Author: AnnonyMouse
MLP:FiM is property of Hasbro. This is a free fanfiction, not to be sold or traded for any money, goods or services.
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A/N: No comments on spelling or grammar. See my profile for details.
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Evernight
07
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Canterlot Ruins.
Spitfire looked over at Soarin and frowned. “I can't believe it... Our Princess, she was imprisoned again...”
“We waited for her to return after a thousand years hoping she could at least correct this altered time line...” Soarin added as he walked over to the spot where their Princess was trapped again. The quadrupedal Pegasus tapped at the white marble floor with a hoof. “It's still warm. Do you think there's any way we can somehow break her free again?”
“We would need either the Elements of Harmony, or an equally powerful magic.” Spitfire replied as she heard a third Pegasus land in the throne room. She turned to the dark clad Pegasus. “Mare Do Well.” She smiled. “You managed to escape the time vortex?”
The mare simply nodded.
“What about the others?”
Spitfire received her answer when a second Mare Do Well appeared in a flash of violet light.
Soarin blinked. “Two of you? I thought there was three.”
Hoof steps were heard at the entrance. The quartet turned to see a third Mare Do Well appear. This one looked more buff in her build, obviously an Earth Pony.
“Oh, ok.” Soarin laughed. “So Spitfire, where's Echo and Blitzkrieg? Are they still out scouting?”
“Yea, they should be back soon. Gilda as well.”
The Pegasus Mare Do Well narrowed her eyes and trotted toward the window.
The other two Mare's watched her take flight and vanish into the night. They glanced at each other and started toward the throne room doors.
“I take it the three of you will help us in your own ways?” Spitfire asked and received a nod from the magic using Mare before the pair left.
Soarin tapped at the floor again. “It's growing cold...”
“Don't worry Soarin. We'll free her and save Equestria. This Evernight will not last forever.”
“I hope so Spitfire. I hope so.”
...
Midnight awoke in a cold sweat. The visions from a strange nightmare fading fast. One thing she remembered, Tyrant Skyfire telling her this world was false and should never have existed in the first place, before burning the sky, and the land as well.
“Spike?” She whispered.
“Hmm?” The serpent poked his head out of his small bed under the heating lamp. He rubbed the sleep from his eyes with the tip of his tail. “It's still respite.”
“I had that dream again.”
“Why? You already defeated the Tyrant. She's sealed away in the core of the world again. She's no threat anymore.”
Midnight shook her head. “You're right...” She spoke the words, but didn't really believe them. When she had seen Princess Celestia, she had felt something. She couldn't explain it, but even though she had been afraid at the time, she could swear she felt... love?
“Midnight, would you like me to prepare some chamomile tea?”
“No, it's alright. I'm awaken now. You go back to sleep. I think I'll just do some research.” She rose from bed and walked quietly to the window. She pulled back the curtains and looked out at the sliver of the moon that was visible. The respite sky was filled with stars and some clouds.
Her mind wondered back to her experience with daylight.
It had terrified her, but at the same time, the heat and warmth that enveloped her had been... comforting? She was used to the chill in the night and respite air, but that warmth had been akin to a warm bath, not that she thought about it.
“Say Spike?”
“Hmm?”
“She called me.. Twilight Sparkle.”
“Who called you what?” The serpent rose off the floor, his wings guiding his movements till he settled around Midnight's shoulders, his tail wrapping gently around his mistress.
“Princess Celestia. She called me Twilight Sparkle. She said that is my true name, and that all we know is a lie.”
“Well obviously she was lying.” Spike replied, his tongue flicking in and out for a moment. “Hmm? Mid? I don't think we're alone.”
Midnight felt the force of magic flare through the bedroom. She spun around to see another form standing near the door. A quadrupedal pony wearing dark clothing, a long cape and a wide brimmed hat.
Instantly Midnight summoned her book to her hand, the chains unsealing the powerful tome. “Who are you?” She demanded.
The strange mare levitated a scroll from under her cloak and set it gently on the bed. A moment later, she flared with magic and was gone.
Spike's green eyes were wide. “A Unicorn? She can teleport as well?”
Midnight approached the scroll and picked it up.
“Hey, that could be cursed or trapped.”
Midnight shook her head. “I sense no magic in this.” She looked at the seal. “The seal of Princess Celestia...” She examined the beautiful marking before breaking it. Midnight unrolled the scroll.
“Dear Tw~scratch~ Midnight Sparkle.”
“Do not be alarmed at the sight of my messenger, Mare Do Well. I am Princess Celestia, sealed deep within the world, and I request that you at least think what I have told you.”
“The world you know is a lie. Your Queen imprisoned me not because I was threatening to burn the sky, but because I opposed her intention to bring everlasting night to Equestria. She won, using the Elements of Harmony, but they were not the true Elements. They were ones given to her from the future.”
“How is this possible you may be wondering, or perhaps, why should I believe any of this? The answer is not so simple, nor is the only way to correct your mistake in re-imprisoning me. I will let you think over matters for now, and I will be contacting you again in the future.”
“Yours truly, Princess Celestia of Equestria.”
“P.S. Mare Do Well will not speak to you, nor answer any of your questions herself. Do not try to find her, as her magic is superior to yours. Do not think to threaten her or harm her or any of my followers in any way. I want to find a peaceful way to resolve this issue and restore all to how it should be.”
Spike blinked. “Are you serious? A letter from Tyrant Skyfire herself? How could she even send it in the first place?”
Midnight shook her head. “I do not know... I want to ask Queen Nightsong for her advice, but I cannot always be bothering her.”
“Um, Mid? I think this is a situation where she won't mind being disturbed.” Spike flicked his tongue out again. “Hmm, she smelled familiar... Like you, almost.”
“That's impossible Spike. It is impossible... isn't it?”
“I'm no expert with time lines and alternate history or anything like that.” He shrugged his wings. “Do you want me to send the Queen a letter?”
“No, not till I've done more research.” She held out her arm toward the serpent's bed. She coiled around and slithered down her arm and into his warm bed. “Get some rest.”
Spike yawned, his needle fangs glinting under the red light of the heat 'lamp'. “Sure thing Midnight. Good respite.”
Midnight left the bedroom and descended the stairs to the library proper. She activated the light stones and started searching the shelves.
...
Rarity leaned back in her rich, red velvet lined 'throne' and sighed. She glanced at the latest outfit she had just completed.
Black velvet with red silk inner lining. Beautiful silver embroidery studded with rubies. Another gown for the Grand Galloping Gala finished. “Three more gowns and two more suits to go...” She sighed and levitated a cup of tea into her hand. She sipped at the lightly spiced ginger tea and smiled.
At that moment, she glanced out the window and was the library lights were on. Not the ones in Midnight's private living quarters, but the ones from the library proper.
“It's far too late for even Midnight to be awake.” She rose to her hooves and leaned against the window sill. She saw movement through the frosted windows and raised an eyebrow. “Far too late indeed.”
The white mare headed upstairs to her room and dressed. A black, sheer silk cloak was draped over her shoulders, the hood up over her head. She strapped on her belt and set her dagger onto it. After that, she exited her home through the back door and made her way toward the library.
...
Midnight pulled yet another book on probability. This was the third and final book that this library possessed. She brought the tree books to the desk and set them down.
As she was about to open the first book, she felt a presence outside. She glanced at the small mirror resting on the desk and used some magic. She saw the cloaked figure approaching the library.
The white legs and flawless cloven hooves were familiar. Rarity?
A flash of her horn, and the front door unlocked and opened a crack. She didn't even turn as she heard the door creak open and the hooves step onto the the solid wooden floor. “Hello Rarity. A little late to be wandering about town, isn't it?”
“I'm impressed. How did you know I was outside?”
“I sensed magic. You're carrying your spell gems, right?”
Rarity giggled lightly as she removed her cloak. “I always do. Might I inquire as to why you are up so late?”
“Had a bad dream about Skyfire.” Midnight replied, turning from her book to face Rarity. “Why are you up so late?”
“Oh, just finishing yet another gown for the Grand Galloping Gala. I saw the library lights were on and got curious.”
“I see.” Midnight smiled. “Would you care for some tea? Or maybe something a little stronger. I do have coffee.”
Rarity smiled and nodded. “I would so enjoy a little coffee.”
Midnight smiled and lead Rarity up too the kitchen where she started making a pot. “Have a seat. Tell me why you're still awake. I somehow doubt that making a dress is the only reason.”
“How astute of you too notice...” Rarity replied, looking a little tired. “Bad dreams of that 'test'. We never told each other what happened, did we?”
“No, just as I never told you what happened during my test. If you feel like it, why not tell me?”
“I was a pony, I mean, a four legged one like Tyrant Skyfire. I was in a town with only Unicorn Ponies, all quadrupedal. We were all starving, and I was no better than any of the others. I sacrificed the last of my food, giving it to a young colt. He then gave it to his sister... I... I couldn't stand to see any of the ponies like that. I didn't care that I was four legged or two. The scene of all those suffering ponies...” She hung her head a little. “I can't get that out of my mind.”
“I... I saw your trial, but, the way I saw it, you ended up dying from starvation. I had feared you had failed.”
Rarity shook her head. “No, after I gave my food away, she... the Princess, appeared before me and told me I passed. Still, I can't get the feeling that what we saw was something not from an illusion, bit from the past itself, like a memory.”
Midnight nodded. “I got that feeling as well as I watched each of your trials, all ending badly for each of you.” She glanced at her spell book. All the strange new spells within, and not a single spell for combat. “But in the end, I watched each of you pass, and I learned some new spells.”
“You did? I mean, you watched all of us? What was your trial?”
“I used magic to see the truth of your trials.” She shivered a little. “I'm relieved that what I had first seen was false.” She paused. “Or was it? What if what I saw was the true past, and that each of you were sent back to that time to change it? I mean, Princess Celestia, or Tyrant Skyfire certainly must be powerful if she can burn the sky. Sending you back in time is a possibility as well.”
Rarity blinked. “But if we went into the past, what could our small acts have done? I man, nothing has changed at all, has it?” She glanced around. “Well, I certainly have noticed no changes.”
Midnight grabbed her book and opened it, levitating it before her. “Well, there is a spell for sending one's mind and spirit back through time...” She found the spell, one of the new spells. “I think Celestia gave me these new spells to find out the truth of what happened a thousand years ago.” She looked at her other books. “Maybe the present is not where we should be looking, or, not THIS present.”
“What do you mean?” Rarity blinked.
“Well, Celestia told me this, everything we know, should never have happened. What if we can look into the true flow of time and see what Celestia meant.”
Rarity shook her head. “Oh no... I don't trust Tyrant Skyfire. I mean, she didn't actually burn the sky or cause any of us any harm. Still...”
Midnight set down the book after sealing it again. She returned to making the coffee. “Well, it's not like we can actually effect anything, right? All five of you supposedly experienced another time, all about the same time period in fact.” She grinned. “Maybe I can use that as a starting point and watch time up till the battle between Nightsong and Skyfire. Maybe I can try to watch the events of the other time line as well.”
“Certainly if you do that, you'd anger the Queen.”
Midnight shook her head. “I'm allowed to research anything I want. Queen Nightsong has never refused me before.”
“Are you going to ask her?”
“Well, if I don't ask, she can't refuse me. Besides, I can't go bothering her every time I want to research something.” Midnight said as she finished setting up the coffee on the stove. “Though...” She though back to the dark mare and her letter. She was unsure if she should tell anypony about that just yet.
“Yes?” Rarity asked.
“Oh, nothing.” Midnight replied as she set out a couple mugs, fresh cream and sugar. “Anyways, coffee will be ready soon.”
“Do you need any help with your research?”
“No, I usually prefer to research things on my own.” Midnight smiled. “Thank you for the offer though.”
“Of course darling.” Rarity said before catching the smell of the coffee. “That smells wonderful. Coffee is quite expensive.”
“Well, I'm not exactly poor. Still, I prefer to conserve my money.” She glanced at the coffee and grinned a little sheepishly. “Okay, I spoil myself on occasion.”
Rarity giggled at this as Midnight finished brewing a couple cups and served them.
...
Rarity had finally gone home to get her beauty sleep, not that she needed anything to help her with her beauty.
Midnight returned to the library and started her research. Much of what she found in the books was pure speculation, barely formed on facts of any kind. She sighed as she closed the third book and frowned. “Useless... I'll just have to use my magic.” She looked at her spell book and summoned it with her magic.
Opening it to the appropriate spell, she memorized it carefully. Once she was certain she had it down, she headed into the basement of the library, not wanting to disturb Spike, or to be disturbed herself.
“Okay, I have everything I need...” She sat down in front of a small crystal globe and cast the spell. Her vision blurred for a moment as she 'rewound' through history rapidly till she found the events that matched those from the trials.
From there, she would skip forward, centuries at a time till the first appearance of Princess Celestia, and a century later, Princess Luna.
They were both normal ponies, only with wings and horns. It felt strange viewing her Queen in such a form, so much smaller than she knew, and so much 'animalistic'.
Still, she would wind forward till she finally found the battle.
Celestia stood before a black mare with a mane like the night sky. Oddly, there was no sign of any Tyrant Skyfire, not till the battle started.
Celestia transformed and summoned frightening magic, flames and lights that surrounded her sister, and six spheres of rainbow light. Midnight almost lost her focus as she watched her Queen defeated at this powerful magic, entrapped in the Moon itself.
(This isn't right... That's not how events took place...) Still, Midnight pressed on, watching as day and night were controlled equally by Princess Celestia. Whatever she was seeing, it was not what she knew.
For a thousand years, Celestia controlled the sun and the moon till the day Nightmare Moon returned and sealed away Celestia. Shortly after, six young ponies appeared and defeated her with the magic from the six Elements, but rather than banishing her, she was turned into a pony, smaller than her sister, but similar in form.
Midnight looked at these six ponies and gasped. She recognized each and every one of them, and seeing herself as a four legged pony really made her wonder.
Then she gasped as Princess Luna stood up and took control of the Elements and vanished. Following Luna through time, she watched as she appeared before Nightmare Moon from a thousand years ago.
“I am you, you are me. In the future, you will be defeated by these, the Elements of Harmony. I give these to you, so you may defeat your sister and bring about nighttime eternal.”
“Why should I trust you?” Nightmare Moon demanded.
“Because, if you do not, then your sister will burn the sky, eradicating all life from all of the world. I have seen this for myself and barely escaped through time.” Luna stamped her hoof. “I do not want this future. Even cured of my dark magic, my desires remain the same. I must return to my time and face my fate... You can change the past, and thus, the future. I trust you know what to do.”
Nightmare Moon looked at the Elements and grinned. “Oh yes, I most certainly do.” She looked up and watched Luna fade away. “With these, I will defeat my sister, but first, I must ensure she cannot use her elements against me.”
With her magic, she captured Celestia's Elements and replaced them with hers, darker, cursed Elements.
Days passed and the pair finally faced each other, but Celestia was transformed, the cursed magic having transformed her into the form of Tyrant Skyfire. Her dark magic did not stand a chance against the 'true' Elements and were dispersed, scattered over the world. A moment later, Skyfire was defeated and sealed away.
“And now, the sky will never burn, and the night shall reign eternal...” Nightmare Moon grinned. “Now, to undo the magic which Celestia cast at the beginning of time, the one which keeps us in the forms of beasts.”
Midnight gasped. “The past... it really was changed? But... Queen Nightsong had ruled over Evernight all this time. Other than the few wars with the Gryphons and Diamond Dogs, we've known peace. Our forms are certainly superior to those of normal ponies... But the time I watched when we remained as ponies was purely peaceful. There was no Tyrant Skyfire till Princess Luna traveled back in time.” She shook her head as the magic faded away.
Midnight rose to her hooves and paced back and forth. “I love my Queen... But... Is it true that all I know had been manipulated and is just a lie?” She looked back at the sphere. She sat down and focused her magic again. She needed to know what was happening in the 'other' time line right now.
It took her only moments to locate it, and found Luna and Celestia in the ruins, hugging, with herself and the other five watching. They returned to Ponyville and went about their peaceful lives, experiencing various adventures, and becoming friends.
(This makes no sense... More time has passed in this time line than our own? I'm seeing alternate future events...) Midnight wondered, but then the visions stopped. She had caught up to the current events, or perhaps time was blocked.
No sky was burned, no horrible events took place, and the world was peaceful.
Midnight dropped the magic and crossed her arms. “We'd be living identical lives, but with a few changes... Spike is a Dragon. We're all animals...” She shuddered at that concept. “Still... Everything Queen Nightsong has written in history is false... Unless all I have seen was a lie, a manipulation of Tyrant Skyfire's...” Midnight chewed her thumb. “Well, this spell was one of Celestia's... It has to be the lie, and what I know is the truth.”
She nodded sagely. There was no way that the Tyrant's 'truth' was the truth at all. Time travel was impossible after all, wasn't it? Real time travel that is. Heck, this viewing spell had to be a trick, a false magic. Was that 'truth' spell even the real thing? No, it had to be a manipulation as well.
Midnight jumped her her hooves and headed back upstairs, to her living area, just below her bedroom loft. “Spike?”
The serpent groaned. “What is it now?” He poked his head from under his blanket and noted that Bright Moon was beginning to rise. “Oh... night time already...” He looked at the somewhat unkempt looking Midnight. “Did you get any sleep at all?”
“No, not really. I'm feeling confused right now. I used a spell to view the past, but I don't know if it is the true past, or a manipulation.” Midnight climbed the stairs. “I need to return to Canterlot.”
“Oh COME on...” Spike groaned. “How do you plan on getting there?”
“My wings.”
Spike shook his head. “You know how ponies feel about that magic in Lunaris. How do you think they might react to seeing you use that kind of magic here in Ponyville?”
“Which is why I'll be leaving town. I'll need you to keep an eye on the library while I'm gone. I should be back before Respite.”
“Speaking of sleep, you really should get at least a couple hours rest.”
Midnight shook her head. “No time for that... Remember that visitor last night? The letter? I need to find out if the Tyrant really is sealed, so I need to examine the area she was sealed.” She started dressing. Her leggings, bracers and jacket were donned, then her satchel rested over her shoulder. Finally, she put on her belt and clipped her rapier to it. “I don't want you telling anypony about last night. Am I clear?”
“Of course Mistress Midnight Sparkle.” He nodded.
“Good. If anypony comes asking for me, tell them I'm out of town for the day, and should be back before Respite.” She turned on her heel, then paused. “And Spike?”
“Yes?”
“Be careful.” Midnight then rushed from the living quarters and out of the library itself.
Spike watched out the window as his creator vanished as she teleported away. “Be careful Midnight...”
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To Be Continued...
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