11-15-2015, 07:21 AM
Chapter 17: Plights & Plans
----
Nightmare Rarity awoke slowly, her eyelids fluttering open to early more sunlight creeping into the room. Michael's warmth against her, noting her back legs were tangled up with his, not that she minded. Silently she sat up to look down at him, brushing a stray lock of her mane out of her eye as she did so, being careful not to wake him. There was such a look of sweet and easy peace on his face, she hadn't let on that she had noticed, but he somehow looked different ever since they had admitted their love for each other. His eyes always seemed to hold some great burden within them, he seemed older than he was. Now it felt as though that burden, whatever it was, was gone. Looking at him now, softly holding him in her eyes, she realized how much she had changed him.
Last night she realized how much he had changed her.
"I never dreamed he would accept me," Nightmare thought, an amazed feeling floating in her chest, "he's so very...sweet." His arms still rested around her, his cheek resting against the pillow comfortably. She actually found herself smiling down upon him, pulling him closer with her own forelegs.
Michael gave a quiet grunt as he became alert once more, his brown eyes steadily openly, a bit bleary and unfocused at first as he was not accustomed to being awake so early.
"Apologies, I didn't intend to wake you," she spoke softly, but still smiling.
"Just wanted to use me as a teddy bear?"
She cleared her throat briefly, stifling an amused chuckle but replying, "Well it's not my fault you're soft and cuddly."
"Never said I was complaining," he chuckled back, brushing a bit of her soft mane with a finger, adoring how it felt. "Wait you think I'm soft?" He spoke quickly when he went over her word choice again in his head.
"Yes," Nightmare Rarity whispered back with playfulness, her lips close to his ear, her nuzzling sending a pleasantly ticklish sensation across that area. Though she gasped when she felt him kiss at her neck, his stubble tickling her and surprising her more. Michael suddenly pulled back, bit blushing but suddenly feeling bashful and embarrassed at having kissed her like that. They had kissed before, but never in that kind of way. Michael clearly worried about overstepping his bounds.
"Everything alright?" Nightmare Rarity asked, a bit confused why he suddenly pulled back so quickly.
"I-I didn't make you uncomfortable?"
"And considerate too," she fondly thought before speaking. "No, in fact I was rather enjoying it." Nightmare shifted her position on top of him now, feeling his hands grip her shoulders as she lowered her face his, lips brushing against his before passionately kissing him; he returned it just as eagerly. Her lips were so soft, neither of them had imagined they would enjoy kissing so much. Michael's fingers running through her mane, down her neck and her back. Nightmare's hooves steadily caressing his chest and shoulders, love swelling within the two of them.
Until the door opened.
"Hi, hope I-oh um...," Princess Twilight Sparkle had, without warning opened the door in a positive and open manner, her cheeks now redder that a ripe tomato at the scene before her. Nightmare Rarity laying on top of Michael, quickly pulling away from a heated kiss, the young alicorn struggled to find words and tried to shift uncomfortably on her hooves. Nightmare glowering at her didn't help things much either, she's been thoroughly enjoying herself until Twilight has barged in. "For a Princess her manners are lacking," she quipped mentally. Nightmare spoke first and kept her choice in words frank.
"What do you need Princess?" She spoke the last word in a way that Twilight couldn't tell if it was insulting or just emphasis on politeness. If it was the first she didn't let it get to her...she was Nightmare Rarity after all.
"Oh, um," Twilight cleared her throat, "just wanted to tell you both that breakfast will be ready in an hour and a half or so...you know what...make that two."
Nightmare just rolled her eyes and magically shut the door. Though it didn't stop Twilight from yammering on about how she would "knock next time."
Michael only blinked rapidly a few times, still trying to process just what had happened, an irritated "Tch" from Nightmare drew his attention back to her. A gentle hand guided her gorgeous face back to his, a hoof touch his hand ran down the length of his arm.
"Now where were we?"
"I think I can refresh your memory," Michael replied with a big smile before their lips met again.
-----
Twilight Sparkle still had the image of she had walked in on burned in her brain, she figured it would be worthy enough for a letter to the two Princesses in Canterlot. She wrote it herself, very nearly colliding with Spike in the throne room where her friends were waiting.
Spike gave Twilight an odd look, shrugged, and in a puff of green fire the letter was off.
-----
Princess Celestia read over one of the many reports sent in from Ponyville. The throne room was quiet save the folding and unfolding of letters she received. She had tasked several ponies with keep watch over Nightmare Rarity and her human companion, not necessarily to spy, just to watch and report back to her with what they saw. Several reports had indicated the same thing, Celestia took the information in with a calm expression...her sister on the other hand...
"Have you read about what that human did in the restaurant?" The tone of her voice was a seething one, and she new Luna was glaring dangers.
"I have."
"Is that all you can say, sister? He THREATENED one of our citizens!" Celestia was happy Luna had not used the Royal Canterlot Voice, last time she had Celestia had a headache for a week.
"And have you read that he antagonized them when they were doing no wrong to anypony? Granted I'll admit Michael's reaction was inappropriate in it's own right, but he shouldn't be punished."
Luna paced, her hooves seeming quite loud in the otherwise silent throne room, looking at the ground while she spoke and wings spread in a sign of aggressiveness.
"And several citizens have reported them being...affectionate with one another in town," Luna went on with a slight tinge of awkwardness in her voice. Nearly shuddering at the thought of anyone being affectionate with one of Equestria's greatest threats.
"I have, Princess Twilight just sent me a letter, apparently she walked in on them...," even Celestia couldn't help but feel a bit awkward, though that may have been because of the way Twilight had written the letter. Her shock and embarrassment had been evident. "Kissing."
Princess Luna gazed up at her sister, stunned, blues eyes wider than the moon itself.
"They are in a...relationship? He's with...her!?" Luna practically spat the word out of mouth as though it were a foul glob of bile. "She's using him, that's the only explanation. I know that monster better than anyone and she's INCAPABLE of love!" Luna had felt some level of hate towards the human as well, he had defended Nightmare Rarity adamantly, but now she felt he was misguided. "That explains everything, sister, she preys on the weak and insecure; I just know she's up to something."
Princess Celestia said nothing for sometime, looking at one of the stained glass windows, the one detailing Nightmare Moon's defeat after she had returned at the Summer Sun Celebration. Feeling the warmth of her sun shining down on her pleasantly. Inside she felt calm, the information was startling, certainly. But somehow she felt it was not in-genuine. She knew Nightmare well too, she knew quite well how she could be manipulative and cunning, but this...this was different. Celestia knew better than to fully trust everything she read, but somehow she had a suspicion this new found relationship was not some ploy of Nightmare's.
A brow raised as she got an idea.
-----
King Sombra sat leisurely on the throne of the Crystal Empire, now his once more. He rarely showed emotions outside of a dark rage and cruel cleverness, but for once he allowed himself to grin and rest with deep satisfaction. He could hear the collectively rattling chains of the enslaved ponies outside as they worked and toiled. Shining Armor in the dungeon, though sadly Princess Cadence was absent, apparently. "No matter," he had thought. Only thing that frustrated him was that he could not get to the Crystal Heart, receiving nasty magical burns and jolt for his troubles. "In time," he thought. Over the years he had learned the value of patience, and thus far all of Equestria was unaware of his return. The element of surprise was most definitely on his side.
A guard strode in, now wearing rough looking, layered armor that resembled raw onyx stone. He bowed until Sombra indicated for him to speak.
"Your Majesty, the ponies have begun digging once more, as per your instruction," digging for what the guard had no clue but it was not his place to inquire anyway. "And we're quickly amassing those loyal to you for a surprise attack wherever you desire it."
Sombra tapped a hoof on the armrest of the great throne in thought thrice before he responded, "We will have to act quickly if we are to conquer these lands," but he knew better than to rush. Suddenly a dangerous smile crossed his face, the guard resisted the urge to shiver at the sight of the huge, sharp teeth. "I think I have just the place in mind too," he chuckled deeply, mostly to himself at the thought. Allowing himself to happily fantasize about the bloodshed and sweet taste of vengeful victory to come.
"Dismissed," he flick a hoof at the guard, who promptly bowed and began leaving. He jolted to a halt, unsure of what to say next, but he turned around and cautiously spoke.
"You Highness?"
"Yes?"
"I just thought that you should know, but...Nightmare has returned."
King Sombra's eyes actually widened at that and he leaned forward in interest.
"As in the Mare On The Moon?"
"The very one, My Liege," he bowed again and left, armored hoofsteps echoing for several seconds until he was gone once more.
King Sombra stood with a devious grin, things had just gotten much, much more interesting.
----
Nightmare Rarity awoke slowly, her eyelids fluttering open to early more sunlight creeping into the room. Michael's warmth against her, noting her back legs were tangled up with his, not that she minded. Silently she sat up to look down at him, brushing a stray lock of her mane out of her eye as she did so, being careful not to wake him. There was such a look of sweet and easy peace on his face, she hadn't let on that she had noticed, but he somehow looked different ever since they had admitted their love for each other. His eyes always seemed to hold some great burden within them, he seemed older than he was. Now it felt as though that burden, whatever it was, was gone. Looking at him now, softly holding him in her eyes, she realized how much she had changed him.
Last night she realized how much he had changed her.
"I never dreamed he would accept me," Nightmare thought, an amazed feeling floating in her chest, "he's so very...sweet." His arms still rested around her, his cheek resting against the pillow comfortably. She actually found herself smiling down upon him, pulling him closer with her own forelegs.
Michael gave a quiet grunt as he became alert once more, his brown eyes steadily openly, a bit bleary and unfocused at first as he was not accustomed to being awake so early.
"Apologies, I didn't intend to wake you," she spoke softly, but still smiling.
"Just wanted to use me as a teddy bear?"
She cleared her throat briefly, stifling an amused chuckle but replying, "Well it's not my fault you're soft and cuddly."
"Never said I was complaining," he chuckled back, brushing a bit of her soft mane with a finger, adoring how it felt. "Wait you think I'm soft?" He spoke quickly when he went over her word choice again in his head.
"Yes," Nightmare Rarity whispered back with playfulness, her lips close to his ear, her nuzzling sending a pleasantly ticklish sensation across that area. Though she gasped when she felt him kiss at her neck, his stubble tickling her and surprising her more. Michael suddenly pulled back, bit blushing but suddenly feeling bashful and embarrassed at having kissed her like that. They had kissed before, but never in that kind of way. Michael clearly worried about overstepping his bounds.
"Everything alright?" Nightmare Rarity asked, a bit confused why he suddenly pulled back so quickly.
"I-I didn't make you uncomfortable?"
"And considerate too," she fondly thought before speaking. "No, in fact I was rather enjoying it." Nightmare shifted her position on top of him now, feeling his hands grip her shoulders as she lowered her face his, lips brushing against his before passionately kissing him; he returned it just as eagerly. Her lips were so soft, neither of them had imagined they would enjoy kissing so much. Michael's fingers running through her mane, down her neck and her back. Nightmare's hooves steadily caressing his chest and shoulders, love swelling within the two of them.
Until the door opened.
"Hi, hope I-oh um...," Princess Twilight Sparkle had, without warning opened the door in a positive and open manner, her cheeks now redder that a ripe tomato at the scene before her. Nightmare Rarity laying on top of Michael, quickly pulling away from a heated kiss, the young alicorn struggled to find words and tried to shift uncomfortably on her hooves. Nightmare glowering at her didn't help things much either, she's been thoroughly enjoying herself until Twilight has barged in. "For a Princess her manners are lacking," she quipped mentally. Nightmare spoke first and kept her choice in words frank.
"What do you need Princess?" She spoke the last word in a way that Twilight couldn't tell if it was insulting or just emphasis on politeness. If it was the first she didn't let it get to her...she was Nightmare Rarity after all.
"Oh, um," Twilight cleared her throat, "just wanted to tell you both that breakfast will be ready in an hour and a half or so...you know what...make that two."
Nightmare just rolled her eyes and magically shut the door. Though it didn't stop Twilight from yammering on about how she would "knock next time."
Michael only blinked rapidly a few times, still trying to process just what had happened, an irritated "Tch" from Nightmare drew his attention back to her. A gentle hand guided her gorgeous face back to his, a hoof touch his hand ran down the length of his arm.
"Now where were we?"
"I think I can refresh your memory," Michael replied with a big smile before their lips met again.
-----
Twilight Sparkle still had the image of she had walked in on burned in her brain, she figured it would be worthy enough for a letter to the two Princesses in Canterlot. She wrote it herself, very nearly colliding with Spike in the throne room where her friends were waiting.
Spike gave Twilight an odd look, shrugged, and in a puff of green fire the letter was off.
-----
Princess Celestia read over one of the many reports sent in from Ponyville. The throne room was quiet save the folding and unfolding of letters she received. She had tasked several ponies with keep watch over Nightmare Rarity and her human companion, not necessarily to spy, just to watch and report back to her with what they saw. Several reports had indicated the same thing, Celestia took the information in with a calm expression...her sister on the other hand...
"Have you read about what that human did in the restaurant?" The tone of her voice was a seething one, and she new Luna was glaring dangers.
"I have."
"Is that all you can say, sister? He THREATENED one of our citizens!" Celestia was happy Luna had not used the Royal Canterlot Voice, last time she had Celestia had a headache for a week.
"And have you read that he antagonized them when they were doing no wrong to anypony? Granted I'll admit Michael's reaction was inappropriate in it's own right, but he shouldn't be punished."
Luna paced, her hooves seeming quite loud in the otherwise silent throne room, looking at the ground while she spoke and wings spread in a sign of aggressiveness.
"And several citizens have reported them being...affectionate with one another in town," Luna went on with a slight tinge of awkwardness in her voice. Nearly shuddering at the thought of anyone being affectionate with one of Equestria's greatest threats.
"I have, Princess Twilight just sent me a letter, apparently she walked in on them...," even Celestia couldn't help but feel a bit awkward, though that may have been because of the way Twilight had written the letter. Her shock and embarrassment had been evident. "Kissing."
Princess Luna gazed up at her sister, stunned, blues eyes wider than the moon itself.
"They are in a...relationship? He's with...her!?" Luna practically spat the word out of mouth as though it were a foul glob of bile. "She's using him, that's the only explanation. I know that monster better than anyone and she's INCAPABLE of love!" Luna had felt some level of hate towards the human as well, he had defended Nightmare Rarity adamantly, but now she felt he was misguided. "That explains everything, sister, she preys on the weak and insecure; I just know she's up to something."
Princess Celestia said nothing for sometime, looking at one of the stained glass windows, the one detailing Nightmare Moon's defeat after she had returned at the Summer Sun Celebration. Feeling the warmth of her sun shining down on her pleasantly. Inside she felt calm, the information was startling, certainly. But somehow she felt it was not in-genuine. She knew Nightmare well too, she knew quite well how she could be manipulative and cunning, but this...this was different. Celestia knew better than to fully trust everything she read, but somehow she had a suspicion this new found relationship was not some ploy of Nightmare's.
A brow raised as she got an idea.
-----
King Sombra sat leisurely on the throne of the Crystal Empire, now his once more. He rarely showed emotions outside of a dark rage and cruel cleverness, but for once he allowed himself to grin and rest with deep satisfaction. He could hear the collectively rattling chains of the enslaved ponies outside as they worked and toiled. Shining Armor in the dungeon, though sadly Princess Cadence was absent, apparently. "No matter," he had thought. Only thing that frustrated him was that he could not get to the Crystal Heart, receiving nasty magical burns and jolt for his troubles. "In time," he thought. Over the years he had learned the value of patience, and thus far all of Equestria was unaware of his return. The element of surprise was most definitely on his side.
A guard strode in, now wearing rough looking, layered armor that resembled raw onyx stone. He bowed until Sombra indicated for him to speak.
"Your Majesty, the ponies have begun digging once more, as per your instruction," digging for what the guard had no clue but it was not his place to inquire anyway. "And we're quickly amassing those loyal to you for a surprise attack wherever you desire it."
Sombra tapped a hoof on the armrest of the great throne in thought thrice before he responded, "We will have to act quickly if we are to conquer these lands," but he knew better than to rush. Suddenly a dangerous smile crossed his face, the guard resisted the urge to shiver at the sight of the huge, sharp teeth. "I think I have just the place in mind too," he chuckled deeply, mostly to himself at the thought. Allowing himself to happily fantasize about the bloodshed and sweet taste of vengeful victory to come.
"Dismissed," he flick a hoof at the guard, who promptly bowed and began leaving. He jolted to a halt, unsure of what to say next, but he turned around and cautiously spoke.
"You Highness?"
"Yes?"
"I just thought that you should know, but...Nightmare has returned."
King Sombra's eyes actually widened at that and he leaned forward in interest.
"As in the Mare On The Moon?"
"The very one, My Liege," he bowed again and left, armored hoofsteps echoing for several seconds until he was gone once more.
King Sombra stood with a devious grin, things had just gotten much, much more interesting.