01-14-2016, 06:30 PM
Chapter 21: The Gala Pt. II
----
The smell of freshly cut grass mingled with the scent of the blue rose I had brought for her, I didn't know why its scent was so strong, but it was. The sky was dark, full of twinkling stars, crickets quietly chirped away in the bushes and trees, the metal shoes she wore clinked on the stone path of which we walked upon. Her beautiful dress trailing behind her elegantly while she looked over the single, perfect rose once more, her eyes traveling to me and a slight smile forming.
"How did you know blue was my favorite?"
"It just fit," I smiled back, "you know, blue roses represent the unattainable and therefore the desire for the unattainable."
"The irony," she chuckled before sniffing it again, "though it is quite lovely." Nightmare Rarity looked me over approvingly, her eyes drinking up the sight of me in a suit, even the formal shoes I wore were polished to perfection. I'll admit I had proudly gazed at my reflection at least once.
"And I must say you look dashing," we passed under an archway with flowers carefully strung up on it, birds chirped in the trees and were much more curious about us than any other bird I'd seen in my world; their little eyes never left us as we passed by. I blushed from her compliment, luckily I avoided fidgeting this time.
"I think my stunned silence at your arrival speaks for itself," I laughed, an arm sliding across her shoulders, the dress was exquisitely soft like silk. Perhaps softer, my finger tips lightly brushing the gossamer like sleeve. "But really, you look absolutely beautiful, love."
"Thank you, I did make it myself after all," Nightmare Rarity replied with a hint of playfulness in the voice I loved hearing so much. We rounded a corner, a hedge blanketing us in gentle shadows, the sounds of the party distant as we came close to the castle once more. I looked up at the towers with their fluttering flags and majestic colors of white and gold.
"You know, I have to say your castle is much cooler than this one."
"Oh I already knew that," she replied with a light laugh, placing a kiss on my cheek. "You shaved," she noted aloud.
"Yeah," I rubbed my chin, "figured it'd be better than showing up with stubble," we came into a little clearing with a small group of other ponies, most fortunately did not stop and gawk at us, I couldn't help but give a small sigh of relief at this pleasant change. A unicorn pony, with a black goatee of all things and a black and white butler suit offered us a tray of what looked like...shrimp. Impaled on toothpicks. I absently took one and he went on his way to a small group of ponies.
"Ponies...eat shrimp?" I asked, mind boggled as I inspect the seafood. Nightmare Rarity steadily bit down on hers, sharp white teeth closing in on it in a predatory manner, chewing it and swallowing it before answering.
"Seafood and eggs are the closest ponies get to meat. Well, that and hayburgers."
I blinked once before I shrugged and ate mine, suffice it to say, it was certainly delicious. I flicked the toothpick into a nearby trashcan as we proceeded onward, taking in more scenery as we did. A few other couples were walking around as well. Lost i their own happy conversation, the distant giggle of a mare vaguely registered in my hearing, the entrance to the ballroom within sight as I stopped. Staring at it. Nightmare Rarity raised an eyebrow, looking at me, eyes briefly glancing at the entrance curiously.
"Don't want to go back in just yet?" She asked, I simply shook my head.
"I'm not in the mood to be gawked at some more," I said, looking up at the tree that loomed over us, branches with perfect, dark green healthy leaves. I sat down slowly, feeling a bit paranoid about getting my suit dirty as I rested by back against the thick trunk of the tree comfortably, stretching my legs out. Nightmare smiled as she too eased herself down, my eyes widened slightly as she slid her forelegs across my lap with a contented sigh, locking eyes with mine as our lips met in a quick kiss. My hands rested on her legs, fingertips lightly gripping the soft fabric and my gaze inspecting the material. It still glinted delicately like the sleeves themselves were galaxies with millions of tiny stars residing in it. Her sapphire eyes glowed at me, the love shining from them, framed by soft lashes. She shifted closer to me, our faces inches from each other now.
"Forgive me, but you look quite handsome in the dark," she said with a teasing chuckle, followed by another swift, but meaningful kiss.
"I've been called many things, 'handsome' is not one of them."
"Oh but you are," she replied, a hoof running along my leg reassuringly, the expression on her lovely face was genuine, not that expected anything otherwise. But still, thinking of myself and being referred to in a positive manner took some getting used to.
A soft warm breeze suddenly picked up, a few strands of her mane swaying along with it, I could feel my own hair becoming disheveled once more and I absently lifted a hand in attempt to get the loose hair back into place had not a hoof stopped me.
"I like it," Nightmare stated in a soothing whisper before kissing me, this time much more passionately than before, I returned with just as much, one hand holding a hoof while an arm traveled around her back. Lost in our bliss and without a care as to who saw.
------
Twilight Sparkle, Rainbow Dash, and Fluttershy watched from afar as Nightmare Rarity and Michael kissed. Twilight had seen them kiss before so it was nothing new to her, Rainbow Dash was at a loss for words, whereas Fluttershy was simply trying not to gush about adorable she thought it was. Rainbow blinked several times, shaking her head four times, having to brush a bit of her multicolored mane and part of her namesake out of her eyes as she whispered to Twilight.
"Wait, so you weren't kidding when you said-,"
"No."
"I mean I'm not prejudiced or whatever...but...but...HOW?"
"Well I think it's sweet," Fluttershy interjected, a big smile on her face.
"You think everything is sweet," Rainbow Dash replied with a roll of her eyes.
"Girls, I hate to interrupt this riveting conversation, but I don't think being caught staring is such a good idea," Twilight Sparkle cut in, giving her friends a nudge in the opposite direction, raising a glass of tasty punch to her lips.
"I'm just wondering what their kid are gonna look like."
Twilight's eyes bulged, a sip transforming into an awkward slurp that instantly changed into a spluttering series of coughs. Rainbow Dash awkwardly rubbed the back of her head as ponies began staring in bafflement as to why Princess Twilight looked like she might hack up her lungs.
"Let's just forget I went there-hey is that Spitfire!?" In the blink of an eye she she sped off, Fluttershy patting Twilight's back until she ceased her coughing fit, briefly glowering in the direction the blue pegasus had zipped off too before noticing the confused stares of most of the other ponies in the ballroom.
"Uh," she cleared her throat, "nothing to see here everypony, go back to...whatever it was you were doing," concluding her statement with a big, awkward grin.
------
Chapter 22: Attack
----
A single guard stood watch at the top of the tower, he was in a less than pleasant mood. He hated working a shift on the Grand Galloping Gala, standing outside like a damn statue while rich snobs got to stand around and chat and eat fancy food. His gray wings ruffled at the indignation (at least from his point of view), but he knew better than to just not show up. Guards were needed for a reason after all. He inhaled deeply, trying to enjoy the night air, the quiet sound of the light wind and a flag fluttering overhead was soothing to him. He adjusted his golden helmet with a free hoof, putting his weight on his spear until he regained his standard posture. Even that didn't help. The guard huffed in boredom and some minor annoyance. Times like this made him wish he had a watch.
He practically jumped out of his skin when a metal clawed thing hooked itself it the stone railing. He gasped when he recognized it was a grappling hook! Two more followed, metal claws glinting in the moonlight as they arched through the air, landing on the ground and swiftly being pulled back for the claws to firmly hook onto the stone. Ropes becoming taut.
Jarred, the pegasus looked frantically around as if hoping someone would show up to help until he looked back at hooks themselves. He rushed over to peer down to see if anyone was climbing up.
It was the last mistake he made.
An arrow whistled dangerously and before he could blink it was through his skull. Fortunately for him he died before he felt any severe pain. His armored form clattering to the ground limply, his face bore a blank expression with a lingering trace of fear upon it.
About a minute later three ponies hauled themselves into the tower, wearing onyx black armor, the forth wore the same armor and one of the frightening helmets that molded his mind to his master's will. They payed the fresh corpse no acknowledgement as they began making their way down the steps. Excitement pumping in their eager hearts.
It was just the beginning.
-----
Nightmare Rarity, Michael, and the other attendees were oblivious to what was happening. Enjoying themselves. Michael had spent a fair amount of time working up the courage to ask her something as they continued their embrace beneath the tree. A soft breeze rustled the leaves of the trees as Michael shifted, clearing his throat. Encouraging himself mentally to be bold.
"Nightmare Rarity, would you join me for a dance?" He was happy his voice didn't crack but his heart was hammering.
"I thought you'd never ask," she replied with a seductive wink, her legs slid off of him and she stood upright. Michael grunted slightly, his back feeling a tad stiff, but either way he smiled joyously at her; draping an arm around her once more to keep her close. Her warmth had become familiar to him in the time they had spent together, briefly she rubbed cheek against his, the soft skin causing her to let out a quiet sigh of contentment as the two made their way back towards the castle. Michael opened his mouth to speak but was cutoff in shock when Nightmare Rarity abruptly withdrew from him, her right ear twitched. Michael blinked, concern replacing his excitement over the prospect of a dance.
"Nightmare, what's wr-,"
"Get down!" She commanded, forelegs enclosing around his waist and dragging him to the grassy ground, her horn glowed and a shield resembling a dome formed over their bodies. Michael clutched at her and his brown eyes were wide like a deer corned by a mountain lion in the dead of night, flinching as a storm of arrows rained down, those that struck the shield either fell uselessly to the side or snapped on contact. Others embedded easily into the ground, ropes connected to their ends. The shield lowered, the sound of hedges rustling causing them to look behind them as armored ponies burst out. Some had weapons draw and were give yells of battle and excitement.
"We're under attack!" A pony shrieked from somewhere inside the ballroom. Instant pandemonium followed.
Nightmare and Michael regained their proper footing, he looked up to see other attacking ponies beginning to slide down the ropes connected to the arrows.
"Get inside," Nightmare ordered, horn lighting up and a streak of magical energy shot forth, armor or not the pony it struck toppled over immediately.
"Now!" She yelled, Michael hesitantly did as he was told, never taking his eyes off her as she too backed away, avoiding a thrown spear. She used a beam to slice the thick ropes, from somewhere off above and behind them screams of falling ponies ensued. Michael yelped when the sound of shattering glass jolted him from his stupor, he watched as a pony, one of which wore a strange but intimidating helmet with glowing green eyes fell through the skylight and smashed to the dance floor. Nightmare never lost focused as she let off a few more rapid shots, the assailants blasted away one after the other.
Inside was chaos, ponies trampled each other in a panic to get out, guards and attackers clashed. Armor crashing together and bladed weapons clanging. Despite his great height Michael struggled to force his way through the stampede, snarling in fear and anger he fell against a table assorted with food and drinks.
"Find a weapon, find a damn-" he did a double take when a small but deadly looking ax burrowed itself into the edge of the table he had been using to prop himself up. He looked over to see a pony charging at him, giving a guttural battle yell as he quickly closed the distance. Michael grabbed the bowl of punch and wheeled around, the liquid dousing the guard from head to hoof, he coughed and gagged when the stuff partially flooded his mouth, the human proceeded to smash the bowl across the attacker's face to bring him down and ended it with a kick to the nose. He wished he was wearing his steel toed shoes rather than formal dance shoes, either way he turned around and yanked the ax out of the table.
"Well that was easy," he jokingly thought, perhaps the stress of the situation causing him to give a chuckle. He looked down briefly at his downed attacker. He wore black armor and what struck Michael as being the strangest aspect was rather than fur...his body looked like...crystal?!
Nightmare Rarity had worked her way back into the ballroom, magically hurling several invaders across the room, their bodies actually breaking through the wall and into a different part of the castle. However Michael saw something that enraged him, boosting his bravery further, a helmeted pony was coming up behind with a knife!
"NO!" He broke into a charge, drawing the ax back, and without mercy sent it hacking into the back of the helmeted pony's head. Judging by the way its body was shaped it was female, the mare began random spasms on the floor, no blood, but green energy crackled out of the helmet itself like electricity from a live wire. He was distracted by his observations as a pony, one without the strange device on his head barreled into Michael furiously. The wind knocked out of him and back meeting the ground harshly, pain shooting through his frame.
"Bastard!" The pony hissed. Those were the last words he spoke before a spear pierced his side, the speed launching him off Michael and pinning him to the wall.
Nightmare Rarity glared with fury at the pony, using her magic to twist the spear, ensuring the pony's death would be more painful than it already was.
"Are you alright?" She asked, helping him to his feet. He nodded, taking the time to stoop down and pick up the ax again, just in case. More Canterlot soldiers spilled into the ballroom to counter the crystalline invaders.
"Come on let's go," she ushered me on, hooves clinking on the ground as we made our way out.
-----
All four Princesses were at a loss as to what was happening. Certainly they knew they were under attack, but from Crystal Ponies?! Celestia swatted aside two helmeted assailants stupid enough to try and jump on her with her surprisingly strong wings. Each cracked into a wall and slumped down, unconscious. Her sister evading a swipe from a sword and counted with a shot of magic to the unprotected face to bring the attacker down. The younger princesses battled valiantly, Cadence was the most baffled, why were her own subjects attacking? She shielded herself from a spear, its tip breaking against it, lowering it so Twilight could blast him away like a rag doll.
The four stood in the foyer, determined to defend their subjects and castle until the last pony was evacuated at all costs. None would be left behind. A soldier adorned in gold armor sprinted over to Princess Celestia, a sun orange beam whizzing overhead to take out a pursuing enemy, his armored hooves skidding clumsily to a halt before them. Gasping he struggled for air, voice hoarse as he formed words.
"Enemies...first came in through the towers....guards dead...others...hid in the hedge maze...too many...never...saw...coming."
"Cadence, do you know what's going on?" Twilight asked, facing her sister-in-law with a worried face. Her purple mane disheveled from combat.
"No. I don't understand why the Crystal Ponies are doing this..."
"I'm afraid I must take credit for that," a deep voice boomed from the entrance, Celestia and Luna glowered in dark recognition as King Sombra strolled in like he had returned from a leisurely walk. Red cape fluttering behind him as he stopped, briefly looking at the red carpet beneath his silver shoed hooves and fixed them with a mocking grin.
"The red carpet, oh you shouldn't have," he laughed darkly as several cards approached from behind him.
"S-Sombra?" Cadence stammered, fearfully.
"In the flesh, no thanks to all of you," he glared dangers of pure hate at them, "vengeance is best served cold, as they say. The least I could do after imprisoning me in that frozen wasteland for a thousand years!" His eyes flashed green as he spoke those words, venom laced within them.
"SILENCE!!!!" Princess Luna commanded in her now trademark Royal Canterlot Voice, her eyes shining white as she unleashed her fury against the unicorn king. Sombra snarled and raised a shield at the annoyance, but it was of little concern overall.
Jagged crystal shot from the floor, piercing through the image of the radiant sun on the rug and ensnaring the princesses in their cruel grasp, Celestia's beam punching a hole in the ceiling as she winced from the uncomfortable edges digging into body; threatening to slice them lest they dare move. Bigger crystals jutted up from around them, curling over them like the claws of a gigantic predator. Sombra laughed at their precarious situation as they were obscured from view, but he knew now was not the time to be over confident. A guard pointed a hoof to the right, leading to the ballroom.
"Right on cue."
-----
Nightmare Rarity and I ran through the corridor as fast we could...until a huge, jagged, sharp and darkly object sprang up between and skewered into the ceiling! I could scarcely see around it as I heard a sinister chuckle behind me.
"Michael!" Nightmare hollered, but the sounds of battle ensued as I knew she was being attacked.
"Nightmare!" I bellowed, wanting to hack my way through this damn thing were it not for whoever was behind me. I wheeled around with a growl, ready to fight.
My eyes went wide as a shot of magic struck me square in the chest at high speed, lifting me off the ground and sending me violently smacking hard into the obtrusion behind me. The world going black, a flash of red the last thing I recall.
----
The smell of freshly cut grass mingled with the scent of the blue rose I had brought for her, I didn't know why its scent was so strong, but it was. The sky was dark, full of twinkling stars, crickets quietly chirped away in the bushes and trees, the metal shoes she wore clinked on the stone path of which we walked upon. Her beautiful dress trailing behind her elegantly while she looked over the single, perfect rose once more, her eyes traveling to me and a slight smile forming.
"How did you know blue was my favorite?"
"It just fit," I smiled back, "you know, blue roses represent the unattainable and therefore the desire for the unattainable."
"The irony," she chuckled before sniffing it again, "though it is quite lovely." Nightmare Rarity looked me over approvingly, her eyes drinking up the sight of me in a suit, even the formal shoes I wore were polished to perfection. I'll admit I had proudly gazed at my reflection at least once.
"And I must say you look dashing," we passed under an archway with flowers carefully strung up on it, birds chirped in the trees and were much more curious about us than any other bird I'd seen in my world; their little eyes never left us as we passed by. I blushed from her compliment, luckily I avoided fidgeting this time.
"I think my stunned silence at your arrival speaks for itself," I laughed, an arm sliding across her shoulders, the dress was exquisitely soft like silk. Perhaps softer, my finger tips lightly brushing the gossamer like sleeve. "But really, you look absolutely beautiful, love."
"Thank you, I did make it myself after all," Nightmare Rarity replied with a hint of playfulness in the voice I loved hearing so much. We rounded a corner, a hedge blanketing us in gentle shadows, the sounds of the party distant as we came close to the castle once more. I looked up at the towers with their fluttering flags and majestic colors of white and gold.
"You know, I have to say your castle is much cooler than this one."
"Oh I already knew that," she replied with a light laugh, placing a kiss on my cheek. "You shaved," she noted aloud.
"Yeah," I rubbed my chin, "figured it'd be better than showing up with stubble," we came into a little clearing with a small group of other ponies, most fortunately did not stop and gawk at us, I couldn't help but give a small sigh of relief at this pleasant change. A unicorn pony, with a black goatee of all things and a black and white butler suit offered us a tray of what looked like...shrimp. Impaled on toothpicks. I absently took one and he went on his way to a small group of ponies.
"Ponies...eat shrimp?" I asked, mind boggled as I inspect the seafood. Nightmare Rarity steadily bit down on hers, sharp white teeth closing in on it in a predatory manner, chewing it and swallowing it before answering.
"Seafood and eggs are the closest ponies get to meat. Well, that and hayburgers."
I blinked once before I shrugged and ate mine, suffice it to say, it was certainly delicious. I flicked the toothpick into a nearby trashcan as we proceeded onward, taking in more scenery as we did. A few other couples were walking around as well. Lost i their own happy conversation, the distant giggle of a mare vaguely registered in my hearing, the entrance to the ballroom within sight as I stopped. Staring at it. Nightmare Rarity raised an eyebrow, looking at me, eyes briefly glancing at the entrance curiously.
"Don't want to go back in just yet?" She asked, I simply shook my head.
"I'm not in the mood to be gawked at some more," I said, looking up at the tree that loomed over us, branches with perfect, dark green healthy leaves. I sat down slowly, feeling a bit paranoid about getting my suit dirty as I rested by back against the thick trunk of the tree comfortably, stretching my legs out. Nightmare smiled as she too eased herself down, my eyes widened slightly as she slid her forelegs across my lap with a contented sigh, locking eyes with mine as our lips met in a quick kiss. My hands rested on her legs, fingertips lightly gripping the soft fabric and my gaze inspecting the material. It still glinted delicately like the sleeves themselves were galaxies with millions of tiny stars residing in it. Her sapphire eyes glowed at me, the love shining from them, framed by soft lashes. She shifted closer to me, our faces inches from each other now.
"Forgive me, but you look quite handsome in the dark," she said with a teasing chuckle, followed by another swift, but meaningful kiss.
"I've been called many things, 'handsome' is not one of them."
"Oh but you are," she replied, a hoof running along my leg reassuringly, the expression on her lovely face was genuine, not that expected anything otherwise. But still, thinking of myself and being referred to in a positive manner took some getting used to.
A soft warm breeze suddenly picked up, a few strands of her mane swaying along with it, I could feel my own hair becoming disheveled once more and I absently lifted a hand in attempt to get the loose hair back into place had not a hoof stopped me.
"I like it," Nightmare stated in a soothing whisper before kissing me, this time much more passionately than before, I returned with just as much, one hand holding a hoof while an arm traveled around her back. Lost in our bliss and without a care as to who saw.
------
Twilight Sparkle, Rainbow Dash, and Fluttershy watched from afar as Nightmare Rarity and Michael kissed. Twilight had seen them kiss before so it was nothing new to her, Rainbow Dash was at a loss for words, whereas Fluttershy was simply trying not to gush about adorable she thought it was. Rainbow blinked several times, shaking her head four times, having to brush a bit of her multicolored mane and part of her namesake out of her eyes as she whispered to Twilight.
"Wait, so you weren't kidding when you said-,"
"No."
"I mean I'm not prejudiced or whatever...but...but...HOW?"
"Well I think it's sweet," Fluttershy interjected, a big smile on her face.
"You think everything is sweet," Rainbow Dash replied with a roll of her eyes.
"Girls, I hate to interrupt this riveting conversation, but I don't think being caught staring is such a good idea," Twilight Sparkle cut in, giving her friends a nudge in the opposite direction, raising a glass of tasty punch to her lips.
"I'm just wondering what their kid are gonna look like."
Twilight's eyes bulged, a sip transforming into an awkward slurp that instantly changed into a spluttering series of coughs. Rainbow Dash awkwardly rubbed the back of her head as ponies began staring in bafflement as to why Princess Twilight looked like she might hack up her lungs.
"Let's just forget I went there-hey is that Spitfire!?" In the blink of an eye she she sped off, Fluttershy patting Twilight's back until she ceased her coughing fit, briefly glowering in the direction the blue pegasus had zipped off too before noticing the confused stares of most of the other ponies in the ballroom.
"Uh," she cleared her throat, "nothing to see here everypony, go back to...whatever it was you were doing," concluding her statement with a big, awkward grin.
------
Chapter 22: Attack
----
A single guard stood watch at the top of the tower, he was in a less than pleasant mood. He hated working a shift on the Grand Galloping Gala, standing outside like a damn statue while rich snobs got to stand around and chat and eat fancy food. His gray wings ruffled at the indignation (at least from his point of view), but he knew better than to just not show up. Guards were needed for a reason after all. He inhaled deeply, trying to enjoy the night air, the quiet sound of the light wind and a flag fluttering overhead was soothing to him. He adjusted his golden helmet with a free hoof, putting his weight on his spear until he regained his standard posture. Even that didn't help. The guard huffed in boredom and some minor annoyance. Times like this made him wish he had a watch.
He practically jumped out of his skin when a metal clawed thing hooked itself it the stone railing. He gasped when he recognized it was a grappling hook! Two more followed, metal claws glinting in the moonlight as they arched through the air, landing on the ground and swiftly being pulled back for the claws to firmly hook onto the stone. Ropes becoming taut.
Jarred, the pegasus looked frantically around as if hoping someone would show up to help until he looked back at hooks themselves. He rushed over to peer down to see if anyone was climbing up.
It was the last mistake he made.
An arrow whistled dangerously and before he could blink it was through his skull. Fortunately for him he died before he felt any severe pain. His armored form clattering to the ground limply, his face bore a blank expression with a lingering trace of fear upon it.
About a minute later three ponies hauled themselves into the tower, wearing onyx black armor, the forth wore the same armor and one of the frightening helmets that molded his mind to his master's will. They payed the fresh corpse no acknowledgement as they began making their way down the steps. Excitement pumping in their eager hearts.
It was just the beginning.
-----
Nightmare Rarity, Michael, and the other attendees were oblivious to what was happening. Enjoying themselves. Michael had spent a fair amount of time working up the courage to ask her something as they continued their embrace beneath the tree. A soft breeze rustled the leaves of the trees as Michael shifted, clearing his throat. Encouraging himself mentally to be bold.
"Nightmare Rarity, would you join me for a dance?" He was happy his voice didn't crack but his heart was hammering.
"I thought you'd never ask," she replied with a seductive wink, her legs slid off of him and she stood upright. Michael grunted slightly, his back feeling a tad stiff, but either way he smiled joyously at her; draping an arm around her once more to keep her close. Her warmth had become familiar to him in the time they had spent together, briefly she rubbed cheek against his, the soft skin causing her to let out a quiet sigh of contentment as the two made their way back towards the castle. Michael opened his mouth to speak but was cutoff in shock when Nightmare Rarity abruptly withdrew from him, her right ear twitched. Michael blinked, concern replacing his excitement over the prospect of a dance.
"Nightmare, what's wr-,"
"Get down!" She commanded, forelegs enclosing around his waist and dragging him to the grassy ground, her horn glowed and a shield resembling a dome formed over their bodies. Michael clutched at her and his brown eyes were wide like a deer corned by a mountain lion in the dead of night, flinching as a storm of arrows rained down, those that struck the shield either fell uselessly to the side or snapped on contact. Others embedded easily into the ground, ropes connected to their ends. The shield lowered, the sound of hedges rustling causing them to look behind them as armored ponies burst out. Some had weapons draw and were give yells of battle and excitement.
"We're under attack!" A pony shrieked from somewhere inside the ballroom. Instant pandemonium followed.
Nightmare and Michael regained their proper footing, he looked up to see other attacking ponies beginning to slide down the ropes connected to the arrows.
"Get inside," Nightmare ordered, horn lighting up and a streak of magical energy shot forth, armor or not the pony it struck toppled over immediately.
"Now!" She yelled, Michael hesitantly did as he was told, never taking his eyes off her as she too backed away, avoiding a thrown spear. She used a beam to slice the thick ropes, from somewhere off above and behind them screams of falling ponies ensued. Michael yelped when the sound of shattering glass jolted him from his stupor, he watched as a pony, one of which wore a strange but intimidating helmet with glowing green eyes fell through the skylight and smashed to the dance floor. Nightmare never lost focused as she let off a few more rapid shots, the assailants blasted away one after the other.
Inside was chaos, ponies trampled each other in a panic to get out, guards and attackers clashed. Armor crashing together and bladed weapons clanging. Despite his great height Michael struggled to force his way through the stampede, snarling in fear and anger he fell against a table assorted with food and drinks.
"Find a weapon, find a damn-" he did a double take when a small but deadly looking ax burrowed itself into the edge of the table he had been using to prop himself up. He looked over to see a pony charging at him, giving a guttural battle yell as he quickly closed the distance. Michael grabbed the bowl of punch and wheeled around, the liquid dousing the guard from head to hoof, he coughed and gagged when the stuff partially flooded his mouth, the human proceeded to smash the bowl across the attacker's face to bring him down and ended it with a kick to the nose. He wished he was wearing his steel toed shoes rather than formal dance shoes, either way he turned around and yanked the ax out of the table.
"Well that was easy," he jokingly thought, perhaps the stress of the situation causing him to give a chuckle. He looked down briefly at his downed attacker. He wore black armor and what struck Michael as being the strangest aspect was rather than fur...his body looked like...crystal?!
Nightmare Rarity had worked her way back into the ballroom, magically hurling several invaders across the room, their bodies actually breaking through the wall and into a different part of the castle. However Michael saw something that enraged him, boosting his bravery further, a helmeted pony was coming up behind with a knife!
"NO!" He broke into a charge, drawing the ax back, and without mercy sent it hacking into the back of the helmeted pony's head. Judging by the way its body was shaped it was female, the mare began random spasms on the floor, no blood, but green energy crackled out of the helmet itself like electricity from a live wire. He was distracted by his observations as a pony, one without the strange device on his head barreled into Michael furiously. The wind knocked out of him and back meeting the ground harshly, pain shooting through his frame.
"Bastard!" The pony hissed. Those were the last words he spoke before a spear pierced his side, the speed launching him off Michael and pinning him to the wall.
Nightmare Rarity glared with fury at the pony, using her magic to twist the spear, ensuring the pony's death would be more painful than it already was.
"Are you alright?" She asked, helping him to his feet. He nodded, taking the time to stoop down and pick up the ax again, just in case. More Canterlot soldiers spilled into the ballroom to counter the crystalline invaders.
"Come on let's go," she ushered me on, hooves clinking on the ground as we made our way out.
-----
All four Princesses were at a loss as to what was happening. Certainly they knew they were under attack, but from Crystal Ponies?! Celestia swatted aside two helmeted assailants stupid enough to try and jump on her with her surprisingly strong wings. Each cracked into a wall and slumped down, unconscious. Her sister evading a swipe from a sword and counted with a shot of magic to the unprotected face to bring the attacker down. The younger princesses battled valiantly, Cadence was the most baffled, why were her own subjects attacking? She shielded herself from a spear, its tip breaking against it, lowering it so Twilight could blast him away like a rag doll.
The four stood in the foyer, determined to defend their subjects and castle until the last pony was evacuated at all costs. None would be left behind. A soldier adorned in gold armor sprinted over to Princess Celestia, a sun orange beam whizzing overhead to take out a pursuing enemy, his armored hooves skidding clumsily to a halt before them. Gasping he struggled for air, voice hoarse as he formed words.
"Enemies...first came in through the towers....guards dead...others...hid in the hedge maze...too many...never...saw...coming."
"Cadence, do you know what's going on?" Twilight asked, facing her sister-in-law with a worried face. Her purple mane disheveled from combat.
"No. I don't understand why the Crystal Ponies are doing this..."
"I'm afraid I must take credit for that," a deep voice boomed from the entrance, Celestia and Luna glowered in dark recognition as King Sombra strolled in like he had returned from a leisurely walk. Red cape fluttering behind him as he stopped, briefly looking at the red carpet beneath his silver shoed hooves and fixed them with a mocking grin.
"The red carpet, oh you shouldn't have," he laughed darkly as several cards approached from behind him.
"S-Sombra?" Cadence stammered, fearfully.
"In the flesh, no thanks to all of you," he glared dangers of pure hate at them, "vengeance is best served cold, as they say. The least I could do after imprisoning me in that frozen wasteland for a thousand years!" His eyes flashed green as he spoke those words, venom laced within them.
"SILENCE!!!!" Princess Luna commanded in her now trademark Royal Canterlot Voice, her eyes shining white as she unleashed her fury against the unicorn king. Sombra snarled and raised a shield at the annoyance, but it was of little concern overall.
Jagged crystal shot from the floor, piercing through the image of the radiant sun on the rug and ensnaring the princesses in their cruel grasp, Celestia's beam punching a hole in the ceiling as she winced from the uncomfortable edges digging into body; threatening to slice them lest they dare move. Bigger crystals jutted up from around them, curling over them like the claws of a gigantic predator. Sombra laughed at their precarious situation as they were obscured from view, but he knew now was not the time to be over confident. A guard pointed a hoof to the right, leading to the ballroom.
"Right on cue."
-----
Nightmare Rarity and I ran through the corridor as fast we could...until a huge, jagged, sharp and darkly object sprang up between and skewered into the ceiling! I could scarcely see around it as I heard a sinister chuckle behind me.
"Michael!" Nightmare hollered, but the sounds of battle ensued as I knew she was being attacked.
"Nightmare!" I bellowed, wanting to hack my way through this damn thing were it not for whoever was behind me. I wheeled around with a growl, ready to fight.
My eyes went wide as a shot of magic struck me square in the chest at high speed, lifting me off the ground and sending me violently smacking hard into the obtrusion behind me. The world going black, a flash of red the last thing I recall.