Hey everypony! Its good to be writing again! I am so excited to share this story arc with you, it involves a civil war (tell me if you are NLR of SE in the comments), changelings, flashback chapters without our three main ponies, and an epic finale. I have most of the storyline written but suggestions and comments are always welcome! Now, without further ado...
It was a long journey, made even longer by the need to avoid the Canterlot guard who were all over the place, but Midnight didn't mind like the rest did, she was too busy questioning Guise.
"So, you're close with Luna then"
"Yes, she did me, and my family, a great favor a while back and I have not forgotten it, though I fear they may have," he paused for a moment "And you, you seem very familiar with the princess," of course he didn't know, her wings were still under her cloak. She thought, for a moment, of how to respond before choosing to trust the guard. He obviously had Lunas trust and he had not yet done anything to betray them.
"I am her sister, but I was not so fond of being royalty,"
"The princess never mentioned a sister, besides Celestia,"
"I was kind of a family secret. Now this favor she did you, what was it?" He smiled.
"I suppose that is a bit of a secret too, but I can tell you it kept us from starving, gave us a home, and landed me a position in the guard. I trust Luna with my life, and I will protect hers with it,"
They were not all the answers she had hoped to get out of him, but they seemed sincere and there was no time for more, they had arrived at Twilights castle in Ponyville. Beside it stood a makeshift house which had been used as a library since the Golden oaks library had been destroyed many years ago. It had been decided they would visit Twilight first as she had always taken a leadership role in the group, and probably just a little bit because she was a princess.
No lights shone from the castles windows, but it was late, she could have gone to bed. With this assumption in mind it was decided the situation was urgent enough to wake her up. The Doctor was the one to knock on the door. When nopony answered he knocked again. Finally, not wanting to risk anypony seeing Luna out in the open, they pushed on the unlocked door and entered the crystalline room. A quick search of the castle told them what they needed to know.
"Nopony's home!" Called Derpy from the second floor.
"Where could she have gone? Stargazing maybe but it's kind of a cloudy night for that,"
"Wherever she has gone, it is imperative we find her immediately. We will need her help in saving my sister," Midnight stepped forward.
"I may not know where Twilight is, but I have a guess where we might find Spike,"
The five ponies approached the Carousel Boutique where the lights blazed from inside. When they knocked on the door a commotion preceded the careful opening of the door by a purple baby dragon. He immediately recognized a few members of their party.
"Hey Ditzy, Time Turner, it's sure a surprise to see you here, especially so late, what can I do for ya?" Luna stepped out of the shadows, catching the notice of the dragon and putting him on edge.
"May we come in?" She queried.
"Uh s-sure, I guess," ever since the events of Lunas first nightmare night ponies all over Equestria had become very fond of their princess of the night, but some still got nervous in her presence sometimes. Spike was one of these.
He led them inside to find the main room was a mess. Clothes and cloth were strewn everywhere. ribbons and threads flew around the room, carefully dodged by the entering party, and in the middle of it all stood a unicorn focused entirely on a half-finished dress on a mannequin.
"Spike! Who was at the door?"
"Greetings, Rarity," Rarity was startled by the princesses calm, clear voice.
"Princess Luna! Oh my, I am so sorry about the mess. I had no idea you would be coming! Hold on just a minute," she apologized, racing to tidy up for her distinguished guest "would any of you like refreshments?" No one spoke up to take advantage of her generous hosting.
"I am afraid that we come with urgent news. We will, of course, share it with you both. But first, do you know where we might find Princess Twilight Sparkle," Midnight shifted uncomfortably upon hearing the title, even used to refer to another. Officially, as part of the family she was still a princess and anything that reminded her of it made her ill at ease.
"Oh, I'm afraid you just missed her. Princess Celestia sent an urgent letter requesting her immediate presence in Canterlot. She was kind enough to let dear Spikey-wikey stay and help me finish my new fashion line. It is ever so important that it is finished tonight,"
"I am afraid that this is grave news indeed," Rarity turned her attention for a moment away from her tidying.
"But whatever do you mean?" Midnight stepped forward to answer.
"Because now we know that thing is smarter than we thought. Now, all of Equestria could be in danger!" Her voice was full of spite. Luna calmed her sister with a glance. Letting her know that it would be alright before continuing where Midnight had left off, filling in some important details.
"Rarity, as the pony who once bore the element of generosity, you of course are familiar with the story of the time I spent as Nightmare Moon, and know that it was you and your friends who changed me back into my true self," she did not wait for more than a nod of comprehension "But this is not the whole story. Those dark powers of Nightmare Moon were not my own, nor did I change my appearance to hers of my own will, but both occurred because of a creature known as the Vexion. This creature is a parasite. It seeks out strong negative emotions, such as my anger and jealousy, and feeds off of that. However, while controlled by the Vexion, one cannot let go of these feelings, until they become so powerful that they take control of the pony. When you wielded the Elements, they did not truly defeat me, only destroy this creatures hold on me. Unfortunately, this did not kill the creature either. It is still here,"
"But I don't understand, why are you telling me this, and what has it got to do with Twilight?"
"Don't you see!?" Midnight could not control herself any longer, despite the disapproving looks from her friends "The Vexion is back, but this time its target wasn't Luna, it was Celestia! And Twilight is with that thing right now!"
Everypony stood, stunned. Even those that had already known looked as if it had only just dawned on them what was really at stake. Eventually Spike broke the silence.
"Well then, what can we do to help?"