07-21-2015, 05:41 AM
Chapter 7: Hostile Reunion
-----
In a bright flash of orange reminiscent of the sun itself lit up the dusty surface of which the ponies appeared. The three princesses and Twilight Sparkle's closest friends coughed and waved the lunar dust out of their faces.
"Seriously, why didn't we just do it this way the last time we had to come here?" Rainbow Dash asked, shaking a bit of dust out of her multicolored tail and suppressing another cough.
"Save for the dust of course," Rarity said with distaste, however the surroundings quickly made the white coated fashionista grow glum. Especially the black castle in the distance, with its many wicked spires and harsh exterior. Even from such a great distance it seemed to loom mockingly over them. "I never thought that I would ever be back at this awful place again..."
She looked up when Princess Celestia placed a reassuring hoof on her shoulder, giving her a small smile.
"Rest assured Rarity, if Nightmare has returned, we will deal with her."
"Yeah!" Rainbow Dash piped up, her blue feathered wings lifting her off the ground, "She can't take on all of us!"
----
"Where are we going?" I asked, trying to avoid to the long branches of the bushes and whatever I felt my be living in them. My uncomfortableness in a setting that had me off guard was eased by Nightmare Rarity's presence, which I somehow found reassuring. She easily made her way through the secretive trees and bushes around us, glancing behind her to make sure I was following. The evening shadows seemed to make her pretty eyes glow even more vibrantly, making me it impossible for me to not stop staring until she looked away, and I could've sworn I heard an amused chuckle although she was making an effort to stifle it. I felt my heart beat faster at the sound, her laugh was a beautiful one and I so wanted to hear it more. I grunted slightly when she held out a regal foreleg out in front of me, still caught up in my thoughts about her I bumped into it.
"We're here," she stated. I looked around for a few seconds before I looked down at a medium sized...pit of water in the ground. Honestly it wasn't even big enough to qualify as a pond! The surface was not muddled by scum or grass or leaves, yet still the surface of it seemed fairly dark and mysterious. Anxiety crept into my chest and instinctively placed a hand on Nightmare's shoulder for comfort, only when I registered the soft touch of black fur did I remove my hand as fast as one would if they touched a hot stove. She raised a brow at me, "Scared?"
"Water isn't my strong point," I admitted sheepishly, the warm wind rustling the branches above, the leaves seeming like they might fly off any second from the force of the gust.
"You will be fine," she looked me straight in the eye when she spoke, "follow me."
A single black hoof entered the still water, creating tiny ripple that were ended as soon as they made contact with the rocky pit that enclosed the water itself. She disappeared head first beneath the surface, the purple and white streaked tail being the last thing I saw of her. Taking a deep, steady breath I stepped in, one foot in, one foot on land. Strangely enough despite my foot being in the water I didn't feel the typical sensation one felt when touching water. My shoe and sock did not get instantly soaked, nor my pant leg. As soon as stepped in I dropped like a sack of hammers, panic instantly filling me as I was surrounded by nothing but wet rock and dark water!
My heart pounded as I frantically moved my legs...suddenly bursting from a body of water, without a drop of water on me, gasping and yelping loudly as I looked at the water behind me; then all around the cavern I was now apparently in.
"You weren't kidding when said water wasn't your...strong point," Nightmare Rarity said from behind, her voice sounding very close.
-----
Nightmare Rarity had at first felt her usual sense of amusement of seeing someone have a fearful reaction to something, but it'd quickly worn off when she'd seen his eyes. In those few brief moments she had seen him be genuinely afraid of something. If she was honest she knew he'd be a bit anxious in the actual journey, however brief it was. She felt an odd sensation in her belly for a few moments when she realized she had caused him anxiety she could have prevented, it made her blink as a sense of surreal surprise washed over her. Guilt! She felt guilty, even if only for a moment.
"What has he done to me?" She pondered in a mixture of annoyance and curiosity. She'd never felt guilt about anything really, but seeing him like that for the briefest of seconds was not something she felt proud of. "In fact, why did I even bring him here in the first place?!" She mentally scolded herself.
"W-where are we?" He stammered somewhat as he spoken, probably still in a bit of shock from the unexpected method of dimensional travel. His gaze now upon the numerous rock pillars and the cavern itself, his eyes full of wonder at the countless gems of all types that were embedded all around them, their lights glowing gently. Her eyes took him in, illuminated by the light of a sapphire he had unknowingly positioned himself in front of. Nightmare Rarity couldn't help but smile at seeing him be so amazed...there seemed to be a sort of...innocence to him in moments like this. Yet at the same time he felt aged way beyond his years, it was a unique combination. Plus she couldn't help but think the blue made him look quite handsome...
Nightmare Rarity blinked, her eyes widened for a few seconds when she realized she'd been "checking him out."
"Where are we?" He asked looking back at her, his eyes relishing in seeing her illuminated by the light of a blood red ruby. Her eyes glowing and mane and tail glinting with star like twinkling.
"The caverns beneath the castle."
"And that...pool is a portal?" Michael asked, pointing at it briefly.
"No, the gems are. Once infused with great magical power they transform the water into a gateway."
Michael stared at the unmoving little pool of water, then looked all around him one more time, trying to memorize as much of what the cavern looked liked, his eyes traveling down to her. Smiling. She couldn't help but smile back at him, feeling a strange warm feeling in her chest that grew stronger with each second their eyes locked. Illuminated by multiple colors, the silence hanging in the air an unfamiliar one yet not uncomfortable. Michael opened his mouth as if he wanted to speak, but close it in uncertainty. Neither of them knew what to say, so he simply asked another question.
"How long as this all been here?" He noticed she was proceeding towards a flight of stairs, he quickly ran to catch up with, slowing as he got closer and was soon beside her.
"Many, many years. They are as old as the castle itself," the two ascended the ancient stop steps, their own steps inadvertently in unison with each other. Glowing rubies embedded in the wall providing some light, blanketing the two in blood red. Again, Michael found himself captivated by Nightmare, her body outlined by red. His arm brushed against her and he quickly moved to the side just a bit to avoid unintentional contact, feeling embarrassed. However she gave no indication she had felt it, but she had. Briefly she glanced over at the human, amused at how obviously nervous he was at the contact. Nightmare Rarity didn't quite know how to react to it either, she wasn't accustomed to physical contact in general...especially when it was from him. He who elicited such unfamiliar emotions from her...
Michael's attention was drawn to the door that was magically flung open by Nightmare's magic, he instinctively squinted his eyes at the additional light that now washed over them both. However his eyes adjusted in seconds and soon he found himself looking all around, it certainly wasn't the most lavish room in the castle, not by a long shot. But to someone who had never been in a real castle before, much less one in an alternate universe...it was amazing. The ancient stone that made up its entirety, the huge looming archway that led to the next room.
Nightmare Rarity smiled devilishly, "There's far more where that came from."
"Your Highness!" A frantic shout interrupted them, Nightmare Rarity glowered at a shadowy looking creature, a female judging by her voice. With little yellow eyes and a mass of shadow like hair atop her head, done up in a tight bun. Nightmare sighed in irritation, drawing the little creature's startled reaction away from Michael and back to her.
"What it is Doran?"
"T-the princesses!"
"What!? Here?"
Michael felt that there was something horribly wrong happening, and immediately worried over Nightmare's safety.
"Nightmare, what's going on?"
"It appears some old enemies have returned."
"Enemies?" He repeated, looking back at her in dismay.
"Yes," she replied, he felt even more anxiety at seeing the cold look on her face, "Doran, get him somewhere safe."
"Wait! Nightmare!" Michael held out a hand but it was too late, Nightmare Rarity ran off, mane and tail whipping behind her as she grew further out of sight, rounding a corner and was gone, a bright flash indicating she had just teleported.
----
My mouth hung agape at what I just seen. A peaceful moment interrupted, my happiness shattered and replaced with a sickening worry. Why was Nightmare being attacked?! I barely registered the tiny shadow creature, Doran, lightly tugging my arm. I looked down at her in surprise, it feel a bit surreal that a creature that looked to be comprised of shadow or smoke could physically touch me.
"Now come along, the Supreme One said to get you some place safe and-," without hesitation I easily pulled myself free and charge down the path I'd seen her take.
"Hey w-wait please!" Doran called out after me, but I paid her no heed. I had to find Nightmare.
----
In a bright blue flash Nightmare Rarity appeared before her black throne, the dark blue carpet leading up to it seeming to go on forever to the open doorway where the shadow of a particular alicorn, made bigger by said shadow. Wings unfolded in an ominous display, horn glowing with power and a majestic flowing mane. Nightmare Rarity only grinned wickedly in anticipation and slowly descended down the steps of her throne. Her sharp teeth giving her a uniquely predatory appearance, standing tall and with dark regality she awaited her all to familiar adversary's arrival.
Princess Luna marched in defiantly, head held high, but her eyes shone with rage and an obvious desire to attack and perhaps even kill Nightmare Rarity right then and there. Luna looked about the throne room, black and purple banners hung from the walls, torches glowing with sapphire blue flames, the throne itself...and her hated enemy standing before her. Somehow alive and well. All this time, right under her nose no less!
"So it is true," Luna spoke darkly, wings folding neatly up against her body, but Nightmare could see the storm raging in her blue eyes. "You have returned."
"About two years too late to catch onto that," Nightmare Rarity sneered at the diminutive alicorn, looking down at her with equally matched contempt. "Where is your sister? She and I have much unfinished business."
Princess Luna gritted her teeth, wanting so very much to attack the other mare, but she couldn't resist asking.
"Do you underestimate me so that you're desiring to face my elder sister above myself?"
Each detected the faint sounds of battle from some location far behind the Lunar Princess. Sounds of magical blasts being fired, shouts, Nightmare's loyal warriors were certainly doing well at keeping the ponies at bay. For now. She knew it'd most likely be only a matter of time until her enemies broke through.
"Ha! You and I have fought before, and I beat you. You're sloppy. And I am much, much more powerful than I have ever been."
"THEN PROVE IT!" Luna's boomed throughout the throne room, her horn glowing a dark blue color as she empowered it with her magic.
"Well if you want to kill me little Luna, you're going to have to shoot straight!"
Luna's teeth gritted together with rage at Nightmare Rarity's blatant disregard for her and her abilities and fired. No sooner had the magical blast been fired, Nightmare Rarity had shifted into a blackish purple shadowy smoke and easily moved herself aside, the beam blasting a step to smithereens. Bits of broken and damaged stone scattered everywhere as Luna looked around for Nightmare, eyes darting back and forth as Nightmare taunted her again.
"Evidently straight doesn't seem to be good enough!"
Luna's shifting grew wilder, looking in all directions, barely even noticing Nightmare landing to her left, now fully regaining her physical form effortlessly, grinning mockingly.
"Right here."
Luna gasped as she wheeled around, firing another beam, but to her dismay she realized she had miscalculated her aim! The shot zoomed by Nightmare Rarity, succeeding only in blasting a considerably large hole in the wall behind her enemy. Nightmare Rarity's sapphire eyes glinted with a dark satisfaction at having yet again bested Luna, her horn channeled a single blast from its tip...only to be interrupted. Her right ear twitched as she detected the faint sound of a beam being fired. Out of the corner of her eye she saw a sun orange beam spiraling towards her own beam, effectively cutting it off in a bright blue and orange flash! Nightmare knew instantly who was behind the interruption of her victory, her eyes fixing on her oldest enemy.
"Celestia! Just the pony I wanted to see!" She spoke in mock joviality as though they were old friends. "Rather rude, attacking my castle. Have you forgotten your manners?"
Celestia only narrowed her magenta eyes dangerously, "How have you returned?"
"I'm glad you asked that because I wanted to take this time to explain my evil plan," she shot back with a tone that dripped sarcasm, following up with another blast of magic. The beam a mixture of purple and blue this time, Celestia quickly raising a shield to defend herself, but still being driven back by the sheer kinetic force. With a yell of determination Celestia fiercely dispersed both her shield and the beam with a harsh movement of her head, immediately shooting back. Nightmare Rarity's eyes narrowed to mere slits as she disappeared in a flash of blue and instantly reappeared behind Celestia. However the Solar Princess had been anticipating that and had already shifted to meet her halfway, their horns glowing with magic and cracking together with a sound reminiscent of falling branches, blue and orange sparks shooting off as they attempted to force each other back.
"No Elements Of Harmony to save you this time!" Nightmare Rarity hissed malevolently before rearing up, lashing out with her forelegs and forcing Celestia back.
"She doesn't need the Elements when she's got back up!"
----
I finally rounded the corner, gasping and struggling to breath. I didn't know how long I'd spent trying to find her, but finally I had, I must've been behind the throne itself, concealed by the shadows. The adrenaline still rushing in my body despite how exhausted I felt now, my legs felt as though they were on fire. I pushed my glasses further up onto my face to fully take in what was happening. Nightmare Rarity stood opposite a group of ponies, each all looking a bit roughed up, but determined. There was a tall one, as tall as Nightmare herself, glowering. A much smaller purple alicorn to the white alicorn's left, and I briefly noticed an unconscious alicorn off to the side. Obviously out cold due to being violently bashed into the wall.
"H-how hh-have you returned!?" A white mare asked, with a stylish indigo mane, and to my surprise seemed to share some loose similarities to Nightmare.
"Creative questions elude all of you it seems," Nightmare Rarity replied in a bored tone, using a hoof to brush some of her hair out of her face.
"It doesn't matter how she came back," a rainbow maned...pegasus(!) declared, "we'll still kick your butt! You can't take on all of us!"
"Oh I beg to differ!" Nightmare Rarity's horn glowed in preparation...
Instinctively I charged out, the white alicorn was first to notice me, her face becoming quite stunned at the sight of me, the purple alicorn followed the bigger one's gaze and reared her head back, shocked as well.
"Enough!" I bellowed, shielding Nightmare from any assault.
"Michael? Get out of my way!" Nightmare commanded harshly, and at her words I turned to her, breathing hard and I felt the beginnings of anxiety washing over me once more.
"Nightmare? What's going on? Why is everyone fighting!?" I demanded, my fists clenched as I fought to stay calm.
"What?" I glanced over at the blue pegasus, "you mean you DON'T know why? After all the things she's done?"
"She's done nothing...she's been n-nothing but good to me!"
The white unicorn blinked in absolute shock, "Her? Good to you?"
"Yes!" I yelled back at, making her flinch, but she spoke again.
"Dear...it MUST be some sort of trick-," she began in a hesitant and considerate voice, obviously choosing her words carefully.
"Yeah!" The rainbow mane pegasus interjected, stepping forward slightly, "after she's tried to kill all of us at some point or another, and take over Equestria more times that anypony can count!"
"Oh, and um...," a yellow pegasus spoke up in a timid voice, hunkering down under my gaze, "and the whole eternal darkness..."
My stare fully turned back to Nightmare Rarity, who simply looked back at me. The hostile edge had left her, and while it was subtle she seemed to have a look in her eyes. Concern? Fear? Indifference?
I honestly wasn't sure if it was all the stress and the anxiety from the situation, what I'd just learned, or the fact I'd traveled to an alternate dimension...maybe all of the above. As the strength had just been spontaneously sucked from my body, I passed out.
Author's Note:
Apologies that this took so long to post, I had to make a considerable edit before posting on here. Either way, hope you enjoy.
-----
In a bright flash of orange reminiscent of the sun itself lit up the dusty surface of which the ponies appeared. The three princesses and Twilight Sparkle's closest friends coughed and waved the lunar dust out of their faces.
"Seriously, why didn't we just do it this way the last time we had to come here?" Rainbow Dash asked, shaking a bit of dust out of her multicolored tail and suppressing another cough.
"Save for the dust of course," Rarity said with distaste, however the surroundings quickly made the white coated fashionista grow glum. Especially the black castle in the distance, with its many wicked spires and harsh exterior. Even from such a great distance it seemed to loom mockingly over them. "I never thought that I would ever be back at this awful place again..."
She looked up when Princess Celestia placed a reassuring hoof on her shoulder, giving her a small smile.
"Rest assured Rarity, if Nightmare has returned, we will deal with her."
"Yeah!" Rainbow Dash piped up, her blue feathered wings lifting her off the ground, "She can't take on all of us!"
----
"Where are we going?" I asked, trying to avoid to the long branches of the bushes and whatever I felt my be living in them. My uncomfortableness in a setting that had me off guard was eased by Nightmare Rarity's presence, which I somehow found reassuring. She easily made her way through the secretive trees and bushes around us, glancing behind her to make sure I was following. The evening shadows seemed to make her pretty eyes glow even more vibrantly, making me it impossible for me to not stop staring until she looked away, and I could've sworn I heard an amused chuckle although she was making an effort to stifle it. I felt my heart beat faster at the sound, her laugh was a beautiful one and I so wanted to hear it more. I grunted slightly when she held out a regal foreleg out in front of me, still caught up in my thoughts about her I bumped into it.
"We're here," she stated. I looked around for a few seconds before I looked down at a medium sized...pit of water in the ground. Honestly it wasn't even big enough to qualify as a pond! The surface was not muddled by scum or grass or leaves, yet still the surface of it seemed fairly dark and mysterious. Anxiety crept into my chest and instinctively placed a hand on Nightmare's shoulder for comfort, only when I registered the soft touch of black fur did I remove my hand as fast as one would if they touched a hot stove. She raised a brow at me, "Scared?"
"Water isn't my strong point," I admitted sheepishly, the warm wind rustling the branches above, the leaves seeming like they might fly off any second from the force of the gust.
"You will be fine," she looked me straight in the eye when she spoke, "follow me."
A single black hoof entered the still water, creating tiny ripple that were ended as soon as they made contact with the rocky pit that enclosed the water itself. She disappeared head first beneath the surface, the purple and white streaked tail being the last thing I saw of her. Taking a deep, steady breath I stepped in, one foot in, one foot on land. Strangely enough despite my foot being in the water I didn't feel the typical sensation one felt when touching water. My shoe and sock did not get instantly soaked, nor my pant leg. As soon as stepped in I dropped like a sack of hammers, panic instantly filling me as I was surrounded by nothing but wet rock and dark water!
My heart pounded as I frantically moved my legs...suddenly bursting from a body of water, without a drop of water on me, gasping and yelping loudly as I looked at the water behind me; then all around the cavern I was now apparently in.
"You weren't kidding when said water wasn't your...strong point," Nightmare Rarity said from behind, her voice sounding very close.
-----
Nightmare Rarity had at first felt her usual sense of amusement of seeing someone have a fearful reaction to something, but it'd quickly worn off when she'd seen his eyes. In those few brief moments she had seen him be genuinely afraid of something. If she was honest she knew he'd be a bit anxious in the actual journey, however brief it was. She felt an odd sensation in her belly for a few moments when she realized she had caused him anxiety she could have prevented, it made her blink as a sense of surreal surprise washed over her. Guilt! She felt guilty, even if only for a moment.
"What has he done to me?" She pondered in a mixture of annoyance and curiosity. She'd never felt guilt about anything really, but seeing him like that for the briefest of seconds was not something she felt proud of. "In fact, why did I even bring him here in the first place?!" She mentally scolded herself.
"W-where are we?" He stammered somewhat as he spoken, probably still in a bit of shock from the unexpected method of dimensional travel. His gaze now upon the numerous rock pillars and the cavern itself, his eyes full of wonder at the countless gems of all types that were embedded all around them, their lights glowing gently. Her eyes took him in, illuminated by the light of a sapphire he had unknowingly positioned himself in front of. Nightmare Rarity couldn't help but smile at seeing him be so amazed...there seemed to be a sort of...innocence to him in moments like this. Yet at the same time he felt aged way beyond his years, it was a unique combination. Plus she couldn't help but think the blue made him look quite handsome...
Nightmare Rarity blinked, her eyes widened for a few seconds when she realized she'd been "checking him out."
"Where are we?" He asked looking back at her, his eyes relishing in seeing her illuminated by the light of a blood red ruby. Her eyes glowing and mane and tail glinting with star like twinkling.
"The caverns beneath the castle."
"And that...pool is a portal?" Michael asked, pointing at it briefly.
"No, the gems are. Once infused with great magical power they transform the water into a gateway."
Michael stared at the unmoving little pool of water, then looked all around him one more time, trying to memorize as much of what the cavern looked liked, his eyes traveling down to her. Smiling. She couldn't help but smile back at him, feeling a strange warm feeling in her chest that grew stronger with each second their eyes locked. Illuminated by multiple colors, the silence hanging in the air an unfamiliar one yet not uncomfortable. Michael opened his mouth as if he wanted to speak, but close it in uncertainty. Neither of them knew what to say, so he simply asked another question.
"How long as this all been here?" He noticed she was proceeding towards a flight of stairs, he quickly ran to catch up with, slowing as he got closer and was soon beside her.
"Many, many years. They are as old as the castle itself," the two ascended the ancient stop steps, their own steps inadvertently in unison with each other. Glowing rubies embedded in the wall providing some light, blanketing the two in blood red. Again, Michael found himself captivated by Nightmare, her body outlined by red. His arm brushed against her and he quickly moved to the side just a bit to avoid unintentional contact, feeling embarrassed. However she gave no indication she had felt it, but she had. Briefly she glanced over at the human, amused at how obviously nervous he was at the contact. Nightmare Rarity didn't quite know how to react to it either, she wasn't accustomed to physical contact in general...especially when it was from him. He who elicited such unfamiliar emotions from her...
Michael's attention was drawn to the door that was magically flung open by Nightmare's magic, he instinctively squinted his eyes at the additional light that now washed over them both. However his eyes adjusted in seconds and soon he found himself looking all around, it certainly wasn't the most lavish room in the castle, not by a long shot. But to someone who had never been in a real castle before, much less one in an alternate universe...it was amazing. The ancient stone that made up its entirety, the huge looming archway that led to the next room.
Nightmare Rarity smiled devilishly, "There's far more where that came from."
"Your Highness!" A frantic shout interrupted them, Nightmare Rarity glowered at a shadowy looking creature, a female judging by her voice. With little yellow eyes and a mass of shadow like hair atop her head, done up in a tight bun. Nightmare sighed in irritation, drawing the little creature's startled reaction away from Michael and back to her.
"What it is Doran?"
"T-the princesses!"
"What!? Here?"
Michael felt that there was something horribly wrong happening, and immediately worried over Nightmare's safety.
"Nightmare, what's going on?"
"It appears some old enemies have returned."
"Enemies?" He repeated, looking back at her in dismay.
"Yes," she replied, he felt even more anxiety at seeing the cold look on her face, "Doran, get him somewhere safe."
"Wait! Nightmare!" Michael held out a hand but it was too late, Nightmare Rarity ran off, mane and tail whipping behind her as she grew further out of sight, rounding a corner and was gone, a bright flash indicating she had just teleported.
----
My mouth hung agape at what I just seen. A peaceful moment interrupted, my happiness shattered and replaced with a sickening worry. Why was Nightmare being attacked?! I barely registered the tiny shadow creature, Doran, lightly tugging my arm. I looked down at her in surprise, it feel a bit surreal that a creature that looked to be comprised of shadow or smoke could physically touch me.
"Now come along, the Supreme One said to get you some place safe and-," without hesitation I easily pulled myself free and charge down the path I'd seen her take.
"Hey w-wait please!" Doran called out after me, but I paid her no heed. I had to find Nightmare.
----
In a bright blue flash Nightmare Rarity appeared before her black throne, the dark blue carpet leading up to it seeming to go on forever to the open doorway where the shadow of a particular alicorn, made bigger by said shadow. Wings unfolded in an ominous display, horn glowing with power and a majestic flowing mane. Nightmare Rarity only grinned wickedly in anticipation and slowly descended down the steps of her throne. Her sharp teeth giving her a uniquely predatory appearance, standing tall and with dark regality she awaited her all to familiar adversary's arrival.
Princess Luna marched in defiantly, head held high, but her eyes shone with rage and an obvious desire to attack and perhaps even kill Nightmare Rarity right then and there. Luna looked about the throne room, black and purple banners hung from the walls, torches glowing with sapphire blue flames, the throne itself...and her hated enemy standing before her. Somehow alive and well. All this time, right under her nose no less!
"So it is true," Luna spoke darkly, wings folding neatly up against her body, but Nightmare could see the storm raging in her blue eyes. "You have returned."
"About two years too late to catch onto that," Nightmare Rarity sneered at the diminutive alicorn, looking down at her with equally matched contempt. "Where is your sister? She and I have much unfinished business."
Princess Luna gritted her teeth, wanting so very much to attack the other mare, but she couldn't resist asking.
"Do you underestimate me so that you're desiring to face my elder sister above myself?"
Each detected the faint sounds of battle from some location far behind the Lunar Princess. Sounds of magical blasts being fired, shouts, Nightmare's loyal warriors were certainly doing well at keeping the ponies at bay. For now. She knew it'd most likely be only a matter of time until her enemies broke through.
"Ha! You and I have fought before, and I beat you. You're sloppy. And I am much, much more powerful than I have ever been."
"THEN PROVE IT!" Luna's boomed throughout the throne room, her horn glowing a dark blue color as she empowered it with her magic.
"Well if you want to kill me little Luna, you're going to have to shoot straight!"
Luna's teeth gritted together with rage at Nightmare Rarity's blatant disregard for her and her abilities and fired. No sooner had the magical blast been fired, Nightmare Rarity had shifted into a blackish purple shadowy smoke and easily moved herself aside, the beam blasting a step to smithereens. Bits of broken and damaged stone scattered everywhere as Luna looked around for Nightmare, eyes darting back and forth as Nightmare taunted her again.
"Evidently straight doesn't seem to be good enough!"
Luna's shifting grew wilder, looking in all directions, barely even noticing Nightmare landing to her left, now fully regaining her physical form effortlessly, grinning mockingly.
"Right here."
Luna gasped as she wheeled around, firing another beam, but to her dismay she realized she had miscalculated her aim! The shot zoomed by Nightmare Rarity, succeeding only in blasting a considerably large hole in the wall behind her enemy. Nightmare Rarity's sapphire eyes glinted with a dark satisfaction at having yet again bested Luna, her horn channeled a single blast from its tip...only to be interrupted. Her right ear twitched as she detected the faint sound of a beam being fired. Out of the corner of her eye she saw a sun orange beam spiraling towards her own beam, effectively cutting it off in a bright blue and orange flash! Nightmare knew instantly who was behind the interruption of her victory, her eyes fixing on her oldest enemy.
"Celestia! Just the pony I wanted to see!" She spoke in mock joviality as though they were old friends. "Rather rude, attacking my castle. Have you forgotten your manners?"
Celestia only narrowed her magenta eyes dangerously, "How have you returned?"
"I'm glad you asked that because I wanted to take this time to explain my evil plan," she shot back with a tone that dripped sarcasm, following up with another blast of magic. The beam a mixture of purple and blue this time, Celestia quickly raising a shield to defend herself, but still being driven back by the sheer kinetic force. With a yell of determination Celestia fiercely dispersed both her shield and the beam with a harsh movement of her head, immediately shooting back. Nightmare Rarity's eyes narrowed to mere slits as she disappeared in a flash of blue and instantly reappeared behind Celestia. However the Solar Princess had been anticipating that and had already shifted to meet her halfway, their horns glowing with magic and cracking together with a sound reminiscent of falling branches, blue and orange sparks shooting off as they attempted to force each other back.
"No Elements Of Harmony to save you this time!" Nightmare Rarity hissed malevolently before rearing up, lashing out with her forelegs and forcing Celestia back.
"She doesn't need the Elements when she's got back up!"
----
I finally rounded the corner, gasping and struggling to breath. I didn't know how long I'd spent trying to find her, but finally I had, I must've been behind the throne itself, concealed by the shadows. The adrenaline still rushing in my body despite how exhausted I felt now, my legs felt as though they were on fire. I pushed my glasses further up onto my face to fully take in what was happening. Nightmare Rarity stood opposite a group of ponies, each all looking a bit roughed up, but determined. There was a tall one, as tall as Nightmare herself, glowering. A much smaller purple alicorn to the white alicorn's left, and I briefly noticed an unconscious alicorn off to the side. Obviously out cold due to being violently bashed into the wall.
"H-how hh-have you returned!?" A white mare asked, with a stylish indigo mane, and to my surprise seemed to share some loose similarities to Nightmare.
"Creative questions elude all of you it seems," Nightmare Rarity replied in a bored tone, using a hoof to brush some of her hair out of her face.
"It doesn't matter how she came back," a rainbow maned...pegasus(!) declared, "we'll still kick your butt! You can't take on all of us!"
"Oh I beg to differ!" Nightmare Rarity's horn glowed in preparation...
Instinctively I charged out, the white alicorn was first to notice me, her face becoming quite stunned at the sight of me, the purple alicorn followed the bigger one's gaze and reared her head back, shocked as well.
"Enough!" I bellowed, shielding Nightmare from any assault.
"Michael? Get out of my way!" Nightmare commanded harshly, and at her words I turned to her, breathing hard and I felt the beginnings of anxiety washing over me once more.
"Nightmare? What's going on? Why is everyone fighting!?" I demanded, my fists clenched as I fought to stay calm.
"What?" I glanced over at the blue pegasus, "you mean you DON'T know why? After all the things she's done?"
"She's done nothing...she's been n-nothing but good to me!"
The white unicorn blinked in absolute shock, "Her? Good to you?"
"Yes!" I yelled back at, making her flinch, but she spoke again.
"Dear...it MUST be some sort of trick-," she began in a hesitant and considerate voice, obviously choosing her words carefully.
"Yeah!" The rainbow mane pegasus interjected, stepping forward slightly, "after she's tried to kill all of us at some point or another, and take over Equestria more times that anypony can count!"
"Oh, and um...," a yellow pegasus spoke up in a timid voice, hunkering down under my gaze, "and the whole eternal darkness..."
My stare fully turned back to Nightmare Rarity, who simply looked back at me. The hostile edge had left her, and while it was subtle she seemed to have a look in her eyes. Concern? Fear? Indifference?
I honestly wasn't sure if it was all the stress and the anxiety from the situation, what I'd just learned, or the fact I'd traveled to an alternate dimension...maybe all of the above. As the strength had just been spontaneously sucked from my body, I passed out.
Author's Note:
Apologies that this took so long to post, I had to make a considerable edit before posting on here. Either way, hope you enjoy.