleeding. his wings extended as the blades clattered on his feathers, the sun glistening against them as he gave a few practice swings before him. "But we are not heartless, you shall both Die together, we'll ensure your given an honorable burial."

"P-Please! We only wish to help!" Twilight said before going into a coughing fit from the blood in her mouth. tasting iron on her tongue.

"Do not fear, I shall make it quick!" Freefall said as he raised on his rear legs his wings extending all the way out, both wings targeting Nyx and Twilight.

"STOP!"

Freefall froze, looking back to the bridge. "What?"

On the bridge stood an elderly Earthpony in religious robes, but they did not depict Celestia as Luna as most Priests robes would. Instead the robes bore the symbol of a shield and a sword. the shield bore an odd resemblance to nyx's only it was White and gold. not deep dark blue.

"You heard me. Put those blades Down, Boy!" the elder pony growled as he trotted up to the mob of pegasi and their victims. his coat was Dark grey, his mane was light grey with silver highlights, and his eyes were orange.

"But grandfather, they're trespassers, and the black one---"

"I Know what she is, Freefall. You'd be right to attack them. in normal circumstances." the priest said as he hobbled up to the two. "now, stop your attack."

Freefall grumbled. the other Pegasi nodded, also not sharing the priests views on the matter. "But, I will not argue with you, grandfather. Fine. let them through. but we're keeping an eye on the black one. I don't trust it, their kind has never been anything but trouble for us."

With a whinny Freefall and the rest of the pack of Pegasi flew off, most returning to the trees, some however move creepily backwards, and seem to disappear into the trees, but the sensation of being watch soon returns.

The Priest trotted over to Twilight's fallen Short sword and inspected it before sheathing it in his belt. he then lifted Nyx and slung her over his back.

"W-Who are you?" Twilight asked as she slowly got up. noting how he puts more care into Nyx then he does herself.

"I am Sovereign, do not worry, the little one will be fine. the Temple of Harmony has healers that can heal her." the Priest said as he began trotting. then looks back at Twilight. "come now, your not that badly hurt. unless equestrian ponies have become weaker over the last thousands of years?"

Twilight began to get up but felt a sharp pain. she was bleeding, one of the clawed horseshoes ripped her shoulder up good, the armor was shredded, and she could see bone. "I-I'm really hurt."

Sovereign paused and looked back, growling as he grabbed Twilight by the mane. "It's just a flesh wound you'll live, now come on!"

"OW! AH! stop! For a pony who saved our lives your not very polite!" Twilight whined, starting to realize the Priest isn't as kind as she hoped he'd be.

Sovereign huffed and let Twilight go. he said nothing as he lead her into Hollow Shades, the town at first glance seemed dark, but upon entering what felt was a magical barrier proved to be much brighter, In the town center was large with a fountain of a pony in Knight's armor kneeling with his chin and front hooves resting on the hilt of a sword, the pony's features were covered by a full face bucket helmet shaped like a hawk's beak as the back of head around the ears ended in a crest. the segments of the neck armor were like feathers while the wings had the same wing blades Freefall had.

As they Continued down the road, Twilight saw the buildings had Celtic influences in the design. not too different from the architecture of the Castle Celestia and Luna once lived in before Luna's coup. Twilight also noticed the ponies in town were watching them. it was true there were unicorns, who either worked as battlemages, enchanters, Alchemists, and even the occasional town guard, Earthponies however where farmers, construction workers, and the blacksmith was an earthpony. although it was the Pegasi that seemed to have the higher roles. such as town leaders, guards, and Enforcers.

"The Pegasi you encountered are the town's primary defense. they are called the Hunters. they watch the woods around the town, using camouflage cloaks. but the second they find somepony come near I am the first to be informed by messenger hawk." Sovereign stated.

"Messenger Hawk?" Twilight echoed, only to receive a glare from Sovereign. she then thought back to the hawk that attacked Nyx. "So who's bird was it that Attacked us?"

"Sunray, the whole town raised him from an egg, when you attacked him, you set the Hunter's off. Freefall is overly attached to that bird." Sovereign stated as he lead Twilight to the largest building in town, a Church with two bell towers, on the stain glass window depicted the same pony adorn in Knight Armor, though this time he was holding his sword up in an attacking pose.

when they entered they were greeted to whispers and protests. the protests coming from ponies seeing Nyx. others more concerned for Twilight, while it was nice to receive the sounds of worry for her own welfare she didn't like the protests from the others.

"WHAT IS THAT THING DOING HERE! Get it out! this is the chapel of harmony, it shouldn't be on sacred grounds!" a pony in black robes yelled.

"Calm yourself, Revelation. the little one requires medical attention. as does the unicorn." Sovereign ordered stoically. "Or have you forgotten the oath?"

The pony in black robes growled and huffed. "I remember the Oath. need I not remind you the oath also said be damned with the unnatural abominations?"

Twilight couldn't bare to hear another negative word against Nyx, and as far as she could tell these words were aimed at the princesses as well.

"HEY! You watch your mouth! Nyx is my Daughter and I---" Twilight is halted by Sovereign who pushes her over on her wounded shoulder. "AAAH!"

"Shush, Chattering Monkey." Sovereign said as he returned his gaze to Revelation. "this one was not created like the others. you heard the tales outside the barrier."

"Exactly, tales, who knows what this thing would do when it gets bigger, if not now. it could---"

"But mommy, I don't want to go to school today," Nyx muttered as she was suffering a concussion and bloodloss. "I want to stay home and read books with yoooouuuu!"

Sovereign gave his best poker face before grinning. "I'll need our best healers immediately.... oh and please have somepony tend to the chatty one."

Nyx shot up her hoof though it wobbled in the air as she shouted. "I LIKE COOKIES!"

"And I do believe we should act fast, the little one seems to be suffering a bad blow to the head." Revelation stated as he waved some unicorn mares to him, then pointed one to Twilight's direction.

------

Twilight's eyes fluttered open, nothing was in focus, tried to focus and when she could finally see she saw the face of a young unicorn mare in a white dress with the same sword and shield emblem on her robes. she was much younger then twilight but she had eyes with experience... Gold eyes. Twilight looked over to her shoulder and watched as the wound began to close up, muscle and skin reconstituting itself in the aura of the unicorn's magic. she also felt a new tooth in her jaw grow, replacing the one that was knocked out.

She was using a very advanced healing spell, and from the look on her face it wasn't easy to do without remaining focused. instead of questioning the mare now, Twilight began to fall back to sleep her eyes fluttering again before sleep took hold.

"hello twilight."

Twilight found herself in a star field, she looked over to see Princess Luna trotting up beside her, smiling. but when twilight looked down she was back in her armor her Helmet sitting by her hooves.

"Princess Luna, It's good to see a friendly face!" Twilight said as she bowed.

"I take it you arrived to Hollow Shades?" Princess Luna asked as she sat down next to Twilight.

"Yes, but they attacked us after telling us to leave." Twilight said. "I don't know why but when they saw Nyx it's like they made their minds up on the spot." she then sighed. "And I did kinda shoot their bird. in my defense it was attacking Nyx!"

Luna giggled and put her hoof on Twilight's shoulder. "I understand. may I ask what they said? How did they react to Nyx exactly?"

Twilight began to look annoyed as her ears pinned back. "Well for one they kept calling her an 'abomination', 'it', 'thing', it's like Nyx wasn't a pony to them but a---"

"Monster." Luna finished. "Twilight, do you know why they feel this way to her?"

Twilight paused, she thought for a moment. "it's because she was an Alicorn. but Princess Luna, Alicorns aren't monsters."

Luna sighed and rose, trotting in front of her. "There are things you should know Twilight Sparkle. while many, MANY ponies in Equestria see my sister, Cadance and I as princess, goddesses. few ponies however see us as unnatural beings."

Twilight gaped at this. "Bu-but.... Why?"

"it is because we are immortal, we live far longer then a pony normally does. we've seen many ponies come and go, Twilight Sparkle." Luna sighed as she looked up at the stars, imagining many ponies she once knew in them. a few shun brighter then others. "even in my early centuries of rule I've seen friends, loved ones come to this world for the sands of time to ravage and leave nothing behind but bones."

Luna then cleared her throat and frowned. "my point however is even if I hadn't become Nightmare Moon, There were still some ponies who saw my sister and I as 'Abominations'. while Celestia and I saught to seek Harmony for Equestria, they saw us as an affront to nature itself. everything has a beginning, middle, and end, Twilight. Celestia, and I are stuck in the middle." Luna then smiled mischievously "well I'm between the beginning and middle, since Celestia is the WAY Further into the middle."

Twilight gasped, Luna was calling celestia Old! but Twilight still giggled.

Luna smiled. "Now, since your in Hollow Shades now you should find Sovereign, he will aid you."

"Actually," Twilight added. "Sovereign saved Nyx and I from being killed in the forest. though I don't know what help he can be, he doesn't seem too interested in helping me, he ignored me when I had a huge hole in my shoulder!"

"Ah, do not let him fool you, Twilight. He's merely saving face." Luna said with a smile as she tapped Twilight's shoulder, making the unicorn wince from the memory of the wound. "I wish you luck, Twilight. please be quick. we've not heard from Cadance and Shining Armor for too long...."

Twilight nodded. "I will, thank you Princess."

"One last thing before you wake. do not allow the views of the Hollow Shades towns ponies to distract you. your priority is getting to Saddle Tor. while I understand you don't like the prejudice being directed at Nyx, please understand theres not going to be anything you can do to sway the views of these ponies." Luna continued. "ignorance and hate breeds ignorance and hate. the longer it goes, the stronger it gets. and eventually the reasoning behind it is lost."

Twilight nodded and sighed, but then put her helmet on. "I understand Princess Luna. before I wake. give my regards to Princess Celestia, and bring her up to date please?"

Luna smiled. "Actually I have a dream connection spell at work right now, Celestia has heard this entire conversation.... hopefully not the comment about her youth."

"I AM NOT OLD!" Celestia's voice was heard, Annoyance and embarrassment carried in it's undertone.

Luna giggled and stepped away. "Awaken now, Twilight."