From Twilight to Midnight

Twilight

The night had come, with the cool gentle breeze and the beautiful dark colors of the sky. With the hour setting towards midnight, it was imperative that it be at near the darkest hours of night that she be ready.

The mare shifted uneasily in her dress, feeling the weight of the material feel a bit heavier on top but lighter on the bottom for her hooves to move freely.

The crown that rested on her head was decorated with magical sparkles that mirrored the night sky while the jewels in the center carried a pure sapphire that shined even in the dark.

Around her neck was a necklace that carried a small amethyst the size of a bit with a tear shape. It belonged to her mother, her mother and the many mares before her. It carried purpose, it carried weight and… it meant more to her family than anything.

‘So heavy lies the crown,’ Was the saying, but this one felt heavy to the point where her legs shook with the weight. Not heavy physically… the meaning that came with it.

Generations of past have worn this for the night when one was about to wed into somepony grand, somepony that would carry you and cherish you forever and ever. A proposition that would make everything else in your life meaningless if the one beside them were to be bound to you forever.

In her case… however long her betrothed was to live. It was also the case if her future partner accepted her proposal.

Something she wasn’t looking forward to…

“Twilight?” Her mother's gentle voice rang from the door.

“Yes?” The mare answered, feeling the dread coming.

“It’s time.” The words echoed loud, heavy and with a sense of warmth. From her mother, it meant assurance that she would be okay, that she would be taken care of.

She wanted to deny it, she wanted to ignore her mother. She wanted to jump out the window and run away… but she loved her family and never wanted to disappoint them. Swallowing the lump in her throat, she answered with sweat. “I-I-I’m ready, mother.”

The door opened and Twilight Velvet greeted her with a smile that should have warmed her but… it didn’t. Her mother gushed with how beautiful her daughter looked.

“Oh! My beautiful daughter! You look so wonderful! I can’t believe the day has finally arrived!”

Twilight gave a small, unconvincing smile to her mother.

“Yeah… me either.”

Velvet sighed, instantly losing her cheer but keeping the supportive love for her daughter.

“I know it's not something you wanted but… this is for the best.” She tried to sound so sure and what made it worse was that her mother was actually thinking about her future. Well not just her future, but the future of many.

Twilight sighed. “I know. You 've told me everyday that ‘it was for the best’ since I can remember.”

Velvet pulled close, looking towards her daughter.

“You know that… whatever happens, you will always be loved by us. Your father, your brother, me… and everypony who is part of this.”

Twilight tried to look at her mother but struggled to meet her eyes correctly.

“I just… wish I had a choice in this.”

velvet nodded, wrapping her daughter in a hug. “I know, I know, but for the betterment of ‘our kind’ we have to make sacrifices.”

‘Sacrifice’. That word was strong within her family. To give something up for the better, for somepony else. With a final check over her features, she gave one last long sigh and nodded. “Let’s go.”

The duo mares walked from her room and deep into the catacombs of the ancient castle, where once Celestia and Luna had ruled. However, the castle had been rechristened as Midnight Castle upon the occupants accepting it as their home.

At the center of the castle home was an altar, where hundreds of ponies sat in small stages around it. Ponies that were proud, loyal and hopeful in the return of their ruler. A few assortment of other species were there as well like changelings, hippogryphs, diamond dogs, Absynnians and a few dragons.

They all came for their ‘mother.’ And… the betrothed of Twilight Sparkle.

As Twilight and her mother made their way towards the center, an altar with blue and purple flames sat in the formation of a star. Between the stars, was a shallow pool of liquid magic that would allow the ceremony to begin.

Five figure heads were near the altar, wearing hoods in assorted fashions and dark blue colors. One of them pulled forward at the approaching mares, lifting their hood and revealing their face to Twilight.

“You look as beautiful as your mother, Twilight.” NightLight, Twilight’s father gave her a warm hearted smile, pulling her in close for a hug.

Twilight tried her best to smile back, only the small ends of her mouth pointing up.

“T-Thanks dad. I just… wish there was another way.”

Her father nodded with a sad smile.

“I know, but for the greater good of the many, we have to do this. I just… want you to know that no matter what, we will love you and hope that you never forget that.”

Twilight would never forget, nor would she ever hate them. ‘For the greater good,’ She mentally answered. Giving a final nod, she pressed her lips and held her head higher. “Okay.”

Her father gave her a quick kiss on her forehead below her horn before turning around and bringing her forward. Up the small steps up to the altar, Nightlight brought his daughter close, with her mother pulling to the side. The other four hooded figures revealed themselves to prepare the ceremony.

“Is everything ready?” asked Nightlight.

To his right, a pony known as Arcane Blueblood gave a sharp nod. “The hour sets soon.”

From the left, a white pony pulled her hood to reveal herself as Fleur De Lis. “The enchantactions have been aligned and are ready to activate.”

A unicorn with long red hair and pale yellow coat, spoke next. “Everyone that we have gathered is ready to comply.”

And finally across from them, was a grey unicorn, with a red tipped horn and green eyes, former King of the Crystal Empire, Sombra. “Once the portal opens, we can finally bring mother from the moon and free her from her prison.”

All parties nodded, the exception of Twilight, who just wanted to go back home. Yet she remained rooted and stoic, despite the events passing around her.

And with no other delays, all five unicorns lit their horns, powering it up and firing it towards the center of the star. Twilight Velvet moved around her daughter and began chanting loudly.

“Blessed mother! Hear our voices! Your children seek your heart!”

The liquid magic at the center began to stir, swirling and shifting, as if itself was living entity.

“Midnight Flare, Once beware!”

"Midnight Flare, Once beware!" The echoing chants of the other occupants boomed around. Twilight fidgeted, feeling some sense of dread. The magic began to shape itself from a pool of liquid to a near perfect orb at the center of the star, glowing deep blue with powerful rippling magic that spread cool mist around them.

“Come full moon’s white, brighten the sky with light!”

"Come full moon’s white, brighten the sky with light!"

“Bring forth shadow and night, eternal with might!”

"Bring forth shadow and night, eternal with might!"

“Let the sun be shadowed by the Moon!”

"Let the sun be shadowed by the Moon!"

Twilight swallowed and shivered as the magic began to grow stronger and stronger, with waves of magic ripping the air in front of them as the unicorns poured all their magic to the center.

“Fill our enemies with terror of night and dread!”

"Fill our enemies with terror of night and dread!"

“Quench the fires of sun and day!”

"Quench the fires of sun and day!"

“Reclaim your throne and show her wrath!”

"Reclaim your throne and show her wrath!"

“And let the false idol meet her doom!”

"And let the false idol meet her doom!"

“We are your children,” All at once they roared..."NIGHTMARE MOON!”

The orb exploded with a blue icy wave of magic, with the spell finally releasing. From the orb of pulsing magic and power, a black hoof pushed from the center.

Every head dropped in bow, including Twilight, as a tall, black alicorn emerged from the center mass. Blue horseshoes matched the armor that adorned her chest. Swaying mists of stars in night skies made her tail and mane. Sharp teeth that matched a dragon flashed her subjects. Slitted eyes of dark blue met her surroundings as she took it all in and released a bellowing laugh of triumph.

“I HAVE RETURNED!” That was enough to force everyone back up and chant in glory and praise.

“HAIL NIGHTMARE MOON! HAIL NIGHTMARE MOON!”

The chant brought her power and strength like never before, seeing the faces of her ‘children’ chanting her name. And not just ponies, but other creatures that cared for her.

Truly the night does bring the best out of the many.

She allowed the chant to go on for a bit more before raising her hoof to silence. Once it stopped, her eyes turned to her disciples, who went back to bowing.

With a smile to match a demon, she moved out of the portal, making a final shiver of magic of ripple, causing it to disappear and she walked down off the altar.

“You have done well my children. This is… the best gift a mother could ever have!”

Velvet, Twilight and Nightlight gave small bows of their heads. In a joyous smile, Velvet rose and spoke with mirth and pride to the alicorn. “Your arrival was a gift to us mother, for we were all so lost without you.” She waved her hoof to the creatures around them. “We were shackled and enslaved in the ‘tortures’ of the Sun's rays.” A small snarl left her mouth, quickly turning the mood. “And the false idol ruled like a tyrant to many of us, forcing us to go into hiding.”

Nightmare calmly nodded, understanding her children’s blight. However, her eyes caught the mare dressed in a beautiful dress adorned with jewelry that sparkled even in the dark.

“And who is this?” She asked, clearly interested in the mare before her. Velvet quickly and excitedly pulled her daughter close.

“This is my daughter, Twilight Sparkle.” Twilight gave a bow, having just recovered from the whole ordeal before slowly rising back up. “We have groomed her for this moment. The night that you would return and to be here.” She then pointed at the necklace at the center. “With all that we have learned and gained, we wanted not only for you to return home and take your rightful place as Queen, but we wanted you to have somepony by your side. Somepony who will never leave, to always listen to your every word, to take your heart into consideration… to be the ultimate gift of unifying Equestria under your rule forever more.”

Twilight stiffened as her draconic eyes caught hers, still hearing her mother speak but nothing else. “My daughter is the true gift of your glorious return. A mare for your betrothed to, with beauty that can only hopefully come close to yours. We, your children ask, if you take her and rule over us, with the power and might of Eternal Night.”

Nightmare was really impressed by all this and more. Not only was she released but also given a present of a mare, that yes she would dare say was quite beautiful. Her fear was there no doubt but there was also hidden curiosity, lust and something akin to hope. Hope that she will be there by her side. Oh the things she could do to this mare…

With a grin as warm as ice, she offered her hoof to Twilight.

“So then, Twilight… was it? You are to be my wife? To be by my side, rule alongside me, eternally, faithfully... and without remorse? As Equestria falls under my rule, will you be there?"

Twilight Sparkle has spent her whole life reading, studying, practicing and waiting for this day. The day she would give herself to the Nightmare. Where she would see the sun be blocked from the sky permanently. The skies would be eternal in the moon and star light. Where the warmth and joy of the sun would be replaced with the cold and dark of the night.

Ponies and many creatures alike would suffer, some species may not survive but there would be contingencies like herself and many others that would fix the problems that come. She would also see an age where creatures of many kinds would come forth because there would be nothing to hide.

The biggest one would be that she would possibly see the fall and… loss of her former teacher, Princess Celestia at the hooves of her sister. Whether in death or exile... she would be forced to watch it happen.

With a swallow, she raised her hoof and touched Nightmare’s. “I do.”

Author's Notes:

So this was to be released as a whole with every chapter complete but do to a certain celabration on a certain day 666 followers... today! on Halloween!!!
I decided to release this series! An anthology of dark stories regarding certain characters. While not horrific in story, the end results are, the implications and the feeling of dredd of what might a beloved character may do or may become which can only be filled by the imagination!
Now, some are one offs, others are pseudo connected but the end results are the same.
Again, thanks for 666 followers, happy a SPOOKY BUT SAFE!!! Halloween and I will update soon!

Or maybe not!! MUWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!

The Tamer's Affliction

The Tamer’s Affliction.

Fluttershy

“Okay… let’s try this again. We go from step to step, from side to side… Good… like that…” Pause, shifting through the work. She gave a small smile. “Wonderful!”

A small growl of merit left him and it filled her heart with joy. Fluttershy watched as the giant bear, an ursa minor to be exact, took its first steps upon the world. The ursa major, its mother, also watched with pride as her cub carefully albeit clumsily took massive steps out of her cave.

The caretaker, simply known as ‘The Tamer’ to the populace, happily viewed the progress of the newborn cub. While normally it was the duty of the mother to help the cubs, unfortunately this one had a small struggle upon its birth and so, the mother sought the ‘Tamer’ to assist in her son’s first steps.

Despite the sheer and overwhelming size differences between the pegasus and the two bears, with one being as big as a house while the other… a small hill, the level of intelligence between them is not as vast or grand, especially since Fluttershy understood them very much like she would understand a native pony.

“Good… now one paw in front of the other,” she lightly added, “Try not to do quickly or you’ll fall again.” A whine of agreement left the cub, though he did as he was instructed and slowly allowed his front left forepaw slowly move down before his other paw. Once settled, he gave a small nod, then moved his other paws in the same manner. A few steps, light enough not to leave a print on the ground, and he moved to and fro, towards the Tamer and then back to his mother. Both females watched in amusement as the cub began to slowly adjust himself to the pace.

After moments, the cub seemed to bound in place, lightly hopping on the ground and causing light tremors as he happily got used to being on all fours. His mother growled in approval while Fluttershy let out a small ‘yay!’ at his accomplishments.

Her pointed ears suddenly perked up when she heard the distant sound of her name being called. “Fluttershy?” It was a near high pitched call that only a few animals could pick up. The bears heard it and knew immediately what it meant. The sign that left her was of tiredness and disappointment then anything. The two ursulines picked it up and gave the ‘Tamer’ a small growl of pity.

A small sad smile appeared on her face. “It’s okay. It's just my parents. Maybe they… want something else, nothing like before.” While that was a lie, it was hopefully the truth that she sought. It pained her heart whenever the situation came up. She looked up at the mother ursa and flew up to her giant head, patting the larger than herself nose. “It’s okay, Momma Bear, I’ll be back to help little ‘Junior’ here.” She swallowed some saliva and felt the sadden eyes of the mother landing on her. A small, comforting groan left her. Fluttershy nodded. “I know… but for now, take him and go back to the cave. I’ll let them know you can’t leave him yet.”

Feeling assured by her words, the Ursine mother gave the threshal/pegasus hybrid a small lick. A small lick being literally her whole body being covered in bear saliva. She giggled at the affection, not worried at all by her situation. The youngest gave a small cry of worry, though it was thwarted by his mother. Fluttershy quickly flew downward to rub his head. “Don’t worry, junior. I’ll be back soon before you know and we'll get you roaming again in no time!”

“Fluttershy!” The call came again. She hesitated and gave a small wave goodbye to the two ursines before she quickly flew away. In her upset state, she didn’t give another prolonged look at them, hoping and praying that they would not be used once more.

Momma bear didn’t need to be hurt again, especially with her cub just being born.

She flew fast but not with anticipation. Instead, she flew with the need to hopefully hear something good or something normal from her family instead of the usual ‘business.’

The hybrid felt heavier and heavier upon seeing her home nearing the edge of the forest. At the doors, it was her parents, her threshal father and her pegasus mother.

Her father was Shade Wind, where she got his wings and his ears from. Her mother, Whisper Shy, was where she got her color and her kindness from.

But if there was one she didn’t wish to inherit from there… was their job. At her approach both parents quickly greeted their daughter with quick hugs.

While she hated what her parents did, their love for her was so rich and genuine that it always pained her that she could never feel warm when they came to her. They always involve work when they come to visit, work that she did not like and did not wish to think about.

But… they were family and she knew she couldn’t turn her back on family, right? She pulled away and tried her best to give her parents a warm smile.

“Hello mother, father. What brings you here?”

She knew why, though she prayed it wasn’t for the wrong reason.

Her mother tried to give her a reassuring smile but her father gave a disgruntled sigh. “My dearest daughter,” Inwardly, Fluttershy winced. She hated those words. “It comes with a heavy heart that we ask for your… help once more for work.”

Fluttershy gave a small frown and although she was normally obedient to her loving parents, she hated when they asked for her help for their job’. Almost immediately she took a few steps back and shook her head. “No.”

While this would shake her parents before, both knew this was an immediate and reasonable response. However her father actually nodded. “I understand my dear and that is why… with much talking with your mother and I, including the Guild, that if you do one more job, we will never ask for another assignment.” He then pulled under his wing a scroll.

Fluttershy looked at it, though still unsure what it meant though he gave an assured nod. “This is a signed and documented form saying that after this assignment, this final one, that we, your mother and I, as well as the Guild, will never seek your aid again.” He paused and gave her a small smile. “I know that you hated doing this and I hate knowing that I made you… dislike us because of it, but my dear Fluttershy, I ask that you help us one last time to do a final assignment.”

Instead of answering, she flipped open the scroll and read it thoroughly. While some things did say that she had earned a great stipend for all her amazing work, she was still declining any and all money from her previous jobs. (That blood money went to her parents.) As she read on, she did see that if she were to complete this final assignment, a particularly high asset, she would be able to ‘retire’(not likely) and the Guild would never use her or her services again. Her parents even signed the bottom to give their own agreement as well.

Sighing with much disappointment but with some mental relief, she gave the document back to her father and gave them an even look. “Who is the target?” Before they could respond, she quickly added, “I can’t send in any of the 'ursas’, they are still recovering from the guard who thought they were wild ‘animal attacks.’ And the momma can’t leave her cub again.”

Shade Wind gave a nod in understanding. “Worry not, my dearest daughter. This is a single target and close range is the goal.”

So, it was a personal assassination mission, meaning low key with her animals, small and able to get in and out without anypony or any creature getting injured. Nodding begrudgingly, she accepted.

“Okay, so very close without collateral. Who is the target?”

Her mother pulled a photo from under wing and hoofed it over to her. Fluttershy looked at it and a powerful shiver shook her body until she fully analyzed it. At first, the center picture showed the Princess herself, Celestia. However, next to her was the circled target, a white unicorn she knew, as Raven Inkwell.

“While Celestia is part of the equation, we need Raven dead, my dear.”

She looked up from the photo towards her parents with confusion etched across her face.

Fluttershy had her targets picked carefully throughout the lands because of how they may influence certain things, plans or actions for the Guild. She was used to assassinate targets by using her animals. Her animals included Snakes, bears, star-creatures, rabbits and so on in which they would have them kill, poison, maim or do some other unmentionables that she didn’t like to think about. Her targets could be far and wide and she would be able to complete her job because no creature suspects an animal killing them. At least… not intentionally.

Her last target had her attack a small industrial area which housed a group that needed to be taken out. They were inside of a warehouse with guards. They were going to go all stealth but it was magically guarded and heavy safety measures.

In order to bypass this, they needed something big. So… she had to ask her ‘Ursa Major’ to attack, make it look like it was a complete random accident. She was attacked but managed to complete the task before they could really damage her.

But this target seemed different, seemed… odd. She never asked for details why, on any of the missions, she just knew it was for the ‘betterment’ for the guild. On rare instances, betterment for Equestria too.

Curiosity had her now. “Why her?”

Surprised she would ask, her mother shifted uneasily, a show of sadness consumed her as looked towards her husband. A frown crossed Shade Wind. “I know you never ask unless you really want to understand why it’s necessary. This is for Equestria.” He paused and then his frown morphed into something more akin to anger and pain. “She is responsible for the collapse of the Pegasi school in Canterlot

Fluttershy’s heart stopped as the information was relayed to her. The Pegasi school, a school built for them in Canterlot to teach them more than just weather and flight … collapsed due to failed regulations and improper planning. It was approved by Celestia herself or at least… a pony close to Celestia.

… Her older brother, Hollow Breeze and 22 other pegasi perished in the collapse. While it is extremely difficult to crush anyone under a weight of clouds, the school in Canterlot wasn't made of clouds and was made quickly, ineffectively and cheaply. Apparently, the company that was told to build this was a cheap one because nobles didn’t want to share a piece of ‘their’ land to the pegasi. However, Celestia being the kind hearted alicorn that she was, signed it off without their consent. There was protest and even arguments, but it was built.

However, in the first week after the school’s opening, a section of concrete and stone, which pegasi rarely use for building, collapsed and crushed students and teachers… including her brother.

The incident was instantly blamed on the company and even had many of them jailed, but the plans and architecture was purposely made flawed and even sabotaged to a degree by outside sources. There was a demand for blood by pegasi in cloudsdale and even protests that no weather would be cleaned nor created, unless the ones responsible came out.

Celestia in her effort to secure peace, tried to negotiate and failed. For almost an entire year, no weather was produced by pegasi around or near Canterlot. A few local areas suffered from dried out crops or harsh conditions, effectively driving up the market for food and other items. Soon the elite within started to blame one another for false accusations and racial profiling amongst them.

All of this because of the school and even to this day, no one else was to blame…

… until now.

A look that never came to her face, suddenly appeared. Determination, hate, rage, pain, anguish and the need for vengeance.

Calmly but a bit unevenly, she spoke to her parents. “She was the one that approved the school without guidelines?”

Fluttershy was in no way dark or evil or even mean like the elite memebers of the Guilt was, but once in a while, she would look like and become the literal force of nature that she could command. It even scarred her parents sometimes. Her father has fought in wars, battled enemies and even stared down a dragon.

But that was nothing to what his daughter could do if she ever had you in her list. She never killed any creature outright but if she sent one of her animals to come for you, it would be wise to pray for it be quick. Some she has sent have been… gruesome and excruciating.

Her father nodded and leaned over to place a gentle hoof on her shoulder. “That is why this is your last one, my daughter. This one is to make sure that somepony like her cannot get away with this because of bigotry. Raven Inkwell has hidden her hate for non-unicorns well for years of having to pander to what she calls ‘mud-walkers’ and ‘bird-brains,” A small hiss left him at those names, he gave her a glare that was meant for that unicorn. “-we now have proof that not only does she neglect other non-unicorns but in ‘Celestia’s’ name, she has made it clear she wants only unicorns to be the sole ruler. She is under Prince Blueblood's command and his focus is to get rid of Celestia and replace her with some powerful pony but under the unicorn’s rule.”

Fluttershy blinked at that. “Another… alicorn or unicorn?” She asked.

Her mother answered, “This unicorn, according to our spies, tells us that she has the potential to ascend as an alicorn and possibly take over Celestia if she retires or is indisposed. Blueblood is trying to influence her now as we speak but… we can worry about them later.” A pause and her face softened. “Not that you will have to deal with it after this, Fluttershy.”

While her mother’s words were a comfort to hear, it still burned her to know these ‘Unicorn Purests’ still existed in Canterlot. Any and all doubt left her and she knew that her parents loved her enough that they would honor their word and she would never have to do a job like this again.

But what if it was not enough?

Her father gave a small nod. “Once you do this, it will be done.”

Standing much firmer, she spoke evenly. “When am I going to act?”

Two days later, a special ball was assembled in honor of those who had tragically passed in the school. Princess Celestia, Princess Luna and a few other important guests like Blueblood and other representatives of other species.

Raven Inkwell was just behind, taking notes and looked very sour. She saw a bunch of ‘bird-brains’ and ‘mud-walkers’ about. Two of them so happened to be the mayor of Ponyville and the mayor Cloudsdale. Both were here to seek or more like demand answers to what has been a year long debate on who is at fault for the school while also showing willingness to cooperate with setting things back in order to allow peaceful trade once more.

‘You'll never get the truth, you filthy useless ponies,’ Raven mentally thought. With her back somewhat near the wall, she would never suspect an attack from the stairs especially with two alicorns in front and guards near the top. So… she would never look up or down since her eyes remained on her notes and the front.

That is where Fluttershy had come in. Or at least, part of her plan. She was not near them but she was present and from afar. Near the corner to the side of the stairs where she could keep Raven Inkwell in her sights.

The pegasi/thestral hybrid had decided that if this mare was to die, it would be the slowest and most painful one.

A black star spider was within Fluttershy’s mane, waiting for orders. While normal star spiders were harmless, black star spiders were the opposite and quite venomous. A single bite held enough poison to kill a dozen ponies. The unique thing about their poison is that it took almost 24 hours to kill a pony.

It was a soft gentle bite, barely noticeable and very difficult to tell what it was. Over the course of 24 hours, the bite slowly turns to something akin to a fever, with sweating, cold shakes, dehydration and even coughs. Then the burning starts around the 22nd or 23rd hour, where your whole body is slowly cooking inside. By hour 24, you literally burn up because the venom burns the magic in your body. It literally uses your magic to burn you inside out.

And there is no cure. Not even Celestia herself could cure it.

With that, she turned her head lightly and whispered. “Okay… after the unicorn in white.”

The black star spider nodded and crawled down her leg and began its slow stealth walk towards the mare of choice. It would be something no one would see since the focus was on the Princess and not her assistance.

As the spider went to bite its victim, Fluttershy had time to reflect on her choices and what they could mean. Ever since her youth, her parents knew of her ability to speak with animals and many creatures alike as if they were ponies. Commanding them and controlling them. They influenced her to become this… ‘assassin’ for many years. She hated knowing what she did but she knew that despite the evil deeds, her parents cared and loved her.
She would do all this for them and Equestria.

Her sharp eyes saw the Black Star Spider had successfully made its way to its target and was on the mare’s leg. A moment later, it bit down and a small barely visible wince left Raven Inkwell before she refocused back on the front. The spider was successful and made its way back.

Once it came back and nestled into her mane, the Tamer gave a sigh of content and small remorse. Sje turned away and walked out into the night. “For Equestria… for my brother…”

Author's Notes:

So this one was inspired by the Halloween episode of Fluttershy actually partaking in it for once. A sort of mix of her bat like nature mixed with her control over animals and perhap... something darker.
Let me know what you think!