02-18-2016, 07:11 AM
Chapter 27: Duel
----
I awoke with a start, gulping a massive breath of air like a drowning man bursting up through the water's surface, my body jolting upwards. I looked around wildly, taking in the dark stone structures and that I was sitting on something uneven. I could see dozens of stairs below me.
"Oh thank goodness...thought you'd never wake up," Shining Armor spoke up from behind me in a relieved voice, I looked over at him in surprise, steadily piecing together what must have happened. There was some sort of light...then I must have passed out somehow, then Shining dragged me along who knows how far until I snapped out of it. But just to be sure I tentatively asked: "What happened?"
"I'm sorry," Shining Armor replied regretfully, rubbing the back of his head with a hoof shamefully and averting eye contact with me. "I should have warned you about that. Sombra is fond of traps...particularly some form of dark magic that overtakes your mind when you open a specific door. It causes you to experience your absolute worst fears. I-I've never seen or heard of it affecting someone so badly."
I stood up, rolling a crick from neck and rubbing my sore back, being dragged over steps had taken it's toll on me. But regardless I still had the fiery determination to find Nightmare Rarity, she was close, I could feel it in the pit of my stomach.
"Doesn't matter now, let's get moving."
-----
King Sombra could hear the sounds of battle outside the throne room doors, or rather the sound of voices pleading for mercy and shrieks of pain and likely death. The throne room had been extensively remade in his image, crystals coating the walls and the ground a sleek black and steel gray carpet leading to the throne itself. The crystals a green and black combination, much more sharp and jagged and exuding in menace. Glinting with dark energies. The curtains had been drawn over the windows, sunlight peaking through the slits.
The doors were blasted open in a flash of sapphire, Nightmare Rarity's entrance was swift. Her eyes glowed as she glared daggers at the dark pony. He was shorter than her, but he was not intimidated as he all but strolled down the steps to meet her with a grin.
"I'd extend you a warm welcome but suffice it to say you've made quite the mess," he cast a glance over her shoulder to see bodies strewn about the hallway.
"Where's Michael?"
"The human? Down in the dungeon, last I checked," his response earned him a quiet snarl, he noted shadows had sprung up around her hooves as an indication of her rage.
"All this to get to me?"
"More or less, I have a-,"
"I'm not interested in whatever pathetic proposition you may have for me," she sneered, "either free Michael now and then you die. Or I kill you now and then I free Michael."
King Sombra, for once, allowed himself to be visibly aghast. So much planning and effort, to have it all thrown back in his face. He returned her glare, the eerie glow of his eyes growing stronger as he growled back like a feral dog.
"So be it!"
His curved horn unleashed a jet of magic, pulsating red and green streaked towards Nightmare Rarity. In a golden blur she raised a hoof, the blast deflecting off the armor and straight back to the source. Sombra grunted when it struck his sternum, stumbling. Nightmare returned fire, the energy spiraled into the stallion to effectively lift him off his hooves and send him plowing into the steps of the throne. Steps buckling and crumbling upon impact. He shook his head to clear his vision, reacting in time to dodge another shot, the broken steps were blown apart in it's wake. Surprisingly, jets of shadow erupted from his hooves like flames to rapidly propel him around the room.
Nightmare Rarity sprung upwards to evade another blast of dark magic, her armor was highly durable and reflective but she wasn't just going to allow herself to be struck repeatedly. She landed, only to be slammed into by Sombra himself. The speed sent her sliding along the floor, hooves screeching along it's sleek surface. Another beam hit her squarely in the chest, audibly crying out she was sent cracking into a wall near one of the windows. Somewhat dazed she regained her footing, a sound resembling cracking ice jarring her back to full concentration. Looking at her chest to see ugly black crystals growing from the armor, twisted and gnarled. Immediately she tore the chest piece away and sent it clattering off into the shadows, mentally sighing in relief to find the spell had not affected her body. But there was little time to dwell on that.
King Sombra jetted toward her, teeth bared in the mixture of a grimace and sadistic grin. Nightmare Rarity reacted, but not in the way he anticipated. Rather than dash aside, she merely conjured a shield that he met head on. His vision a blur, Sombra staggered back in a way similar to a drunk leaving a bar in the late hours of night. His jaw went numb when an uppercut connected with it and sent him sprawling along the floor. Despite this he defended himself appropriately, Nightmare Rarity slid to a halt as a crystal shot up from the floor, she gasped when several more entrapped her in their grasp. Mostly her armored legs, another began to break through the ground, aiming for her exposed chest, ready to skewer her.
Reflexively she countered, a pulse emanating from her horn shattering the monstrous obtrusion's to many, many pieces. She held them in her magical grasp, her mane whipping about wildly as she redirected them at Sombra. Grunting, his body transformed into a mass of a shadow, splashing into the floor safely. An unearthly roar emitting from him as he sprang out at her, teeth clipping together inches from her face. Baring her own sharp teeth she locked horns with him and sent him stumbling off to the side. Quickly she attempted to close the distance, Sombra stomping a hoof on the floor and a crystal bursting up beneath her hooves. Silently she was flung into the air, landing in a heap. Still winded, she was enclosed in a magical aura and lifted limply like a ragdoll and was unceremoniously hurled across the room. Her shoulder bashed through part of the wall around one of the many windows, ripping through curtains as she soared out the castle to fall to the ground.
King Sombra smiled cruelly in the direction she had been thrown, a deep chuckle rumbling from him and filling the throne room.
"You should have heard me out." He turned his head towards the door, brushing a strand of loose hair from his visage. "I'll enjoy killing your human," he spoke aloud, mockingly, and began to take his first steps out. Were it not a beam of magic to impact just mere inches in front of him. He was startled, but quickly rage returned, his head sharply turning to see Nightmare Rarity...flying!? She had apparently discarded most of her armor, save for the jewel encrusted helmet and shoes, her mane and tail flowing with the wind. Clearly suspended very high from the ground, no wings. Her horn did not even glow. A cold glint in her eyes as she calmly floated back in, neatly touching down. The armor clicked and clanked against the cold floor, shadows flowed from her mane and her horn crackled with energy.
"You dare seek to challenge me? I, who commanded legions over a thousand years before you were even born?"
"Get away from me!" Sombra fired directly at her, the crackling magic fading out of existence upon contact with a swiftly conjured shield. They circled one another dangerously, like two predators about to spring in a moments notice. A ethereal diamond took shape over the tip of Nightmare Rarity's horn, pulsating with power as Sombra's own horn glowed. Determination to live overtaking his own fear.
With a roar he fired, his red cape flapping in an unnatural wind, the beam a red and green color with sparks of purple. Nightmare Rarity released her own, a vibrant sapphire jet of energy twisting endlessly. Light filled the room and poured out the windows of the castle, Sombra's growls and yells of frustration to maintain his attack, heart hammering in his chest as her attack began to cut through his own like a scythe through wheat. Frantically he tried to conjure up more magic to pour into it, but it was futile as it drew closer and closer. Finally a burst happened. King Sombra sailing backwards and colliding hard with the already broken steps, body limply hitting the floor. Nightmare Rarity slid back, hooves screeching across the floor before she slumped down, breathing heavily.
She glanced towards the unmoving form of Sombra, bits of rubble lying on and around him. Nightmare sneered in his direction, slowly standing back to her full height.
But all conflict was forgotten when a familiar voice called out: "Nightmare!"
-----
I'd seen the flash of white light from the hallway and it'd made me run faster than I ever thought I could, Shining Armor fell behind somewhat but he was able to stay behind me. I lept over a corpse of a soldier and I saw her. My heart soared in my chest, relief washing over me like a purifying waterfall.
"Nightmare!"
She wheeled around to face me, her mane disheveled but still beautiful, a stunned look crossed her face. Already I found myself wanting to kiss her beautiful face all over just to assure myself she was truly there. It was strange, we'd technically only been apart for not even a whole week yet it felt like years. My sides heaved with every breath I took as I ran towards her, my arms enclosing around her. Neither of us spoke, I felt the need to fall to my knees, gently she helped me to lower myself. I felt her lips brush across my ear, a relieved sigh escaping her and a kiss on my cheek. I shuddered as I breathed shakily, feeling tears well up in my eyes as I held her tight. I honestly didn't think I could hold her any closer than I had before but I did.
"I missed you so much," my voice choked with a sob, the events of today registering entirely in my head. The risk, the fear...the death and violence. Nightmare Rarity ran a hoof down my back reassuringly, I saw her place her helmet down on the ground near me. Instinctively I held her face in my hands, feeling the familiar soft black fur, her scent filling my nostrils. Her stunning eyes meeting mine as our lips connected. It was quick, but I didn't doubt that both of us needed that kiss in that moment.
"Shhhh, I'm here."
-----
King Sombra's lip twitched. Followed by an ear. Pain wracked his body, he was certain a rib or two was cracked his back leg ached terribly. His world a blur of dark colors and his blood roaring in his ears ferociously as the events of the battle flooded back to him. His teeth gritted together so hard he felt they might shatter, cautiously he shifted. Eyes moving more than his head as he took in his surroundings, his gaze locking on Nightmare Rarity and Michael. They were in an embrace, murmuring to each other and sharing quick and tender kisses. He saw Shining Armor but found he was not angry at him. Not in the slightest. His rage fixed on her and the human. Michael looked battered and exhausted, but relieved all the same.
He didn't need to look outside to know the battle was lost. And that infuriated him. Bested. Humiliated. All those years of planning undone in a day.
And they were to blame. Nightmare and her precious human.
"If you two love each other so much, then die together!"
With a guttural yell of rage and defiance he shot to his hooves, rust red energy gathered around his horn...
-----
Several things happened in the span of a few seconds: I heard King Sombra scream, I saw his horn glowing an ugly red, his eyes were fixed on us with complete murder within them. Grasping Nightmare, my arms burning from overuse, I shoved her aside; much to her own shock. Her eyes were wide, mouth agape as she slid across the floor from the force of my shove, despair and hopelessness shown clear on her face. I reached for the helmet, anything to defend myself.
The magic rocketed towards me like a bullet, I held the golden helmet up to my chest in one last act of defense. I felt my arms buckle from the force of it, but regardless I shoved back...and to my surprise...the attack ricocheted back at the source.
I saw King Sombra's eyes, once filled with vengeful fury, become filled with sheer and unadulterated terror. He reared on his back legs ready to dodge but by that time it was much to late. The magic struck him, and instantly it took effect. It started at his hooves. His body was transforming into a crystalline statue of sorts. His eyes took in what was happening with desperate disbelief, as the magic overtook him. His legs becoming an ugly crystal, his torso next. The sound resembled a frozen lake cracking apart, or glass shattering. A scream emitted from Sombra as it crawled up his neck, his head stiffly turning in an attempt to thrash, to stave off the inevitable. The scream was cutoff. Snuffed out of existence. And there before us was a crystalline King Sombra. Reared up on his hind legs, face permanently an expression of fear. Mouth parted in an endless, unheard scream.
I hadn't even realized I was walking towards him until I was just feet away from him, the helmet dangling from one of my hands. Everything felt weightless, the world gradually began to spin. I stopped in front on him, looking down at him. Slowly I gripped the jewel encrusted helmet in my hands so tightly my knuckles turned white and I lifted it over my head.
"I told you."
Soon as those words left my mouth I smashed his now crystallized head to hundreds of pieces. I gasped when my knees touched the carpet, leaning heavily to my right, helmet rolling away from me. I felt Nightmare Rarity steadily wrap her forelegs around me, easing me into a comfortable position. I looked up to her stunning face, her mane hanging over me, each strand glinting. In that moment I felt safe once more, looking at her. Feeling her touch.
"Nightmare...can we go home now?" I asked before I fell into a state of peaceful unconsciousness. I knew that when I woke up I'd see her again. That was all I needed to know.
----
I awoke with a start, gulping a massive breath of air like a drowning man bursting up through the water's surface, my body jolting upwards. I looked around wildly, taking in the dark stone structures and that I was sitting on something uneven. I could see dozens of stairs below me.
"Oh thank goodness...thought you'd never wake up," Shining Armor spoke up from behind me in a relieved voice, I looked over at him in surprise, steadily piecing together what must have happened. There was some sort of light...then I must have passed out somehow, then Shining dragged me along who knows how far until I snapped out of it. But just to be sure I tentatively asked: "What happened?"
"I'm sorry," Shining Armor replied regretfully, rubbing the back of his head with a hoof shamefully and averting eye contact with me. "I should have warned you about that. Sombra is fond of traps...particularly some form of dark magic that overtakes your mind when you open a specific door. It causes you to experience your absolute worst fears. I-I've never seen or heard of it affecting someone so badly."
I stood up, rolling a crick from neck and rubbing my sore back, being dragged over steps had taken it's toll on me. But regardless I still had the fiery determination to find Nightmare Rarity, she was close, I could feel it in the pit of my stomach.
"Doesn't matter now, let's get moving."
-----
King Sombra could hear the sounds of battle outside the throne room doors, or rather the sound of voices pleading for mercy and shrieks of pain and likely death. The throne room had been extensively remade in his image, crystals coating the walls and the ground a sleek black and steel gray carpet leading to the throne itself. The crystals a green and black combination, much more sharp and jagged and exuding in menace. Glinting with dark energies. The curtains had been drawn over the windows, sunlight peaking through the slits.
The doors were blasted open in a flash of sapphire, Nightmare Rarity's entrance was swift. Her eyes glowed as she glared daggers at the dark pony. He was shorter than her, but he was not intimidated as he all but strolled down the steps to meet her with a grin.
"I'd extend you a warm welcome but suffice it to say you've made quite the mess," he cast a glance over her shoulder to see bodies strewn about the hallway.
"Where's Michael?"
"The human? Down in the dungeon, last I checked," his response earned him a quiet snarl, he noted shadows had sprung up around her hooves as an indication of her rage.
"All this to get to me?"
"More or less, I have a-,"
"I'm not interested in whatever pathetic proposition you may have for me," she sneered, "either free Michael now and then you die. Or I kill you now and then I free Michael."
King Sombra, for once, allowed himself to be visibly aghast. So much planning and effort, to have it all thrown back in his face. He returned her glare, the eerie glow of his eyes growing stronger as he growled back like a feral dog.
"So be it!"
His curved horn unleashed a jet of magic, pulsating red and green streaked towards Nightmare Rarity. In a golden blur she raised a hoof, the blast deflecting off the armor and straight back to the source. Sombra grunted when it struck his sternum, stumbling. Nightmare returned fire, the energy spiraled into the stallion to effectively lift him off his hooves and send him plowing into the steps of the throne. Steps buckling and crumbling upon impact. He shook his head to clear his vision, reacting in time to dodge another shot, the broken steps were blown apart in it's wake. Surprisingly, jets of shadow erupted from his hooves like flames to rapidly propel him around the room.
Nightmare Rarity sprung upwards to evade another blast of dark magic, her armor was highly durable and reflective but she wasn't just going to allow herself to be struck repeatedly. She landed, only to be slammed into by Sombra himself. The speed sent her sliding along the floor, hooves screeching along it's sleek surface. Another beam hit her squarely in the chest, audibly crying out she was sent cracking into a wall near one of the windows. Somewhat dazed she regained her footing, a sound resembling cracking ice jarring her back to full concentration. Looking at her chest to see ugly black crystals growing from the armor, twisted and gnarled. Immediately she tore the chest piece away and sent it clattering off into the shadows, mentally sighing in relief to find the spell had not affected her body. But there was little time to dwell on that.
King Sombra jetted toward her, teeth bared in the mixture of a grimace and sadistic grin. Nightmare Rarity reacted, but not in the way he anticipated. Rather than dash aside, she merely conjured a shield that he met head on. His vision a blur, Sombra staggered back in a way similar to a drunk leaving a bar in the late hours of night. His jaw went numb when an uppercut connected with it and sent him sprawling along the floor. Despite this he defended himself appropriately, Nightmare Rarity slid to a halt as a crystal shot up from the floor, she gasped when several more entrapped her in their grasp. Mostly her armored legs, another began to break through the ground, aiming for her exposed chest, ready to skewer her.
Reflexively she countered, a pulse emanating from her horn shattering the monstrous obtrusion's to many, many pieces. She held them in her magical grasp, her mane whipping about wildly as she redirected them at Sombra. Grunting, his body transformed into a mass of a shadow, splashing into the floor safely. An unearthly roar emitting from him as he sprang out at her, teeth clipping together inches from her face. Baring her own sharp teeth she locked horns with him and sent him stumbling off to the side. Quickly she attempted to close the distance, Sombra stomping a hoof on the floor and a crystal bursting up beneath her hooves. Silently she was flung into the air, landing in a heap. Still winded, she was enclosed in a magical aura and lifted limply like a ragdoll and was unceremoniously hurled across the room. Her shoulder bashed through part of the wall around one of the many windows, ripping through curtains as she soared out the castle to fall to the ground.
King Sombra smiled cruelly in the direction she had been thrown, a deep chuckle rumbling from him and filling the throne room.
"You should have heard me out." He turned his head towards the door, brushing a strand of loose hair from his visage. "I'll enjoy killing your human," he spoke aloud, mockingly, and began to take his first steps out. Were it not a beam of magic to impact just mere inches in front of him. He was startled, but quickly rage returned, his head sharply turning to see Nightmare Rarity...flying!? She had apparently discarded most of her armor, save for the jewel encrusted helmet and shoes, her mane and tail flowing with the wind. Clearly suspended very high from the ground, no wings. Her horn did not even glow. A cold glint in her eyes as she calmly floated back in, neatly touching down. The armor clicked and clanked against the cold floor, shadows flowed from her mane and her horn crackled with energy.
"You dare seek to challenge me? I, who commanded legions over a thousand years before you were even born?"
"Get away from me!" Sombra fired directly at her, the crackling magic fading out of existence upon contact with a swiftly conjured shield. They circled one another dangerously, like two predators about to spring in a moments notice. A ethereal diamond took shape over the tip of Nightmare Rarity's horn, pulsating with power as Sombra's own horn glowed. Determination to live overtaking his own fear.
With a roar he fired, his red cape flapping in an unnatural wind, the beam a red and green color with sparks of purple. Nightmare Rarity released her own, a vibrant sapphire jet of energy twisting endlessly. Light filled the room and poured out the windows of the castle, Sombra's growls and yells of frustration to maintain his attack, heart hammering in his chest as her attack began to cut through his own like a scythe through wheat. Frantically he tried to conjure up more magic to pour into it, but it was futile as it drew closer and closer. Finally a burst happened. King Sombra sailing backwards and colliding hard with the already broken steps, body limply hitting the floor. Nightmare Rarity slid back, hooves screeching across the floor before she slumped down, breathing heavily.
She glanced towards the unmoving form of Sombra, bits of rubble lying on and around him. Nightmare sneered in his direction, slowly standing back to her full height.
But all conflict was forgotten when a familiar voice called out: "Nightmare!"
-----
I'd seen the flash of white light from the hallway and it'd made me run faster than I ever thought I could, Shining Armor fell behind somewhat but he was able to stay behind me. I lept over a corpse of a soldier and I saw her. My heart soared in my chest, relief washing over me like a purifying waterfall.
"Nightmare!"
She wheeled around to face me, her mane disheveled but still beautiful, a stunned look crossed her face. Already I found myself wanting to kiss her beautiful face all over just to assure myself she was truly there. It was strange, we'd technically only been apart for not even a whole week yet it felt like years. My sides heaved with every breath I took as I ran towards her, my arms enclosing around her. Neither of us spoke, I felt the need to fall to my knees, gently she helped me to lower myself. I felt her lips brush across my ear, a relieved sigh escaping her and a kiss on my cheek. I shuddered as I breathed shakily, feeling tears well up in my eyes as I held her tight. I honestly didn't think I could hold her any closer than I had before but I did.
"I missed you so much," my voice choked with a sob, the events of today registering entirely in my head. The risk, the fear...the death and violence. Nightmare Rarity ran a hoof down my back reassuringly, I saw her place her helmet down on the ground near me. Instinctively I held her face in my hands, feeling the familiar soft black fur, her scent filling my nostrils. Her stunning eyes meeting mine as our lips connected. It was quick, but I didn't doubt that both of us needed that kiss in that moment.
"Shhhh, I'm here."
-----
King Sombra's lip twitched. Followed by an ear. Pain wracked his body, he was certain a rib or two was cracked his back leg ached terribly. His world a blur of dark colors and his blood roaring in his ears ferociously as the events of the battle flooded back to him. His teeth gritted together so hard he felt they might shatter, cautiously he shifted. Eyes moving more than his head as he took in his surroundings, his gaze locking on Nightmare Rarity and Michael. They were in an embrace, murmuring to each other and sharing quick and tender kisses. He saw Shining Armor but found he was not angry at him. Not in the slightest. His rage fixed on her and the human. Michael looked battered and exhausted, but relieved all the same.
He didn't need to look outside to know the battle was lost. And that infuriated him. Bested. Humiliated. All those years of planning undone in a day.
And they were to blame. Nightmare and her precious human.
"If you two love each other so much, then die together!"
With a guttural yell of rage and defiance he shot to his hooves, rust red energy gathered around his horn...
-----
Several things happened in the span of a few seconds: I heard King Sombra scream, I saw his horn glowing an ugly red, his eyes were fixed on us with complete murder within them. Grasping Nightmare, my arms burning from overuse, I shoved her aside; much to her own shock. Her eyes were wide, mouth agape as she slid across the floor from the force of my shove, despair and hopelessness shown clear on her face. I reached for the helmet, anything to defend myself.
The magic rocketed towards me like a bullet, I held the golden helmet up to my chest in one last act of defense. I felt my arms buckle from the force of it, but regardless I shoved back...and to my surprise...the attack ricocheted back at the source.
I saw King Sombra's eyes, once filled with vengeful fury, become filled with sheer and unadulterated terror. He reared on his back legs ready to dodge but by that time it was much to late. The magic struck him, and instantly it took effect. It started at his hooves. His body was transforming into a crystalline statue of sorts. His eyes took in what was happening with desperate disbelief, as the magic overtook him. His legs becoming an ugly crystal, his torso next. The sound resembled a frozen lake cracking apart, or glass shattering. A scream emitted from Sombra as it crawled up his neck, his head stiffly turning in an attempt to thrash, to stave off the inevitable. The scream was cutoff. Snuffed out of existence. And there before us was a crystalline King Sombra. Reared up on his hind legs, face permanently an expression of fear. Mouth parted in an endless, unheard scream.
I hadn't even realized I was walking towards him until I was just feet away from him, the helmet dangling from one of my hands. Everything felt weightless, the world gradually began to spin. I stopped in front on him, looking down at him. Slowly I gripped the jewel encrusted helmet in my hands so tightly my knuckles turned white and I lifted it over my head.
"I told you."
Soon as those words left my mouth I smashed his now crystallized head to hundreds of pieces. I gasped when my knees touched the carpet, leaning heavily to my right, helmet rolling away from me. I felt Nightmare Rarity steadily wrap her forelegs around me, easing me into a comfortable position. I looked up to her stunning face, her mane hanging over me, each strand glinting. In that moment I felt safe once more, looking at her. Feeling her touch.
"Nightmare...can we go home now?" I asked before I fell into a state of peaceful unconsciousness. I knew that when I woke up I'd see her again. That was all I needed to know.