We arrived at the Library in a flash. Man teleporting with Tia always makes me queasy after we arrive for a bit. My teleportation is so much easier on the stomach and by what I see on the guards' faces it would be easier on them too. I know I use my power around the Displaced freely but I don't here because I don’t want to and I don’t know what effect it would have on my reality. I already have pokemon from one Displaced staying only a few days then after a week the Pokemon start popping up like cockroaches. No, I’m perfectly fine with sticking to alchemagic while I’m home. Now isn’t the time for ranting.

I was greeted with the opening of the front and a tackle to the ground by my students. Their eyes were all red and puffy from the news of Twilights kidnapping and worry of it, except Spike who was trying his hardest to be strong for his friends.

‘Good lad.’ I thought as I patted the girls. “I’m worried to girls but I need you to let me up from the ground if I’m going to do my part in finding my niece. Spike come here and pull them off me!”

“One minute,” Spike says with a bit of a forced smile as he pulls the girls off me. “Now then, Uncle Edward. I think you and my mother owe all of us an explanation on what’s going on and why Twi’s been kidnapped.”

Tia and I look to each other and then nod in agreement. I weave the hand sign and roughly twenty shadow clones appear. “You all know what your task is. No killing only knock them out and bring them here to the barracks for Tia to question with Applejack. Be on the lookout for Polearm and radio in if any of you meet up. Do the same if come across the meeting ground.”

“Sir!” the clones say as the disperse into Everfree.

I turn to the others with dumbstruck faces on all of them as we then moved into the Library. “One of my new tricks I got from my master in the other world. I might teach you all someday if you can prove yourselves. But for now, Spike is right we owe all of you an explanation on what we think might be going down.”

“I am truly sorry for hiding things from all of you. Ed and I had honestly thought we had more time. But we didn’t know if this was actually a threat here,” Tia said looking to the ground.

“So you did know some =thing was up and didn’t tell us. I thought you hated doing things behind our backs. Especially, when it involves family Edward. How could you do this you’re such a hypocrite!” Roared Spike in anger.

“Ed’s not a hippogriff silly,” Interjected the Pink Menace.

“Hypo- crite, Darling,” Rarity corrected in an annoyed fashion.

“Listen to me. I planned on telling you guys what might happen. I say might because I didn’t even know if this was going to go down or not. The knowledge I have on certain events is limited to a few key events in the future and what’s happening right now isn’t even following what I knew. The only thing I knew would happen was Twilight might be kidnapped and now that she has I have to tell you guys why,” I said letting out a huff under my mask. ‘God this thing is stuffy.’

“Edward’s for knowledge was and is based on a story that some wrote as a false branch of what could happen in his homeworld. I sent two of the Elite guard here to watch over Ponyville and to report back to me if anything strange or any strange characters showed up. We first suspected when Ed had asked what had happened to the remnants of Nightmare Moon around three days ago,” Tia explained as everyone here new of my aforementioned knowledge of the future. “I told Ed that they were stolen from the vice headmaster of my school months before Discord and his returns.”

“I thought the Cult of the Children of the Night would definitely show up after this and that’s why I had her station the guard’s out here in town. But I couldn’t give a time frame of when the Children of the Night would start to move. I certainly didn’t think they’d strike so soon and while I was out on a summoning too. That means they have spies all the way up to high-class workers in the castle. No pony outside this group and my personal students know that my journeys are actually summonings. Anyone outside this group knows I leave for unset periods of time on journeys but those in the castle know first thing,” I said gripping on to my arms in anger.

“So yer sayin that even though Ed knew this might go down and it’s still goin down but different then how it was supposed to,” Applejack said in a simplified version. “Then they waited til he was gone ta kid nap Twi.”

“Maybe not that last part, Aj. We‘d been back a week and a half from Adam’s world and then another two days for Twi and Pole. They probably made plans to take her earlier and couldn’t act on them do to constantly being in Canterlot with us and Nat and Sora at the time and then she came with us to Adam’s World. This was just a quick thing as the Cult figured I’d give Twi and Pole some down time to rest. They didn’t think they’d have a better opportunity than this. My being gone was just a bonus as not even you guys down here in Ponyville knew I was gone or that I got back a little while ago,” I explained as I got a com from one of my clones.

-Yes, I found Polearm- Clone Ed.

-Engage him but don’t stop looking for the Children-I said

-Yes, sir- Clone Ed confirmed.

“Good news found Pole. Bads news still no sign of Twi. Not even a scent. The cult must be cloaked.” I huffed from annoyance.

“What do you mean not even a scent? I thought your nose was better than a bloodhound’s teach,” Rainbow snarked.

“It is. But if the use cloaking I can smell her current scent trail. Polearm trampled over it in his own pursuit and even then the kidnappers had a cloaking spell and left during the dew point in Everfree.” I commented back.

“Oh, sorry. Just, I’m worried about Twi.” Rainbow said sinking down to the floor.

“Rainbow I know you’re worried but look at Ed. Twilight is his family and he knew this would happen and he tried to stop it but couldn’t. Think about how bad he feels for letting Twilight get kidnapped and not only that but how he wanted us to try and help prevent it. Ed has started to try and rely on others more but if we push him away over something as trying to do the right thing while not having enough know how to prevent it then we might as well not even be his friends let alone his students,” Flutter whispered to Rainbow.

“Thanks, Fluttershy. Now I’ll keep tabs, you guys go and help the guards patrol the perimeter of the Forrest for now Aj. You stay close in case Tia need you for interrogations,” I sighted going over to the nearest window.

‘I just wish I could’ve let things go as the should have. Why is this so different? Polearm, it’s up to you and the clones to find her. Please, whatever fates are out there let Twi be safe and let Nyx come into this world.’

-If any clone finds the cult contact me immediately and guards will be sent via massTeleportain to that location- I said as I look to Tia as Spike is trying to comfort his mother.

-Sir- They replied.

I noticed an odd sensation coming from a stack of clothes near the front door. I walked over to the clothes and picked them up and noticed the sensation was coming from Polearm,s satchel. I set the clothes back down and opened up the bag and found the source of the presence to be a set of tokens. One was a metal object in the shape of a yellow diamond in an orange V with silver wings on either side. The other was an orange dragon scale of sorts. I then heard the voice of the Displaced the metal one had made the token.

"If you need the Gale of Justice or the Fangs of the Shadows by your side, call upon the Blade of Light ‘Aeta Zero’. Those who walk the path of darkness and hatred, I will punish with agony and pain.”

“Geez,” I said catching my balance. “Why did Polearm have tokens with him?”

“Ed are you okay?” Tai asked visibly worried.

“I’m fine Tia. Just found a couple of Displaced’s Token in Polearm’s bag here.” I said shaking my head. “My mask must not only suppress my own power out buy it must also dampen the skills I can use. I could sens the token but not what the were.”

“A Displaced could be a big help right about now,” Aj interjected.

“Some other time perhaps Applejack,” Tia said as looked at Aj.” We have enough issues with Twilight being kidnapped and Ed coordinating the search here. I can’t allow any distractions right now.”

“It’ll be okay Tia,” I say walking over to her and placing me hand on her shoulder. “I won’t let… any… thing…”

I then grabbed my head with both hands. I was in so much pain as I felt the tectonic energies and magic of Equss started to shift. Someone was performing multiple level spells and alchemagic at once. I ran out the front door and fill to me knees. My ability to read the planet’s movements through alchemy was backfiring on me. I could feel my clones out in the field disappearing one at a time. My mind and body were to out of synch to process the information backlash I was getting. But I didn’t manage to see where the rituals were taking place and that clone was with Pole. Then everything stopped as I passed out.

‘I seriously need to train while wearing this mask.’ I thought as my world turned back.

“NIGHTMARE MOON! NIGHTMARE MOON! NIGHTMARE MOON!” the Large group of various ponies, minotaurs and griffons continued to chant while Polearm and the Ed clone watched from the shadows of the Treeline as they planned their next move. There were a few standing in front of altars that activated and started to channels magic and alchemy into a large sphere. This sphere then started to glow and rotate as it floated in the air before the occupants of the altars changed their artifacts they’d been using.

“What’s with the mask, Edward?” Polearm asked the clone. “Is it really necessary?”

“It’s a power suppressor that the master and boss forged for when he’s summoned to other worlds so he won’t drew the attention of those who can sense his power. He thought it would hide him from those with that ability here. It looks like he wasn’t prepared for what the were using though. I’m the last clone so if I’m gone no help is come unless we can break the cloaking spell. Boss passed out from the backlash of alchemagic,” The clone explain.

“Alchemagic, but the only ones who can use that are Edward and the Princess. Even Twi has trouble with that stuff. How is it that these cultists can do it?” Polearm asked as he looked to the massive sphere of alchemagical energy hovering above them

“They aren’t using it more like channeling it. I recognize several of those artifacts from the boss’s memories. They were prototypes for several of his failed attempts to produce Sage Stones. They were deemed to destroy so he sealed them away in his first home here many many years ago. These guys must have found it. The also got their hands some of the boss’s knowledge of magic from other cultures and some of his stuff from after he met Starswirl. The must have used these in tandem with each other to use an earlier form of alchemagic to try and revive Nightmare Moon,” The clone as the moved around the back to try and get to the main area of the stage.

“What does Twilight have to do with this?” Polearm asked with worry for the mare he loved.

“She is the Living Embodiment for the Element of magic. Her blood of flesh would make the perfect template or host for the reborn Nightmare Moon. Not to mention she and her friends were the ones who originally killed Nightmare in the first place. So it’s not just she’s being used as a catalyst but as a type of offering for when Moon brought back into being,” The clone explained. “Look there.”

The clone pointed to a bound, gagged, and bleeding Twilight in the corner of the stage. Polearm tried to make a dash for her but the clone caught him and explain they must be stealthy. He also explained that the one generating the cloaking spells was the Leader in front of the main altar on the stage. They were going to have to take out the leader while also dispersing the giant ball of alchemgic so it would harm the cultists or the forest.

“Screw the damn cultist. I’m getting Twi out of here and back to Ponyville to see a doctor. You don’t matter cause your just a clone. I get why Ed was in the dark about this but that doesn’t make it right that he left us out of the loop. I still trust him but we can go over details later. Twi is scared and injured. Not to mention they’ve started the next part of the ceremony,” Polearm says in anger as the leader of the cultist holds up a large golden bowl and pieces of fabric and armor along with a red liquid, what the clone suspected was Twilight’s blood, floats into the sphere of wild alchemagic.

“Now return to the world and take your rightful place as Queen of Equestria from the usurpers!,” The leader yelled a a dark figure formed in the Sphere.

“Polearm, get Twilight and get out of here and to the Library. I’ll take care of everything else,” The clone said as he wove hand signs and then paced on hand on the ground. “Summoning Jutsu.”

In a puff of white smoke, another Ed was laying flat on his back and then the clone puffed away in another puffed away and the one on the ground shot up and looked around after he shook his head a bit. Polearm shot to the stage as quickly as he could. He got to Twilight who was in tears and the reason why angered the guard pony beyond all measure. The wound on Twilight shoulder.

“Hang in the there Twi, I'm sorry I let them do this to you,” Polearm said pulling Twilight into his arms after he untied her bendings. She grabbed on to him as tightly as she could to make sure he was real.

“Get her and go,” Ed said through Telepathy. “I let Tia know the location and she’s on her way. Twilight I’m sorry this happened on watch. If I would become more aware sooner I could prevent you from getting hurt.”

Edward was then next to them and looked to the both of them through his mask and then he saw Twilight’s shoulder. He clenched his fist and hit the ground. Edward leaning in over Twilight’s shoulder and then looked at Polearm who could tell that he was going to like what Ed was about to say.

“This was carved into her with a cursed dagger. Even if it’s healed with my highest level healing spells she’ll always have the scar. I’ll close the wound so she won’t lose any more blood then get her out of here. No talking back,” Ed clapped his hands and placed them on Twilight shoulder and with a quick spark of red her shoulder stop bleeding. “Get going while I deal with chuckles and the merry band of the night.”

“Ed I know you think this is your fault but I knew someone was following since before Nat and Sora were summoned. Please be careful and didn’t kill any of them I think they’re possessed by a curse,” Twilight said with tears in her eyes.

“If that’s what you want then I’ll go easy on them but the bastard out front isn’t possessed at all. He just likes causing pain,” Ed said placing his hand on her head. “Now get going.”

With that last statement, Polearm sped off to Ponyville with Twilight in his arms. Ed then turned to the still laughing leader of the Children of the Night and then to the sphere where Moon was materializing.

“DISGUSTING!” I roared in anger as I shot a bot of red lightning at the sphere causing it to disperse but the essence in it did fade but fled into the Everfree and I then had somewhat of a relieved smile. I then looked to the cultists. I didn’t care if they were cursed or not they were all going to be arrested. Most were actually under the influence of Nightmare’s Hatred. But the head guy wasn’t.

“NO!”

“OUR QUEEN!”

“WHO DID SUCH A HORRIBLE THING?!”

“What? Who dares stop our queen’s rebirth?” asked the leader.

“That would be me numbnuts. Let me ask you a question now. Are you the one who carved that mark into my niece’s shoulder?” I asked as I walked on to stage from my hiding spot.

“Your niece?” With this, the leader looked over and saw Twilight was gone. “No how can this be? My cloaking hides us from everything, not even the alchemist…”

“Ding, ding ding. Give the Nightmare Moon crossdresser a booby prize. As for how I found this place. Never underestimate the power of love. My young apprentice slash grandson is the one who found you. Now, where and what will you do,’ I said as I sped over and got right in his face before grabbing the bastard by the caller and lifting him up in the air for the whole crowd to see.

“You can be the alchemist. He’s on a journey. When we revive the queen he’ll be freed from the mind control and join us,” The leader muffled out as I held him up letting him dangle on his stage.

“Got news for ya buddy but the only one coming here is the Princess. And she’s a lot nice than I am. More bad news is I am the alchemist,” I said removing my mask allow my power to overflow and break the cloaking barrier. That’s when sir fake moon saw my eyes and shit his pants.

“You not only kidnapped my niece but stolen from me on two different occasions. THE SECOND TWO I WOULD’VE FORGIVEN BUT NOT THE FIRST,” I yelled as my right eye shifts to my eternal mangekyo Sharingan. “Now I will show you true suffering and the best part is you’ll die over and over again until I say you can stop.”

With a loud thud on the stage, I dropped the leader of the cultist. It was safe to say I was not in the mood for mercy at this time. I put him under a severely taxing and mentally breaking genjutsu of my own design. I then placed my mask back on in my Re-equip stash. The guards showed up not long after At this time I had started to go around and gather the old artifacts that had been being used in the ritual. They were definitely the prototypes I buried in my old cave. I then went with Tia to the stage and then altar where the leader had been standing at with the bowl that held Twi’s blood and Moons remnants. There were still a few still a few scraps of dress and shards of armor in it but of the blood was gone. Before Tia could come over I stashed them in my Re-equip in case I needed to clone a body for Nyx, in the same way I did for Sora.

“What this Ed?” Tia asked with worry.

“It’s where the head guy had placed Moon’s remains and what he put the Blood he got from Twilight for the resurrection,” I said looking to the broken ringer leader. “A shame he was wasting his talent. Come on Tia lets check out our let cult leader’s tent.”

“Ed was it really necessary for you to use such intense illusions on him. He was being controlled by Nightmare Moon like the rest of the cultists,” Tia said looking to me looking to see if I would give some form of sympathy as we enter the tent. There were many of my own handwritten books on the various rituals that had been used this night. “EDWARD. WHAT PART DID YOU PLAY IN THIS?! AND DON’T DENY IT BECAUSE I RECOGNISE YOUR HANDWRITING ANYWHERE?”

I then found myself being held in a magic canceling bubble. “Look at the dates on these journals Tia. Before you even think I’d resort to anything that would result in the harming of any kind to a student let alone a family member.” I grabbed the bubble with my hand and easily popped it. “Don’t forget your magic has no effect on me either. No, these books were taken from the places I once called my homes. Now, I know why so many of my personal journals were missing whenever I visited these places a few months ago.”

“I’m sorry Ed I jumped to conclusions again. I should’ve known better than to accuse you of anything like this. I’m just worried about Twilight,” Tia sighed as we walked out after I used Teleport to send my books and artifacts to my lab in Canterlot.

“I know Tia. How do think I felt when I all this, “I said gesturing to the staging area. “I wanted to slaughter everyone here without mercy. Enough, for now, let's get back to the Library,” I snapped and we were outside the Libray in Ponyville once more.

“Ed how?” Tia asked.

“Later, Twilight needs her aunt Tia and Uncle Ed right now and not her magic and alchemy teachers,” I said entering the tree home. “How is she Spike?”

“Worn out and scared. Pole hasn’t left her side since he got her in the room. Ed, I saw the massive wound on her shoulder,” Spike said as everyone in the room had to know what he was about to ask but I beat him to it.

“I can heal her as best I can Spike, but she will have it as a scar for the rest of her life. It was carved on to her skin with a cursed dagger. Not even I have knowledge on it and Tia can’t do anything to heal her either,” I said in an emotionless tone me and Tia walked up to Twi’s room I knocked and then we entered. Polearm was sitting next to the Twi’s bed and holding her hand.

“Pole I…”

“I know. The others explained what was going on and why you couldn’t do more. But I have to know. Is there anything that could’ve been done to prevent this and is it really that different from the events that you know?” Polearm asked me in all seriousness.

“Honestly, no I could not have done anything to prevent this. Fate is the one thing that’s all ways out of my hands. It would’ve happened if I’d interfered either way. I actually delayed it for a while but it still happened. Secondly, yes things happened very differently from how I know they should have. Again it seems to be my being in this world has altered things,” I said taking a seat on Twi’s bed. “Let’s see you shoulder Twi.”

“I heard what you told Spike and everyone else,” She said as she got out of bed. “Honestly I kind of like the aspect of having this scar. I let me know I’m actually making a difference and surviving.”

“Still Twilight, this is not the type of badge of courage I would like you to have. I’m speaking as your family right now. This pains me so much to see this. Ed, I don’t think I can stay here …” Tia said as he moved to the door but was stopped by Polearm.

“Princess I know you didn’t know about this more than a week but you will hear what she has to say,” Pole said crossing my arms.

“Don’t get the wrong idea. I still don’t like that I got this through torture but it’s proof that I survived an actual conflict where my life was on the line. That alone is enough to make want to push forward and do what I can to protect Equestria and be like my Aunt and Uncle one day,” Twi said as I finished up her shoulder.

“Very optimistic of you Twi. Now get some rest. You won’t be doing more than a little bit of checkout and shelving for a couple of days. We will be back for Lunch Tomorrow with Luna. We have something we want to discuss with all of you,” I said as me and Tia left the room.

“All of you lunch here or at Sweet Apple Acres?” I asked

“Sweet Apple Acres,” everyone said in unison. ‘That solves that.’

“Good night then,” I said as Tia teleported us to the castle. We bid each other good night and went to the separate wing to get what little sleep we could.

“Another day in the life of a Displaced.”

Next Chapter: Nyx Nocte Caelum Estimated time remaining: 35 Hours, 33 Minutes