Luna’s chambers was too dark to see and my eyes couldn’t hardly see anything. “Luna?” I slowly searched the darkness. From the darkest corner her eyes glowed brightly, but they were different than before. The eyes belonged to Nightmare Moon.

“Greetings,” she called out to me from the darkness as her dragon like eyes locked onto me then slowly stepped out of the darkness exposing herself in all her nightmarish glory, “my predatory servant.”

It took me a second to realize that she was role playing my idea for Nightmare Night, so I played along. Lowering myself slightly in a submissive gesture tilting my head slightly speaking to her in a soft growling voice, “Greetings my mistress. How can I serve you?”

Evilly she grinned down at me eyeing me carefully, “First by changing your colors. You’re too bright for my liking.” Her horn glowed and magic flowed over me changing my colors from a golden sheen to a dark blue like hers, but with the tips of my tails and paws blood red. My red eyes didn’t change, but instead were now burning with a dark blue fire.

“Is this better my mistress?” I growled softly mimicking fear by not maintaining eye contact.

“Much better,” she chuckled evilly at me. Her voice had changed too as it was more ominous in nature with her laugh and chuckles sending shivers up and down anyone’s spine. “Now then,” she grinned down at me, “shall we show my dear sister our plans for Nightmare night?”

“Yes mistress,” I replied and tried making my voice sound ghostly, which wasn’t too hard considering my normal howl.

“Then come my predator, let’s go hunt her down,” Nightmare chuckled evilly and headed out the door where I followed gracefully behind her.

Because it was evening and after dinner, Celestia was in her chambers, so that’s where we went. On the way there she told me that she wanted to make a good entrance and told me what to do. When we got there Luna announced herself and Celestia told her to enter. That’s when Luna used her magic to extinguish the lights in the room then ushered me inside quickly so her sister wouldn’t see me right off. From there I hid in a corner with my eyes closed so it would make it nearly impossible for Celestia to see me from where she was on the bed. Then she entered as Nightmare Moon with her eyes glowing.

“Sister,” Celestia sighed on her bed while watching her sister, “Why are you like Nightmare Moon right now?”

“I’m just showing you our plans for Nightmare Night this year in Ponyville,” Luna said gleefully. She was practically dancing in place, but was successfully restraining herself.

“But you go as Nightmare Moon every year,” Celestia replied back then it clicked, “Wait…our?”

“I’m going with a minion this year,” Luna chuckled evilly then motioned in my direction, which was my cue.

Opening my eyes I stepped out of the corner letting the dark blue flames of my eyes light up the area around me and bathe me in a dark ominous light. After stopping beside Luna I bowed to her with a wide grin that showed my sharp teeth. Celestia flinched just slightly, but I caught it.

“And what will you be going as?” Celestia asked me then lit up her horn to ignite the candles around the room.

“Her predatory servant,” I replied keeping my voice soft low with a soft growl to it with a hint of otherworldly effects, “To hunt and devour whom she commands.”

Celestia just rolled her eyes and chuckled at us, “Really sister, the things you come up with.”

“Actually it was Emmit’s idea.”

Celestia raised an eyebrow at me giving me a curious look.

I just shrugged with a smile, “I’ve always wanted to have a wicked looking costume for Halloween, that’s our world’s version of your Nightmare Night, this time I have it thanks to Luna for changing me into this. I think it looks terrifyingly awesome, what do you think?” I struck a pose for her.

“Alright I’ll give you this that it does indeed look terrifying,” she told us with a smile, then frowned slightly, “Are you sure that you aren’t taking it too far this year?”

“Nay good sister, for it is all in good fun. Those whom he supposedly devours are the ones that will meet with me personally to share candy with me. Plus the parents will be informed,” Luna told her sister to alleviate any concerns.

“Well, I hope it turns out to be a fun time for you two. It is only just three days away now.”

“Oh don’t worry,” I interjected with a smile, “We’re ready.”

“Hazzah,” Luna cried happily bouncing in place once, “It will be a Nightmare Night to remember. Sleep well sister for tonight I think we’ll stay in costume to have fun with the guards.”

Celestia giggled at that placing a hoof to her muzzle, “Then have fun Lulu and don’t terrify them too much.”

“No promises dear sister,” Luna chuckled wickedly then got back into character while heading toward the door, “Come my pet, there are guards that we can’t let rest.”

“Yes my mistress,” I bowed my head getting back into character and followed her out the door for some fun, and to practice our characters.

^_^

It was just before lunch, on the second day that I was lounging outside of the locker rooms enjoying the breeze in my human form. The news about Blueblood, and his trial, came the day before. The princesses will be indicting him on attempted murder of an Element of Harmony. Thus potentially endangering all of Equestria itself. Looks like Rarity would get her chance to tell off the nobles after all.

It was a beautiful fall day as I thought about the upcoming trial just after lunch. They had already put him under house arrest, which he didn’t like at all. If he was anything like his character was in the show then he thinks he’ll get out of it easily. I was in my human form while looking up at the cloudy sky and enjoying the cool breeze blowing through my hair. My mind was lost in thought until a stallion’s shadow came over me. “Hey Soarin,” cheerfully I greeted him with a small wave and a smile, which faded when I saw the look on his face, “What?”

He sat down on his rump and leaned in close with a deep frown, “Alright, I want to know your secret. How do you do it?”

“Do what?” I asked dumbly just blinking up at him.

He sighed and shook his head, “Us stallions have been trying to get into the mares locker room for such a long time. And here you just show up and low and behold you are in there all day long doing...so called massages.”

Now I get it. I grinned up to him. He’s insanely jealous that I’m doing what they can only dream of. “Alright, you want to know my secret?” I asked conspiratorially. He just nodded tilting his ears to me as if I was going to tell him the biggest secret in all of Equestria. All I did was wiggle my fingers at him with a chuckle, “You gotta have these and be a human like me. It’s all in the fingers. Plus being a predator has it’s strong points when I think a lot of mares have a predator fantasies or something.” He groaned unhappily now looking like a whipped dog. My hand patted his head trying to comfort him, “Sorry man, but you’re just out of luck I’m afraid.”

“Hey stud,” Rainbow called out to me from hovering over head with her front legs crossed over her chest, “let’s go to lunch already I’m hungry and we can’t be late for the trial. It’ll be nice for old Blueballs to get his just punishment for a change.”

“Alright,” getting up my body morphed into my Ninetales form as Rainbow and left the Wonderbolts practice area to have lunch in the castle. A little while later all of us were sitting around the dining table in the private dining room of the princesses. Personally I went for a hot bean salad with spices, which was probably the closest I would get to real chili in this world. I sure was going to miss the meat in my meals.

“Looks like you’ll finally get to tell off the nobles Rarity,” I winked to her with a happy smile while eating my beans, which I probably would regret later. Right now I didn’t mind because they were soo good.

Rarity took a sip of her drink elegantly as always, “Indeed I will darling. It’s about time a lady shows them what it truly means to be a noble.”

“If anypony can tell them how to be all frou frou Rarity it’s you,” Applejack smirked with a giggle, but did mean every word though.

“I’m just wondering how this will affect the nobles in general and the power structure?” Twilight thought aloud while munching on her salad. Her eyes may have been looking around at her friends, but she was really millions of miles away. “I mean for the princesses going after family, even though he’s so many times removed, it might send shock waves through the noble community.”

“Well that meanie pants did have it coming for a long time,” Pinkie told us in a huff right before stuffing herself with muffins, which she made in the kitchen herself. Much to the annoyance of the regular chefs at the castle. I’m just glad that I wasn’t there to hear all the ruckus she was causing. And probably loving every minute of it too. “Yes I was actually,” Pinkie giggled and winked at me.

I just stared at her slack jawed in shock.

The others just looked confused for a second before going back to eating.

“Unfortunately my home world is just full of humans like Blueblood,” I told them after shaking my head dismissing Pinkie as being Pinkie. Setting my spoon down in my telekinesis I continued, “We have a saying, ‘Absolute power corrupts absolutely.’ All they want is power and money. No more, no less. And they will hurt or even kill anyone getting in their way.”

“Oh my are they really like that?” Fluttershy asked while looking into my eyes.

“They are unfortunately.”

“Well this should send a message to them,” Rainbow excitedly cheered on, “To not step out of line anymore.”

“Unfortunately only time will tell,” Celestia came in with a sigh stepping up to the table.

“Celestia,” Twilight jumped off the chair and nearly skipped over to her to give her a hug, which by the look on her face I think she could use right now.

The rest of us kind of did the same, though without the skipping. “How are you feeling Celestia?” I asked her with concern showing in my voice, along with the others, “I can’t really imagine what you’re going through right now.”

“Thanks for your concern, all of you,” she replied with a sad smile hugging us each in turn, “It has been coming to him for a long time. It’s just that this time he went too far. His punishment will be just, though we don’t fear for his life.”

“I wouldn’t necessarily say that,” Rarity grimaced in amusement then chuckled too evilly for our comfort.

Rolling my eyes I just shook my head at Rarity. Though who could blame her?

Celestia giggled softly at that, “However, it will start shortly, so please finish your lunch quickly and meet every pony else in the castle’s court room.”

A short time later the elements and I were in the royal courtroom, which looked nearly exactly like parliament in England. On large table with two chairs in the center of the room with bleacher looking chairs on either side while the large table in the center looking toward two raised thrones. One for Celestia and the other for Luna, both occupied by both princesses. The girls and I were sitting on the front row in the chairs closest to the princesses, more than likely so we can stand and testify. Blueblood was sitting in one of the chairs at the large table with a nice scowl on his face.

It was open to the public, but the nobles tried to suppress the press anyway. It didn’t work, so there was more non-noble ponies there than the nobles would have liked. I knew because of the looks on their faces. That couldn’t hold a candle to the looks on the princesses’ faces right now. It was obvious that they really didn’t want to do it, but knew they had to.

“This criminal court will come to order,” Celestia announced as she banged the gavel on the table in front of her with her magic. She was also careful to keep her voice regal and intimidating as the ponies gathered in the courtroom were silenced.

“This should be interesting,” I whispered softly to Rarity which she grinned wickedly back at me.

“This trial is for the guilt and sentencing of Prince Blueblood on one count of attempt of murder of the Element of Generosity Miss Rarity Belle,” Celestia started it off regally.

“How do you plead Blueblood?” Princess Luna asked staring at him as if her look would kill him instantly.

“Not guilty,” Blueblood sounded off confidently and arrogantly as ever with his head held high.

“By reason of insanity,” Rainbow whispered to me with a giggle as I secretly bumped her hoof with my paw.

“State your case then,” Celestia called out stoically.

“When you called the match,” he began with his usual arrogant flare, “I was out and didn’t hear you declare him the winner. Therefore when I emerged from my predicament my intention was to attack the predator again, so I wasn’t aiming for Miss Rarity.”

“I see,” Luna said though obviously didn’t believe it, and neither did I or the girls.

“A valid argument,” Celestia replied which made Blueblood simply beam in triumph. Then looked to me with a calculating eye, “Unless somepony can disassemble his argument.”

“I believe that I can do that nicely your highnesses,” I stood from the chair and raised a paw in the air.

“Then you have the floor Mister Emmit,” Luna smirked at me, which I slowly nodded with one of my own. With a little flare I stepped around the short wall in front of me to stand in front of the princesses and Blueblood.

“I have a question your highnesses,” I started with a loud sure voice looking up to them, “Would you happen to have an image of the exact moment that Blueblood attacked toward Rarity?”

“Of course,” Celestia nodded with a smile, “it’s standard to have a visual record of all matches.”

I smirked while turning to Blueblood eyeing him with confidence, “Then if your highnesses wouldn’t mind, but put up three pictures for me. One second before, when he struck, and a second afterwards please.” Three images materialized in mid-air on the wall behind the princesses. I didn’t even bother looking as my eyes were locked onto his, “Now then. The first picture is when he was still in the hole I put him in. Notice the positions of both Rarity and I. When I gave Rarity the floor I stepped off to the side and recover which put me about ten feet away. The middle picture is when he was looking directly at Rarity with the intent to kill with knife still in hoof. The third picture is when he was still looking at Rarity while he fired off a knife that would have killed her if I hadn’t taken it for her. Therefore, it is plainly evident that you were indeed aiming for Rarity because you were looking at her while you attacked her. Which I believe makes you not only a liar, but also attempting murder.”

Blueblood was scowling and softly growling at me the whole time. I leaned in and finished him off, “And you can’t say that you thought it was me when we look nothing alike.” Turning quickly my tail whipped his head lightly nine times as I headed back to my chair.

“You make excellent points Mister Emmit,” Celestia smiled to me as the murmurs of some of the nobles clearly told everypony they didn’t like what I had to say. “Is there anything you wish to say before your sentencing Blueblood?” When he didn’t say anything Celestia continued, “Then it is time for your sentencing.” Rarity’s smile went to a nearly evil grin when Celestia looked over at her, “Element of Generosity Miss Rarity Belle are you ready to give out his sentence?”

For the first time I think that Blueblood actually had some fear in his eyes as Rarity most elegantly stepped down from her chair, around the short wall in front of her, then to stand in front of him. For about a minute she didn’t speak at all, but just smiled to him. Then let him have it. “His sentence is to lose his prince hood for the rest of his life,” she began, “sense he has no idea what it means to be truly noble he does not deserve such a title.”

“Done,” Luna agreed.

“Furthermore,” Rarity continued, “he is to loose all but only one thousand bits, so he is to work like any other hard working pony in Equestria.”

“Agreed,” Celestia smiled.

“And one last thing,” Rarity grinned to him while he leaned back in shock and horror, “He is to be polite and educate himself on how to properly treat others, especially a lady, or he gets thrown in prison for the next ten years. Which means if anypony ever tells either the princesses or either one of the elements of harmony that he hasn’t been fully respectful he is to be arrested and start his imprisonment immediately.”

“Done,” Celestia nodded as both she and Luna straightened up in their seats, “Former Prince Blueblood, your sentence is as what Miss Rarity Belle has told. All of your assets minus one thousand bits is to be seized. You are no longer part of the royal house and to work the rest of your days being respectful to others.”

“I object,” he called out and stood along with some of the nobles and their grumbling, “That’s not being very generous.”

“Oh really Mister Blueblood?” Rarity all but killed him with her glare, “I could have just put you into prison for the next FIFTY YEARS, if I so chose, but I wanted to be generous and give you a chance at a decent life.” She then straightened herself and eyed the rest of the nobles in the room, “As I said before in the coliseum. What makes a pony truly noble is how he or she serves the betterment of those in Equestria. Being noble isn’t who you know, how much money you have, or how close you live to the castle. Being noble is how you treat others, being noble is about honesty, generosity, loyalty, wanting happiness for those around you, and showing kindness to others. Being noble is opening a door for a lady, complimenting her, and protecting her. And why you might ask? Because those are the elements of living in harmony with others in Equestria. For those who don’t understand or follow those precepts gets punished.” I watched her end with a “Hmph” and a flick of her mane kicking the table lightly when she left him to go back to her seat.

“Mister Blueblood,” Celestia finished this as she and Luna looked down to him, while the nobles were quietly protesting of course, “You are free to go with the thousand bits you have left to your name. And I might think about selling your mansion and move into something smaller.” With her magic she lifted the gavel and banged it onto the table, “Court dismissed.”

^_^

It was only about a little over an hour before Nightmare Night was supposed to start and I was walking down the hallway toward Luna’s room. We had everything set for tonight except for changing my colors and all to the more darker hue. As I walked my mind recalled the flurry of activity surrounding Blueblood. My smile turned into a grin while thinking about how Rarity finally got her moment. Even the princesses applauded her on how she handled herself. After that I took it among myself to treat her, and the other girls, as a true gentleman should. It was outside and away from everypony that I had told her how beautiful she handled herself and the others agreed as we all group hugged each other.

Blueblood did indeed sell the mansion, but due to the bad publicity he only got a fraction of what he wanted. And that was for all the other stuff as well. Word was he was even trying to pull favors from the other nobles, but they weren’t lifting a hoof to help him. And it didn’t look like they ever would either. He was truly reamed this time. He looked mad enough to spit nails, but there wasn’t anything that he could do about it. Judgment had been passed and he just had to stallion up and deal with it. Though I still thought that he might still hold a trick or two.

Luna’s bedroom door brought me out of my thoughts as I smiled to the two thestral guards with a nod, “Good evening.” They just respectfully nodded to me as I walked up to the door and knocked on it the best I could with a paw. It was more like softly pounding on the door. The door just opened slowly in Luna’s magic with me walking in.

“Are you ready?” she asked as she was already in the Nightmare Moon form.

Bowing to her with a smirk my voice took on that ethereal whisper, “I am my mistress.” Her magic washed over me as my coloring changed, the dark blue flames appeared in my eyes again with the tips of my tails and paws turning red and my coat turning dark blue again.

“Excellent,” her Nightmare Moon voice sounded happily with her slitted eyes looking at me with dark glee. She then started walking toward the door, “Come my predator.”

“Yes my mistress.” From there two of her guards by the door also came with us, more than likely it was because they are both fliers. The way Luna...er Nightmare Moon walked now was more like Celestia. Slower and more regal movements along with everything else really put her into a more darker flare. We made our way to her night chariot, which the two flight guards pulled. Other than me in this picture it looked nearly exactly like the Nightmare Night episode from the series. After both of us we loaded on it we took to the air and headed for a night of fun in Ponyville.

It was nice to be back in Ponyville again. Ponyville came into view as the chariot dived for the center of town. The town was a flurry of activity with all of the activities that I saw in the show. Ponies both foals and adults alike were in their costumes walking around with bags of candy all having fun. That’s about to change, if only for a short while then it’ll be back to having fun with Luna.Except we didn’t land in the middle of town, but near her statue. It was almost an hour long trip to the town and soon the kids would gather around in front of the statue to give her all their hard collected candy. She stepped off first from the chariot followed by me then dismissed her guards to go have fun in town.

Everything had been hammered out beforehoof, so now all we had to do was wait. For me however, that constituted waiting in a small area behind her statue in an invisibility field so they wouldn’t see me until the appointed time. I didn’t have to wait long for the crowd to start forming in front of her statue. This is the moment we had prepared for. She had already taken her spot in the statues place with me concealed behind her. When they all had gathered she would surround the statue with dark smoke, cancel the invisibility around me, and then show herself like she’s done every year.

“All the candy is here, so let us see,” Zecora said to everypony there, “if she will eat the candy or you or me?”

A second later is when Luna let loose her dark smoky mist that quickly surrounded the statue. Her evil laugh permeated the air as it seemed to roll away from her like fog. With the mist now surrounding me I was now visible while still concealed behind the mist. So, I was able to see the scared faces on nearly everypony after she revealed herself and stepped down from the base of the statue. “Welcome my subjects,” she called out while lowering her head to gaze at the offering on the ground. “It seems that you have worked so hard to give me this most wonderful offering for me,” she continued cooing out with a dark voice. The ponies seemed to like it as some even cheered, but then she straightened up and grinned at them, “Of course I may be pleased, but my new pet is another matter.”

That was my cue to make my entrance. The ponies looked confused at that as they didn’t realize the change we made to this year’s schedule. Stepping out from behind the statue I opened my eyes and gave out a loud ethereal howl. From inside the black mist, from an outsider’s point of view, it should give them quite a few chills as they only thing they saw was my flaming dark blue eyes and a howl from the darkness.

“There he is now,” she cooed turning her head in my direction. With that as my cue I growled loudly and slowly stepped out of the black mist. Their reaction was perfect as they all gasped and shied away from me. I was happy that at least for once I could play the bad guy during Halloween, or in this case Nightmare Night. “You see he’s very hungry,” Nightmare Moon put a hoof to her muzzle and chuckled darkly, “and I don’t think that this candy will be enough.” Ponies started to back away in fear. I even saw Twilight and the other girls there, but naturally they knew what was going on. Especially Pinkie who was dressed as a chicken.

“He’s going to eat us all,” Pinkie screamed out and ran with the foals she was with screamed and ran with her. Of course I thought that she said it like that because she did the same during Luna’s first visit on Nightmare Night. So, it must be her way of telling them it’s only for fun.

“FEED,” Nightmare Moon commanded me, so after one quick growl I leapt at my first “victim,” which was Pipsqueak. Due to his small size I surrounded him with my body and tails while he gave out a scream. And when no pony could see I quickly explained what was going on to him. He’s quick I give him that because I made some chewing sounds while he let out some quick cries. “His first victim I see,” Nightmare cooed wickedly as I gave out another howl then grabbed pipsqueak and dashed off into a special clearing. We saw to it that the ones I grabbed tonight could meet with her privately for a little bit before returning to the festivities.

After jumping into the clearing I let Pipsqueak go and stepped aside, “Now we’ll wait for Luna to arrive with the candy and I can go get some other so called ‘victims’.”

“Wow, this is great,” he looked up to me wide eyed and excited, “whose idea was this?”

“It was his actually,” Nightmare stepped into the small clearing with all the candy in her magical grasp. “This is Emmit,” she introduced me as I took a bow, “A friend of mine.”

Pip and I bumped hoof to paw before I took my leave, “I’ll let her explain while I go nab some more ponies.” Staying within the shadows I spotted my next quote unquote victim. From my hiding spot in the alley of Sugarcube Corner I saw them. Three of them actually. Pinkie was escorting the Cutie Mark Crusaders to the front door and that’s when I saw my chance.

After a quick loud ethereal howl I leapt from my hiding spot in the shadows to land in front of Pinkie and the Crusaders. They gasped and screamed at my snarling with some drool dripping from my teeth.

“No please,” Pinkie pleaded while jumping in front of the three fillies with her front hooves out wide, “Take me instead. I’m more tasty. Spare them.”

Chuckling darkly I approached her as the Crusaders ducked behind her shivering in fright. My eyes met hers as I smirked to her getting nose to nose with her, “I might...if I find you...delicious.” I really didn’t see fear in her eyes, although most would probably see it that way. Leaning in I placed my nose against her neck and sniffed her. She actually smelled like candy and cakes. Making a soft sound against her neck that was a mix of a hum and a growl I whispered to her, “You smell wonderfully delicious my pink mare.” Then I leaned away from Pinkie to look at the Crusaders with a smirk, “You are free for now for she is more tasty.” Leaning back in I slowly licked Pinkie’s neck with a hum of excitement, “I’m sure you won’t mind me eating you.”

“No,” she said with a shake of her head and her body trembling slightly. What surprised me is when she wrapped her front legs around my neck then whispered into my ear, “Take me.”

“As you wish,” I whispered back before leaning away from her neck enough to glare down at the fillies. My eyes went wide with a long grin, “If you want to save her then come to the clearing by the Nightmare Moon statue.”

Each one nodded in fright then ran off. And before Pinkie could do anything else I grabbed her with a front leg and took off for the clearing with her screaming in my ears. It wasn’t until we arrived at the statue that she stopped screaming. After setting her down I used a finger in my paw to mimic cleaning out my ear, “Thank you for stopping all that screaming. Wow you have a set of lungs on you.”

She giggled while bouncing in place, “That was fun.”

“Glad you think so Pinkie,” I told her then pointed through the large bushes in front of us, “Luna is through there. I’m pretending to be her minion collecting ponies to eat while the whole time it’s to gather them for some personal time with them.” Turning toward the bush I started walking through it, “Come on let’s go, hopefully the Crusaders will be here soon.”

Stepping through the bush I ushered Pinkie on to have some fun time with Luna then going out to gather some more for some fun. Less than an hour later the small clearing was filled with about two dozen giggling fillies and colts having a great time with Luna. After I came back is when Pinkie came over with the Crusaders to properly introduce me to them.

“So these three are the famous Crusaders I’ve heard about,” I smirked to them and laid myself down in front of them.

“Yeah I’m Apple Bloom.”

“I’m Scootaloo.”

“And I’m Sweetie Belle,” the small white one excitedly spoke up to me then started to look me over, “So you are this Emmit predator that Rarity has been talking about.”

Smirking I just nodded with a smile, “Yes, I am. Hopefully she’s said all good things about me.” She and her friends was just so cute with their costumes that I thought I might die from cuteness overload.

“Yeah she has,” she replied.

“My sister Applejack even told us how you whipped ol’ Blueblood for Rarity,” Apple Bloom told me while bouncing happily a few times.

“Yeah even Rainbow thought it was cool,” Scootaloo fluttered her little wings in excitement, “So what you did before was just an act?”

I acknowledged her with a nod and a soft chuckle, “Yeah, I’ve always wanted to have a wickedly scary costume and now that I’m here I can do that.”

“Excuse me,” a soft feminine voice interrupted. It was Derpy’s wild eyes.

“Yes Derpy? What can I do for you?” I asked her with a wide smile.

“You know where little Dinky is?” she asked with worry and concern in her voice. It was that time of night that the parents were coming for their kids now that the fun was mostly over. However, after standing up and taking a look around I didn’t see the little filly.

“I don’t see her here,” I told her quietly, “Nor do I remember picking her up either. Where did you see her last?”

“Over by the bobbing for apples,” she replied then stepped up to me and looked up to me with those wild eyes now very worried.

She wasn’t the only one as other’s started coming in and asking either me or Luna about their kids. It was obvious to me that something was going on, so I told them and Luna that I would go out and start searching. I kept to the shadows so my presence didn’t tip off whoever it was that was doing the foalnapping. The question was why? If somepony wanted to kidnap foals then this would be the most opportune moment to do it. They could do all the foalnapping they wanted and pin it on me easily. It only took me around fifteen minutes to cover the immediate area around the center of town. Speed and finding them quickly was key here, so I started expanding my search to the outlying areas. All the while I could hear the sounds of laughter and ponies having fun on this night. Not knowing what was really going on right under their noses.

It was in the shadow behind one of the houses at the edge of town that I spotted a mare walking with Silver Spoon. I didn’t know the mare, but I knew Silver Spoon. And this mare wasn’t her parents. I stalked the mare as she, and a clearly under the influence of something Silver Spoon, walked away from the town. Where she was going was a mystery and why she was foalnapping. They walked until they got to a lone cabin near the outskirts of the Everfree Forest. And while secretly hiding in a tree I noticed that Fluttershy’s cottage wasn’t that far away. Maybe three or four football fields or so.

Luna, I told her through the mind link that she setup between us, I believe I found the missing foals. An unknown mare was walking with Silver Spoon to a run down cottage outside of town not far from Fluttershy’s place. I can’t take the chance at a confrontation while she’s with them, so I’ll wait until she exits the house when she’s alone.

I know that house, she replied back to me, I’ll be there as soon as I can. And I’ll tell the town to gather everypony together to watch their foals.

Thanks Luna, I told her while watching the house like a hawk. My wait wasn’t long before I spotted her exiting the house once more and started toward town.

Alone.

So, with the foals in the house alone and safe it was my time to strike. However we needed to take her alive in order to find out what’s going on with her and why she doing this. Surrounding her seemed to be the best way to do it. I waited until she passed the tree before making my strike. She was shocked, and even fearful, at my sudden appearance. In that second I used her inaction to quickly multiply myself uttering a long loud ethereal howl.

“What? Who or what are you?” she asked as my body and my duplicates ignited in fire then dashed around her like how I dried the princesses. “I’m not afraid of you,” she called out to me while a ring of fire surrounded her.

After extinguishing my fire I returned to a single form again and stepped through the flames, “You should. Now what were you doing with those fillies and colts?”

She sat down on her rump with a smirk, “And just why should I tell you? Just what are you anyway?”

Chuckling darkly I stood straight and tall with my tails and my head held high, “I am a predator and protector of this town.” Stepping forward I nearly got nose to nose with her eyeing her intently letting my red eyes to glow, “And you will answer my question. What are you doing here?”

A slow smirk appeared on her face with her horn suddenly igniting. In response I secretly put up my protection field for whatever she was about to do. “I’m here to serve my dark EMPRESS,” along with her shout came a powerful blast from her horn hitting me and putting out the fire around her. I wasn’t sure exactly what it was, but it was powerful enough to send me flying away from her towards the town. My field remained intact thankfully because of the upgrade that Celestia and Luna’s mother did to me.

She came after me with a scream that sounded like a battle cry. At that same time Luna gave me a call.

I’ve got the fillies and colts from the building and taking them to the clearing now, she told me.

I waited until she got close then dashed to the side and twisted my body using my iron tail ability to strike her body. With a loud painful cry my tails contacted her body sending her tumbling head over tail. Understood, I replied to Luna, I’ll try and stop her. Just then there was a shrill cry as the mare’s body exploded, of sorts, into smoke and started streaking toward the town. Luna, the mare has some sort of smoke ability and his heading toward the town, I told her then dashed after the mare as fast as I could, Start evacuating them quickly. My battle with her won’t be small.

Understood, I heard Luna tell me as I spotted the mare reappear in the center of town. She had reappeared back into full body form and was looking around. With a battle cry of my own I sent a huge fireball at her. Unfortunately she saw it a split second before it impacted the ground where she was standing. Was being the operative word because she launched herself into the air. I landed in the middle of she smoldering fire on the ground with a loud thud, then sent a large flame upward toward her. My ears picked up her cry of pain much to my satisfaction. Not wanting her to get any chance of recovery I used my dash ability to jump up after her.

Her eyes met mine with just enough time to recognize anger in them before twisting my body to use my tail whip ability sending her back to the ground. The fire was mostly out as she headed toward the ground, but she had a shield of her own which protected her from the powerful impact. I launched myself down after her, but she was quick enough to jump to the side and blasted me again like she did before. My shield protected most of the impacts as I traveled through the water fountain and hitting the side of town hall.

As I got up I took a quick look around noticing that while I was keeping this mare busy Luna, along with Twilight and her friends, were busy leading the town away. Standing up from the hole that I left in the wall of town hall I saw...something...heading my way. It was nothing but a black pulsing orb or something and I put up my shield.

Only for it to pass through like Blueblood’s knives. It hurt too. A lot. It wasn’t so much of an impact as it was being thrown hot acid on me. I screamed out as I heard some sizzling while smelling burnt fur. My muscles screamed at me as I stood up then dashed to the fountain. There was just enough water to neutralize whatever this was. The mare laughed at me while I rolled around in the water. My body was still in pain, but at least whatever it was got neutralized.

Water dripped from my fiery mane and over my eyes as I glared at her. My heart was pounding in my chest with my breathing heavy when I stepped out of what was left of the bath.

“My dark mistress will rule this land,” she cried out sending another black pulsing thing my way with the magic from her horn as part of the town watched on.

Dashing to the side I dodged, “Over my dead body,” I yelled at her while multiplying myself many times. Each one of the duplicates dashed at her with their bodies ignited in fire. Using my duplicates like bullets from a gun. She yelled and screamed while trying to get away by teleporting, but she still took hit after hit. Using my dash ability I jumped up after her, but she had a surprise for me.

She yelled out long and loud sending another blast wave from her horn. This one was much more powerful and sense I wasn’t expecting it this time it was the hardest hit yet. I was only able to get my shield up before I hit the ground. Dropping the shield I rested there for a minute while looking around through the falling dust and debris from the impact. Watching her land with a thud of her own and walked up to me with legs shaking obviously in pain gave me some satisfaction.

"Why? Why do you protect these ponies?" she asks me with her eyes filled with hatred and malice. "Look at them," she motions to the town looking on, "they're afraid of you, they're not coming to your aid. Their gone. So, why? Why do you persist?"

I try to take a deep breath, but it starts a coughing fit. Blood splatters on the ground from my coughing as I slowly stand up on shaking legs. The world is spinning slowly, but I'm still able to focus on her as I lift up my head and glare at her, "Because...," I cough up some more blood, "I choose to." I felt a soft warmth on both sides of my rump, but I ignored it thinking that it was the wounds bleeding.

"If you won't join us," she growled lowering herself to the ground preparing to strike, "Then you will DIE." She screamed the last word out with wide furiously hate filled eyes. Using her magic I watched as her horn glowed then she launched herself at me at incredible speed.

I couldn't take her head on, but perhaps I could use her momentum against her. Using my telekinesis I jumped up in the air, grabbed her body, and used her momentum to sling her over me and back to the ground. Kind of like the circular motion of a Ferris wheel she went over me and hit the ground hard making a loud thud and a pretty good sized crater. I'll have to admit that hearing her scream out in pain when she hit gave me some satisfaction as I landed back on the ground again. Quickly I used the rest of my strength into my telekinesis ability to hold her down. "Luna," I cried out while watching the mare intently, "Get the unicorn magic suppressor ring."

"NO," the mare cried out as she strained against my hold on her. I closed my eyes putting everything into it to hold her down as my body shook and my face contorted with effort.

I’ll do my best to hurry Emmit hold on to her, Luna replied and I knew that she went to get it. I just had to hold onto this mare for a few minutes.

"HURRY," I called out to her.

Failure will not be tolerated.

I heard a faint voice say from around the dark mare.

"No master," she cried out in terror, "I haven't failed you." I opened my eyes and watched and felt magic build up within her as her body started to convulse. My hold on her was wavering because the magic was building, but I still tried to hold her. "No master please I haven’t....failed...," she called out louder even as her body shook violently as the magic peaked.

Within the span of a couple of seconds it was like the world exploded. There was too much magic used and her body was shaking soo bad that my grip on her failed. She had ceased to talk and let out an ear piercing scream of terror right before she exploded. Luckily, I was the only one around when it happened. It was a horrific sight that no pony should witness. It was like two or three hand grenades going off. The force of the blast, and her shrapnel, hit me full force sending me flying backward. I screamed in pain even as my body went through the wall of Sugarcube Corner. Then darkness.

^_^

(Luna's POV)

"Luna," I heard him call out to me. I wanted to go to him and help but protecting the foals, colts, and fillies were the most important. When Emmit called out to me Twilight and her friends showed up to help me after they got the rest of the town's ponies over to Sweet Apple Acres for safety. "Get the unicorn magic suppressor ring," he called to me as I turned to Twilight.

"Twilight," I looked to her with urgency, "Get these colts and fillies to safety hurry." I didn't wait for a response and teleported from there directly to Twilight's Castle's armory where she kept the ring I needed. It only took about two or three seconds for me to teleport over there, get the ring, and then teleport back and start running to him. But it wouldn't be enough. I watched in absolute horror as the mare let out an ear piercing scream as her body convulsed with magic...

then exploded.

I was able to shield myself, but Emmit wasn't so fortunate. "EMMIT," in fear for his life I called out to him as the force of the blast sent him flying back toward Sugarcube Corner. When he hit the wall he screamed horribly, then a crash was heard and some rumbling of debris from inside the shop.

Then silence.

For a couple of seconds my mind just couldn't comprehend what just happened, then I started moving. I couldn't get to him fast enough as I ran over to him, my hooves pounding the ground and dirt flying behind me. He was laying in a pile of debris from the crushed and fallen counter top of the shop. Quickly my horn lit and used a passive medical scan. Finding him barely alive I moved the debris with my magic just as I heard a whoosh of air.

"Princess Luna," I heard Rainbow Dash called out as she quickly entered, "what happened? How is he?"

I turned to Miss Dash just after removing the last of the debris from on top of him, "Help me get him to the hospital as quickly, but gently as possible. He's alive but barely." It was Miss Dash and I that picked him up as gently as we could and took him to the hospital.

"Emergency," I called out as Miss Dash and I quickly arrived and up to the nurse at the front counter. "It's Emmit and he's just barely alive, he needs medical attention immediately."

"Yes your highness," the nurse took a quick look at Emmit, gasped suddenly, then sprinted down the hallway yelling for the doctor.

"Hey Princess Luna," Rainbow quietly got my attention, "He got a cutie mark now. It's cool too."

I was surprised at this as he was from another world, so we agreed that it wasn't possible for him to get one. But when I looked, there was a cutie mark on him. And in the same place as any other pony's cutie mark. But it was the design of the cutie mark that rocked my very core. I gasped in utter disbelief and laid down on the floor to get a closer look. My hoof gently touched it to make sure it was real.

"Princess Luna? What is it?" Rainbow wondered, but I just couldn't answer her. Why? Because I recognized that mark. It was the exact same one that my lover had in the past, back before I became Nightmare Moon.

"Excuse me your highness," the doctor commanded softly, so I moved out of the way slowly while keeping a disbelieving eye on Emmit's new mark. But how? How is that possible? He's dead. He's gone. It's just simply impossible.

"Princess Luna," Rainbow asked again now stepping in front of me, "Are you alright?"

I shook my head hard and quick, "No." Then I looked to her through tear stained eyes as my emotions were now all over the place, "I'm not Alright. Rainbow Dash I need you to stay here with your friends and watch over him." Even as I was speaking to her my mind was putting together the similarities between my old lover and Emmit, "I need to speak with my sister immediately, but let me know right away the minute there's news."

She nodded to me and saluted, "Yes your highness of course." Then I left, not only left but bolted out of there. It just simply can NOT be. I had to speak with my sister about this as tears streamed down my face as I raced through the sky back to Canterlot.

It took longer than I wanted. I didn’t bother with going through the large front double doors that led to the throne room. With it this late into the night I was sure that my sister would be in her room by now. So, I flew directly to the balcony and after making a soft landing I didn’t bother with being quiet. One was because my nerves were way too rattled. And two was that she was still up.

I rushed in after yanking open the balcony doors with my magic. “Sister. Sister,” I called out to her while panting from pushing my body so hard during the flight back.

When she looked over at me and saw my current state her eyes widened in shock as she rushed over to me. “My goodness Lulu,” she said worriedly, “Are you alright? What happened?”

My body was shaking slightly as I sat down leaning against her with her wing over me, “It’s Emmit. A mare was taking foals. He fought her.”

“Take a deep breath sister and let it out slow,” I heard her say to me, but my mind was too active with what happened.

“She just...” I paused as the scene ran through my mind again, “exploded. There before us. Emmit was caught in the blast. We got him to the hospital.” I turned to my sister and stared into my sister’s eyes with my own shocked eyes, “Emmit got a cutie mark, he got a cutie mark Tia.”

My sister’s head leaned back in shock, “What? But I thought that-”

“It was the mark of my old lover Tia,” I told her with the look in my eyes echoing the shock in my own voice.

“...What?” her voice was just as shocked as mine as she stepped back a little.

“It was the exact same mark as my old lover from long ago,” I told her again, “The mark of Starry Sky.”

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