After we came through Pyro’s doorway we were back in the lab. I then sealed the door and locked it with my key to make sure no one could enter it other than myself. The doorway was set up next to the Time Chamber in here so only me and those who knew alchemy can enter. Not even Pinkamena Diane Pie can get in here with her short cuts. I then looked to Luna who smiled at me and wrapped me in a warm hug.

“Thank you for taking me to the wedding Ed. I really loved it and we got to sing together. It was wonderful. I must go and tend to my duties now though. I think you could use some rest though. You’ve may have only been gone two days here but in the other world, you were gone for a little over a year,” Luna explained as we walked to the door of the lab.

She had raised the moon before we left so most the ponies were already in their beds by now or pretty close to it. She was right to. This was one of the few times that I was actually in need of some rest. I did a lot more to my body than I realized when I channeled Truth and then I didn’t rest after that with rebuilding the Crystal Empire in the other world.

“You’re right Luna and I’m not gonna argue. I am going to take a much need shower then hit the sack. *yawn* I’m gonna sleep in your chambers tonight. I really wish I could stay up but I’m just too tired. See you before sunrise if I feel up to it, I said opening the door and we walked to the upper levels of the castle.

“I think I’ll go out to the garden and enjoy the fresh air for a bit before I go to night court,” Luna said with a smile.

“I think I’ll join you then. It has been a while since we just relaxed in the beauty of one of your nights. Are the Moon lilies blooming yet?” I asked as I had bred this floor for Luna as a wedding gift once many years ago.

“Yes, they are. While I would love to sit with you tonight Ed I can’t stay very long as I am already behind in my duties” Luna says as he tone saddens a bit. “I guess I should’ve asked Tia before we left if she would pick up the early court at least.”

“It’s okay Luna. Just being able to be with you for a little bit is enough for me. You know if you ever need my help with night duties you don’t have to be shy about it,” I said trying to comfort her. I didn’t want her and Tia to know that I know have solar and lunar magic yet so before I came for her a changed my armor to my fire model and put my Sage Gauntlet in my Vault.

“I know Ed but you’ll soon be busy with your shops and opening your school. You’re not a king anymore so you should have to bother with royal duties that have nothing to do with you, The night is my domain anyways,” She said as we came to the gardens.

“I understand that Luna and I’m trying to let others situations handle and rely on others too for things but that doesn’t mean I’m not gonna try and help you any less. I’m your husband and your duties are mine just as much as they are yours. Especially your royal duties. But more importantly, is our duty to each other. This last summoning has taught me that we may have been spending time together but we haven’t actually been with each other,” I said walking into the gardens. “It just like when I was encased in the stone and you came to see me. We were spending time together but we were still apart. Do you realize the only time we’ve actually spent any time in passion was the night of Cadance and Shining wedding? Sure we sleep in the same bed most nights, eat together, and do jobs together but there is no love between us in all this. We simply spend time together.”

“Ed… “ Luna started to say.

“I don’t want to simply be doing things with you anymore Luna. It still makes me happy to just sit near you. But when I look into your eyes when you look at the those with children of any kind you get the sad and longing feeling. You had that same feeling when the of the Crimson Knight left the Castle after a year,” I say looking to the sky that she’d made. I could see it there written in the stars she’d placed in the sky. The image of a family walking and holding hands. “I know you want to have no, be a family Luna. You can’t hide that from me. Even The night sky shows it tonight.”

“Edward you idiot!” Luna yelled causing me to wheel around to see the tears rolling down her face. “Yes I want nothing to be a family especially with you but that doesn’t mean that I don’t find passion in having you help me or just sit with me.”

She then fell to her knees with her face buried in her hands crying her eyes out. I went over to her and reach my hand out and place it on her shoulder causing her to look up at me with red swollen eyes.

“I’m sorry Luna. I shouldn’t have said that we were just spending time together like that. I really do love being with you no matter what we do. I just wish I could giving you the one thing that could make us come together even more,” I said breaking eye contact.

“I know you wish you could Ed but that’s one thing I wanted to tell you when you came back. I really don’t see how I didn’t see it myself after we left with Nat and Dusk. I guess I was just to busy to notice all of my cravings for Tia cakes. While my mood swings were masked by the training and court,” Luna says with a grin as she dried her eyes while I was in complete confusion.

“Wait, cravings and mood swings. You don’t mean that you’re…’”

“Yes. Edward Elric, you’re going to be a father,” Luna says with a smile.

I then picked her up off the ground by the waist and twirled her around with a big smile on my face. I know cliche and been done before but I’m so happy. I held her up laughing in joy the whole time.

“When did you find out exactly. I know it had to be today here but when?” I asked setting her down

“It was after I came back home earlier and before you came and got me again. What your master said about mother and fate got me thinking. I talked with Tia about what he said after which I played with Umbreon for a bit and what he’d said kept eating at the back of my mind when I got hungry. So naturally, I went down to the kitchen to find a snack of some type and that's when I saw some of Tia cakes on one of those bakers’ racks. She’d already gone to bed for the evening so I saw no offense in having a few of them for myself.”

“Luna, how many of those did you have when you say a few?” I asked because if this was the bakers rack that Tia has left out for her nighttime cakewalks we might be in trouble.

“That’s the thing I only meant to have two or three but-” She paused looking down in embarrassment before finally looking to me with a guilty goofy grin as tears started to fall from her eyes. “I ended up eating the whole rack of cakes in one sitting. Then Tia came in and found me trying to hide the shreds of evidence with cake on my face, She then got mad and started to say if I wanted cake I should get the bakers to make some of my own. Tia then went on to ask why I had even eaten the cake in the first place as they were lemon. That’s when I knew something was going on.”

“Yea you never did care for lemon unless there was nothing else around even vegetables,”

“So Tia thought I might have a vitamin deficiency or might have caught a bug from the other world. She called in the royal doctor and had some test run. Then while Tia was tending to larvesta the doctor told me I was around the two to three-month stage in development. She then said I should start showing a large belly pretty soon. Ed I told Tia it was just a vitamin thing I thought we should tell her together,” Luna said as her hair fill to hide her eyes.

I then moved my hand to brush it back in place then I kissed then placed the most passionate kiss I’d ever placed on her yet. All under the light of her full moon. Little did I know in Everfree that the events that I’d thought were sometimes off had already started earlier that day.

The Children of the Night Spell Cipher and Dumb Bell had made their way out of the library and into Everfree after Ponyville had turned out every light in town except the street that were few and far between. They made their way to a clearing in Everfree with Twilight Sparkle in tow as they’d been instructed be Casting Index.

Casting Index was a master unicorn tomb robber slash archeologist. His appearance consisted of dark tanned skin, glowing neon green eyes, long shoulder-length white hair, and a black horn. While Index’s clothing usually consisted of a long sleeve black shirt, black slacks, and black dress shoes. Now he was wearing an outfit similar to the armor of Nightmare Moon but with a black hooded cloak instead of an astral dress of the Night while his eyes were cerulean blue with slit pupils.

He was the main competitor of writer archeologist Ak Yearling aka Dearing Doo. He finds things in tombs and keeps anything he likes for his own collection and gives everything else to museums for the right price. He’ll often steal said object back and then sell them to private collectors for high prices and also collect on the insurance money for stolen property. This is how he came to be involved with the Children of the Night. An interested party had paid him to still the remnants of Nightmare Moon's armor and clothing and this intern lead him to join their ranks and bestow the Blessing of the Night. By doing this he was quickly placed at the head of the Cult and made ground plans for his Queen’s revival. With his incomparable knowledge of ancient artifacts and other antiques, he started his hunt for what he needed to revive his Queen.

Cipher and Bell went to meet with Casting in his tent with a still unconscious Twilight over Bell’s shoulder.

“Brother Casting it’s the Ponyville members Spell Cipher and Dumb Bell. we come with great news and the Element of magic Twilight Sparkle. May we enter?” Cipher asked.

“You may brothers. Be swift as we haven’t much time,” Casting said as he placed every remnant of Nightmare Moon into a large golden blow along with various other magical artifacts of great power while the other Children of the Night enter with their captive. “Excellently done my Brothers. The Queen would most pleased with your work. Now, what is this other news you have for me but be quick as the hour for her majesty’s revival draws near.”

“While we were in Ponyville we overheard the new guard captain, Polearm, say that the alchemist came back from his current journey briefly to pick up the imposter and bring her with him back on his journey,” Cipher explained with a grin forgetting to mention the heard it before they knocked out said pony.

“Yes, most excellent news indeed Brothers. With them, both gone all that stands in the Queen's resurrection is the Solar usurper. Now quickly take your places amongst the others. The time draws very near now,” Casting said in a demanding tone sending the other away now alone with the Element of Magic. “Now time to wake up the key player in all of this.”

Casting now stood over Twilight and pulled a small dagger from his cloak.

“Wake up you purple haired menace,” Casting Index said in a fit of stern anger as he smacked Twilight across the face cause her to jolt awake with a scream of pain that was muffled by the gag in her mouth. The strike caused a small whelp to form on Twilight cheek. “You will be awake for this and you will be front and center for when our Queen revives. You will be the first the will feel our Queen wrath for what you did.”

“Hrhhm…” was the muffled scream of the captive unicorn.

“How silly of me. I forgot to put these on you,” Casting said placing pair of magic inhibitor cuff on Twilight. “Now for the final artifact.”

Casting took his dagger and then ran the blade across Twilights shoulder. He proceeded to crave the symbol of Nightmare Moon’s cutie mark into Twilight’s flesh all while collecting the blood the flowed from the wounds in the golden bowl from earlier. The wounds weren’t deep but they were definitely shallow enough that the would leave a permanent scar even with any form of healing magic. All this time Twilight could only scream in pain but even her screams were heard, though muffled, only pleased those that heard them.

“There this way if our Queen decides to be merciful and spares your life you’ll have a constant reminder of how you saved your own life,” Casting said with a smile. “Now come along darling Twilight and witness the resurrection of the true Queen of Equestria that you and your friend so blatantly struck down. You who destroyed her will now sire her back into this world.”

Casting brought the still bound and gag Twilight and the golden bowl with him floating them in his dark green magic. He came out of his tent and walked up on to a stage and place the bowl on a podium in front of him and kicked Twilight in the gut causing her to land just behind him scream in agony as her wounded shoulder hit the stage. That when Casting walked forward and spoke to the gathered crowd of the Children of the Night before him.

“Brothers and sisters of the Night,” Casting roared using a loud spell so all could hear him. “ We are gathered here on this night to witness the revival of the one true queen of Equestria, Nightmare Moon.”

“YES DOWN WITH THE SUN!”

“NIGHT SHALL RAIN ETERNAL!”

“ALL HELL THE TRUE QUEEN!”

“NIGHTMARE MOON!”

“NIGHTMARE MOON!”
“NIGHTMARE MOON!”

Polearm woke up on the sofa on the main floor of the library with a splitting headache. He got to his feet and started to look around the dark be still moonlet room. He started to wander around the main floor while rubbing the back of his head where most of the pain was concentrated.

“Man, did Twi knock me out and leave me on the sofa? Feels like a got clubbed not booked. Jeez,” Polearm says as he made his way upstairs to Twilight’s room.

*KNOCK! KNOCK!*

‘No answer. That weird unless she’s totally into a current book series,’ Polearm thought to himself reaching for the door handle. ‘Worst case scenario is I come in on her changing and she slaps the crap out of me again.’

“Twi, It Polearm. I’m coming in,” Polearm says as he cautiously opened the, “Hey look if you’re changing say something now. Okay coming in then.”

Polearm slowly opened the door but the sight he was expect was not what he got. He was expecting to see Twilight hunch over her desk passed out on top of a book, but what he found was a mangled mess of clothes, books, and various other items around the room. Without a second thought, Polearm rushes out of the library on over to Rarity’s Boutique and start pounding on the door while yelling for Spike.

“What wrong Pole? Did you and Twi have a fight and she kicked you out?” Spike asked.

“No time! Twilight has been taken. It happened while I was out earlier but they waited till night to move out. it was knocked me over the head I just woke up and went to see where Twi was and found her room a mess. I need you to send a letter to the Princess and tell her what’s going on. Have her send guards to Everfree. I saw footprint leading into the forest.,” Polearm demanded of the young drake.

“On it. Polearm I’m worried about this too but maybe we should wait for back-up,” Spike says as he grabbed the earth pony by his wrist only to be dragged a bit.

“Urgh, get the other Elements and meet up at the Library. Wait for the Princess there. I’m going to go after whoever took Twilight. They’ll wish they’d never mess with an apprentice of the Fullmetal Alchemist.” Pole snorted as he wrenched himself free of Spike’s grip and sped into Everfree Forest.

Rarity was then next to Spike helping him up. “You heard him Rares. You go and get Pinkie and Fluttershy. I’ll get Aj and Rainbow after I send off a letter to Princess Celestia yelling her what’s happened and to send guards.”

“Right Spike. Pinkie first then to Fluttershy's cottage. Maybe Discord and her animals can help find Twilight. Do hurry, Darling,” Raisty says as she kissed Spike’s cheek and sped off to Suger Cube Corner.

“Alright letter just the important stuff. I hope this get’s mom’s attention,” Spike let out a worried sigh. ‘Pole please find Twi and bring her back safe.’ he though asher wrote out a scroll.

Mom,Twilight’s been kidnapped. Come with a platoon of guards immediately. Polearm has gone into Everfree to get a head start on finding her. Rarity and I are gathering the Elements now. We will be ecpexcting you to arrive. We plan on gathing at the Library. Meet us their as soon as you hav ethe guards.

Spike rolled up the scroll on blue aa big a breath of mystic dragon fire he could muster, which was a lot, and sent the scroll of the events of tho his mother. Now it was his turn to go and get Rainbow and Applejack. Through the nearest window, he flew. Thankfully his training with Ed ward allowed him to mature to the point that he molted and grew his wings.

Suddenly, a bright green roar of fire interrupted the Celestia already grouchy rest. Her sister had seen it fit to eat her entire nighttime rack of lemon cakes. Tia while upset, was also perplexed as Luna had never really cared for cake let alone lemon cake. But now she had another reason for worry as she never received any type of a letter at two in the morning and with such a large amount of fire, even for Spike or Twilight. She then took it and saw URGENT stamped on it and read the contents. Without a second to waist, she Teleported to the guard barracks and ordered them to be ready to depart via teleportation in the next fifteen minutes. Celestia then teleported to right outside her sister’s room. Not knowing that her brother-in-law had returned. She was about to knock but then her hand falls back to her side.

“No, it’s better if Luna doesn’t get involved in this,” she whispered to herself when the door slowly opens to her horror only to meat the golden eyes of her brother.

“Tia,” Edward said in shock. “Didn’t you need to talk to Luna?”

“No, Ed,” Celestia says trying to hide her anxiety. “When did you get back? I thought you’d said you’d be gone at least another two or three days. Your home early and are you stronger?”

“Ahh…” Ed sighed then lifted his head coming out of his wife’s bedroom in nothing but a pair of blue boxers. He then closed the door slowly as not to disturb the Lunar princess from doing her dream walking then turned around to see the flushed face of his sister. “ Oh, come on Tia. You’ve seen me naked in the bath before. How is this any worse? And I got back a few hours a got a few hours ago. I came back earlier than that to get Luna again. I needed her to be my wedding date. So what’s up? Is there a particular reason you’re here or are you just wandering the halls thinking to yourself again. Are you trying to think of a new friendship lesson for Twilight?”

That’s when Celestia snapped back at her brother’s joking. “STOP! THIS IS NOT THE TIME TO BE JOKING AROUND!”Celestia yelled at Ed in anger. “Of all the ponies that I think would take this situation we’re in the most serious, I thought it would be you. But here you are joking and lounging about in you under. Never mind I’ll do things on my own. As I have for the last two thousand years.”

Just as Celestia was about to Teleport away Ed activated his Nule Field and quickly ran behind his sister turned her where she stood and place both hands either of her shoulders holding her in place.

“What the hell is with the pissy attitude Tia. I have no clue what this situation is that you're talking about,” Ed says as her release Tia from his hold on her. “ No one else besides Luna knew I came back and she only knew because she was with me. So you better tell me what’s going, dear sister. Because if something is happening I want to help you.”

“You know you can rely on your big brother for anything.I’m here for now just as I was when I met so many years ago. Though you were cuter when you just a filly. Hmhm.” He said chuckling as he leaned against the door. “Oh that reminds me and Luna will be having a small lunch in Ponyville at the Library to make a small announcement tomorrow or sometime in the next few days. You will be attending as this is a family and close friend meeting type of thing.”

“Hahaha. Okay, I will be their Sorry, Ed. But seriously I just got an urgent letter from Spike saying that Twilight was taken by somepony into the Everfree Forrest. Polearm is currently in pursuit but I think it may be too late and things have already been set in motion,”Celestia said handing her brother the scroll Spike sent. “I’m going to get the ready guards and head out via Teleportation to the Library. The other Elements, Spike, and Elite guard I stationed in Ponyville should be there now.”

“Okay, let’s get going then,” Ed said with a serious annoyance on his face. Using his Arc of Embodiment Edward quickly made a set of clothes appear on his body and deactivated his Nule Field while he summoned his suppressor mask and placed it on his face so he could hide his presence from any enemies with a power sensing ability.

“I honestly thought we had at least two or three more weeks be for they made a move if they even existed in the first place Tia,” Ed says as he ways through the halls of the castle and then stopped at Celestia. “Go ahead and change into a dress or armor. You can’t go out in your nightgown. No matter how pretty you look in it.”

Celestia had completely forgotten she was still in her sleepwear. While her face light up Ed simply tilted his head to the side. She could tell he was joking to diffuse the tension a bit but under that mask, he had a stern expression of unease.

“Let me change into a set some lite armor then,” Celestia says slipping into her room while Ed opens his vault and sticks his right arm out and exchanges it for his Sage’s Gauntlet model before Celestia returns were a set of mainly golden chainmail. Ed just shakes his head at this.

“Let’s get to the guard barracks Tia,” Ed says walking off down the hall as Celestia puffed her cheeks.

The Royals made it to the guard's barracks in record time and Edward explained what was going on. “We will be in Ponyville all squads will consist of four. Each headed by one of the five remaining Elements of an army for a total of five squads of the guards and one element. Two elite and Spike Solaris are already in the town o guard the Princess. I will be on my own as I am the only one who can move independently without being noticed. If you find an enemy shoot up a flare. I will be moving out once we reach the library. You lot will stay in town until notified. MOVE OUT!”

“YES SIR!” the shouted and in a flash they were gone.

Next Chapter: Rescue Estimated time remaining: 35 Hours, 50 Minutes