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- >You are Nightmare Moon.
- >Empress of the Equestrian Empire.
- >…
- >You find yourself in your Royal Chambers, reading one of the books from the sealed Royal Archives.
- >The Crystal Empire — Magical Anonmoly Report: Part XII
- >It is an interesting read to say the very least.
- >While you recall the battle, and subsequent disappearance that took place there, you were sent… away… before the formal analysis could be completed.
- >After scanning the Archives, it appears that Celestia, having observed the “horrors" of dark magic, banned the use of such spells only days after the report was submitted.
- >The authors of this article; the leading arcane minds of the last millennia, seem mystified by the magic used during the battle.
- >You smile.
- >Even after 1000 years, Equestria’s understanding of such magic was woefully underdeveloped.
- >On the other hoof, you and Luna had all of 1000 years to rediscover, and develop such theory.
- >By now, you can only assume that you’re centuries ahead of anything these ponies might have to offer.
- >...
- >Your attention is drawn back to the present as you sense a pony approach, and open the doors, granting the mare entrance.
- >”I’ve retrieved apples, caramel, and sugar glaze, just as you requested Empress.”
- >Octavia pushes a small cart into the room and unfolds a small table before you, then lifts small plates and pots onto it.
- >She quickly places a half dozen apples onto the table, as well as a small two glasses, and a small pitcher of eggnog, before stepping back.
- >You gaze over the selection briefly, inspecting each item.
- >A bruised apple, or burt caramel would surely ruin this wonderful celebration.
- >After a few moments, you can see that all is well.
- >You look up at Octavia.
- ”Very well maid…”
- >She bows.
- >”Thank you Empress, have a good evening.”
- >Before she stands, you interrupt.
- “At ease little one, we wish to gift you something…”
- >Her ears perk up, and she raises an eyebrow.
- >”Empress?”
- ---------------
- >You turn, and look toward the small jar on your bedside table.
- >Lifting the lid, you quickly remove a small morsel of caramel candy.
- >Replacing the lid, you move the small treat before Octavia, which she instantly locks eyes on.
- >”Empress?”
- “We wish to… offer a token of our appreciation for your services…”
- >She’s hesitant.
- >”I don’t understand…”
- >You move the candy closer, encouraging her to accept your gift.
- “This eve is the celebration of the Fall Festival; tis tradition for the elders to bestow gifts of sweets onto the young…”
- >You turn away slightly.
- ”It is a pleasant time of year — we wish for you to partake in the merriment.
- >With every passing moment she doesn’t accept, you begin to feel more foalish.
- ”Accept our gesture…”
- >...
- >She pauses, before nodding, and extending a hoof to accept the treat.
- >Retrieving it from your grasp, she places it into her mouth; which is soon followed by a small smile.
- >”Thank you Empress…”
- >You nod.
- “Tis tradition, nothing more…”
- >As she eats the candy, Octavia looks down at the food before you once again.
- >”Is that what these apples are for?”
- >You smile.
- ”Indeed, we shall attempt to refine our Brute, and feed him a sample of foods this evening…”
- >She nods.
- >You look out of the nearby window, onto the landscape below.
- “You see Octavia, the Fall Festival of old was a wondrous and joyful affair; ponies would make merriment and have flamboyant festivities…”
- “Then, when the evening arrived, the adults and parents of each village would escort the foals to a nearby clearing, where they would gaze at the stars…”
- >Subconsciously, you rub your hooves, and feel your cheeks grow warm.
- “Afterwords, sometimes courting couples would… make a date of the affair…
- "Many mares and stallions found their mate on those evenings…”
- ---------------
- >The words linger in the air for a few moments.
- >Your mind wonders to your Brute.
- >Hopefully /this/ fall festival would be a… pleasant affair.
- >While you had not planned to make an evening of the Festival, when Anonymous mentioned that; in his world, the autumn held a number of traditions, you were intrigue.
- >Many of the traditions were even similar to those of Equestia, which only served to peak your interest.
- >He mentioned a particular fondness of caramel and candy apples from his foal hood.
- >Unbeknownst to him, you’d taken heed of his longings, and planned this evening’s events.
- >Perhaps, after your sweet snack and proper dinner, you may show him the celestial display which you had prepared for this evening...
- >Further still, if he was fond of your company, perhaps you would enjoy a more… private evening with your Champion.
- >...
- >You look back to Octavia.
- “We shall pay a visit to the commoners this evening as well…”
- >She grows noticeably stiff.
- ”Our Brute has spoken of his cravings for flesh in recent weeks, and would like to journey to a badlands restaurant in Canterlot…”
- “After we consume our apples, we shall escort him with the company of our guards, lest his savage ways incite a riot in the streets…”
- >By now, you can see that Octavia is trying to keep her poise, but under your watchful eye, her signals are far too easy to read.
- >”I don’t think that would be a good idea Empress…”
- >You raise an eyebrow.
- >It is… uncommon for Octavia to contest your will.
- >Deciding that her concerns merit your ear, you speak.
- ”And why might that be?”
- >She shuffles her hoof awkwardly.
- >”I don’t think you would like to go outside tonight…”
- “That does not answer my question Octavia; speak clear or still your tongue…”
- >She pauses for a moment.
- >”It’s Nightmare Night outside your Majesty…”
- >…
- >Nightmare Night?
- >What a strange name for Fall Festival…
- ---------------
- >You smile.
- >Perhaps Celestia, in your absence, named the holiday in your name.
- >You had always preferred the Fall Festival and Winter Solstice, while she favored May Flowers, and the Summer Sun Celebration…
- “We see no reason why a change it name shall prevent our plans. If Celestia named this celebration in our honor, than we should do well to enjoy it…”
- “It is still Fall Festival, and as the earthens say, a Rose by any other name…”
- >She shakes her head.
- >”I’m sorry Empress, you don’t understand; this isn’t fall Festival…”
- >That gets your attention.
- >It’s not the Fall Festival?
- >But today /is/ the proper day for the festival to begin.
- >What else could it be?”
- “Then what is it Octavia? Speak."
- >She nods.
- >You notice the hesitation and weakness in her voice.
- >”I’ve never heard of the Fall Festival Empress, for all my life, everyone I’ve known has only mentioned Nightmare Night…”
- >There is no Fall Festival?
- “Then what is this “Nightmare Night?”
- >She continues.
- >”Nightmare Night is a day when foals go door-to-door, and ask for Candy…”
- >…
- >That is… odd.
- >Had the Festival simply changed?
- “So… this is a foal’s festivity now?”
- >She nods.
- >You take a moment to think.
- “Well then…”
- >…
- “We see no reason why we cannot at least feed our Troll, and gaze our stars…”
- >Octavia shakes her head.
- >”No, that’s no it…”
- >”Whenever the foals collect their candy, their parents take them to a statue of the “Mare-on-the-Moon,” where they must pay tribute, in exchange for their lives…”
- >”They’re told that, they must dress in costumes so that the Mare-on-the-Moon doesn’t recognize them…”
- >”The candy is an offering- a tribute so that the Mare doesn’t /eat/ them.”
- ---------------
- >…
- >You…
- >…
- >You don’t know what to say…
- “This… “Mare on the Moon…” This is us, correct?”
- >She nods.
- >”The guards have reported to me that a few ponies have thrown baskets of candy over the walls…”
- >You close your eyes.
- “This festival; how far has it spread?”
- >She raises an eyebrow in confusion.
- >”Empress?”
- “When did this "Nightmare Night” tradition begin? Upon our return?”
- >You can see Octavia shift slightly.
- >It’s the only answer you need.
- >”I’m sorry Empress, but this has existed for a few centuries at least; almost every pony celebrates it.”
- >The words take take time to fully sink in.
- >This…
- >This is a tradition?
- >It’s a tradition for ponies to make light of your existence?
- >Make light of your suffering?
- >You look back to Octavia.
- >For some reason, she retreats a half-step.
- “And have you also participated in this ritual? Have you also made a mockery of our name?”
- >Her eyes go wide.
- >You look away.
- >You know the answer.
- >”Empress…”
- “Leave.”
- >You voice is weak, but sharp.
- >”Empress- I didn’t know, I was only a filly, I didn’t-“
- >Using your magic, you brush the fur on her neck.
- >There’s no force behind your touch — only intent.
- “You would do well to remember that you are our /property/ Octavia…"
- >You can begin to feel your eyes dampening.
- >Fortunately, Octavia herself is too scared to notice, and after lowing your mane over your eyes, hiding yourself from her gaze.
- ---------------
- ”When we give you instruction, you have no ground to protest our demands, are we clear?”
- >You can feel her nod as her neck pushes against your magic.
- >”Yes Empress…”
- >…
- >You barely hear her words as your mind focuses on display of apples and caramel before you.
- >Suddenly, the once appetizing display of fruit and sweets seems stale — your hunger long gone.
- >This evening is no longer Fall Festival.
- >It is not the night of pleasantries and courtship…
- >You feel tears beginning to fall from your eyes, which you quickly dispel with your magic.
- >This is /Nightmare Night/.
- >There is nothing to celebrate.
- >All you can do is limit the damage this might cause; while Equestria has been tainted; you shall try your best to prevent your Brute from such… heresy.
- >You are in no mood to host him this evening; for him to see you in this temperament this is unacceptable.
- >For him to learn of these ideas… disastrous.
- "Tell our Brute that his presence is no longer required this evening; he is to stay in his chambers, and not venture outside of the castle; are we clear?”
- >Again, you feel her nod.
- >”Yes Empress.”
- >You quickly surround Octavia in magic, and teleport her from your chambers.
- >…
- >…
- >…
- >The room is quiet.
- ---------------
- >And then — it’s not.
- >You throw the table across the room, spilling it’s contents over the floor.
- >You don’t know what to feel, let alone what to do.
- >This news…
- >You feel numb.
- >You know that this /should/ make you angry; that you /should/ punish such behavior, but for some reason you can’t bring yourself to even move.
- >It’s like some pony took all of your energy from you.
- >What /could/ you do?
- >Your Brute has made is all to clear that mass punishment isn’t a wise decision.
- >The rebellion has gained enough recruits from lies and slander; to impose true fear upon your otherwise loyal citizens would be disastrous.
- >In the coming weeks you will no undoubtably have to explain why this behavior was unacceptable, and outlaw future events.
- >But on this evening, there is little you can do.
- >Your wings twitch.
- >Using your magic, you lock the entrance to your apartments, sealing all from your presence.
- >You slowly stand, and walk toward the nearby viewing window, which overlooks the city below.
- >…
- >As you look down, you only see confirmation of your fears.
- >A mare, dressed in outlandish garments, escorts a group of foals down the street, who wear equally unusual outfits.
- >The aren’t the exception by any means; only a few fish in a sea of heresy…
- >As your eyes scan, you see a small colt break away from his mother, before running toward the castle; a hoof full of candy clearly visible.
- >As expected, before he nearly the walls, one of your guards lifts him into the air, before dispossessing him of his payload.
- >His mother quickly runs over, only then becoming aware of what happened.
- >She approaches your guard and bows, before speaking with him.
- >The foal sits in the air, almost as if he’s proud of his assault.
- >After a sort conversation, your guard lowers the colt onto the ground, who is quickly grabbed by his mother, who takes him away.
- ---------------
- >Your eyes are fixated on the mare.
- >Her tail and mane are colored in an pattern which you immediately recognize.
- >A set of faux wings lay on her shoulders.
- >She’s… dressed like you sister.
- >Celestia.
- >…
- >Your blood runs cold for a moment.
- >She believes it proper to desecrate the alicorn form?
- >…
- >Just as quickly, your anger fades, replaced only be a more somber feeling.
- >You shouldn’t be surprised.
- >Undoubtably there are many more like her.
- >What is one more twig in a forest?
- >…
- >In defeat, you sit down, resting you head upon your hooves as you gaze into the darkness.
- >You sit for a few minutes, and watch.
- >…
- >The scene before you is… eerie.
- >/This/ is what Celestia permitted in your absence.
- >It is no wonder that ponies didn’t recognize your Crown upon your return.
- >For a thousand years your name was sullied and trotted upon.
- >If your maid is to be believed, countless generations of ponies knew nothing of your existence besides rumors of cannibalism.
- >It is no wonder that the rebellion was so effective in its recruitment of otherwise rational wise ponies…
- >They’ve been /indoctrinated/ against you since their foaling.
- ---------------
- >And what role did your sister have in this night?
- >Certainly Celestia was aware of these events — it would be impossible for any pony to miss all of Equestria dressing in costume every year for centuries.
- >Did she actively assist in this “holiday?”
- >The image of your sister publicly endorsing such events is almost too much to bear.
- >How could she have understood this to be proper?
- >How could she have believe it correct to deny her sister; to disgrace a full-blooded alicorn of equal position?
- >Did her connection to the elements of laughter run astray?
- >…
- >Quickly, much more sinister, and equally scary idea floods your mind.
- >Perhaps this was an intentional effort to wipe you from the public record.
- >Since your return you’ve found almost no official documentation of your existence.
- >No books or art stand to testify of your reign.
- >Even the official books fail to so much as mention that she had a sister.
- >If her intent was truly to establish a monarchy, this would be a logical step in that process.
- >Any alternative, legitimate claims to the throne must be erased, and it’s clear that is what she had attempted.
- >Tears come to your eyes.
- >Your sister, for however flawed and troubled she might be, is still your sister.
- >Why would she attempt to deny your blood?
- >…
- >You only realize that you’re crying once you feel the dampness of your hooves.
- >The severity of the situation is not lost on you.
- >It will take decades, /centuries/ to reverse such ideologies.
- >For all the power the stars may grant you; a task as this may be too great for you…
- >
- >It is no wonder why the rebellion has been so hard under-hoof.
- >They will almost certainly have an ensured supply of recruits for years to come.
- ---------------
- >You look back toward the window, again captivated by the scene below you.
- >For almost an hour you watch as your Empire burns below you.
- >Your mind wanders to any number of topics.
- >Since your return, it has become all too clear that Celestia has eroded any trace of proper order from this land…
- >The task of reinstalling proper society seems a almost insurmountable task.
- >Even your maid, with a year’s worth of tireless instruction, still struggles to overcome her tainted blood and earthen heritage.
- >To tame the common pony shall be a much greater challenge.
- >...
- >And what of your Brute?
- >If you are unable to obtain even the affection of your subjects, what hope may you have at winning his heart?
- >Certainly he will see you as nothing more than an incompetent ruler…
- >Perhaps he shall seek comfort another mare, more capable of keeping a home?
- >…
- >You feel a shift in the arcane fields.
- >The is a knock on the door, causing your wings to twitch in surprise.
- >”Nightmare?”
- >You lift your head from your hooves, your ears instantly standing erect.
- >Anonymous.
- >A brief magical scan only confirms your suspicion.
- >Any other creature would have /some/ magical presence, but on the opposite side of the door lies a unique, magical void.
- >… Knock knock knock…
- >”Nightmare, open the door…”
- >Your heart begins to race.
- >You look forward at the now spilled caramel, glaze, and apples.
- >He /can’t/ see this.
- ---------------
- >With a burst of magic you teleport the foods and trays from your room.
- >… Knock knock knock…
- >Your head is pulsing.
- >Had Octavia been so incompetent? Did she not perform your demand?
- >You stare at the door for a moment, considering the possibility of granting him entrance.
- >Certainly he would ask where your promised evening treat was at.
- >And what answer could you provide him? That you were forgetful?
- >You shake your head.
- >He would only think that you were a poor Mistress of the Estate…
- >Again he knocks.
- >”Open the door Nightmare, I want to talk about something…”
- >Your eyes close.
- >Like a foal, you can’t even bring yourself to open your chamber doors.
- >But, try as you might, you /can’t/ find the will to meet the Brute on the other side.
- >He mustn’t see you; not in this condition.
- >You slowly unlock the door, and twist the handle.
- >Then, with humiliation heavy on your shoulders, you teleport yourself from your chambers, to someplace far away.
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