>In what appeared to be a rare act of clemency, you were not immediately sent flying through the doors.
>Cautiously lowering your guard, you could see Nightmare Moon roll her eyes at your actions.
>Standing there awkwardly shuffling your feet, you waited to see who would speak first.
 
>"You are lucky that the rest of the congregation are mere illusions."
 
>Were you being forgiven?
 
>"And that you still need to be able to walk to prove your worth to me."
 
>Worriedly, you saw she was completely serious about that.
>You paled slightly as you knelt down.
>Truly you were blessed with a most merciful and kind deity.
>Looking up at her in fear you could see she suddenly had a playful look to her.
>It was difficult to tell if she was playing a joke on you or just looking forward to the time when you didn't have an excuse for your absence.
>Either way you bent your head down and stayed still.
 
>There was a light scoff from Nightmare Moon as she tapped you on the side with her hoof.
 
>"You act too much like a statue."
 
>Her words had you at a loss.
 
"My grace, I only offer you the highest reverence befitting one of your holy nature."
 
>There was a little wistful sigh from her as she forced you to your feet with magic.
 
>"Not that there's anything wrong with the devotion you've shown."
 
>You were lifted into the air and spun around at different angles, Nightmare Moon giving you a cursory once over.
 
>"It's just that you're lacking... fire."
 
>Somehow you weren't overly disorientated as you were shifted around, having to look at her from upside down.
>You had to protest at her accusation of you lacking spirit however.
 
"I am wholly devoted to advancing your cause, most gracious one."
 
>Now she rapidly spun you in circles, taking the time to idly gaze at the empty seats of the church.
 
>"Fear and placidity is something I want in my subjects, not my commanders."
 
>She leaned against the pulpit and stopped your frantic spinning, looking at you with a serious expression.
>To your credit, the worst you felt from that ordeal was a minor sense of dizziness.
>That feeling was very quickly overridden by the sense of your heart stopping.
>Your voice barely rise above a whisper as you pointed at yourself.
 
"You would choose me for such an honor?"
 
>There was a short pause as a look of uncertainty crossed her face.
>Perhaps the bright eyed stare and tense look of anticipation were off-putting.
 
>"It's just because you're convenient for the time, Anonymous. You still have to prove yourself worthy of the task."
 
>Even though she preemptively tried to shoot you down, you couldn't help but give her the biggest smile of your life.
>Your heart started moving again as you were released from her magic.
>Crossing an arm over your chest, you bowed once more to her most magnificent form.
>You would stop at nothing to earn your place at her side.
 
>It was impossible not to launch into a daydream of glories and campaigns in her name.
>To be fully acknowledged by Her as the greatest of the clergy.
>Would you get a magnificent hat to solidify your rank?
>Oh how your heart ached with desire to be known throughout history as her chosen.
>To be personally carried to the house of your Lady, so you may dwell there for all the days of your life.
 
>The pony in question had backed up a few steps, sporting a raised eyebrow and slightly worried look as you gazed dreamily at her.
 
>Your flight through the satin fields of heaven was shot down as you were roughly jabbed in the chest with a poke of magic.
 
>"Anonymous!"
 
>Shaking your head slightly, you brought your attention back to Nightmare Moon.
>Once she saw you snap out of your trance, her mouth shaped itself into a low scowl.
 
>"There is still the matter of making yourself useful. Have you mastered the technique for this upcoming 'sermon'?"
 
>You immediately showed your cards when your face fell.
>She narrowed her eyes as she took a few steps forward.
 
>"You didn't, did you?"
 
>Humbled, you hung your head in shame and gave a weak nod.
>There was a sharp sigh from her as she tapped her hoof against the ground.
 
>"Circumstances favors you, Anonymous, but do you know what time it is?"
 
>Avoiding eye contact, you answered as best as you could.
 
"Time to practice?"
 
>Nightmare Moon looked pleased with your answer, nodding her head slowly as she hauled you up with magic.
>A quick flick of her head sent you careening toward the entrance.
 
>"Church services will be forgone for today."
 
>Sputtering awake, you stopped yourself from rolling off the couch.
>While it was disconcerting that you would not hear her read the holy book, there was a little bit of pride floating around your mind.
>You were important enough for her to adjust her own plans.
 
>Smiling smugly to yourself for a few seconds, you laid back down and sparked the magic to drive you into the realm of dreams.
 
>It was significantly easier to get to the meat puppet stage the second time around.
>Your vision was still less than optimal, but hopefully that would be corrected soon.
>A familiar soothing sensation washed over you as Nightmare Moon moved next to your conscious.
>Trying to sidle up closer to her presence earned you a sharp pinch and an angry glare.
 
>Reminding yourself to stay calm, you awaited for her instructions.
>There was a faint undercurrent of annoyance in her voice as she began to direct you.
 
>"You are useless to me just lying there, stand up."
 
>Praying your flesh was willing, you struggled against your two bodies to move your legs.
>Swinging your legs off the side of the couch, you set your feet as sturdily as you could against the floor.
>Shifting the rest of your body upwards, you braced yourself against the upholstery as you slowly rose to a standing position.
 
>Your legs felt dangerously shaky, but you were standing.
>Looking through the smudged mess of your vision, you made sure to remember where the table was located.
 
>"Now move."
 
>In the most unsteady step of your life, you brought one shaking leg in front of the other.
>You could feel her staring at you as you tried and failed to stop your phantom legs from mimicking your actions.
 
>Not wanting to seem like a total failure, you pressed onward.
>Left, right, left, right.
>One trembling foot in front of the other.
>Maneuvering yourself around the sides of the table, you started to adapt to the weird control scheme.
>The two were beginning to blend into one, feeling more natural with each step.
 
>"Go outside and run."
 
>Almost toppling yourself over, you mentally turned toward Nightmare Moon.
>Her presence stood up and loomed over you, daring you to try and say anything.
>With resignation, you followed her will and made for the front door.
 
>You could begin to see some detail on objects as you fumbled with grabbing the doorknob.
>After a few failed attempts, you finally got your body to stumble outside.
>The sensation of cold air blowing against you was deadened, but still sharper than what you were used to feeling in this state.
 
>Her immaculate presence now stood behind you, offering some not so subtle encouragement to get moving.
 
>Breaking out into a light jog, you tried your best to not lose your balance as you made a lap around your home.
>Nightmare Moon leaned over your metaphysical shoulder, burning holes into the side of your head with a blank stare.
>Gritting your teeth together, you forced yourself to move faster.
 
>Playing a tune in your head, you ran off into town.
 
>Pumping your arms in time with your steps, you dashed through the mostly empty streets.
>The magic changed from supporting your body as it slept to keeping your consciousness locked inside of the dream.
>Every shock of movement helped to unite the two bodies, your vision clearing up and focusing as you pressed onward.
 
>You saw now the key was unity, not separation.
>At least, for locomotion it was.
 
>As the dying rays of sunlight spilled forth onto the streets, you felt yourself in complete lockstep with your physical body.
>Skidding to a halt, you could hear the music swell as you threw your arms high into the air.
>You were flying high now, pretending you were standing on top of a set of stairs.
 
>There was a minor hum of contentment from Nightmare Moon as she circled a few times around your consciousness.
 
>"You might prove to be useful after all. Now stop making an even bigger fool of yourself in public, ponies are staring."
 
>The few ponies out late were indeed giving you strange looks as you hopped up and down with your arms in the air.
>Reining your body back under your control, you coughed into your fist a few times and started to briskly walk away.
>Wiping away some of the sweat on your forehead, you came to an annoying realization.
 
>You were going to have to wake up insanely early to get everything set up before noon.
 
>Why did you insist on giving yourself such a short time table?
 
>Nightmare Moon, indifferent to your mental turmoil, decided to add on more tasks for you to do.
 
>"Now, to make yourself a credible asset to me, you will have to be able to bring my will forth from the dream. I believe you already have a suitable catalyst."
 
>You were going to question her on what she meant, when a rogue thought suddenly dawned on you.
>Recalling her earlier words about the power of dreams and previous experience, you found yourself clutching a familiar book tightly in your hand.
>You weren't sure what you did, it just sort of... happened.
>Stopping dead in your tracks, you ran your hands over the plain looking cover.
 
>You could tell she was smiling in a particularly sinister manner.
 
"This is..."
 
>Flipping it open and turning the first few pages, you had a strong sense of deja vu.
>The runes all seemed so familiar for some reason.
>While you weren't sure just how you were translating the opening lines, you knew for a fact they were the same as the ones in the church books.
 
>Nightmare Moon chuckled at your flabbergasted expression.
 
>"You can consider that one my original work. I spent quite a few days dreaming to write it all down. There's also a few extra... embellishments, in its pages."
 
>Her hoof rested on your hand and made you rapidly flip through the pages, eventually stopping somewhere in the middle of the book.
 
>"Read that."
 
>What she whispered to you was a more of a command than a suggestion.
>Tentatively, you squinted at the squiggly writing and tried to translate as best you could.
>Incomplete words and butchered syntax dripped off your tongue.
>There was a low groan from Nightmare Moon as she listened to you speak.
 
>"I did not write these psalms so that you could mutilate them like this."
 
>To both your surprise, the faint crackle and shimmer of magic enveloped the hand you weren't using to hold the book up.
>It was exceedingly faint, and at times seemed to completely fade away, but it was there.
>You were enraptured by the cyan glow of your Goddess' magic, turning over the affected hand again and again.
 
>There was a sudden intense pressure on your back, forcing you to your knees as Nightmare Moon pressed down hard on you.
>You could feel her lower her head down to you, breathing roughly into your ear.
>Her voice came soft, but was laced with absolute poison.
 
>"You have gotten my hopes up, Anonymous. Do. Not. Fail. Me."
 
>After delivering her message, the pressure was immediately released as she vanished completely from your mind.
>The book had also vanished at some point, leaving you alone as you rested on your knees.
>You found yourself slightly worried about your future.
 
>Shaking off those intrusive thoughts, you stood up and continued home.
 
>As you floated there in the dream of void, you came to a better understanding of how empty it was without her around.
>In the hour or so you spent with her constantly moving around and doing things, you never realized how lonely it was with just your thoughts.
>The warmth of her presence was sorely missed.
 
>Letting yourself sink further and further into the void, you ended up slipping through it.
>With a few blinks, you found yourself freed from the empty dream.
>Your brain was sending off weird signals and messages, ranging from discomfort to your legs almost giving out.
>Stumbling your way to your front door, you leaned against it for a few minutes until the sensations passed.
 
>Shuffling inside, you went to your room and set you alarm for an ungodly early hour.
>After going about your nightly rituals, you crawled into bed and quickly fell asleep.
 
>Respite was cut short by the violent clanging of your alarm clock.
>After rolling around a few times praying that it would stop by itself, you finally mustered up the energy to shut it off manually.
>There was hardly any hint of sunlight on the horizon as you peeked through your window.
 
>Slumping down on the soft mattress, you laid there for a few minutes before getting up properly.
>Bitching and moaning to the empty air, you went straight for the shower to help wake up.
>Somewhat confident in your ability to maintain balance after that, you rushed through the rest of your morning.
 
>As the first few beams of light graced the land, you were dragging the stage pieces.
>Conveniently there was a large thicket of trees not too far from your home.
>It would be serviceable enough to shield your actions from any prying eyes.
>The clearing was a bit too small for your tastes, but beggars couldn't be choosers, no matter how divine they might be.
 
>Time slipped by as you did nothing but run back and forth from the two places, hauling as many stage parts and chairs you could humanly hold.
>Realizing you were lacking a table to hold all the food, you had to drag one out of your house and all the way to the clearing.
 
>Still, you managed to eventually get it all there.
>Soon all you had left to do was hang a few pretty looking flower wreaths and cloth streamers around the base of the stage and move all the food.
>Electing to wait until it was closer to noon to bother moving the perishables, you sat down in one of those tiny chairs and took a breather.
 
>You'd need some way of keeping the whole area contained, lest some of the ponies escape or wander in.
>While you couldn't think of any methods of fencing that weren't overt, you realized you had the ultimate ace up your sleeve.
>Drifting off in a chair, you soared through the nothingness that separated you from Her.
 
>Nightmare Moon was already floating around in the dream, as you felt her look up from something to acknowledge your presence.
>She looked a little annoyed, as if she had been waiting there for a long time.
>Bowing to her magnificence, you tried to apologize.
 
>While you had mastered control of your body, speaking without having your body say it out loud was still quite the challenge.
>Every word out of your mouth sounded like you were drunk and half asleep, slurring everything to hell and back.
 
"Keptchuwaitinghah?"
 
>She set down whatever she was holding, looking a little confused as she examined you for any cursory injuries.
>Satisfied that you were relatively intact, Nightmare Moon relaxed a little.
 
>"Are the preparations complete?"
 
>Opting to just shake your head, you tried to bring up the perimeter issue.
 
"Thay coo eshtape."
 
>There was silence as she tilted her head.
>After pantomiming running away a few times, she eventually deciphered your meaning.
>Putting a hoof to her chin, she motioned for you to bring out your book.
 
>Flipping through the pages, you were eventually instructed to stop.
 
>Being lead to the edge of the tree line, you knelt down and started to read aloud.
 
"Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lady, 'She is my refuge and fortress, my Goddess, in whom I trust."
 
>Placing your left hand on the ground, you witnessed it become shrouded in the empyreal radiance of your Lady.
>Lifting it up, you could see a brightly glowing imprint of your hand was imprinted on the ground.
>Shaping your hand like a knife, you slowly walked the perimeter of the area.
 
>A glowing line of magic followed the tip of your fingers as you continued to focus, the exhilarating rush of channeling the divine making your heart race.
>Soon enough you circled right back to the imprint, closing the circle with a swish of your hand.
 
>You couldn't scrub the goofy smile off your face as you happily stepped over the fading circle of magic.
>The stage was set, and all the pieces were in place.
>All you had to do was wait for the actors to arrive for the big play.
>It was early enough to start moving all the food and drinks, you would just have to cover them and wait the few hours until noon.
 
>Nightmare Moon was awfully quiet during your final trip there and back, her thoughts taken up by something.
>You assumed it was some order of divine business that you could never hope to comprehend and shrugged it off.
>Her presence was with you, and that was all that mattered.
 
>Sitting down at the entrance to your home, you idly perused the contents of the black book to pass the time.
 
>Most of it still remained a mystery.
>While some of other sections looked familiar, the knowledge within you refused to reveal itself.
>Snapping it shut, you drummed your fingers against the cover a few times as you waited.
>After about half an hour of doing nothing and sitting in silence, you decided to just sleep until the ponies came along.
 
>Freeing yourself from the dream, you rest the back of your head against your door and closed your eyes.
 
>Your sleep was littered with dreams of your earliest memories.
>Following the actions of your youth as you grew up like some kind of slideshow.
>You were only just going through school as you were suddenly awoken by the sound of voices.
 
>Two familiar faces, and a whole host of unfamiliar ones.
 
>They certainly seemed to be familiar with you however, watching you intently as you stood up.
>Quickly doing a head count, you could see there was fewer than you were hoping for, numbering only 14 in total.
>You were hoping the allure of free food would have been enough.
>Frowning inwardly, you ran through your mental check list.
>Questioning them about the whereabouts of the Unsaveables, one pony informed you they all suddenly left town in a hurry.
 
>This made you smile, throwing your arms out wide as you motioned for the crowd to follow you.
>There was idle chatter amongst them as Crossed and Esoteric moved to your sides.
>Esoteric looked a little disappointed in herself as she spoke to you.
 
>"Sorry Anon, we tried to help bring more ponies."
 
>You couldn't help but chuckle to yourself.
>Were they actually drawn in by your cause, or just greedy for money?
>Whatever their motivation, it mattered not.
 
"It's alright, more will come in due time."
 
>You patted her on the head.
>There were a few questions from the crowd behind you, but you assured them everything would be revealed when they finally arrived.
>Taking the time to slip into the dream as you let your body walk itself, you could hear Nightmare Moon humming in your head.
>Her voice was all business as you felt her use your eyes to look around.
 
>"An adequate haul, considering the circumstances. "
 
>Crossed said something as you bathed in the slight praise you had received.
>Shaking your head a few times, you turned toward the beige pony.
 
"My apologies, I was lost in thought, come again?"
 
>She shot a quick glance at Esoteric before speaking.
 
>"Do we get paid commission?"
 
>There was a quick bout of hushed conversation between the two ponies as you looked to the sky with amusement.
>Sinners, how predictable.
>Raising a hand to interrupt them, you smiled gently.
 
"We'll discuss that at the end, alright?"
 
>They both nodded, remaining silent through the rest of the journey.
>Paying close attention to the now imperceptible circle of magic, you watched all of them cross over it with no trouble.
>With a sinister chortle, you showed them all their seats and uncovered the food and punch bowl.
 
>Taking a large pitcher, you filled it with punch and headed into the forest.
 
"Please, get yourselves comfortable while I attend to some last minute things. Try not to lose track of your cups."
 
>Waving at them, you walked until you were out of sight.
>Carefully setting down the pitcher, you fished around your pockets until you felt the smooth plastic of a pill bottle.
>Thankfully you grabbed this in your drowsy haze this morning.
>Popping off the cap, you dumped whatever pills were left into the punch.
 
>Nightmare Moon caught on quickly, a small smirk of approval decorating her face.
 
"Weesh nead magish."
 
>You liked to think you were getting the hang of this speaking without moving your mouth thing.
>Your Goddess seemed to understand your intention and nodded a few times.
>Dreaming up the holy book, you skipped through the pages until you found one that seemed fitting.
 
>Speaking softly, you dipped a glowing finger into the drink.
>You watched it diffuse itself through the solution, wrapping around the dissolving pills and shattering them.
>It took a minute or so for the punch to stop glowing, but after that there was nothing overtly wrong about the drink.
 
>With the book in one hand and the pitcher in the other, you returned to the gathering.
 
"Come now, all of you take your seats and prepare."
 
>Setting the tainted drink on the table, you quickly shooed all the ponies away from the food.
>All their eyes were on you as you stepped onto the short stage.
>Clearing your throat for the sake of it, you took a deep breath before launching into your sermon.
 
"My dear friends, I have gathered you all here under a common issue. The idea of purification is strong in all of your hearts, the desire to free yourself from those terrible burdens that weight upon you all."
 
>You clasped your hands over your heart, looking down at all of them with sadness in your eyes.
 
"But, there is something far greater than your individual sins. Something that affects far more than our great town."
 
>There were looks of confusion and concern amongst the crowd.
>Grinning slightly, you kicked up the volume of your voice.
 
"This great kingdom, nay, the whole world is at peril!"
 
>They all jumped back as you darted forward slightly, swinging your arms in wide arcs.
 
"A horrific monstrosity known only as the Abyssal threatens everything that we hold near and dear! And it is the collective sins of all our kind that enable its existence and set forth such a terrible chain of events."
 
>Keeping an eye on the crowd, you started to pace back and forth on the stage.
 
"It will tear all of us apart from each other, and it will bring ruin to all that can be seen, heard, and felt. It is a beast that knows no remorse, and will offer no quarter to any it can lay its hands on. Of which, there are none who can escape its malignant grasp."
 
>Speaking even softer now, you forced the uncomfortable looking ponies to have to lean forward if they wanted to hear you.
 
"None, except those who take shelter under the wing of the most benevolent and magnanimous being to ever grace this land with her presence."
 
>Keeping your voice low, you took a great step backward, raising your arms toward the sky.
 
"And that great, selfless being, is standing up there watching over all us wicked folk. Those of us who turned away from her brilliance."
 
>Clutching a fist to your heart, you let your arm slowly fall down to your side.
 
"She was abandoned by everyone, and left to fade away into obscurity. Turned into a figure of evil by the wicked betrayers, she was scorned by everyone. Having been cast out of heaven by her own faithful, she was left with nothing, and nobody who believed in her."
 
>Your tone was somber.
>Nightmare Moon took a particular interest in your words, observing from the sidelines of your dream.
 
"But!"
 
>Startling all the ponies, you leapt backwards, pointing a finger to the heavens.
 
"While I speak as if we are doomed, I am here to let you know that all is not lost!"
 
>While you weren't sure how you were doing it, the sound of gospel singers in your dream started to leak into reality.
>Backed by their voices, you dramatically strutted back to the edge of the stage.
 
"At any moment, she could let the Abyssal loose from its chains and demolish us all! But she doesn't give up her struggle to keep it contained, no! She fights on, because there are still those who seek atonement!"
 
>The choir sang louder and louder, as you made wild gestures with your hands.
>The ponies seemed enraptured by your movement and voice.
 
"And I am here today to tell you that I am her last voice on this great green planet. That I have been chosen to bring you all to the cause that is the most righteous! I will take the weight of your sins, and together we will help shoulder the burden of our mighty benefactor!"
 
>Shaking your fist, you opened your arms to heavens above.
 
"Even though we may be children of betrayers, we need not follow in their hoofsteps!"
 
>Jumping off the stage, you jogged over to the pitcher of tainted punch.
 
"Every one of you, let this drink symbolize our collective will to wash away our sins! Together we will be supporting a cause that is world wide! Let me come to you and bring you the gift of salvation!"
 
>In the moments it took you to walk to the first pony seated, an odd thought came to you.
>This was the point of no return.
>As soon as you gave these ponies their drinks, you would be fully committing yourself.
>There was no way to turn back if you went through with this.
 
>Every part of you hesitated at this, standing in front of the pony as she offered her empty cup to you.
 
>Then, a voice you never expected spoke up within you.
>All you said to yourself was just two words.
 
>Do it.
 
>And just like that, you felt unfettered as you poured the punch.
>The craziest smile ripped your face in two as you came to an understanding.
>Yes, this is what you wanted to do.
 
>Kicking your leg out to the side, you lifted the pitcher away and raised your hand to the sky.
>Materializing a microphone from your dreams, you let the sound of music wash through and around you.
 
"Are you ready for a miracle?"
 
>Doing a quick spin around, you started filling the next ponies cup as you began to sing.
>You were practically yelling, but you didn't care how loud you were when it came to praising your Lady.
 
>There was a standing offer for Nightmare Moon to take the place of the background singers, but she staunchly refused.
 
>Shrugging it off, you continued down the line of chairs.
 
>The first pony had finished off her drink, watching you spin and twirl before she suddenly pitched forward and clutched her head.
>There were some concerned looks toward her as the plastic cup fell from her hoof.
>Encouraging the pony in front of you to start drinking, you continued to belt out the lyrics as the first pony collapsed to the ground.
 
>One by one, the ponies who had received the fruit punch started to double over and collapse.
>You were barely four ponies in before they started to panic.
>The stallion who was supposed to be next in line looked like he was going to make a break for it.
>Kicking the leg of his chair, you sent him sprawling to the ground.
>Dropping the microphone, you grabbed the top of his snout and jammed the rim of the pitcher into his opened mouth.
 
>Tilting it up, you poured an adequate amount before shoving him away.
 
>Trading the microphone for the holy book, it was already opened to the correct page to invoke Nightmare Moon's magic.
 
>Almost instinctively, she knew what you wanted to do.
 
"You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday!"
 
>Her magic unleashed itself as a wave of energy from the pages, tripping up many of the ponies that tried to get away from you.
>Their limbs were shackled together, leaving them only able to scream.
>Out of the corner of your eye, you could see two had escaped the radius of the magic.
 
>You smirked.
>They would have to be saved for last.
 
>Letting the book dissolve, you brought back the microphone.
 
"I'll show you the most wonderful night, don't have such a look of fright! Now be still, and enjoy the gifts of our benevolent Lady, Nightmare Moon."
 
>Gently pushing one of the entangled ponies onto her side, you forced the pitcher between her lips.
>She struggled fruitlessly against her bonds as you poured the drink into her mouth.
>Making sure she swallowed it, you patted her on the head.
 
"Embrace the dream, little pony. Salvation has finally come to you."
 
>Her panicked cries became more and more slurred as she slowly lost consciousness.
>Humming to yourself, you continued the holy work for the rest of the ponies.
>Some of them tried to fight back, others simply accepted their fate.
 
>With a heart so filled to the brim with elation and joy, you watched the last one slump against the ground asleep.
>There wasn't much left in the pitcher for the last two, but you would have to make do.
>It didn't take long to locate where they had run off too, their shouts more than enough to lead you in the right direction.
 
>It was none other than your favorite pair of sinners, Crossed Crenellations and Esoteric Architecture.
>They were banging against the magical force field that surrounded the area and screaming for help.
>With a fake sigh, you chucked the microphone over your shoulder.
 
>The duo saw you approach with book in hand, making them double their effort to try and break through the barrier.
>Crossed tried to use her magic against you, but it was harshly reflected by Nightmare Moon.
 
>You were able to witness her almighty and terrifying form up close as she stepped partially through your dream.
>Her horn glowed brilliantly as she hauled the two ponies up and slammed them against the barrier.
 
>"Seize them, Anonymous."
 
>You were more than happy to oblige your Goddess' will, letting the book vanish as you approached Crossed.
>Her eyes were wild, her body trembling as tears welled up.
>You softly shushed her and patted her on the head a few times.
 
>"W-why?"
 
>Tussling her mane with your hand, you looked into her watery eyes with a gentle gaze.
 
"For your redemption."
 
>She kept turning her head away as you brought the pitcher up.
>Eventually Nightmare Moon forced her jaw open for you to deliver the drink.
>You tried to reassure her with your words, but she wasn't listening.
>Having poured enough, the magical grip on her mouth was released.
 
>She coughed a few times, spitting on the ground in a vain attempt to save herself.
 
"Don't worry, we'll be with you every step of the way."
 
>Giving her one last smile and thumbs up, you watcher her brilliant eyes darken as her head dipped downward.
>You could hear the soft sobbing of Esoteric as she writhed against your Goddess' grip.
>Repeating your initial actions with Crossed, you brushed a hand through her mint colored mane to try and calm her down.
 
>She seemed so afraid of both of you that she suddenly stopped moving, her head slumping downward.
>Well, at least you didn't have to bother with any more of the fruit punch.
 
"Goddess of glory, Lady of love, hearts unfold like flowers before thee. Have I done well in my service?"
 
>The two ponies caught in her magic fell to the ground as Nightmare Moon turned toward you.
>She smiled, tilting her head as she walked toward you.
>Stopping short of running into you, she stared into your eyes.
 
>"You are well on your way, but we still must turn these ponies into my adherents. Use my magic to drag their consciousnesses into my domain."
 
>Nightmare Moon took another step forward, passing right through you.
>Turning around expecting to see her on the other side, you found she was gone.
>Her presence returned to your dream however, giving you reassurance that you weren't alone.
 
>Setting down the pitcher, you brought forth your book and turned to the instructed page.
>Kneeling down near Crossed and Esoteric, you read aloud.
 
"'Because he loves me,' says the Lady, 'I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name."
 
>A faint heat went to your face as her magic dripped through the ink of the text.
>That line made your heart flutter and brought you immeasurable peace.
>Smiling like a dope, you barely acknowledged the black slithering lines of magic that slid across the ground toward the two ponies.
 
>When the tendrils slipped into the heads, you started walking toward the main group of fallen.
>Almost forgetting the pitcher, you backtracked a bit and brought it with you.
 
>As you approached their sleeping forms, more whip-like tentacles loosed themselves from the book and embedded into their heads.
 
>"Now, drink the rest of the fruit punch. I will not tolerate any holes in my church when we have new recruits here."
 
>Smiling to yourself, you snapped the book shut and sat against the bottom of the stage.
>Without any hesitation, you drank what was left.
>It tasted like what you expected fruit punch to be, but there was an odd tingling sensation as it went down your throat.
 
>Your mind grew foggy as you found you could no longer grip the handle properly.
>It hit the grass with a muted thud as your eyelids grew incredibly heavy.
>Instinctually trying to fight off the drowsiness, you realized just how hopeless a fight this was.
>With an amused smirk, your head pitched forward as a wave of blackness overtook your mind.
>How was that for fire, Goddess?