>Night How Long Was I Out? in Equestria
>Be Anonymous
>With a simple farewell to your midnight lover, you feel the world around you shaking
>Consciousness begins to take hold of your mind and you slip easily into reality
>Upon opening your eyes, you discover a small package of food resting on your legs and the sound of snoring rises in the quiet air
>Nightlight sleeps just feet away from your bed in a rather uncomfortable position
>You reach for the foodstuff with a minor pain radiating in your shoulder
>The smell of preserved meat is simply heavenly as you shovel in the entire container
>Feeling rejuvenated, but far from full, you pull yourself from the bed and slowly set to your feet
>Everything aches, but you know it will pass soon enough
>Nightlight snoozes easily as you toss a blanket over her and decide to discover what you have missed
>You step out from the room and a medic stumbles back in surprise
>"A-Anonymous! When did you wake up!?"
"Just now; Status report."
>They look to you for a moment and you realize they have nothing to offer
>You take a few steps forward without another word before they call out to you in a huff
>"You shouldn't be walking! You need to heal, we need to tell the Princess."
>You stop quickly and the sound of following hoof beats ends abruptly
>With a quick twist of your being, you press your face into the personal space of this pest
"Yes, alert the Princesses of my return. Tell them I hunger."
>The pupils of the frightened pony shrink to that of a needle's head as fear takes hold
>They stand frozen in place with scarcely a breath as you pull back and return to leaving
>A sound of a body falling over echoes behind you as you continue towards the courtyard
>Fading sunlight falls over your mostly bare skin as you step outside draped in a simple pair of pants
>The guards on duty tonight quickly salute you as you pass and you pay them the same respect
>One strange addition to the night watch is a bat pony with a blue coat and greenish mane
>You approach him carefully in your usual manner
"Attention, recruit."
>The bat pony stops and turns to you with a faint smile before it fades
>"By the Queen, it's you!"
>You raise an eyebrow at this strange character
"It is me, yes, and who may you be?"
>Looking about nervously for a moment, the pony appears to want to flee
>After what feels like ages, you ask again with just about the same response
>A swift gust passes over your head as another bat pony lands between you two
>You take note of her quickly and spy an injury to her wing
>"What do -you- want?"
"Oh, you, yes... I remember you."
>The pale pony narrows her eyes on you
>"Likewise..."
>You pause for a dramatic moment before stretching
>A small yawn escapes as you blearily wipe your eyes
"It is not always easy to tell where the dreams end and reality begins. I did expect you to have fled by now, but perhaps you have taken it upon yourself to stay?"
>You smile widely as you stand to your full height
>A familiar voice reaches around you and you turn to see a red mane bobbing towards your little group
>"Anonymous! Dusk Dancer! Stop this instant!"
>Rosewood skids to a halt before you
>"We don't want any trouble, Anonymous."
"Trouble?"
>You chuckle as you flex your fingers into a fist
"No, we certainly would not want that now."
>With a mild tension in the air, you hear a screech from overhead
>Nightlight swoops down beside you with practiced grace and stands as proudly as you could ever hope
>"Anon, you're alright!"
"Yes, I am. How about yourself?"
>"Oh, uh, haha, I'm fine... Did you get the package I left for you?"
>You smile, but your reply is interrupted by some garbled mess of a language
>"Oi! I found a bar an' let me tell ya', the wine's bloody good! Heh, bloody! Ya' get it? 'Cause... It's blood!"
>The stallion walks a few feet forward with a bottle in his hoof before falling over
>He lays there for a moment before looking up at you
>"Hey, how'd ya' get so tall there, fella'?"
>The pale pony simply sighs before turning her attention to him
>"Just one day from home and you are already sloshed. Damn it, Snapshot, this is not a game!"
>"I'll say it ain't! I'm broke an' almost outta wine!"
>Snapshot rolls halfheartedly in place as he takes another sip from his bottle
>"Eh, lighten up, Dusty, We're all dead as door nails in the mornin' anyways! Pokey! Pokey, c'mere! I want you ta' know that I always liked you the best, mate."
>Pokey sighs
>"Forgive my friend for his actions, everyp0ny."
>The blue stallion trots easily to Snapshot and Helps him over one shoulder
>"Well, it was, er, a pleasure to see you all again. If you'll excuse us."
>The two stagger off as Rosewood and Nightlight lock eyes
>Dusk Dancer glances at you before turning to Rosewood
>"I think we should leave soon, Rosewood. This place is not meant for us."
>She glares at you and Nightlight once
"If the Princess so wills it, but for now, you are my very welcomed guests."
>"I do not require a prison suite, thank you very much."
>You chuckle and it seems to unnerve Rosewood
"No worries, those are reserved for the help."
>You shoot a curious eye to Rosewood who shrinks back in return
>"I... I think we better be heading to the infirmary, Dee Dee."
>Without warning, a thunderous blast strikes behind Dusk Dancer
>A beautiful Alicorn as radiant as the moon exits the flash
>"Loyal subjects, I hath arrived!"
>Luna stands before your group in all her glory
>You and Nightlight bow in time as Rosewood and Dusk Dancer stand mesmerized
>A display of power is always an excellent way to introduce oneself, you think
>The princess smiles as warmly as springtime
>"Dusk Dancer, I presume?"
>"Yes, it is I."
>"Excellent! I had heard what had transpired between you and Sir Anonymous, but I am glad to see you still stand tall."
>"Yes, we bats are trained to be resilient."
>"Ah, yes, that is a fine quality to find in you Thirsters."
>"Hah, thank you for rekindling old prejudices, -Princess- of the Night."
>Luna looks sternly for a moment before she begins to pace
>"Now, I did not come here to pick a fight or bicker of bygone archaisms. No, rather, I have a much more desirable offer instead."
>You look to Princess Luna carefully as she circles about
>"You see, Dusk Dancer, I wish to lend my hoof and crown to your tribe and assimilate them into our modern society. The task, as daunting as it may be, can only be achieved through careful understanding and trust."
>"Then you would plainly see, Princess, that this is already not in your favour. What -exactly- do you wish to gain from me?"
>"I am looking for a spokespony, somep0ny that can bring a message to the downtrodden."
>Dusk Dancer looks to Luna with increasing scrutiny
>Rosewood pipes up as she slowly approaches her friend
>"Dee Dee, please consider this proposal. Don't just throw away an offer before you give it full thought."
>Luna smiles to Rosewood and then to you with some knowing intent gleaming from her teeth
>"Now, if you would, Dusk Dancer, I would like you to stay at the castle for a few days and eat what you desire and drink what you will. I would like you to learn about Canterlot first-hoof."
>You throw your hands up in astonishment as the words sink in
>Would Princess Luna give a traitor free reign so easily?
>Dusk Dancer looks to Rosewood again and then to the Princess
>"I cannot be bought! You cannot simply hope to persuade me after all the pain you and your army has caused!"
"If I may... War did not start on our end. We are merely a solution to a problem."
>"You foul creature! How dare you insist that -we- somehow started this fight!"
"I had not implied such a thing."
>Implying you do not know who is to blame for all of this
>"My mind will not be changed with your offer, Luna of Canterlot! I shall fight and die or live free, but never shall I compromise with murderers."
>You laugh lightly
"Then how do you live with yourself?"
>Your egging-on final takes its toll and a hoof flies towards you
>To Dusk Dancer's credit, she is fast and rather precise
>You feel a hoof sink into your gut as you tighten up your abdomen
>The feeling of a hard something presses against you and you get a tingling sensation in your spine
>It manifests as a laugh rolling up your throat before Dusk Dancer withdraws
>She stares at you with some mix of fear and resentment as you settle down
>"Foul daemon..."
"Name calling and violence? Yes, you cultists are exceedingly bold."
>Nightlight goes to tend to your stomach, but you quickly set her at ease
"Princess Luna, we should make arrangements to rid the castle of such rats with wings in a timely manner."
>Luna sighs lightly with you
>"I thought the offer was most pleasing. We do only look to help."
>Rosewood stands between both you and Dusk Dancer as she ponders
>"What if they are telling us the truth? What if they really want to extend an olive branch?"
>"I'll never forgive them for the innocents that died. How can you suddenly start forgiving after your brother was struck down in public?!"
>Rosewood hangs her head in a shameful manner and you grow curious
>Luna shoots a glance at you and you subtly return the gesture
>"Dear guests, we shall return by daybreak after you have given time to review our offer. For now, I must depart!"
>The Princess' horn glows with a dark fury before a spell encircles the world
>You look around at everything as it begins to slow before you
>Grass lays still, the hang feels heavy, and the ponies around you freeze in place
>Luna moves steadily on her pearly hooves as you step away from the time-locked group
"A public display of power kills one of their own and it endorses a war... That is interesting news."
>"Yes, Anonymous, do you fear the same as I?"
"We have dealt with a rebellion as this in the past, but to use the same simple tactic again is just deplorable. Investigation?"
>"I worry sometimes that you may read my mind."
>You smile and smartly salute the Princess
"Hundreds of years of practice, dearest Princess."
>With a nod of her head, you feel the spell release you to resume your nature place in the world
>A strange popping sensation fills your ears as the sky and earth sing in tune with you once more
"Come, Nightlight, it appears our guests do so enjoy the night air."
>The two of you quickly head over to your barracks

>In a cozy bed
>Be Nightlight the Joyous
>Anon closes the door as you hop onto the bed with an apple in your mouth
>The juicy green morsel feels perfect around your teeth and your tongue plays delicately along the pierced sides
>"Nightlight, we have a new task."
>You bounce your eyes and squeak from your apple-stuffed throat
>"The mission is to gather more intelligence on this incident that Dusk Dancer spoke of. If we killed somep0ny, we will have a record of it."
>You swallow the bit of apple and speak briskly to Anon
"Got it! So, I'll hold down Dusk Dancer and you punch!"
>"Excellent means of immediate information gathering, but I fear that method would not work properly in this particular case."
>You frown a bit as it seemed like the best course of action
"Do you want me to, I don't know, -talk- with Dusk Dancer? Should we talk to traitors?"
>"I am going to head towards the archives... You find a way to learn more from Dusk Dancer or even her cadre."
>You salute Anon with the apple clenched tightly between your teeth
"Sir, yeth, Sir!"
>He smiles with you and your heart flutters about
>It is good to have your superior officer back, you think, as you jitter lightly in excitement
>Within the hour, you are bathed and out the door to begin your latest assignment
>You decide you will go to the easiest source of information first as you happily tip-hoof around the castle grounds
>With grace, tact, and all the ease you can muster, you find yourself before Rosewood
"Hey, Rosewood..."
>Her ears pick up as she looks to you with a bit of anxiety
>She raises a hoof to her chest and you nod you head earnestly
>With a bit of apprehension, she approaches you with a faint smile
>"Yes?"
"It is good to see you here this night."
>Her eyes bounce around you for a moment
>"Good to see you too?"
"Great, now that that's out of the way... What do you know about what Dusk Dancer was speaking of?"
>"What was Dusk Dancer speaking of earlier?"
"You know? The whole, 'Public killing' thing and all that?"
>She stops and looks at you with a face that surely Anon could read, but the hidden message is lost on you
>"Why do you want to know?"
"Because!"
>You start to grow frustrated with Rosewood
>She stares at you for a moment with a hint of confusion on her face
>"You are acting strangely... Please leave me be."
>Rosewood turns from you with a quick flip of her tail and begins to leave
>In your panic, you catch her tail in your mouth and yank her back towards you
"You have to tell me!"
>"Let go of me!"
"Tell me about what happened first!"
>"No, you stupid, snot-green lunatic!"
>You give her another hard pull and Rosewood slides across the floor
>Huffing slightly, she stands up and her horn begins to glow
>"You are as bad as that Anonymous!"
>You feel the pull of energy as Rosewood begins her conjuring and prepare yourself to fight
>A blue stallion suddenly slides into your view as Rosewood's magic fades
>"Enough! What in the world are you two doing?"
>You remember this stallion from the day he attacked you
"I was just trying to find out what happened is all."
>Rosewood pins her ears to her head as she speaks
>"She attacked me, Pokey, I was merely defending myself."
>Pokey turns his attention to you and his eyes narrow
>"Shame on you for picking on Rosy. What is bothering you so much that you would be roughhousing?"
>You kick up your front hoof and look shyly at the ground
"I just wanted to know what Dusk Dancer was talking about when she said that somep0ny was publically killed."
>Pokey looks to you and then to Rosewood with a serious demeanor 
>"You should go and rest. I'll be over shortly."
>The tall stallion walks close beside you before scooting you along with him 
>Rosewood disappears as you are lead outside by Pokey's lead
>"Nightlight, correct?"
"Yes. You're Pokey, right?"
>"Exactly. Now, what are you trying to learn from us?"
"I wanted to know the story of how this war began."
>"I see... Has the minotaur put you up to this?"
>You stop and think for a moment
"Minotaur?"
>"Yes, that tall creature that you seem to accompany."
"That's Anonymous and he's a human, not a minotaur. I suppose, yeah."
>"Either way, this is rather personal to Rosewood and I would appreciate if you do not ask her or say anything while we are here."
>You make the gesture of zipping your lip and end it with a smile
>"Right, well OK. A royal guard squadron appeared one day while we were going about our daily routine. They came in gleaming armor with weapons drawn and a tithe to pay. Up until their very arrival, we had never been in contact with Canterlot, so much of us were confused about this new show of force."
>You walk on through the grounds until you come upon a small garden that you never noticed before
>Pokey steps in happily and sniffs at the air with delight
>"Wildflowers, simply fragrant."
"So, this payment that the Princesses must have wanted, whatever happened?"
>Pokey stands idly by a plain green shrub as if he is searching for something
>"We did not have what was requested, but the guards would have none of that. They told us that they'd take what they could to equal the value. A stallion named 'Thornwood' did not want to give away his hauling cart or his herbs and spices and..."
>You see Pokey's face twist and his jaw grit
>Connecting the dots, you frown alongside him
"They... They killed him, didn't they?"
>Pokey nods as he sighs deeply
"And that started it all? That's why Thirsters had to fight back?"
>"No... We would have never fought back in our weak state. We did not practice the art of combat nor did we have weapons. Ours was but a simple farming village, too poor to even have quality metal tools."
"So, what happened?"
>You look at Pokey with hopeful eyes as he digs his hoof into the ground
>Scraping back some loamy soil, you see Pokey drop a hoof worth of seeds into the ground
>"A savior came in our desperation. She came silently into the occupied town shortly after the pillaging began. In a matter of hours, her powerful magic had scattered or destroyed the Canterlot guards."
>Pokey covers up his freshly planted lot and sighs again
>"She said she came from the far north and that, if we served her now then we could expect peace and prosperity."
"I assume that that's the Red Queen, right?"
>"Yes, but she calls herself 'Queen Nightshade'. For a time, it was good. We did see some growth in our crops and things began to look up. Though, before we realized, we would be attacked again by Canterlot."
>You think hard about what Anon has told you about the Red Queen before speaking
"But, I heard the Red Queen was sending ponies to attack us! That army in Canterlot hasn't been mobile against the Thirsters at all."
>Pokey stops for a moment and his nostrils flare
>He walks up to you with a menacing look on his face and you steel yourself
>"What do you mean they are not mobile?! We were attacked just two days before discovering Rosewood's whereabouts!"
"But, me and Anon only learned where the Red Queen was hiding the day we met you..."
>"No, but, that does not make sense... That is... It is..."
>You see Pokey struggle for a moment and notice the mark on the side of his neck begin to shine with a faint white light
>"The... Queen... S-save... The... Queen!"
>Pokey's eyes go blank as they are engulfed in a white light that shines with an unnatural coldness
>His face twists and contorts to expose his long fangs
>Before you now stands some empty shell of a pony as it turns its attention on you
>With a hiss and a snarl, the ensorcelled Pokey lunges for you
>His attack pins you under his size, but you have dealt with larger foes before
>A swift kick into his gut dislodges the manic bat pony long enough for you to subdue him
>To Pokey's credit, his body thrashes and his wings beat roughly against your sides
"Pokey! What is wrong with you?!"
>You struggle to restrain him as you feel a sharp pain in your leg
>Pokey's fangs pierce into you and you feel the rest of his jaw lock on
>Your mind swims in a stream of fear and anger before a strong gust howls around you
>A voice rings out over the chaos as Luna's imposing form takes shape against the gloom
>"Be still!"
>A sharp bolt of magic expertly blasts into Pokey's face and he releases you leg
>With a few more spasms from his blue form, you see Pokey's eyes roll into place and focus on you
>"W-what... H-happened?"
>He quickly faints before you can regain your voice and you shudder
"Princess Luna, thank you so much."
>"I felt a strange and dark magic appear in an instant. How curious..."
"He just snapped all of a sudden and attacked me."
>You look down at the marks in your right leg and feel the warm blood leak out
>Attempting to stand on it and walk away proves difficult through the pain, but Luna comes to your aid
>Without a word, you feel her magic lift you onto her back and her beautiful, raven-like wings speed towards the castle
>"Dear Nightlight, do you know of Anonymous' location?"
"Uh, um, maybe the library?"
>Your head begins to cloud and your vision blurs
>You feel somep0ny carrying you into a bed and the cool sheets quickly heat up under your being
>The last thing you see is Princess Luna standing over you with a sad look on her face
>"Don't worry... Anon's coming."
>A smile weakly stretches across your face as you fall asleep