Hear, Goddess queen, diffusing silver light, bull-horn'd and wand'ring thro' the gloom of Night.
With stars surrounded, and with circuit wide Night's torch extending, thro' the heav'ns you ride:

Female and Male with borrow'd rays you shine, and now full-orb'd, now tending to decline.
Mother of ages, fruit-producing Moon [Mene], whose amber orb makes Night's reflected noon:

Lover of horses, splendid, queen of Night, all-seeing pow'r bedeck'd with starry light.
Lover of vigilance, the foe of strife, in peace rejoicing, and a prudent life:

Fair lamp of Night, its ornament and friend, who giv'st to Nature's works their destin'd end.
Queen of the stars, all-wife Diana hail! Deck'd with a graceful robe and shining veil;

Come, blessed Goddess, prudent, starry, bright, come moony-lamp with chaste and splendid light,
Shine on these sacred rites with prosp'rous rays, and pleas'd accept thy suppliant's mystic praise.”
(by Orphilios)

Nate groaned as he slowly stands up after his latest workout against the water horses that his lady, Luna or as she liked to be called Nightmare Moon, had summoned to fight against him. He was dead tired with how much fighting he had done for the last hour against multiple water horses that had swords, spears, and magic. He fought using only his speed and swords to take them out until he began to slow and finally tire out and get his ass handed to him by the water horses.

Nightmare Moon stood to the side wearing a kind and happy smile as she complimented him by saying, "You did even better than last time but I do hope you are ready for tonight. Tonight we shall be free from this prison I was placed in and we shall take back my kingdom once more from that insufferable pony who dared to take my place."

Nate says kindly to her as he walks over and puts an arm around her, "Just remember what we talked about. I want to make sure you don't do something that will hurt you or me. I don't want to lose you because of this pony and I will protect you with my life."

Nightmare Moon smiles before turning away and saying, "Stop getting so sappy with me or I'll take away my gifts from you."

Nate smiles and says, "Oh really? Than that would mean I shouldn't make you that nice mint chocolate shake?"

She gasps and goes wide eyed as she says, "Anything but that. Please!"

Nate chuckles and replies as he pokes her nose, "Your fault for getting addicted to my milk shakes."

She pouts a little before stating, "Not my fault you're a better cook than any other I have had."

He looks at her and says with some sass, "At least I can cook. What do you call that black mass you make."

"Are you implying that a Goddess such as myself cannot do something?" she states with narrowed eyes.

"Oh I would NEVER do that my lady." he replies with a smirk as he ducks under a book thrown at him.

"I will make you pay for that later... after we take my kingdom back." she states with a huff.

"Yes my lady." he states with a chuckle.

He head towards the kitchen to prepare the final meal of the day in the castle before they were going to head to her true kingdom. As he entered the kitchen he began to search and grab each item of food necessary for the last dish of the day.

He grabbed a couple of eggs which were preserved quite well, as if fresh, as well as some potatoes, and cheese. He began to slowly cook the potatoes and eggs before adding in some cheese, and finally setting them on plates where his last pieces of daisies where. He plucks them and puts them on one plate as he walks towards the table where his goddess would be waiting for him. He had taken it upon himself these last couple of years to help by cooking, cleaning, and caring for his goddess.

He sighed knowing that even with his short life span, he wished that she wouldn't do this. Yes, it was her kingdom but this adversary of hers sounded like someone close to her from how sad but angry she sounded when talking about them. She also never used a name for this adversary which made him feel unsure about this endeavored but never the less he had sworn to help her and he would even if it cost him his life in doing so.

He smiles brightly at Nightmare Moon as he says, "My lady, dinner is served. Today we are having a country breakfast with daisies and your favorite Mint and honey Tea today."

Nightmare Moon smiles warmly at him as he sets the food down on the table and brings out the drinks to set down it front of them both before saying, "I am very thankful for this good food you have brought me, Sir Nate. Let us toast to our return to my kingdom."
Nate smiles as he says while raising his glass of milk, "To a happy day for you, my lady and let there be a happy future for both of us."

Nightmare Moon smiles at him and nods before clinking their glasses and they begin to dine.

'I do wish you would allow me out every once in a while to speak with him. He seems like such a refined gentlecolt." comments Luna mentally to Nightmare Moon.

'I dare not let you out because it would either cause him confusion or you might turn him on me. I would rather be able to trust in him.' replies Nightmare Moon to Luna

'You do know that my sister has prepared for our return and will have the elements secured to fight you back. He stands no chance against Equestria with only you as help. You will lose and he will die trying to help you.' states Luna sadly.

'HE SHALL NOT PERISH. WE SHALL NOT ALLOW HIM TO PERISH UNTIL HE HAS SERVED HIS PURPOSE TO US. WE WILL RULE ALL OF EQUESTRIA WITH HIM BY OUR SIDE AND IF WE SO WISH, HE SHALL BE OUR CONSOURT OR SLAVE TILL WE HAVE NO NEED OF HIM. DO NOT MAKE US ANGRY LUNA OR WE WILL NEED TO PUNISH YOU FOR IT AGAIN.' states Nightmare Moon in the canterlot voice at Luna in her mind.

Luna quiets down and watches as Nightmare Moon continues her talk to Nate without pause, "...and I believe that our return will be met with confusion and hate by our little ponies meaning we will need to work fast to reach the weapon used against me to send me here."

Nate seems to contemplate this for a bit before asking, "This weapon needs to be wielded by someone right? If we knew who this opponent of yours trusted most or trained for it...we could figure out how to stop it from being used."

Nightmare Moon's eyes go wide as she says, "I can't believe I never did think of this. We could make it impossible for them to send me away again and at the same time cause the resistance to fail so that my existence can once more exist and rule my kingdom peacefully."

Nate smiles and says, "It's like a saying my father said, ' the only reason a weapon is dangerous is if you give it to someone to use it. If it sits there it ain't worth the scrap it's made of.'"

Nightmare Moon nods and replies, "Your father is a smart man to have such ideas. I am proud he passed that on to you so that you could assist me in helping my ponies see the right way once again."

Nate blushes a little at the praise and says, "It ain't nothing too much. Outside of ideas and fighting, I really ain't that good at much. I'm kinda just a jack of all trades when not using a weapon or my head."

Nightmare Moon Looks out the window and says, "It looks like it is almost time for our return to my Kingdom. Let us prepare."
Nate nods as he cleans the table, dishes, and food up one last time before heading to his room. In his room he gets dressed and armed for the fight ahead. . He first makes sure his sheathes are in place on his left leg for his assassin's dagger and for his two swords on his back. He then makes sure his belt is on tight with his holsters with the twin 9mm pistols with extra ammo in each. He finally makes sure that the black leather armor that Nightmare Moon had enchanted was in its right places over his chest arms and legs to ensure he was not hurt. He smiles as he then takes a black wool cloak and clasps it on over himself to hide his visage from others.

He slowly walks out with each step sounding loud in the hallway as his steel toed boots land with each step on the black stone floor. He runs a hand through his now short hair as he feels excitement and dread at fighting once more after his last fight back at his old home.

He pushes the doors open at the end of the hall and says, "My lady, I am ready for our journey to return your kingdom back to you."
Nightmare Moon smiles evilly before she says, "Let us be off than and great my old enemy."

With that said, Nightmare Moon gathers her powers about her and Nate before in a cloud of mist, they disappear from the Moon's Castle to Equestria where a battle would soon start again.

Celestia sat on her throne listening to the last of the nobles talking about stuff that only made them richer and the poor even poorer.

"...and raising taxes would allow the treasury to keep up with the demand of exports from other countries like the Zebra and Dragon Kingdoms. I believe that raising taxes for those on lower paying jobs would help in this matter." stated a prissy dressed noble to Celestia.

"My little pony, I can see you have been thinking this matter through a lot but we cannot raise the taxes on those of lower paying jobs or we will be forced to lower prices of goods and housing as well to the point where our trade economy will go into a vast decline until the kingdom falls apart. I think if you can find another way to help with the treasury than we can talk more on this." states Celestia in a kind and motherly voice to the noble who looks shocked.

The noble nods and walks with head held high out of the throne room. With the massive doors closed, Celestia sighs and says to her guards, "Please lead me to the carriage so that we may get to Ponyville in time for the Summer Sun Celebration. It will be better than last year because my student Twilight Sparkle will be taking charge of it."

The guards nod as they form at her sides and lead her to the carriage when a mist forms in front of the carriage making the guards stand ready with their spears.

"HELLO CELESTIA. IT HAS BEEN A LONG TIME SINCE WE LAST SAW EACH OTHER." states a voice in the mist as it begins to form into two beings before Celestia.

Celestia knew the voice well and says in an angry tone, "Nightmare Moon! You have returned it seems from your prison. It looks like it is time to send you back there."

"WE THINK NOT. IT IS TIME FOR US TO RULE OVER EQUESTRIA ONCE MORE. YOU HAVE RULED OUR KINGDOM LONG ENOUGH AND SPREAD TO MANY LIES ABOUT US." yells Nightmare Moon as she stands tall beside the cloaked figure beside her.

Celestia narrows her eyes as she shoots a beam of magic at Nightmare Moon when the figure steps in front of her and holds a sword ready to block it. The magic hits the sword and seems to be absorbed into it as the figure swings the sword twice to knock the spears of the guards aside. The figure than kicks both guards sending them skidding into the walls and thus knocking them out of the fight.

Celestia looks shocked at the figure between her and Nightmare Moon before asking, "Who are you? Why are you letting Nightmare Moon manipulate you into being a pawn in her game to take over Equestria?"

A rough male voice answers under the cloak, "I serve my goddess because I am her follower. You shall not tempt me with your silver tongue to go against my lady. Her kingdom will not be under your control any longer betrayer."

Celestia's eyes go wide as she knew that voice from not that long ago. It was the voice of the follower from another realm of reality that had asked for help not even two years ago.

"You must not do this! You must not let her lead you astray and cause the doom of Equestria. She wishes to make night eternal and destroy everything." Begs Celestia to the cloaked figure.

The cloaked figure looks at Nightmare Moon and shakes his head as he says, "My lady does not wish to ruin the world as you think. She wishes to be seen as a true ruler and not as an enemy like you did to her after killing her sister. It is time for you to feel what she feels having been trapped on the moon and watching the world be changed against you."

Nightmare Moon using this moment fires a spell at Celestia. Celestia notices the spell but is too late to protect herself as it hits her and she disappears. In her place is a small globe made of glass and fake snow along with a miniature Celestia who looked frightened. The figure grabs the globe and puts it in a pocket in his cloak before saying to Nightmare Moon, "It is done my lady but I feel that this weapon you seek to get rid of is not here."

Nightmare Moon thinks for a second as she rubs a hoof on her muzzle before heading to one of the knocked out guards and looking into their mind. Her eyes go wide as she smiles before saying, "She has an apprentice that she has been training for this day. She sent the young unicorn over to a town called Ponyville where a celebration is going on. I believe the elements are there and that her apprentice is searching for them as we speak."

"We must make haste then, my lady or we may be too late. I believe scaring this unicorn may help in gathering an information as to where they may be." states Nate as he gets close to Nightmare Moon.

Nightmare smiles and laughs evilly as she says, "Let us go make a grand entrance then to show Equestria that we are back."
With a cloak of smoke once more heading out, Celestia hears all this and says to herself in the snow globe, "Please, let my training have worked to help get Twilight ready for this challenge. This follower is stranger than I had expected and it may have turned the tide in favor of Nightmare Moon. Please let us succeed."

Excited whisper and chatter happened among many of the towns members. After a good deal of fanfare Mayor Mare took to the center stage. She grabbed the microphone and began to speak. “Ponies of Ponyville, it is with my own pride and a grand honor to introduce to you her highness. Princess Celestia!” With a sweeping shift he cast his gaze up to the balcony, were Rarity in that moment reached out and pulled at the cord that held the drapes closed.

And standing in behind them? Not the Sun goddess who had for thousands of years ruled over their kind and protected them from the dangers that filled the world. Instead it was the form of Nightmare Moon, now armed with thin cyan armor chest mail and armor head piece with crafted with arcane designs carved into every inch of the surface with the twinkling images of the stars themselves visible in her mane. Beside her was a black cloaked figure who had a sword in its black gloved hands standing ready beside her “Greetings mine subjects. At long last thy one true queen has returned.”

"Oh, my beloved subjects. It's been so long since I've seen your precious, little sun-loving faces." Nightmare Moon announced as she was looking at the audience of ponies.

"What did you do with our Princess?!" Rainbow Dash yelled out as she tried to charge at Nightmare Moon but she was stopped by Applejack.

"Whoa there, Nelly..." Applejack as she grabbed Rainbow by the shoulder and forced her down Nightmare Moon than began a cold and cruel chuckle.

"Tell us, whom among you know who I am?” Nightmare Moon prompted as her demonic eyes skimmed over the ponies. “
"...Yes," Twilight said. "You're... Nightmare Moon."

"Well well well, somepony who remembers me. Then you also know why I'm here." replies Nightmare Moon with a smile on her muzzle

"You're here to... too..." Twilight Sparkle began to stammer. Having lost the confidence she had for that moment.

A malignant smile graces the lips of the dark goddess. "Remember this day, little ponies, for today is the last day the sun will ever rise. From this moment forth, eternal night has begun!" Nightmare Moon said as lightning starts to fill the air.

With that sentence, the guard charge at her on foot and by wing to attack Nightmare Moon when the figure steps forward and begins to kill each guard by either cutting off their head of just impaling them on the sword. The blood coats some ponies who seem to panic or go into shock at this bloodshed.

Nightmare Moon laughs as she says, Prepare my subjects for soon all will be mine and you will all forget about Celestia!"

In a cloud of smoke, Nightmare Moon and the figure disappear causing the town to go into a panic as Twilight ran to the library to grab what she needed in order to defeat Nightmare Moon and the cloaked figure.

Twilight panicked as she tried to find the book she needed as she called to Spike, "Spike! I need your help and we have to hurry!"

"What you looking for? You trying to do other stuff to us spy!" states Rainbow Dash at Twilight.

A tug on her tail from Applejack stops her from hurting Twilight as she says, "Simmer Down Sally. She ain't no spy but she does know what's going on. Don't you Twilight?"

What none of the ponies inside knew was that they were being watched from a window by Nightmare Moon and Nate. They listened closely to the ponies as they talked about 'The Elements of Harmony' and that the elements were located in...

"...Every free Forest!" states the ponies as they look into the forest.

Nate looks at Nightmare Moon and says, "My lady. I shall fight them here so you may locate the elements and destroy them. I wish to either slow them down or destroy these ponies before they hurt you."

"Do what you must my friend but be with haste for if they escape your grasp I will need you with me to fight them again." states Nightmare Moon as she lets him out of her magic.

He falls to the ground and lands with a loud bang in front of the six ponies who had just stepped into the forest.

"I cannot let you six go any farther. My lady needs time and you must not do this or I will be forced to kill you." He states as he draws his swords to wield in each hand.

Twilight looks wide eyed at him and asks, "Who and what are you? Why must you do this to us?"

"My goddess demands that none enter here and it must be done. I am her loyal follower and devoted warrior." he states as she takes off his cloak to show himself to the ponies. "And I am the one you must face if you are stupid enough to keep going."

Twilight gasps having seen his kind before in ancient legends, "You are a human!"

The others gasp at having such a being before them. Humans had once been legends of warriors that served as special guards to the princesses before one day they just died or disappeared. No one knew if it was true or not until now.

"Why are ya helping that no good varmint that's a tryin to take over Equestria?" asks Applejack with concern. She felt that this creature was good and yet it worked for someone so evil.

"I swore service to her upon her saving my life. With my death in sight I swore that I would protect her and serve her till the day I died and I still wish that even if she wishes to end it all." he states as he takes a stance at seeing the rainbow colored Pegasus coming around his side as the others spread out.

"Well to bad! We are not gonna let that happen." states Rainbow as she speeds towards him with a hoof out to punch him.
With reflexes attuned to fighting fast opponents he easily steps aside and brings a boot around to hit her in the side sending her crashing into a tree hard, leaving an imprint. As he gets ready for the next attack a rope lassoes around his arms to make him unable to use his swords. Using his legs he easily flips and lets the rope fall onto the ground as his sword buzzes past the mane of Rarity making her run off to check her mane.

Twilight shoots a few beams of magic at him only for him to use his sword to block them or absorb them. He ducks as Pinkie Pie fires her cannon which hits Twilight instead and kicks Pinkie Pie to put her head first into a tree's hole. With most of the ponies done with he turns and sees.... a very scary looking pony before him. The yellow pony named Fluttershy was glaring at him and it was giving him the chills as he tried to stand his ground against her as she yells at him.

"How dare you hurt my friends! How dare you hurt others who are trying to save Equestria! HOW DARE YOU TRY AND THREATEN US WITH WEAPONS! YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF YOURSELF FOR DOING THIS TO HELPLESS PONIES! DO YOU HAVE NO HONOR OR KINDNESS, YOU ... YOU... YOU MONSTER!" She screams into his face.

Most of the first stuff she said made him back up until the said the last two sentences which hurt him deeply. He looked down as he says in a sad voice, "I... I am ashamed of my actions and I do have kindness and honor but if I do not stop you... my lady would die. The Elements of Harmony are only suppose to be used once on someone before it kills them. If you use it again my lady will die and I will have to die with her."

The others are starting to get back up and gather around as she kneels in pain and sorrow as he keeps talking, "I do not like my job but someone has to do it or else who will help make the world better. I have been a soldier for most of my life and have fought countless fights and yet... I am always seen as a horrible person even though if me and others didn't do it... the world would be lost to death and ruin."

He is openly sobbing as he holds the necklace in his hand and letting tears fall while the ponies around him look either sad or depressed at his speech.

Fluttershy goes up to him and hugs him as she says in a soft and caring voice, "I know how hard it is to be a soldier and how some ponies treat you badly. My mother is a soldier and cries herself to sleep at times because of how ponies see her at times. I am sorry for calling you a monster but I had to make you see that this is not right and that you are doing the wrong thing. I know you can't take back your oath to her but you must at least try to not kill or hurt others like you used to. That is the difference between a fighter and a soldier."

He nods and stands up slowly before saying, "It seems that I must go now. I will let you enter but we will face each other on the other side at the castle. I will not be able to stop, my lady, from hurting you but I must follow my oath and keep you from harming her. I...If it comes down to it... you must kill me or else I will be forced to kill you if she so wishes it."

He nods to them before turning and running deep into the forest towards Nightmare Moon as the ponies watch him disappear.
"Why did you guys let him go? We could have taken him!" yells Rainbow Dash at them.

Applejack shakes her head and says, "He is way too strong for us to defeat without a plan of action, Sugarcube. Worse is that he is actually a kind stallion."

Fluttershy nods and states in her low voice, "He is to kind even for his own good. He is willing to die to let us win it seems."

Twilight looks confused at Fluttershy as she asks, "What do you mean by that?"

"He told us to kill him if need be. He means that when we get the Elements of Harmony and face off against Nightmare Moon... He wants us to kill him so we can win and save Equestria."

"You can't seriously mean he wishes to die, darling." asks a shocked Rarity with wide eyes.

Fluttershy nods and says, "We wants to die so that he can keep with his oath and still be a good... person. It's his last wish for us to complete. I will do so if it comes down to it."

The other ponies gasp in shock as they look at the sad Fluttershy who stated she would willingly kill somepony as there last wish.

"You can't mean that Flutters. You're like way to cool to do something like that." states Rainbow.

"I must if need be. I am a kind pony but even death is sometimes a kindness when there is so other way. Some animals can't be saved even by me and I have had to end their lives just so they can smile or be happy at the end." states Fluttershy as she slowly walks forward with her head down.

Twilight looks at the others who look sadly as well before they trot after Fluttershy. Twilight thinks to herself, 'Is there no way to save him? I know that death is natural but... There has to be a way to save him and defeat Nightmare Moon as well. There must be...'