Da Gloria ad Nocte - Prologue (Anon x NMM)

>How the hell did you let yourself get drawn into this?

>It's not the first time the thought's run through your head as you as you mutter a curse under your breath, near tripping on another root.

>Maybe it was the fat paycheck or the chance to work with some famous actors.

>Nah, this project didn't have either of those. Well, there was a nice payout from the government but really, it was more about doing a favour for them than anything else.

>Another low hanging branch threatens to claw the pack of equipment off you and for a moment you wonder if it might've been better to accept the escort.

>Ponies... They talked about this place like it was infested with eldritch horrors and while it was a little spooky, it was still no worse than any other forest at night back on Earth.

>Excepting the strange growls and rustling. Manticores and hydra may have been myths back home but here they were real threats.

>Made for some good background noises against the gloomy woods, though.

>You grin, thinking of the footage you've snagged so far - nothing terribly exciting but that wasn't the point, you were going to build an oppressive atmosphere, one that'd play on the fears of these ponies.

>And if you made use of it in any side projects dealing with horror that was just an added bonus.

>But for now you press on, the trees thinning out until you come to a misty clearing, the outline of a bridge just up ahead.

>Taking more careful steps now, you approach it and immediately reconsider continuing with this: the rickety rope bridge doesn't look in any condition to support your weight.

>But... you needed the money and the goodwill you'd earn would definitely be useful later.

>Taking a deep breath and steeling yourself against the consequences, you put a foot on the bridge... and it groans loudly.

>The wood feels solid, even if it doesn't look it so you put your other foot on, keeping a tight hold to the wooden posts securing the bridge.

>The groans of protest continue but swaying a little proves the strength.

 

>Now, one thought runs through your mind: don't look down.

>Keeping both hands on the rope, you slowly inch over the bridge, further reconsidering the escort offered and mentally kicking yourself for not taking a few pegasi.

>They'd probably have skedaddled by now though and you'd still have to brave this rotten thing by yourself anyway.

>A stray gust sends the bridge swaying and despite your cries of alarm, the ropes don't snap.

>Feeling either a little more courageous or a little less confident in the construction of the bridge, you hasten your crossing, nearly throwing yourself over the last couple of feet.

>The bridge doesn't collapse though. So much for your dreams of making Equestria's first Blair Witch Project.

>The thought gives you a chuckle and you pick yourself up, returning to the gloom of forestry though this time with the outline of a crumbling building overhead.

>Though the odd sounds have passed, your sense of unease hasn't. Gloomy forests were one thing, abandoned castles once inhabited by ancient evils were another.

>Now, every swaying branch and weed becomes a watcher, waiting for you to drop your guard.

>Stopping to rest against a tree, you shake those thoughts from yourself.

>From what you'd heard the spirit that threatened to bring eternal night had long since been banished, the only thing left were memories of a bygone era.

>And sure enough, after only a few minutes more walk you emerge from the forest again, this time presented by the - still impressive - ruins of the Ancient Castle of the Two Sisters.

>Setting down your pack, you retrieve your camera, sure to make good use of-

>A chill runs down your spine as an errant breeze cools your cheek. But more than that was how it seemed to carry a soft whisper of 'Anon'.

>Just... your mind. Of course. Places like this always bring out the more imaginative parts of your mind.

 

>Hoisting the camera to your shoulder, you flick it on after making sure it's secured properly.

>Without even the chirping of cicadas, the winding stairway to the building feels even more unsettling than it should.

>Still, you've a job to do and faced with either continuing on or immediately going back to the bridge you take the easier of the two options.

>Undergrowth has long claimed much of the structure but enough of it still remains exposed to look impressive.

>With a clear sky and full moon, you're afforded a perfect view; the cool light serves to perfectly capture the atmosphere.

>Pushing on further, you come to the antechamber of the castle, faded murals depicting two immortal sisters and their subjects still visible on a few of the walls.

>Much of the structure is lost, however and what few exits there are, have been blocked off by collapses from the walls and roof.

>Enough of the decorative relief remains for you to take some footage of them before pressing on towards the wide opening at the rear of the room.

>Rising up through the ever-present mist, you spot a tower in much better condition than the rest of these ruins.

>Just how well it'd cope under the presence of an interloper is another matter, however and while it's tempting to make a beeline for it, you think the better of getting some footage of the other parts.

>A cloud passes overhead... strange, you were sure the sky was clear before.

>And then again, you feel that breeze caress your cheek, the same almost-whisper accompanying it.

>You turn about quickly, momentarily forgetting your camera as you search for the source of the voice.

>Nothing but creeper plants and half destroyed statues make for company. It's tempting to believe that one or two of those legless ponies were calling to you... caught, perhaps, in the gaze of a cockatrice.

>You sigh, softly, cursing yourself for letting your mind wander again.

>The sooner you get this footage, the sooner you can get out of here and home.

 

>Making a long, slow walk in front of the statues, you keep an eye to the dais at the end of the hallway.

>This part of the castle seems almost as well preserved as the tower, with the mullioned windows still in good repair.

>You stop our filming, taking a good look at the hall. Apart from the dais and the few statues, there isn't much of note.

>Turning off for it, you freeze, caught by the sound of something close to laughter. Soft, echoing laughter but...

>You turn about, seeing nothing. The statues are undisturbed and the walls are all in the same condition. Maybe this building isn't quite as stable as you first thought, the sound must've been the structure moving.

>You resolve to get some footage of the dais - the roof over it has either long since collapsed or was never present; at least there's nothing there to fall and crush you.

>There's no throne or statues or decoration of any kind so it's impossible to discern the purpose of the dais.

>All there is, is a little rubble in an altogether too neat semi-circle. Perhaps there's some significance to it?

>Flicking on your camera, you take a shot running from the skyline down the circular wall and onto the dais, stopping at the rubble.

>"Hmhmhmhm..."

>That sound... it was close. Closer than the previous ones. And clearer, definitely sounding like a voice.

>"Well, well, what have we here?"

>It's distant and airy but there's no way those words were formed by the wind.

>You turn from one direction to the next, hoping to find the source.

"Who's there?" You call out. "Reel, did you follow me out here?"

>Another soft laugh, followed by a swift gust blowing through the windows, stirring some of the leaves and vines.

>"You're terribly frightened, aren't you?"

>The voice sounds closer now, clearer.

>"All alone here."

>You climb onto the dais, swinging your camera from one side to the next, hopeful that you can catch some footage of whoever this is.

>"Why have you come alone to the place where monsters make their home, hmm?"

>The voice... it sounds almost like it's in the hall!

 

"Okay, Reel, you've had your fun, c'mon out!"

>You look about, scanning the statues and sconces, sure to see the pale cream coloured stallion appear and start laughing.

>But he doesn't.

>Instead, the mists seem to... coalesce, swirling slowly and then building in speed and darkening in colour.

>"Your friend isn't here, it is only you and I."

>Closer again the voice comes, almost as if it's emanating from the swirling mist.

>You inch closer to the tall window at the rear of the dais, ready to leap if anything happens.

>"Just as well, as I have need of you and not those careless ponies."

>The mist begins to slow in swirling, condensing into... something.

"Look, whoever you are, I'm just here to make a movie, I don't want-"

>"I know why you are here."

>The mist darkens, taking on black and purple hues. Something pokes out from it.

>"I know who you are and what you do."

>The something reveals itself to be a leg. A pony leg and is followed by another.

>"I know how these ponies cheer you and hang on the stories you craft."

>The mist rises from around the legs, revealing two keen turquoise eyes.

>"I know the story they intend to tell with the images you recreate of this place."

>The eyes widen, surrounded by blue... armour? A helmet. A helmet from which a long, black horn pokes through and behind which a purple-blue mist sways.

>"And I intend to see that another story is told."

>The figure emerges from the mist - a tall black alicorn, like Celestia- no, Luna. But where she is blue and wears a simple enough raiment, this figure is pitch black and is adorned with armour.

"Who... Who are you."

>The part of your mind that urges you to capture everything, that spurred you into the field that turned from a hobby into a career causes you to keep your camera trained on the figure.

>"Oh my dear little human, how can you not recognise me when you have heard so many of their stories?"

>Stories? You'd heard all kinds of myths from various ponies though seeing them performing magic and meeting with their gods had given you pause to consider whether they were -just- myths.

>Now, it seems, one stands before you.

 

>"Yes." The creature sneers, smirking as it approaches the dais. "I see the fear writ large on your face. Is it that you recognise me now?"

>A tall black pony- an alicorn! There's only three that you know of, that any of the ponies you've ever spoken to know of. Their rulers, Celestia and Luna; the ruler of the Crystal Kingdom, Cadance...

>But you had heard stories. Tales of how only a few years ago, an ancient spirit had returned to plunge Equestria into eternal night.

>How it bore wings and a horn as terrible and magnificent as any alicorn. How its coat of black and starry mane bespoke of the terror it would visit on the land.

>And her name.

"Nightmare Moon..."

>"Yes!" She hisses, climbing the dais and advancing towards you slowly. "Ah, do you know how good it is to have your name spoken aloud in fear, Anonymous?"

>The way she says your own name sends a shiver down your spine and you take another step back towards the window.

"But... But you're dead! You were destroyed!"

>Nightmare's steps falter only a moment before she resumes her slow pacing, her smirk widening.

>"Is that what they told you?" She purrs, turning to one side. "My, it's almost good to hear that Celestia still overestimates her own power." The mare pauses, looking down to the rubble at her hooves. "Or that of the Elements."

>You almost take another step back, stopping yourself.

"This... This isn't real. You're not real!"

>"I'm not?" She raises an armoured hoof to her chest, her tone dripping with mock hurt and sarcasm. "Then... I am but a ghost! A phantasm of the great Nightmare Moon who once terrorised the land! Curse you for ever rousing my spirit..."

>And just like that the mists surround her, thickening until she's subsumed by it.

>Heart thundering in your chest, you lean forward, squinting to make out a shape, her shape, anything but...

>The mists clear, revealing nothing.

>Letting out a breath, you relax. Maybe... some kind of residual presence or something?

>You've seen some impressive feats of magic and strange effects, as well as having some explained.

>And if the stories of the power of the Elements of Harmony were true, perhaps a small part of her was-

>"Boo."

 

>You dive forward, letting out a scream as the camera falls from your grip. Behind you comes the sound of a roaring laugh.

>You scrabble against the stone floor, turning about... and there, grinning malevolently down at you is Nightmare Moon, all the more imposing for how close she now is.

>The stone gives little grip as you attempt to push yourself away under her slow advance.

>"Remember well, Anonymous, true evil never truly dies. Things not of this world are not bound by it. I languished for a thousand years before but I am wise to Celestia's tricks now."

>The black alicorn leans down to you, her eyes narrowing.

>"If she is to send another interloper to this place then I will see that I am the benefactor."

>You lower yourself, straining to put any bit of distance you can between yourself and her.

"What're you talking about? What do you want from me?"

>Nightmare snorts, the hot breath washing over you.

>"What I want is simple: I want you." The metal plating on her hooves clangs softly as she steps closer. "I need you and I will have you. You will be my eyes and ears... and my voice."

>The mare pulls back, standing triumphantly over you.

>It takes only a moment for you to decide. Even death is preferable to what she's suggesting.

"I... I won't do it."

>She lets out a low laugh, rich and throaty. It doesn't leave you much hope for a painless end to your life.

>"Oh my dearest little human, it is simply too much that you think I'm giving you a choice."

>She rears back and you throw your arms up over your head, awaiting the blow.

>"If you will not cooperate then you will be made to do my bidding!"

>Between your arms you see her armoured hooves descend...

>And then you wake up.

 

>Gasping, you throw yourself up from the mattress, covered in a cold sweat.

>A dream. A nightmare.

>Panting, you look about. You're in your bedroom, the first rays of dawn's light peeking in through the window.

>You were dreaming about... some creature. Something evil that was trying to hurt you.

>The more you grasp at the memory the more it seems to fade.

>Lying back down, you sigh.

>You'd been having difficulty sleeping lately; too many late nights spent poring over footage and collaborating with so many others.

>Maybe this new project would be just what you needed to get your mind off it all.