No one knew how it exactly happened. One second, Princess Celestia was the ruler of Equestria, the next, she had been thrown down into the catacombs beneath the Palace, and a new pony stepped in and took over. Her decrees were harsh, the penalties for ignoring or breaking them even worse. One of her first executions was of a young purple Alicorn who had only recently been named as a Princess of Equestria. The Alicorn’s head and wings now hung over the gates to the Palace, a grim reminder to any who thought about challenging the new ruler’s power. Some ponies spoke of Princess Celestia’s younger sister, a blue Alicorn named Luna. They hoped she would be able to restore order, but older ponies knew of the old stories about a mare named Nightmare Moon who had been reformed. Yet she had occasionally shown relapses into her dark side, and some noticed an eerie similarity between Nightmare Moon and the new ruler and came to the startling conclusion that they were one and the same. The sun no longer rose, only the moon dominated the sky, shining brighter during the ‘day’ and dimly at ‘night’. The stars shone at all hours and eventually, the ponies adjusted to the new rule. As long as they went about their business and didn’t cause trouble, they more or less returned to the life they had had under the Princess of the Day’s rule. No one paid attention to the hooded pony who entered Canterlot’s gates, most were too busy moving from one location to another, chatting with friends and loved ones to pay attention to another newcomer. The hood covered the pony’s face, but a white muzzle could be seen, fading to black as it progressed, giving the pony the look of a white nose. The cloak didn’t cover the pony’s hooves, which were white. The tail was a pale rosy red with white stripes. As the pony approached a vendor, it pulled back its hood to reveal a black head with piercing red eyes and a matching red and white mane. Yet the snout appeared feminine, yet the pony spoke with a clearly masculine voice. As the vendor processed his order, he looked around, his cloak rustling around his sides, as if he had wings and was settling them against him more comfortably. “Travel far, youngster?” The older vendor asked, placing the pony’s order on the counter. “From the southern kingdom” The traveler replied, placing the correct amount of bits to pay for the goods. “A word of warning, tread lightly in Canterlot, our ruler isn’t very forgiving of lawbreakers.” The dark pony nodded. “Thanks for the warning, I’ll be careful.” He let out a small smile. “Actually, I was hoping to see this ruler.” The vendor gaped at him in shock and horror. “You…you’d willingly seek an audience with her?” He managed to croak. The dark pony looked at him strangely and nodded slowly. The vendor shook his head sadly. “Tread carefully” Was all he’d say before he turned his back to the newcomer. Shaking his head, the pony took his goods and trotted through the streets of Canterlot, taking a moment to admire the onyx and silver architecture. He had a feeling these were a newer addition, since they seemed right at home under the silvery glow of the moon. As he approached the Royal District, he slowed, seeing two dark blue ponies with bat wings folded against their sides. They looked at him as he approached and called out. “Halt, identify yourself and state your business.” The dark pony stood tall and gazed at the guards. “I am Midnight Runner, new to this land, hailing from the southern kingdom. I wish to speak to your ruler.” The two guards looked surprised. “You’re actually asking for an audience with Queen Nightmare Moon?” He asked, echoing the street vendor’s shock. Midnight gazed at him with a hint of exasperation. “You’re the second to express such a reaction.” He said. The two guards exchanged a glance with each other and shrugged. “As you wish; just keep following the road and you’ll reach the Palace.” As they opened the gates, Midnight heard one of the guards mutter “Good luck” as he passed. Midnight Runner made his way leisurely along the paved street and was soon standing before the Palace gates, flanked by more guards. “We heard you were coming. The Queen is currently in the middle of something, but you are welcome to wait inside.” The guard on the right said as the doors slowly rumbled open. Midnight nodded and slowly entered the dark Palace, idly wondering if he had stepped in over his head.
Midnight Runner didn’t flinch as the doors boomed shut behind him. He waited for his eyes to adjust to the darkness, which wasn’t truly needed as silver lights suddenly flared to life, revealing a long corridor. Part of him was surprised to see a few ponies moving around, some cleaning the already gleaming pony busts that lined the walls while others swept the floor. One caught sight of Midnight and came up to him. “Can I help you?” She asked, gazing at him in a surprisingly friendly manner. “I’m here to see your Queen.” He replied, causing the mare to arch an eyebrow. “Brave of you…very well, this way.” She said briskly, turning and trotting quickly down the hall. Midnight hurried after her, surprised at her swiftness. He caught sight of a feather on her flank, which explained a lot. Midnight cast a glance back at his own flank, thankful for the cloak that covered it. The mare glanced back at him with a small smile, easily navigating the various halls and doors they passed through. “Sorry for the long trek, but we have to take certain precautions to ensure our Queen’s safety, not that she really needs our help to do so.” She said, slowing to a slow canter and falling in beside him. Midnight shook his head. “No need to apologize, it only makes sense, seeing as how I’m the stranger here.” The mare blinked in amusement and chuckled.
They soon arrived before yet another pair of massive doors flanked by two guards. Midnight was beginning to sense a pattern here and he shook his head. The mare stopped and bowed. “Good luck with the Queen, she’s been rather moody lately, not sure why, might be that time of the month for her or something.” She stopped, her cheeks flushing. “Oh, didn’t mean to let that slip out…good luck sweetie.” She called as she turned to go. Midnight glanced at the guards who matched his stare. “The Queen is in the middle of something, but perhaps you could do with a demonstration of how she rules, so you’re free to enter.” One of the guards said, surprising Midnight since the guard was a mare, as indicated by her voice. She seemed to notice his surprise and continued. “What? Didn’t think a mare could be a guard?” She challenged him. “N-not at all, I’m all for pony equality.” Midnight said with a small smile. “I doubt you’ll feel that way for long, hon.” The mare replied as the doors opened. “You’re about to get a first-hoof view of how Queen Nightmare Moon operates.” She warned before returning to her earlier position.
Midnight glanced at each other guards before slowly entering the black portal. The view he saw surprised him once again. More ponies were all lined up against the walls, watching what appeared to be a court proceeding. A high cold voice cut through the air, making Midnight flinch. “So! Thought you could get away with raping fillies, did you?” The voice was directed at a shaking stallion in the center of the room. “Thought their parents wouldn’t notice, or tell me?” The voice continued, a hard murderous edge under the words. “Your kind disgusts me.”
The stallion was suddenly enveloped in a midnight blue aura and what happened surprised Midnight Runner, yet the other ponies didn’t seem affected by it. The stallion suddenly screamed as his body slowly started to be torn apart. A shiver coursed over Midnight as he watched silently. The magic seeped into the cuts and lacerations, seeming to scorch the underlying muscles and tissue. Suddenly the stallion exploded into a cloud of gore and Midnight took a step back as what appeared to be the pony’s forehoof fell in front of him. “And what have we here?” Purred the dark voice, coming alive with curiosity. “A newcomer? Come closer, so that we may see you.”
Midnight took a step forward, gazing up at the balcony that ringed the area. A tall black Alicorn mare stood in view, clad in silver and blue ceremonial armor. She gazed down at him, her eyes alive with interest. “Well now, haven’t seen you before.” She tilted her head. “From what my guards have told me, you’re Midnight Runner from the southern kingdom?” At his nod of confirmation, she clapped her hooves together happily. “Ah, yes, I heard that there was an uprising there a few moonfalls ago, I take it you’re a refugee?” He voice was surprisingly kind, considering what she had recently done. Midnight warily stepped around the puddle of blood and gore that used to be a pony. “Why don’t you remove your cloak? Surely there’s no reason to be shy?” The dark Queen purred, suddenly teleporting from the balcony and appearing in front of the startled black stallion. “I wonder if you’re as cute as you seem.” She said softly. Midnight shifted uncomfortably, then removed his cloak, draping it over his flanks.
However, swift as the movement was, Nightmare Moon reached out and stopped the cloak from covering his blank. “What is this?” She asked. Midnight looked at her, unnerved by her proximity. The other ponies in the room started murmuring amongst themselves. The loudest whispers cut right through Midnight. “No cutie mark?”
“No cutie mark?” The Queen echoed, puzzlement in her voice. “How can this be, and at your age?” Midnight Runner flicked his wings uncomfortably. “I’m not really sure why” He admitted, taking a step away from the Queen, who regarded him curiously. “I don’t really care, one way or another.” He said with a shrug and flick of his tail. A smile rolled over Nightmare Moon’s face. “I see…would you care to take a walk with me?” She asked, making him blink at the abrupt change in topic. “I…ah…um…” Midnight Runner stammered. “What about these other ponies?” He asked, extending his wing to point at the ponies lined against the walls. Nightmare Moon seemed to notice them for the first time. “What are you still doing here? There’s nothing more I will be doing today, so you’re all dismissed.” She snapped at them, causing them to jump and beat a hasty retreat through the doors.
“Now, where were we?” Nightmare Moon asked, turning back to Midnight. “Ah yes, a walk.” She said, extending a wing to him. Midnight Runner looked at her, then her wing then stepped forward and they began their walk.
Nightmare Moon seemed almost giddy as she walked beside Midnight Runner, chatting about her reign over Equestria and plans for newer decrees. “Seems even with the laws in place, bad ponies try to take advantage of kind ponies and exploit them for their own gain.” She said, looking thoughtfully at the walls and ceiling. “Even with the harsh punishments I have in place, they think they can get away with that sort of behavior.” She added with a frown. “What do you think?” She asked. Midnight Runner glanced at her and when he spoke, his voice was slow and thoughtful. “If they won’t listen to laws, would making some sort of enforcement force be able to keep the ponies in line?” Nightmare rubbed a silver-shod hoof against her chin thoughtfully. “It’s true I can’t keep an eye on all of my subjects…” She murmured thoughtfully. “But how could I trust them to do their jobs correctly?” She asked. “Give them rewards for keeping the peace, maybe?” He offered. Nightmare flared her nostrils. “What kind of reward though? I’m not sleeping with every guard I’d have to hire for the work.” The blunt words caught Midnight Runner by surprise and his cheeks flared red. “I…you wouldn’t have to do something like that.” He said, rather surprised at her blunt approach. “Then what?” She asked, facing him fully, towering over him. “You’re an outsider; you’ve seen how other ponies live, right? How do they keep the peace?” Midnight blinked and took a step back from her. She could be rather intimidating when she wanted to. “Well, obviously you’d have ranks within the enforcement. Good behavior could lead to higher rank, or more privileges.” Midnight said. “But, to be honest, you wouldn’t be in charge of that.” He added quickly as a black look passed over her face, as if she couldn’t stand not being in control. “The chief, of course, would report to you on the behavior of their officers, and if they don’t please you, you could remove them.” At the suggestion, Nightmare Moon seemed to brighten. “You mean execute them?” She asked, her voice cheerful. Midnight shook his head slowly. “Only….only as a last resort, or if they commit a bad enough crime, like…violating a young pony.” He said softly. Nightmare pricked her ears at his tone and she gazed at him curiously.
“Do you have some experience with that sort of thing?” She asked, her voice getting hard. “Have you violated a pony against her wishes?” She snarled. Midnight Runner looked at her in shock. “What? No! Never! I would never do such a thing.” He said. “Never…” He said quietly, his head down and his wings quivering. Nightmare Moon looked at him curiously. “Well, we’ll drop that for now, since it upsets you.” She said dismissively, but Midnight had a feeling she’d bring it up later. “Let’s talk about your cutie mark, or lack thereof, in this case.” She said, eying his flank in a way that made Midnight think she wanted to take a bite out of it. “I haven’t seem to have found anything I’m good at.” He said shortly, avoiding her eyes. She frowned. “Haven’t found, or is it in your blood that you’ll never get a cutie mark, no matter what you do?” She asked, taking a stab in the dark. The way he flinched made her think she had hit the mark. “It’s true, that no pony in my family has ever had a cutie mark.” He admitted, much to her surprise. “But…what about mating? Wouldn’t the offspring have the chance of having a cutie mark from the parents’ genes?” She asked, somewhat confused. “No, it doesn’t matter who the parent is, the offspring will never have a cutie mark” Nightmare Moon looked thoughtful. “That might explain why those three…” She murmured, her voice trailing off and shook her head. “Whatever. But what about you? Are you simply a mere Pegasus?” She asked, starting to walk once again. Midnight followed her, troubled by her question. “I don’t know what else I could be.” He said, shuffling his wings. A small smile hovered over Nightmare Moon’s face. “I see, so I won’t have to worry about you starting some sort of revolution to dethrone me?” Midnight shook his head. “Wouldn’t dream of it, to me, the ponies seem comfortable enough under your rule, and since I don’t really know what happened here, nor do I care, you’re welcome to do whatever you want with your kingdom.” He hesitated. “But…maybe stop killing ponies for their transgressions?” He said, treading carefully. “A few weeks or months in a dark cell with little food will do wonders to how a pony behaves.” He said, well aware Nightmare Moon was regarding him as if he had grown a second head with wings instead of ears. “And repeat offenders?” She asked. “Some ponies refuse to change.” Midnight looked into her eyes. “Then you can do whatever you like with them.” He replied simply. Nightmare Moon blinked warmly. “I knew you were special.” She said, draping a wing over him as they walked. Midnight fidgeted nervously at the touch, unsure of the meaning behind the gesture. “Oh, relax, I’m not going to jump your bones, we’ve only just met, and that would be rude on my part.” She said, noticing his discomfort. “Contrary to popular belief, I don’t fuck every pony I lay my eyes on…even when they’re rather attractive.” She added with a teasing glint in her eye.
Midnight glanced out the window and noticed the gruesome sight of the decapitated purple Alicorn head. “So, what’s the story with that?” He asked. Nightmare Moon glanced outside. “Oh, she was nothing more than an upstart who tried to challenge me for my crown. I only spared her friends since they were still of use to me. One makes amazing apple dishes while another is a very good seamstress.” Nightmare Moon sighed wistfully. “Shame my sister squandered their talents.” Midnight glanced at her curiously. “Sister?”
Nightmare Moon’s eyes blazed with hatred. “Oh, yes, my ‘dear sister’ who locked me away for a millennia because she was scared of me, my power. She was weak, she barely had any control over her subjects, dangerous creatures were breeding and becoming a threat, but she did nothing.” She shook her head. “So I set out to fix that little problem. First, I drove the creatures that were a real threat from this land, and then sealed them out forever.” Midnight looked rather surprised. “That would take an awful lot of magic.” He said, intrigued. She noticed his interest and smiled. “It’s rather simple, the barrier doesn’t draw power from any normal source. Instead, it uses the power of the person going against it, so the harder they try to get through, the stronger the field is. I thought about using the moon as an anchor point for its power, but didn’t want to take away from its beauty.” She looked outside and basked in the silvery glow with a sift sign. Midnight watched her silently, watching the way she seemed to drink in the moonlight. She caught him staring and winked at him. He flushed and turned away. “So, do you have anything else you want to know?” He asked. Nightmare came up beside him. “Where do you plan on spending the night?” She asked. Midnight noticed the invitation in her voice. “I think I’ll spend the night in an inn, actually, if that’s alright with you?” He said. Nightmare Moon nodded slowly. “Alright…will I see you again?” She asked. “If you have any questions for me, you’re more than welcome to seek me out.” He said with a smile. Nightmare Moon nodded. “Alright then, it’s a deal.” She looked outside. “I could make it a lot easier for you to come and go from here, if you’d like.” She said, flaring her wings and a glow enveloped Midnight. Unlike what happened to the other stallion, this glow felt oddly warm, almost like an embrace. “This is basically a two-way communication spell, and, if needed, will allow to you teleport directly to the throne room instead of having to take that long trek through the Palace again.” She said. Midnight blinked in surprise. He was curious as to why she placed enough faith in him to give him that sort of freedom. As if reading his mind, she smiled and leaned in to whisper in his ear. “I know you’re no threat to me, and I could kill you as easily as breathing. Instead, I think I’ll take a chance to get to know you better.” She gave his cheek a light kiss. “Good night, Midnight Runner.” She said quietly before wrapping herself in shadow and vanishing. Midnight blinked as he found himself alone. Focusing his thoughts, be could feel the magic of the spell she had woven into him and wasn’t surprised when he found himself at the palace gates with merely a thought. “Well…that went better than expected.” He said aloud, causing the guards to glance at him. “So you’re alive.” One said. Midnight noted a sense of relief in his voice and he turned to look at the stallion. “Somehow, yeah.” He replied cheerfully. “She’s not that bad once you get past the love of killing.” He bowed to the guards. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to find a place to stay.” The guard’s mouth dropped open in horror. “You…turned down a night with the Queen?” He said, his voice a squeak. He looked her his shoulder, as if he fully expected to see his Queen behind him. “We only just met” Midnight said. “Why rush things?” He added.
As he made his way in search of an inn, the two guards watched him go. “He’s either insane, confident or extremely lucky.” The guard said, while his counterpart nodded in agreement. “I have a feeling Canterlot is about to be turned on its side…” He sighed heavily and straightened out his posture. “Nothing to do but wait and see what happens.”
Midnight Runner managed to find a decent inn at an affordable price in Canterlot’s middle class district and as he settled in for the night looked back over his day. One day in Canterlot and already he had seen more than any pony ever wanted to see. He shuddered as images of the stallion surfaced in his mind. One second, completely whole, the next, nothing more than a pile of blood and bone. He shook his head to dispel the images, climbed into the bed, and was soon fast asleep.
He stood amongst ruins. No, not ruins, rubble, the remains of what used to be a town, a village of ponies, all nestled within the safe boundaries of the southern kingdom. Yet it was no longer safe; corruption had taken hold and put down its roots in the nobles, who thought the common pony wasn’t worthy of being part of the kingdom. Feuds started and then all-out civil war. Towns were razed, burned to the ground, cities were pillaged, ponies died by the hundreds. The king and queen were thrown down and executed by the very subjects they protected. And through it all, one lone Pegasus watched the slaughter and didn’t raise a hoof to stop it. He could’ve stopped everything, saved everything, restored everything. Yet he didn’t. He wanted this to happen, he wanted to see the ponies that had taken his sister from him suffer. He wanted them to feel the same terror she had felt when she had been torn from her family and cast out. Away from him, away from the only pony who loved her for her, the only one that could make her smile and giggle. He saw her now, nothing more than a shadow. She haunted his dreams, her laughter torturing him, causing his heart to ache. Midnight Runner threw back his head and let out a primal scream, one full of heartbreak and loss, a sound that would have chilled the blood of any creature who had heard it. A sound that showed that the creator had nothing left to lose, would fight to the last breath for what he wanted, what he loved. Midnight Runner walked through his memories, his nightmares with his sister by his side. He knew her so well it was as if she was still here with him. “Why do you still dream of this, brother?” She asked softly, gazing at him with those azure orbs she had gotten from their mother. “Because, even though I’ve let it go, released my emotions, my ties with this place, it’s still a part of who and what I am.” He said softly. He gazed out over the raped landscape. She gazed at him with a mix of love and exasperation, and he smiled at her. “I’m sorry, my sister, my little Starlight.” He murmured, wrapping his wings around her and she settled against him with a sigh of contentment.
“So this is what happened.” A voice said, laced with sadness. Midnight’s eyes snapped open and he looked around. His sister was gone, his dreams were gone, and nothing but emptiness surrounded him. Him and one other. He gazed at the Princess of the Night who seemed t float across from him. Her slitted eyes pierced him and he looked away. “Yeah.” He said bitterly. “Everything was my own fault. I could have saved this kingdom, I could have saved her…but I didn’t, I couldn’t.” He gazed down at his hooves. “But…you said you wanted them to feel the same pain she felt when she was taken from you. How could you have saved her?” Nightmare Moon asked. Midnight went still and a dark cloud passed over his features. “I could have walked away; I could have left this place.” Nightmare cut across him. “But it wasn’t you who started the conflict; it wasn’t you who made the highborn detest the lowborn.” She looked at him. “So, what do you mean?” She asked gently. “My parents were both lowborn, as was I, yet we adopted a little filly who had gotten lost, separated from her parents. We put out notices, we tried to find her parents, but nothing came up. Eventually, we tried to take custody of her, yet the highborn court refused to give her to us. They were too hard-set in their ways.” Midnight said quietly, his red eyes darkened by fury. “So I did the only thing I could think of. I took my sister from that place, that hellhole they placed her in.” His voice became black. “Do you know what they did to her? To my little Starlight?” He growled. Nightmare Moon actually took an involuntary step back. She had never felt such emotion pour off of a pony. She was amazed he had carried this much anger and remained sane. “They indoctrinated her. They corrupted her. They broke her.” His voice was low, defeated. Nightmare Moon gazed at him, her expression blank as she digested his news. “I killed every single adult pony if that building.” He said. Nightmare’s eyes widened at the revelation. “I burned that building to the ground and I walked away.” Midnight’s voice actually frightened Nightmare Moon. He spoke calmly, as if he hadn’t murdered an entire kingdom. He gazed at her, his eyes once again bright. “So, that’s what happened. Do you hate me? Do you want to kill me?” He asked her. She was again unnerved by the lack of inflection in his voice. She walked up to him and gazed down at him. He matched her stare and they simply stood still for what seemed ages. “No…” Nightmare Moon said at last. “No, I don’t want to kill you. I have something far better in mind.” She gazed at him fondly. “How would you like to rule by my side?”
Midnight Runner woke up with Nightmare Moon’s last words echoing in his head. “How would you like to rule by my side?” He shook his head in bewilderment and crawled out of bed. As he went through his morning routine, he thought back over the dream, wondering if he had done the right thing in revealing his past. He had no regrets for his actions. To him, they seemed justified. He looked at himself in the mirror and gazed at his reflection silently. Midnight twitched his ears as he heard a noise in the main room. He left the bathroom to see the last flicker of a blue flame and a roll of parchment lying on the bed. It was sealed with a wax seal in the shape of a quarter moon. He broke the seal and scanned the parchment.
Dearest Midnight Runner Have you thought about my offer? I’ll be waiting for your answer tonight. Come to the palace and we can talk about it.
With warmest regard, N.M.
Midnight read the letter and sat on the bed. She had been serious. He shook his head in disbelief. He didn’t have the faintest idea how to even begin running a kingdom, and didn’t he prove that he had no problem with destroying a kingdom? He sighed and rubbed his temples, feeling a painful headache coming. With a groan, he flopped on the bed. He wasn’t sure how long he lay there, but eventually his stomach told him it needed to be filled. Midnight got up and shook himself, stretching his wings. He needed to go for a flight, it had been far too long before he had a proper relaxed flight where he could enjoy himself. He went to the front desk and checked out, then trotted out into the eternal night. He gazed up at the moon shining overhead as he stretched his wings, giving a few practice flaps before he jumped skyward. Midnight closed his eyes and let out a happy sigh as he slowly flew in lazy loops through the night sky. He circled the palace towers a few times, idly glancing in the windows as he flew by, wondering if he’d spot Nightmare Moon in her chambers or grand hall. He hovered in front of a set of windows where a group of mares were talking together. When one spotted him hovering outside, she apparently let out a scream that got the attention of the other mares and he ducked out of sight with a grin. He landed lightly on the roof, balanced on the sloped tiles with ease, before taking a short running leap, and dived off the roof. He couldn’t have been more than a foot off the ground when he snapped his wings open and used his momentum to hurtle skyward once again. Once his wings began to tire, he landed back in the street and flapped his wings slowly to prevent them from cramping from the extended use. He settled them back against his sides then trotted briskly down the street and browsed the various wares that were being sold. A pair of crescent moon earrings caught his attention and he toyed with the idea of getting them for Nightmare Moon. After seeing the price, however, he decided against it. “Ah, thinking of a special somepony?” The shopkeeper said, seeing him hesitate over the items. “Er…I guess you could say that.” Midnight said. “You’re that fella that’s getting cozy with the queen, right?” The vendor asked, startling Midnight. “Cozy…? I think it’s about as far from ‘cozy’ as you can get.” He said with a shaky laugh. The tan-colored pony eyed him with some amusement. “Tell you what, for you, half-off, just because you’re the first who’s managed to talk to her and not end up dead in a long time.” His eyes flicked in the direction of the royal district gates and their grisly reminder and Midnight grimaced. “Alright.” He said, paying the required bits and taking the earrings. “Thank you, I’ll be sure to spread word about your wares.” He left the shopping district as the bell toned out noon, or was it the first midnight? Midnight Runner shook his head and wondered what he could do to pass the time. Nopony was around, the streets were deserted and Midnight finally just walked up to the Royal District, where the guards welcomed him and let him in. He wandered around the district, making his way to the palace, wondering if Nightmare Moon was holding another ‘court’. He smiled grimly to himself as he approached the last pair of doors that separated him from the Queen and entered the great hall. Once again, it was packed with ponies, and apparently Nightmare Moon was dishing out another punishment. “I didn’t ask for rain today.” Her voice was deadly calm and Midnight sighed silently as he snaked his way through the ponies. His suspicions were confirmed that she was targeting a Pegasus pony, who were in charge or Equestria’s weather patterns. “Couldn’t you have scheduled the rain for a day when I WASN’T trying to enjoy my beautiful evening?” She continued. Midnight finally reached the front of the crowd and saw that this time it was a light blue Pegasus on ‘trial’. What made her stand out was her mane and tail, which was wildly colored in the colors of the rainbow. “Usually, I’d happily tear off your wings and forever ground you, but…” Nightmare Moon caught sight of Midnight Runner and paused. “Ah…perfect timing, could you come up here for a moment?” She called to him. With a resigned sigh, Midnight joined her, flying up to her balcony, feeling slightly guilty for the fact he could fly while the rainbow mare was soon to be grounded permanently. He looked over his shoulder and mouthed “I’m sorry.” To the mare, who nodded grimly, her magenta eyes steeled. She knew the consequence and she wasn’t afraid of it.
“Welcome back, Midnight Runner.” Nightmare Moon purred, nodding slightly to him. He returned her greeting, though not as warmly. She looked a little hurt at his tone but turned back to the business at hand. “I think I’ll let my prince consort decree your punishment.” She said, causing the ponies below to erupt in hushed conversation. Midnight steeled himself, closing his eyes as he ran through a list of what he could do. He knew sparing the mare was out of the question, which pained him. Yet he knew there was a way to let the mare keep her wings. Turning to Nightmare Moon, he murmured quietly to her. “Have you considered making her the captain of one of your enforcement squads? She’s a strong mare, she’d have no trouble keeping them in line, plus, she’d report to you, and if you want nicer weather, you could easily reach her without having to bother yourself too much.” Nightmare Moon looked at him in surprise. “You seek to give a reward to one who made my day miserable?” She asked, incredulous. “I never said she had to be able to fly to perform her duties. She’d have to adjust giving orders to the other pegasi to create ideal weather.” Nightmare Moon looked at him for a moment. “I see…so, what should we do about her wings?” Midnight made his way to the edge of the balcony and gazed down at the mare. “Clip her wings.” He called. “Let her keep them as a reminder of the cost of displeasing the Queen.” Nightmare Moon came up beside him. “Would you like to do the honors?” She asked, grasping the pegasi in her magic and pulling her up to them. “I’d be glad to….in fact…” He murmured something in her ear and she grinned. “Oh, wicked…”
Midnight Runner stepped off the balcony as Nightmare Moon positioned the pegasi over the center of the room. Midnight gazed at the mare, who looked at him and simply nodded. “Just get it over with.” She said quietly. Midnight slowly moved about her, pulling out her flight feathers, rendering her incapable of ever flying again. When the last blue feather drifted to the ground, Nightmare let go of her magic. The rainbow mare’s eyes widened in surprise as she was momentarily weightless. She instinctively flapped her wings, but fell like a stone. She hit the ground hard and lay there, stunned from the impact. “You are to report to the chief of the enforcement squads, he’ll determine where to put you.” Nightmare Moon’s voice cut through the still air and the ponies all flinched at her dismissive attitude. “That will be all.” She turned and left the hall. Midnight Runner cast a last look at the flightless mare then turned and followed his Queen.
Midnight Runner wasn’t really sure what to expect when he followed his…Queen? Consort? Co-Ruler? He hoped she would at least sit down and talk about what his new duties entailed if he was to truly rule by her side. Yet a small part of him had a feeling he’d be more of a figurehead than an actual influence in any political affairs, and for that, he didn’t mind in the slightest. The sight that greeted him when he entered the Queen’s chambers probably would have caused any other stallion to gape and drool. Nightmare Moon stood without her armor on, her back to him as she stared at herself in the mirror, several brushes and hair care products floating around her. A small part of Midnight’s barely functional mind wondered why she needed brushes when her mane and tail were clearly magical, but suddenly the glow faded from the hair and he was surprised to find it was a deep muted blue, with several other blue hues striping through it. She caught sight of him in her mirror and turned. “Ah, so glad you’re here, I need your help with something.” She said briskly. Midnight trotted over to her and she pointed a hoof at his braided mane. “Can you teach me how to do that?” She asked. Midnight looked at her in surprise, and then noted a lack of any maremaids. “Sure.” He said after a moment. Nightmare Moon sat in front of the mirror and Midnight got behind her, admiring her mane as he started to brush and straighten it. A low noise from Nightmare Moon startled him and he paused in his care. The low moan had unnerved the Pegasus and Nightmare Moon opened an eye to look at him. “Why did you stop? That felt so good.” She whined. Shaking himself, Midnight dived into the task of subduing Nightmare’s mane and her contented sighs as he brushed, stroked and braided her hair did little to ease Midnight’s discomfort. “Why don’t you have maremaids to help with this sort of thing?” he asked, curious as to her lack of personal servants. “I thought Queens were waited on hoof and horn.” Nightmare looked rather sheepish and looked down. “Well, most of the maremaids that worked in the palace were loyal to my sister and I dismissed them, except for a few who adamantly refuse to leave, saying they needed to care for the castle.” Midnight tilted his head. “Sister?” He asked curiously, putting the last touches on Nightmare Moon’s braid. “Surely you’ve heard that Princess Celestia was dethroned, right?” She asked him, her eyes boring into his through the mirror. “Yeah, but since I wasn’t a part of Canterlot, I didn’t really care, so long as ponies weren’t out to kill me.” He replied, causing Nightmare to snort in amusement. “There was some protests , certainly, but that’s not the point.” She said, standing tall and turning around, causing him to backhoof away from her. “She was my sister, Princess Celestia, the Princess of the Day.” Midnight looked at her, his eyebrows high. “And you are…?” She smiled at him. “The little sister, Princess Luna, the Princess of the Night” Midnight paused for a moment. “But your subjects call you ‘Nightmare Moon’, why?” Nightmare Moon/Luna sighed as she made her way around him, her tail brushing lightly against his flank as she passed. “Because that’s what this form is called. It’s the darkness within Luna’s heart, given form.” Midnight couldn’t contain his curiosity. “Darkness given form?” He asked, following her but stopped short as she climbed onto the bed and settled down comfortably, if in a slightly inviting position. She raised her eyebrows at him. “Coming to bed, darling?” She purred. “You didn’t answer my question.” Midnight pointed out. Nightmare Moon sighed in exasperation. I swear, are you into stallions or something? You’re the first stallion that hasn’t immediately pounced on me and ravished me.” She said with a cute pout. “Because I rather enjoy having my stallionhood attached to my body, and I feel like we wouldn’t be the perfect match.” Nightmare Moon looked at him in amusement. “You consider yourself a gentlecolt then?” She said with a teasing note in her voice as she stretched. Midnight ignored the jab at his relative youth and shook his head. “Now, if you plan on having me rule beside you, what would my responsibilities be?” He asked, finally climbing onto the bed and settling beside Nightmare, who curled around him. “I think I’ll let you decide on punishments for law-breakers, if the crime is offensive enough to warrant it.” She said after a moment. “Oh? Does that mean you’re not going to kill every pony that breaks the law now?” Midnight asked, tilting his head. Nightmare Moon rolled her eyes and sighed. “I’ll try my hardest.” She said softly, gazing at him with a curious expression. He didn’t miss it and matched her stare for stare. “What, you’re hoping for a kiss?” He asked teasingly, causing her to snort in amusement. “You wish, honey.” She said, poking his flank. “Now, I know you’re still hard-wired to sleep at regular hours, so go to bed, I’ll send somepony to get you if I need you for anything.” She said, ruffling her wings. “And here I was hoping to spend the night.” He said dryly. “Oh? You mean you’d switch your sleep patterns to sleep with me?” She asked, pricking her ears. “As strange as that sounds….yes, I would.” He replied. “Plus, I’d be at your side more often, which will let me see how this kingdom operates.” He looked at her and grinned. “That’s what a prince does, is it not?” He asked. She poked his forehead with her hoof. “Be gone with thee for the night.” She replied with a hint of humor. “Yes milady, you know where to find me if you need me.” He said, taking note of her lapse in speech for later. She nodded at him and he left her chambers.
First off, I felt you captured how I thought you may have presented Nightmare Moon to be. A dark mistress, by the very definition of the word mistress. Powerful, stern, in control, even playfully seductive. Though aside from her oppressive appearance, and harsh handling of justice, she has a kind heart. She just detests the out right willingness of others to do wrong in her kingdom despite the severity of her punishments with witch she dispatches criminals.
I have to say, I like her a lot. And I can feel for her feeling scorned and wish to lash out at those willing to disobey her rules. It must be so frustrating for her. It is of no wonder she kills as she does with little self restraint. Why be merciful to those whom are unmerciful themselves?
When Midnight walked into the courtroom, Nightmare Moon was merely dispatching a filly rapist of all things. With one whom would commit a crime in a kingdom ruled by such a Queen willingly, did he not deserve what he got? I personally feel justice was served in this particular case. Some could call it survival of the fittest. And at times intelligence enters the equation of being fit. Mentally fit. He lacked it, and was found unfit to survive under her ruling.
I found it interesting Nightmare Moon was so willing to let Midnight influence her in the ways that he did. I do mean she let him, in that, it was not a case where he had any real control over the situation. She was just amusing herself with him, and humoring his suggestions. As she said, she fears him not, and could dispose of him as easy as any other.
I would not say I would ever seek one such as her out, nor feel at ease at any time while in her prescience, but I do feel I could admire her in my own way. And also feel a sense of simple pleasure over her wishing to just chat with me as she did with Midnight.
As for Midnight, he is certainly a bold individual. As some pointed out, he is very lucky. Though perhaps not so much, the Queen as he pointed out is not all that bad, after you get past her eagerness to kill those who displeases her, for witch he has yet to do. She does not seem to kill anyone without bias, she has to have a good reason to do so. She also has a taste for harsh justice, so even his past deeds only makes him more appealing to her, not disliked.
As for his past deeds, just like with how I feel about Nightmare Moon in this story, I feel I can relate to his feeling on the matter and why he did them. Loosing his sister as he did, even if not blood related, is quite sad.
I actually liked how this played out. Though I do feel Nightmare Moon's interest in Midnight, such as it was, felt a bit rushed to me. You do make Nightmare Moon out to be rather openly promiscuous, and has a reputation for it. Would fit with how easy she has taken a shine to such a newcomer as a playful curiosity to her.
I was quite amused by the comment given to him by the mare he met in the hallway as he came in. “Good luck with the Queen, she’s been rather moody lately, not sure why, might be that time of the month for her or something.” She stopped, her cheeks flushing. “Oh, didn’t mean to let that slip out…good luck sweetie.”
Over all, a fun read it was. ^.^
Taking a stab ye say? To me, you hit the mark. First off, I felt you captured how I thought you may
I'm also quite mortified by the lack of proper formatting; my newer writing (hosted on FFN and AO3) is much more streamlined (and also unrelated to ponies)
Maybe someday I'll go back and fix my old writing, yet it's also nice to see how far I've come since then...
Thanks for the feedback I'm also quite mortified by the lack of proper formatting; my newer writin
Yes, that was the case with me also. My writing was like a wall of text in most cases, and much bad spelling in mine.
The biggest prob I see with walls of text is not separating the text involved with each character and/or speaker. It can make reading it at times a bit confusing.
I had rewritten each of my stories at least once, as I got better at it and know more of what to find wrong with them. Though I would say they are still far from perfict.
It is nice as you have said to see how one's writing has changed. Kind of like with those whom practice at drawing. What once was though of as OK by the artist can end up looking downright silly and awful by the same artist after a few years of improving.
I do see at the top of your stories list you have gone to writing Pokémon fics, rather than ponies. That is the appeal to me of having more than one interest. The ponies are fun and cute, and I am hooked on them, but I too have vastly far more reaching interests than what they alone can fill. ^.^
As for this story, the ending of it made me wonder if you intended to add more to it. It seemed like only a start to something much longer. I did try to download the other .doc files to this set to see if there is more, but found each .doc file unreadable by any of my programs.
I try to use .rtf files myself. They can be opened by the free word pad within windows with no problems.
Yes, that was the case with me also. My writing was like a wall of text in most cases, and much bad
I did plan on doing more with it, but I bit off more than I could chew and it kinda fizzled out
Kinda perpetually stuck in the planning phase for ponies because it's all been done before and I don't like them as much as I used to thanks to the show and fandom declining in quality
I did plan on doing more with it, but I bit off more than I could chew and it kinda fizzled out Kin
It happens. I do see it a lot however. Many stories I have taken an interest in never get finished. And not always due to a lack of fans wishing to see more of it. The story A Zoologist Dream by Sonson-Sensei is one example. Lots of followers wish to see it, yet the story has been dropped just the same.
I did that with a story set I was working on. It started out about three to four years ago as a sort of horror trilogy. Meant also to be a love story between three very young ponies, and a set of tragedies that brought them together. Beyond the trilogy itself, I had planed on continuing many more stories with those three youngsters.
Never got past finishing the second story to the trilogy however. Mostly due to a lack of interest in them by most any readers. It be my guess as to why you partly gave up on your pony stories yourself? Your comment sections seem to be about as barren as my own. 0.o
I still happen to enjoy the show and some of the fan works. It's not dead for me quite yet.
I know, it is hard to create something original though. The new movie reminded me too much of the two part episode when Lord Tirek was taking the power of the ponies to get stronger. Even the new villain the Storm King seemed like a down-played goofy version of Tirek. Sad to see that in a new movie. I did expect more out of it. Even many of the TV episodes were better.
And one of the last episodes was a little too much like the first. A dark and powerful pony was trying to cast everyone into darkness. And he was turned to darkness and consumed by it for much the same reasons as Luna did, and saved from it just like with Luna. Kind of a rinse and repeat right there. 0.o
It happens. I do see it a lot however. Many stories I have taken an interest in never get finished.
At least we have the MLP comics to sate the onslaught of lackluster/mediocre episodes; although I've seen a few leaked Season 8 episodes and they're surprisingly good, which is sad, since the Series is ending after Season 9 in a few years and we're getting a whole different generation of ponies that look similar to what we already have, so that's gonna be fun to watch
At least we have the MLP comics to sate the onslaught of lackluster/mediocre episodes; although I've
The MLP comics is something I have neglected getting.
So, it is to all end at nine? Well, had to end some time. I am sure many of the fans will carry it on for a few years after.
Some of the fan made games are fun. A few still in development. Not really a FIM game anymore, but been waiting for the Them's Fighting Herds game to come out on Steam by The Main 6 team with art and characters backed by Lauren Faust. Was suppose to be out the start of this year, may not be out till the middle of next year at this rate.
As for new developments, Hasbro I don't think is going to stop working on new pony cartoons all together, they own them and sill need ways to sell them. Makes me wonder what they will do next with them, and if the fans of this FIM cartoon set will follow the new set as well? Only time will tell. ^.^
The MLP comics is something I have neglected getting. So, it is to all end at nine? Well, had to en
Yep, Gen 5 is already confirmed and there's character concepts from the Season 8 leak that have people's panties in all kinds of knots due to design changes
Not entirely sure if it's connected to Gen 4, but there's always going to be fans who will insist it is - Them's Fightin' Herds already has plenty of crossover art with MLP and it's great
Yep, Gen 5 is already confirmed and there's character concepts from the Season 8 leak that have peop
Yea, some can't handle change. 0.o Though it does greatly depend on what it is. I thought the look of the new MLP FIM Movie has some good art to it. I did like it, for what it is.
A little disappointed it didn't follow with some of the past roomers that it was going to be all 3D CG. That could have looked awesome. ^.^
I did think they were hinting at the ponies being done up in 3D when they showed Rainbow Dash in the forth Transformer Movie: Age of Extinction.
I am sure you are well aware of it, the new Filly Funtasia? Art wise, for a TV cartoon for kids, I think this look damn good. I was expecting the new FIM Movie to look as good, if not better than this. Not so.
The animation is a bit low on the frame rates, but the overall quality of the 3D CG art work is a real big vast improvement over the Flash style animation of FIM. That alone will get it some fans for sure.
But if the stories are not bold enough, it will not likely gain the same kind of following as FIM did, mostly by any adults. By that first trailer, an issue of some missing cupcakes by a non real monster stealing them I don't see as a big deal. Both the story and the main villain in it seem just too goofy by comparison to many of the FIM issues and villains to make it as big as that did.
The second video shows it could be a bit more promising, though not likely. It definitely has the look of something good, but not the right vibe, story telling wise to me.
I would like to copy their art style for my own 3D CG works though. I really like it. Fur and hair is so hard to animate, unless one has a powerful PC. And one can about forget it for real time interactive animations. But this Filly Funtasia art style I can see as being very usable for that. ^.^
There has also been some FIM and FF cross over stories and art. Though not much from what I have seen.
Yes, I have seen much of the mixed Them's Fightin' Herds and MLP art. Some of it has about proven each of the six first fighters are relative copies of the main six ponies in FIM. It was bound to happen. I certainly enjoy them. ^.^
Yea, some can't handle change. 0.o Though it does greatly depend on what it is. I thought the look o
Eh, ponies don't look that good in 3D - at least not the ones I've seen in Source Filmmaker. There's a few Maya-made ones that look much more streamlined without the awkward Source Engine textures
Haven't seen much of Filly Funtasia other than people deriding it for being MLP-lite
Eh, ponies don't look that good in 3D - at least not the ones I've seen in Source Filmmaker. There's
I do feel a good 3D animation with ponies is possible. It would be a lot of work to do. The bone rigging is a very big part of helping it to look right. Something not done well for the SFM ponies. And it requires a powerful PC, or rendering would take forever. 0.o
If I can get my ass going on it, I would like to animate one of my stories in 3D. It has been a long time goal of mine. I feel it be better seen visually as an animation than as just a story to read.
I can see why some would put down Filly Funtasia while comparing it to MLP. As I said, it lacks the same vibe. It looks better visually to me, but is missing a more serous element to the stories.
Oh' happy new year. ^.^
Yea, many SFM pony animations is a joke. >.< This one made for DAZ Studio looks good to me. Preciou
