Chapter I

Omen

Brand new fic, yet again. I think I need serious help.

This is a crossover that even I thought would never happen.

I do not own Legacy of Kain or MLP. Just Belladonna.

It had been a week since Discord was sealed in stone once more and Princess Celestia felt something as she went over her schedule. Once in a while, she would get shivers or twitches that meant something. When Nightmare Moon was to return, an ache in Celestia's heart was among the signs that she found. Days before Discord was freed, she felt a twitch of irritation whilst she was relaxing.

This newest sign, however, was foreboding.

The sun had just set when she felt it, a very strong shiver ran down her spine. It was a warm, summer night so no cold should be present. At least, not one that made her shiver violently. Following the shiver, a mental image occurred in Celestia's mind. A vision of fire and darkness. Fresh blood splashed into the air amongst the flames. A dark, two-legged figure with glowing white eyes began to stalk its way towards her. Shortly, it shifted into pony form, eyes still glowing. The finale was a cackle of pure wickedness.

The Princess of the Day was soon brought out of this dark vision by her sister, who noticed her sister staring off into space as fear made itself known to her.

"Sister? Is everything well?"

Hearing her sister, Celestia shook herself out of her trance and reality returned to her sight. Seeing her sister's worried look, Celestia proceeded to walk.

"Follow me, Luna. I wish to check up on something."

Obeying her elder sister out of concern, Princess Luna followed Celestia onto the balcony and into the air once her sister took flight.

As much as she enjoyed a nighttime flight, especially with her sister, Luna found this particular flight was ominous. Something about this felt frightening and it was a level of fright that Luna hadn't felt in centuries.

Not since…her.

The pair flew over the land which they ruled, passing the homes of sleeping ponies once they reached the closest southern city: Ponyville. But they didn't stop there. They flew past the home of Celestia's most loyal student and her friends and over the frightening Everfree Forest. Soon, a familiar structure caught their gaze.

Their old castle, long ruined by the battle between Nightmare Moon and Princess Celestia.

Seeing Celestia descend, Luna could only assume that they were to land there. But what could be in the stone ruins other than old, decaying furniture and dusty old books? Luna remained silent as she followed Celestia entered their former throne room. They reached the divergent stairway that led to their old thrones where Luna saw something at the center. An image of their emblem with the center jewel missing.

It was there that Luna's memories flashed back like a flood.

She looked to her sister in worry.

"Tia? Is it…"

Celestia remained silent as she inserted her horn into the locking mechanism where the jewel would have been. Letting out a light burst of magic, half of the emblem lit up in gold. Once she removed her horn, Celestia looked to the Princess of the Night.

"I just want to check, Luna. To make sure that even if she wakes, the secondary spell has activated."

Noting her sister's concern, Luna inserted her horn in the same lock, allowing her magic to light her half in a shimmer of silver. Once she removed her horn, the emblem moved inward and the two sisters stood back as a slate of stone below them slide away, revealing a secret stairway.

Lighting their horns, the two princess entered the passage. Unlike the rest of the castle, it was darker and had Gothic architecture more…menacing than above. A reminder to the two sisters of what was down there. With each step came an echo within the silence. Not at all assuring to the two.

Once they've reached the bottom of a long flight of stairs, the two found themselves facing a large set of doors, chained with a single lock in the center. Luna gulped as she and Celestia used their magic unlock the lock and once it was removed, the chains fell like water. With a strong push, Celestia opened the left door, allowing the two to enter the chamber.

Once the torches were lit, the light revealed a large dome-shaped chamber with statues of guards surrounding the wall, their lances touching the center where a chandelier hung. Circling the room was a waterway that remained as clear as glass. Under the chandelier was the object the two had been searching for.

A stone sarcophagus.

Her eyes focused on the sarcophagus, Luna, for the first time in centuries, whimpered.

"Tia. Are you certain we should open that? I mean, when we confronted…her…I hoped it would be the last we'd see of her."

Celestia spoke as she slowly approached the coffin.

"I agree with you, Luna. After what she did, I did not want to even think of her again. But…what with you and Discord returning, I can't help but shake this feeling of worry."

As they took each step, Luna spoke again.

"Even as Nightmare Moon, I had never met any creature as cruel and terrible as her. She had more malice than I did and her mind was more at work than Discord's. To be honest, I'd rather confront him and all of our old foes again than spend a single minute with her."

Celestia couldn't help but agree. The creature that resided in this coffin…

While Luna's jealousy and pain caused her to become Nightmare Moon, it was this creature's words that had sown the seeds. While she was capable of inflicting physical pain, it was her "special talent" with words that were more deadly. She even remembered the last time she spoke to her.

"It's sad, really. To think that despite you loving her, you are unwittingly causing her so much suffering. How does it feel to abuse your little sister by outshining her in every single way?"

The Princess of the Day loathed every syllable she spoke. At the time, she denounced it as malicious lies. But when Luna took the words she said to her by heart, Celestia found some truth in those words. She tried many times to deny it that, it was still true. Ponies loved her life-giving sun and failed to see the beauty of Luna's night. The Summer Sun Celebration, to Celestia, was a tribute to the once-lost lunar princess.

She wanted to leave with Luna and increase the security. But she wanted to make sure all was well.

"Just a minute, Luna. We must make sure she is properly sealed."

While that was true, Celestia wanted to make sure she was still there. Without another word, Celestia used her magic on the sarcophagus' lid. This was followed by Luna, who wanted this all to end and go home. With a shove, the lid fell and the two sisters looked inside.

"She is still there, thank Faust." Luna replied.

But Celestia took a closer look and noticed something odd about the creature sleeping in the coffin.

"She's breathing."

The dark blue princess became pale as snow as she took in her sister's words.

"Breathing? As in…she's still alive? After a thousand years?!"

Celestia noticed her sister's panic and placed a hoof on her shoulder.

"Calm down, Luna. If the secondary spell worked, then we have nothing to fear. If anything, it could help her redeem herself."

"How so? You know what she did. How many lives she had taken or destroyed. All the brilliant and sane minds she had shattered into utter insanity? How could she possibly redeem herself for all of that?!" Luna questioned heavily, her fear becoming more and more apparent.

Celestia interrupted her sister's frightened rant.

"I know all too well of what she has done, Luna. But with this spell, not only will she not have her original body, but her memories will be sealed. Maybe she'll recover them. Maybe she won't ever remember. But everypony deserves a second chance. Much like with you."

"But I just wanted my night to be appreciated. I know she won't remember, but her sadistic personality is a scar upon my mind that can never heal. How can I rest knowing she's free and roaming the world? Especially when she becomes hungry." Luna protested.

Celestia once again provided an answer.

"Medicine has progressed greatly since then, Luna. I can have our best doctors produce special pills that appease that specific hunger. As long as nopony tells her of her true identity, I am certain she will have a genuine change of heart."

They then heard the sound of groaning as the figure moved in the sarcophagus. Luna's eyes widened with fear.

"She's waking up!"

They watched as the figure sat up, rubbing her head.

"Ugh…where am I?"

She then looked to the two princesses, one filled with fear and the other with uncertainty.

"Who are you?"

Breathing a silent sigh of relief, Celestia spoke to the figure.

"I am Celestia. Princess of Equestria and the Sun."

She then gestured to a still-frightened Luna.

"This is my younger sister, Princess Luna of Equestria and the Moon. What, if I may ask, is your name?"

Despite knowing her true name, Celestia feigned ignorance as part of the plan. There was a chance that even her real name might restore herself and neither princess wanted to take such a chance. The figure rubbed her head before she answered.

"I…I don't know."

Her fear ebbing lightly, Luna spoke up.

"P-perhaps then we should find you one. But how about we think outside? This chamber must smell musty to you."

The figure agreed and followed the two princesses to the surface. They led the figure outside before Celestia spotted something amongst the flora. It was a flowering plant that was beautiful to look at, but was poisonous to all. Its berries blacker than night, much like the soul of their company's former self. Turning around, she spoke.

"I believe I have a name for you."

The figure stepped out into the moonlight, her attention focused on the Princess of the Day. She appeared as a unicorn mare. Her coat was a dark ash color and her mane and tail were like rivers of black ink with silky bangs parting atop her head, both hiding and exposing her horn. Her eyes were a haunting shade of amber and her cutie mark was unusual. It was a pair of snakes eating the other's tail, one possessing a sapphire eye and the other with a ruby eye. In the center of the ouroboros, a dark emerald stood out, almost glistening in the moonlight.

"Really? What is it?" She asked.

Celestia answered the mare.

"What do you think of the name 'Belladonna'?"

The mare thought for a while whilst Luna looked at the very plant that gave Celestia the idea. After a moment, the mare spoke.

"I think I like it. It's pretty."

That was one load off the princesses' shoulders.

With a warm smile, Celestia spoke.

"Belladonna, it is then."

She then looked to her sister.

"We should find someplace for her to stay."

She then whispered the last part to Luna, not letting the newly-named mare hear.

"Preferably within the proximity of Ponyville."

Luna gave that some thought as they led Belladonna out of the forest. As they were reaching Ponyville, Luna looked to the north.

"I've just remembered that there's an abandoned house north of here. She could stay there once it's fixed up."

Celestia nodded as she looked to Belladonna, who remained lost in her thoughts.

"Don't fret about a thing, Belladonna. We'll make sure you're taken care of."

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