Heart Of A Nightmare

[Kaltes-Herzeleid]

Chapter 6: Rainy Night
-----


Of all the nights it just had to rain? And what's more, I'm out in it! I stood in my rain coat in the middle of the park. At night. The sky was black with thick clouds, pouring fat droplets of rain to the earth below it, the wind was rather harsh, rustling the trees and bushes. My hair was wet, as the hood of my coat was oversized and always ended up obscuring my vision, and my glasses coated with said droplets of water. Despite my coat, I was getting drenched here!


"I must really like her to be out here." I thought, a strong gust of wind blowing through and nearly jarring me from spot on the grass. "Stupid wind," I mumbled to myself. In any other context I would be inside, but I had to see Nightmare Rarity. Besides, I knew that if...no, WHEN (I told myself) she shows up I can't just leave her here in this weather. I hadn't even kept track of long I must have been standing out here, but I was willing to stand and wait for her. She'd been on my mind all day, I'd zoned out at work so many times today to a point where I'd nearly messed things up multiple times; much to the irritation of those around me.


"Off day," I'd told them. Strangely without much of a care in the world. I'd felt happier than I had felt in years. Everything seemed less gloomy now, in fact I felt I had no reason to see it in a such way anymore...


From the trees she emerged, with a less than pleased expression on her face. Nightmare Rarity's mane and tail were soaked and dragged somewhat through the wet grass, and while she most likely wasn't showing it, she was probably cold now too.


"Of all the nights...," she glowered at me.


"I know," I walked over to her so she could hear me better, "we can't stay out here."


"Obviously."


"I think we best head over to my apartment," I said, a strange feeling in my gut as I said it. It sounded like a good idea in my head. Nightmare Rarity turned away somewhat and spoke, "I think it would be best if I leave now."


"Why?"


She looked back at me with a raised eyebrow, then looked up at the sky and then back at me.


"I think that's obvious."


"It doesn't mean we can't see each other. Besides," "I missed you," "I like spending time with you."


It was brief, but I saw her expression soften, I felt a wonderful sensation in my chest at seeing the soft little smile on her lips and a unique look of happiness in her sapphire eyes. But it was gone just as soon as I saw it as she turned fully to face me again.


"Very well."


I quickly turned and made a fast gesture with my arm for her to follow and we both broke into a light run. Thanking my luck that I lived so close. The grass squishing beneath my feet as the single black and now slick road came into view. I trudged on through a puddle, but I think Nightmare Rarity just leapt over it, the sound of hooves meaning concrete reached my ears almost immediately. It continued to be the only sound I focused on as we crossed the road and into the parking lot in what like no time at all, digging in my pocket for my keys and managing to pull them out them just second before reaching my door.


I fumbled with them a bit, briefly glancing back at her to see she wasn't too irritated. Nightmare Rarity was looking back at the street to ensure no one had seen us, or more specifically: No one had seen her.


I finally managed to get the right key is and quickly turned the lock, the noise causing Nightmare Rarity to look back over at me as I opened the door. I felt my heart rate increase as her side brushed against me for only a few seconds, but we'd never really had physical contact up until that point, and the touch of another was a strange thing to me. Water dripped and trickled off of us making me glad the little entryway's floor was made of tile, her mane and tail looking plastered to the floor and she let out a huff of sorts as she examined her sopping wet mane before turning to me.


"Do you have a shower?"



-----


Princesses Celestia, Luna, and Cadence stood outside the door to the new castle of Twilight Sparkle. It seemed so out of place in the humble little town of Ponyville. Its gleaming form towering over all other buildings in sight, dwarfed only by the mountains and peaks that surrounded the town. It was the dead of night in Equestria, the three Princesses had decided to pass the information along personally to their new fellow Princess, lest the potentially panic inducing information somehow slip from a messages. Each of them exchanged a glance, the night seemed eerily silent and deathly still after their secret arrival. Cadence nodded at the white alicorn for her to proceed, Luna appeared dethatched and downtrodden. She had been ever since she'd learned of the possibility that her personal greatest adversary was alive and well, and had been for sometime.


Celestia raised a hoof and pounded it against the doors of Twilight's castle, the banging sounded unusually loud in the silence.


"What will we do? If she has returned?" Luna spoke up suddenly, a dark look on her face. Her eyes had narrowed and the dark blue feathers on her royal wings ruffled slightly. Shock and gloom being steadily replaced by a deep seated anger.


Celestia looked reassuringly down at her sister.


"I do not know, sister. We will deal with the matter accordingly," it was a vague response. She was willing to see how Nightmare reacted should they appear...after all it had been two years since their last confrontation. If she was alive all this time with perfect opportunity to attack...then why hadn't she?


The Sun Princess was jarred from her thoughts as the doors to Twilight's castle parted, the purple alicorn looking rather bleary from the fact she'd just been woken up. Her purple mane was disheveled and her feathers were a bit ruffled.


"Princess Celestia?" Twilight asked, rubbing the sleep out one of her eyes. "What's going on?" She noticed the severe look on each of their faces. Celestia opened her mouth to speak, but Luna stepped forward after forcing herself to quite the storm of anger that had been building within her.


"Forgive us for the unexpected arrival, Princess Twilight Sparkle," Luna said formally, although it still a bit odd for her, referring to Twilight as "Princess" now. But she quickly cast that thought out of her brain and proceeded. "May we please come inside? We have an urgent matter to discuss."




-----


My apartment wasn't anything lavish, given my limited budget, but that didn't really bother me. It met a pleasant standard of living for me. I sat in my living room, on my plain black leather couch, my bedroom down the hallway to my right. Behind me was a small kitchen/dining room area, to my left was the single bathroom of which Nightmare Rarity was now using. I'd dried my hair off via a towel, but sadly she'd caught the brunt of the rain without any sort of protection from it. I occasionally glanced over at the bathroom door, the sound of running water being the only noise I registered at the moment. The glimmer of light shining from the small open space just beneath said door.


I sighed and shifted my gaze towards the vacant black screen of my TV that sat opposite the couch. Honestly I'd felt a bit relieved that she hadn't scoffed at my home, not that there was much to scoff at anyway. Most of my personal favorite stuff was in the bedroom. I'd been so lost in thought I'd only just now registered the bathroom door being opened, causing me to crane my head back in anticipation of seeing her, but immediately looked forward and back at the inactive TV so as not to appear overly eager. However I did allow myself to glance over at her when she walked it, my eyes widening slightly at the sight of her.


Nightmare Rarity sat it the big leather chair to the right of my couch, tucking her back legs close to her while comfortably resting her upper body on the right arm of it, neatly crossing her hooves over each other. Her mane was a bit damp, it hung down and seemed impossibly long. Her long horn glowed with a blue aura and levitated my brush to the damp locks and began running it through. While it was subtle, she seemed to be enjoying herself, and I felt like the possibility of swooning was probable.


Her eyes shifted over towards me, half lidded, causing me to look away abruptly and scold myself for getting caught staring at her. I heard Nightmare Rarity give a quiet chuckle, adding to my embarrassment.


"Does she know?" I asked myself. "Well if I keep behaving like this she will!"




-----


Nightmare Rarity continued brushing her long, beautiful mane, surprisingly content and occasionally glancing over at Michael.


"He's adorable when he squirms," she thought to herself, noticing how shy he became under her gaze. How he looked at her. "It's so obvious. Yet why do I encourage it?" She thought seriously. Nightmare Rarity gently continued running the brush through her mane, suddenly troubled and trying to deny something she knew in her heart.


"So...," Michael spoke up first, his low voice breaking the silence that was steadily becoming awkward, "what do you think?" He gave a quick gesture with his hand at their surroundings. Nightmare Rarity looked carefully all around, taking in every little detail. The walls were painted a dark blue in color and had black curtains covering the windows, not allowing a speck of light to enter. Her horn glowed as he delicately laid the hair brush on the small table in between the couch and TV, then looked at him.


"It's very pleasant," she complimented, to her own surprise she found her words were genuine, "however it seems rather impersonal." She stated, not in a cruel manner, but as a simple observation. It was true, Michael knew this, there was very little here that gave much indication someone inhabited the apartment, possibly due to the lack of photos on the wall. Almost everyone had an image of sorts of something, anything, on their walls. She found it comment worthy that he didn't.


"Most of the stuff that's really important to me is in my bedroom, and I basically never have visitors." He answered honestly. It was true Michael never really got visits from anyone, not that it really bothered him, for the most part he enjoyed his solitary living. Even if it seemed sad to others. Nightmare Rarity wasn't surprised, she was quite skilled at figuring things out about another that might not seem obvious just by talking to them, watching their behavior. Michael had struck her as the solitary type, although to what extent she didn't realize until now.


"Not that it bothers me or anything," he added quickly, "I find I have little in common with anybody else as is."


"And why is that?"


"Differing interests, personalities...existences in general," he trailed off, perhaps out of uncertainty as to how he could properly describe it, "sometimes I feel like I just don't belong here in general."


"'Here?'"


"This world," Michael suddenly felt the words leave him, "I feel like I just don't fit in, that I'm so out of place." Nightmare Rarity detected no anguish or arrogance in his voice, just him speaking what he felt was the truth. She opened her mouth to give a response, but he spoke up again.


"Sorry, I shouldn't have said that...not really cheery material for discussion."


"Well...I'm not what you'd call a...cheery mare," she replied vaguely. He looked over at her, their eyes locking with one another deeply, the boom of thunder going unnoticed as they looked at each other. Nightmare felt peaceful when she looked at him, there was just something about him that pulled her in. Nor did she object to the feeling this time. She felt her lips slowly forming a small smile, her smile causing him to blush visibly as he shifted in his seat and looked away with obvious hesitation.


"Michael?"


That feeling returned in his chest when she spoke his name.


"Yes?"


"Perhaps tomorrow I could show you my castle?"


He looked at her in wonderment, however she could see the gleam of happiness and excitement in his dark brown eyes.


"Really?"


Nightmare Rarity gave a nod in reply, unable to keep from smiling wider herself. "Stop smiling! You're acting like a giddy little filly!" But she just couldn't help herself, it gave her a previously unfelt sense of joy to see she had made him so happy.


"Yes," he answered, now unable to keep from showing his happiness.




-----


Twilight Sparkle felt numb with worry and shock as she paced the great throne room of her castle. She finally stopped and looked up at Celestia, who bore a calm expression, as she always did in times of stress.


"Y-you mean she's still alive?"


Celestia nodded, "That is what we suspect, gather your friends soon, we must investigate as soon as possible. But keep this secret, we do not want to start a mass panic."


Twilight nodded in agreement, looking over at Princess Cadence, who gave a small smile and nod at her sister in law; then the Princess Of Friendship looked over at Luna, who had been silent of the most part. Her eyes seemed far away, lost in thought, and the purple alicorn knew not how to address Luna at the moment. She couldn't even begin to imagine how she must be feeling.


She just hoped that this situation wouldn't end as badly as she was fearing it would...

[Sentimental Gentleman]

This chronicle is getting intense...I can't wait to see what happens next!

[Kaltes-Herzeleid]

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.

[Kaltes-Herzeleid]

Chapter 8: A Chance
-----


"I really don't see why we're talking this over," Rainbow Dash cut in, a hoof smacking down onto the arm rest of her throne in Twilight's castle, still not really accustomed to having a throne...but that wasn't really relevant at the moment. It was still dark, sunrise would be due in only a few hours, fortunately the cover of night had allowed them all to sneak back into Ponyville undetected, despite the fact they were accompanied by Nightmare Rarity and her still unconscious defender.


"I say we lock 'em BOTH up in the dungeon!" Rainbow finished her thought, scowling.


"I agree," Rarity piped up, holding a cup of hot tea in her hooves, still looking very unhappy about the whole situation and the fact Nightmare was only a few rooms away. "Did you see what that monster did to poor Luna?


"Yeah!" Rainbow Dash cut in, "and I kinda doubt I have to remind anypony of the stuff she's done in the past!"


Princess Celestia raised a hoof from the perfect, glinting floor, silencing any other voice in the room. Cadence briefly glanced at her aunt, curious as to what she had to say.


"Normally I would readily agree...however this situation isn't as easy to solve as you might think. Her companion, the one who jumped to her defense is a human."


Twilight Sparkle gasped collectively with Cadence, the others just gave the princesses a collective baffled look. The purple alicorn's eyes were as wide as dinner plates as she stared at her mentor with a look of wonder, her intellectual curiosity soon taking over as well.


"A human? But there haven't been humans in Equestria for thousands of years!" Twilight spoke.


Celestia nodded, closing her eyes for a moment of two before opening them again, glancing at the smooth purple floor beneath her beneath her shoed hooves.


"This a very significant event. Which is why we must act carefully when we speak with them both."


"Uhh...Princesses?" Applejack adjusted her hat anxiously with a hoof, the other still raised slightly like a child in school, "beg pardon but what in the hay is a human?"




----


The room they had been told to stay in was quite lavish, to say the least. Floor a perfect shiny purple, smooth and cold underhoof. Nightmare paced steadily back and forth, her beautiful tail dragging along the ground, occasionally catching a glimpse of herself in the floor. Annoyance plain as day in her deadly eyes. Michael lay still on the bed they had placed him on when they were brought to the castle, his fainting having effectively stopped the fight and left the ponies baffled, even Nightmare. But not for the same reasons they were. She was stunned by the fact he had defended her, going so far as to place himself in front of her, and the look of shock and disbelief on his face when they had told him of her true nature...she stopped in her tracks, a mixture of a scowl and a curious look on her face. Her true nature? Ever since he'd came into her life...


She smirked in remembrance at their first encounter in the park, when she'd levitated him and he had the gall to tell her to "Piss off." If anyone else had spoken to her in such a manner they'd be thrown into the dungeon or punished for their insolence outright!


Her eyes shifted to the unconscious human, resting on the plush covered of the bed, he stuck out like a sore hoof amidst the purple-"Must everything in this room be purple!?" She liked the color very much, absently brushing a strand of her lovely mane out of her face as she continued to stare at Michael in contemplation, but a little variety would be nice. Nightmare scoffed when she remembered she had picked some of the fashionista unicorn's personality ticks, that including a good sense decoration. Not that she really let anyone know that. Michael's head rested against an enormous, soft pillow, so soft it was that his head had sunk into it and obscured his face from her view. Nightmare Rarity made her way over to him quietly, her eyes never leaving his face.


The memory of how she caught him as he fell in her castle still fresh in mind, she felt a tingling on her forelegs and chest as she recalled holding his body in her grasp. She'd never really held anyone close before, save for that time she had assumed the guise of Rarity herself to try and manipulate the annoying dragon. But she'd never lingered on it.


"I liked holding him," she admitted to herself mentally. His face looked peaceful for the moment, for whatever reason the sight gave her warm feeling in her chest and she felt the corners of her lips being tugged at into a smile. Nightmare gently caressed his forehead with a hoof, contact with another was an unfamiliar experience, not that she had ever really cared before. But she enjoyed the feeling of his warm skin-


"Nightmare?" His voice sliced into her contentment and she withdrew her hoof like she had just touched a hot stove. Michael's eyes showed his bemusement at her reaction, his hands absently gripping and tapping the bed he lay on. He then began to look around, shooting up and out of the bed and looking around in shock as to where he was.


"Where are we?"


"Twilight Sparkle's castle," Nightmare Rarity kept the sneer out of her voice that the former socially inept unicorn had a castle.


"A-are we prisoners?"


"Of sorts, your appearance rather caught them off guard, as did your defense of me. They're deciding what to do with us."


She observed his reactions carefully, eyes never leaving him. "Taking it rather well," she thought. There was anxiety in his eyes but he kept himself under control on the outside, at least.


A knock on the door jarred them both out of their thoughts as a guard pegasus, adorned in gold armor and equipped with a sharp spear.


"The Princesses will see you both now," he cleared the way to allow them passage, Nightmare Rarity strode past him as though he didn't even exist, Michael simply followed Nightmare, briefly glancing at the guard who had a less than friendly expression; he followed them both but kept his distance. The hallway of the castle was large, not as large as Nightmare's but it was still feasible that one could get easily lost. He stayed close to Nightmare, keep his eyes ahead.


"Turn to the left," the guard commanded, they both did as they were told, and found themselves in the apparent throne room of the castle.




-----


There were six thrones in total, each of them occupied by a pony, the big white one with wings stood in the center, a relatively neutral look on her face. However I noticed the others, save for the small purple pony with wings were blatantly hostile. Glaring and scowling angrily, particularly the white unicorn who's slight resemblance to Nightmare again caught my eye. The room like everything was purple, like every other freaking thing in the castle, with some stained glass windows, the thrones were all identical save for the fact each one had a unique mark on the top part that a specific pony sat in.


"Well, isn't this just adorable?" Nightmare Rarity broke the silence, placing a hoof on her chest in mock surprise, "you all have thrones?" She inspected them closer, not leaving my side. "With emblems matching your cutie marks?" She looked like she was about to double over laughing at any second, a chuckle escaping her. The blue pegasus looked like she was about ready to bolt out of her seat at the snarky insults, but managed to keep herself under control, but her glare looked like it could set something on fire with its intensity at the present time.


"Enough," the white pony with the multicolored, continuously flowing mane and tail spoke, not loudly but decisively enough to silence anyone who might speak. Nightmare only glowered at her, but apparently decided to allow the other pony to speak.


"Do you know why you are here right now?"


"Enlighten me," Nightmare replied in a bored tone. I glanced over at her nervously, hoping she wouldn't piss them all off even more, but the other pony kept an even temperament.


"In any other context you would be imprisoned, however," I froze up when the pony fixed a magenta colored eye on me, "your companion complicates matters greatly."


"Because there hasn't been a human in Equestria for a very long time," Nightmare spoke again, looking over at me.


"That, and why the hay he just jumped to your defense like that," the blue pegasus interjected, glaring at me, "either he's on your side or he doesn't know what a horrible pony you are!"


This time I found myself glaring back, before I could stop myself I protectively wrapped my arms around her and felt a deep sense of rage building up in me.


"Well for the record," I spat back, "she's been nothing but kind to me." I was glad I was holding onto her, my hands would be shaking from the feeling of anger and anxiety that had been building up in me. I didn't always handle conflict so well.


"We find that difficult to believe given Nightmare's history," the white pony said calmly, but I noticed a quick look of something akin to disdain flash in her eyes. But to her credit she kept her composure. I only held onto Nightmare, her warm body and soft fur proving to be very soothing even in this tense moment.


"But it is true," I stated, firmly. "She stopped fighting after I passed out, right?" Surely that must've showed some concern for my well being?


"One act of concern doesn't redeem a lifetime of wickedness!" The white unicorn replied, "and who's to say her concern was...," Nightmare Rarity simply fixed her with a an icy stare that caused the unicorn to shrink down in her throne. Looking like she wanted to run away screaming at any second.


"And who says I'm out for redemption?"


"You're not helping!" I shouted, causing Nightmare to rear her head back, clearly shocked I had shouted at her.


"Fluttershy, is there something you'd like say?" The purple pony asked kindly, looking at the yellow pegasus who was quite obviously afraid of Nightmare, but still the room quieted to a point where a pin being dropped might sound loud.


"Well...um, if I could reform Discord, then who's to say he can't do the same for Nightmare Rarity?" Her voice was delicate and soft, but she spoke her mind in these few moments with clarity.


"No offense Fluttershy," the blue pegasus spoke up, "but there's kinda a difference between making chocolate milk blowup-"


"Ooooh! And making it rain yummy chocolate milk from cotton candy clouds!" A pink pony cut in excitedly, the pitch of her voice and startling loudness making me cringe somewhat. The blue pegasus looked annoyed at being interrupted for a moment or two but continued anyway.


"Yeah, and that, between all the things she did," the pony pointed an accusing hoof at Nightmare.


The white pony, the princess, held up a shoed hoof to silence any further speech, her eyes closed in a fast but meaningful contemplation before opening them again. Looking at both of us, me, holding onto Nightmare protectively. Nightmare looking at the princess, icy curiosity in her eyes.


"Either way...I feel as though something has changed inside you," she was speaking only to Nightmare right now as though there was no one else on the planet, "that is why I have decided to give you one chance."


Silence hung in the air like a thick fog until Nightmare Rarity spoke again.


"To do what?"


"To show how much you've changed...or at the very least prove you are no longer a threat to Equestria so that our two kingdoms may coexist peacefully."


Nightmare looked at the princess, eyebrow raised, I silently pleaded for her not to say anything rude...nearly sighing in relief out loud when she did not.


"W-what about me?" I stammered.


"You are her companion," the princess spoke in a gentler tone with me, "stay with her. Tomorrow morning we will inform Ponyville."

[Kaltes-Herzeleid]

Chapter 9: Night Musings
-----


"I guess they're making us stay in the same room together 'cause they're afraid we'll try something?" I asked tiredly, looking over at Nightmare Rarity. Her horn glowed and levitated her tiara off her head and undid her tight fitting necklace and laid it on the fine, polished nightstand. She glanced at me out of the corner of one of her hypnotic eyes.


"Oh yes. Although I'd say they're more afraid of me than you," she said, a bit of a smirk on her lips.


"Given your...history," I said hesitantly, still trying to wrap my mind around how she could do the things the ponies had described...she'd been so different with me. Was it an act? That question made my heart ache and my stomach feel like it was doing backflips. I hoped that wasn't the case. I looked at her again, she had a brow raised curiously, the look of conflict and discomfort obvious on my face. Luckily she didn't ask, but I certainly wasn't about to tell her the nature of my torment.


"Think of an excuse," my mind commanded me gruffly, so my eyes went to the bed. "Couldn't they have given us two beds?" I managed to keep the stammer out of my voice. In all truthfulness, the bed looked wonderful. Soft, warm and inviting...and I'd be sharing it with Nightmare Rarity! The thought excited me, the thought of being so close to her, knowing another living being was next to me. And one I...loved so much. "Love? Do I love her?"


"I wouldn't complain if they did," she glowered at me, "just don't get any ideas. Or take all the blankets for yourself."


I choked back a laugh at last part, although the first words she said stung a bit. But then again I did kind of start it, come to think of it. I made my way over to what was going to apparently be my side for the night, the left to be precise. Pulling back the lavender blankets and climbing into the bed a few seconds before Nightmare. Each of us shifting awkwardly, attempting to get comfortable. I felt a hoof accidentally tap against my leg, and be swiftly pulled away, neither of us said anything but I could tell the touch registered in her eyes.


"Apologies...," she murmured, giving me no time to answer before she rolled over. I knew she would not speak again for the night.


I sighed quietly and rolled over as well. Numerous thoughts tumbling through my head as my tired eyes shut.




----


Nightmare Rarity opened her eyes slowly, able to see flawlessly in the darkened room, all was silent save for Michael's breathing and her own. She was unsure of what time it was, however she was fairly certain it was close to sunrise. She shifted beneath the soft blankets slightly, in a relatively at ease mood. Nightmare admitted to herself she wasn't really looking forward to the announcement of her being alive and well...in Ponyville of all places. There would be stereotypical outrage and fear of her presence. Not that she really cared, honestly.


"I wouldn't even be in this situation if it were not for him...," her ear twitched when she registered a grunt or a moan of some sort. She shifted deeper into the bed, intending to pay him no heed until she heard it again. Slowly she rolled over to face him, he shifted roughly, clearly distressed over something. Nightmare Rarity moved into a sitting position, hovering over him somewhat as she had inadvertently rolled onto his back his eyes shut firmly. Briefly, she considered entering his dreams but quickly and rationally decided that would not be a wise idea, she felt a genuine concern for him!


It was unfamiliar to her.


Nightmare reached out a single hoof, stopping when he shifted again with another grunt, uncharacteristic hesitation plaguing her. Hoof inches from his head. When he grunted faintly once more she reached her decision, Nightmare Rarity's black hoof touching his forehead, gently caressing him. She didn't linger on how soft his skin felt, but it was pleasant surprise of sorts. Her hoof brushed across a few short locks of hair as he gradually calmed from her touch, breathing growing steady. Her glowing eyes never leaving his peaceful face, she couldn't help but smile, if only a little.


Nightmare Rarity eased herself down, head resting just above his, not quite touching. Her hooves resting close to her body as her eyes shut again, a warmth filling her chest, a lovely smile on her lips as she allowed herself to sleep once more.






Author's Note:
Finally posting this here...going try to post here daily until I finally reach the latest chapter. I hope this has been a great reading experience...kinda quiet here, but hey, it's here at least.

[Kaltes-Herzeleid]

Chapter 10: Welcome to Ponyville
-----


Nightmare Rarity and I remained behind the great closed doors of Twilight's castle, her voice a bit muffled, but it was obvious she was prepping the citizens of Ponyville for the big reveal. I stood inches from Nightmare, feeling rather anxious. I was practically alien in this world! And given Nightmare's history...I could guess they wouldn't react...quietly. Lynch mob came to mind. I glanced at her out of the corner of my eye, stone faced in her expressions, waiting for the doors to open. It still lingered on my mind, when I had woken up to find sleeping so close to me, her head nearly resting atop my own. So close...


"Nervous?" She asked.


"A little," I confessed.


I was surprised when she briefly allowed her shoulder to touch my arm in an act of reassurance, her fur soft and warm.


"You needn't be, should things get out of hand I'll have us out of her before you can blink," she said simply.


I sighed and stared at the doors, huge and purple, looming ahead of us like some great opponent. Impatience starting to swell in my chest, I just wanted to get this over with already, I almost wanted to just rip open the doors and shout "Here we are!"
However, just as thought sprang to mind the doors were surrounded by a magical, purple aura and swung open. My eyes squinted in the spontaneous appearance of sunlight, blinding us temporarily to whatever was out there, but regardless I heard the sound of Nightmare's hooves moving across the ground to the outside world with myself following. Placing a hand on her shoulder to steady myself...



"SURPRISE!" A unison of voices shouted at us all at once. Confetti blasting into the air and drifting down towards us, dozens of ponies wearing party hats, tables set up with punch and candies and cupcakes. Two poles hoisting up a banner that read in big, colorful lettering: "WELCOME NIGHTMARE & MICHAEL!!!"


"Ooooh, just look at their faces, this surprise totally worked!" The pink pony with a poofy pink mane and tail exclaimed enthusiastically, bouncing up and down all the while. I finally looked over at Nightmare, who's face bore a moderately annoyed expression, confetti littering her mane now.


"A...surprise party," she stated, though I couldn't really determine whether it was a question or a statement by the tone of her voice.


"Well duh! Why else did we all say 'SURPRISE' when you walked out?" The pony said, her already high pitched voice rising an octave at the word "surprise" before blowing into a party horn.


"Yep, it was all Pinkie Pie's idea," Twilight Sparkle said from beside us, "though sadly, not everypony decided to show up...," the purple alicorn trailed off, a distant look in her eyes for a moment or two. The day was a sunny and clear one, but thankfully rather cool. The grass was fresh and green, buildings, small and humble in size were overlooked by the castle. Birds chirped their songs freely from the trees. It was then I really began to survey the party goers. The shy yellow pegasus hung around in the back, quietly pouring herself some punch. I noticed the white unicorn and rainbow maned pegasus were absent however. It was then I understood why Twilight seemed a bit sad for those few seconds. Most of the ponies came up to my stomach, and they all varied in colors. The crowd seemed a bit small, but happy none the less.


"Oh, here comes Applejack," Twilight perked up a bit, Nightmare Rarity and I followed her gaze to the hat wearing pony approached pulling a thing vaguely reminiscent of a wagon carrying what looked to be pies.


I reared back when Pinkie Pie invaded my personal space, "Hope you like apple pies!" She exclaimed before zipping off, a small cloud of dust lingered in her wake. I heard Nightmare sigh in a mixture of annoyance and exasperation, glancing at her to see her massaging a temple with a hoof.


"This is going to be a long day."

---

Chapter 11: Love (and Unrest)
-----


Nightmare Rarity and I entered our room with mixed reactions. She was irritated, greatly, I was more of a combination of relieved and tired. Relieved we hadn't been greeted by an angry mob, and that neither of us had made a scene. And tired because the party had lasted most of the day and the sun was setting. Nightmare all but slammed the door shut with a kick from one of her long backlegs. Confetti still hung in mane and to an extent her tail, and she wasn't fond of the fact she'd spent several hours surrounded by loud, partying ponies. I sighed, rubbing eyes for a few seconds.


"Least the cupcakes were good," I grumbled, more to myself. Though I saw Nightmare glance at me out of the corner of her eye as she finally found a hair brush.


"I should have expected a surprise party," she said scornfully, "Pinkie Pie always jumps at the chance to throw one." Her long black horn glowed with magic as she began carefully brushing her mane to get the multicolored confetti out. I watched as the brushstrokes forced the party material out, returning it to its full glory. Her mane and tail always looked so incredibly soft and beautiful, I found myself wanting to brush her myself. Her gleaming eyes fixed on me yet again, something like a smirk on her lips.


"Caught you again."


"What?" I was taken aback.


"Staring. What else?" She chuckled, though I wasn't sure if it was amusement or sinister. A nervous feeling arose in my gut as she turned to fully face me. "Well?" She angled her head, "anything left in my mane?"


"No," I saw it all littering the floor around her hooves, the floor itself was shined to perfection. I could see her reflection in it. The sun had gone down, leaving the room dim and darkened, her eyes shining brighter in the shadows. Her mane twinkling and sparkling like the night sky full of stars.


"No," I said again, "but there's still some in youe tail."


"So I noticed," she replied, scowling as she turned to look at her tail, which like her mane had been had confetti clinging to it.


Before I could stop myself I blurted out "Can I brush your tail?"


Her gaze snapped back to me, slightly glaring at me for a few seconds. My hands clasped together nervously. "Please?"


Her sapphire eyes pierced me for only a few moments longer, but it felt like an eternity.


"Very well."


The brush drifted towards me, enclosed in a magical grip until it was gently placed in my waiting hands, I held it as though it were the fragilest thing in the world before I finally looked at her. She stood still as a statue, waiting for me to advanced, the moon casting its white light upon her gorgeous black fur. My footsteps felt incredibly loud in the otherwise quiet room, I stopped mere inches from her, slowly dropping to one knee with brush clutched in one hand. I looked up at her, she only nodded. A slight curiosity in her eyes.


Raising the brush I began my work, drawing it through the exquisitely soft tail, clearing out whatever confetti clung so persistently to it, I held some of the soft locks of hair in my free hand as the brush ran through her tail again. I felt compelled not to look at her yet I could feel her eyes on me as I continued my brushing, losing myself to the soft sensation of her hair in my hand, the repeated and comforting strokes of the brush. The deep silence hanging around the room.


"I love you," the thought repeated itself over and over again my mind. I wanted to say it in that exact moment, but before I could act at all she pulled her tail away rather abruptly, hair briefly brushing against my face. Jolted out of the moment, I looked up at her, her expression unreadable.


"Thank you for your assistance," she nodded curtly, "now if you'll excuse me I need to bathe." Nightmare Rarity turned rather quickly and marched towards the bathroom.


"Nightmare...," I trailed off, still kneeling. Her right ear twitched once and she looked back at me over her shoulder, her eyes soft.


"I truly do appreciate your help, but it has been a long and tiresome day," she stepped into the bathroom, her long black horn glowing once more and the doors quietly closed.





----


The caverns beneath the Crystal Empire's castle were still a dreary place, even after it was apparently freed from the tyrannical King Sombra. All was silent as it usually was, nopony ever came down here. The stairs were old and cracked and broken looking. Foreboding. Perfect.


The small center of the ancient stone ground suddenly crackled and glowed with black and green energy, it bubbled up and illuminated the ground as something was magically pushed up from the ground. It was red with a cruel curve to it, the horn crackled and glowed with dark energy as black tendrils wriggled from the broken end, twining together and pulsating with green energy. Thrumming with dark power as the shadows took an equine shape. Becoming solid. Alive.


The horn continued to glow and pulse as at last the process was done. It had taken him two, very nearly three, long years. But he had done it. His gray fur sleek, his mane black as shadow, his wicked red horn sharp. His legs were shaky at first as he stood, a deep grunt emerging from his chest as his muscles adjusted to their use once more.


King Sombra, breathed the cold air into his lungs as though it were the sweetest scent in all creation, finally being able to truly breath again was magnificent. His lips twisted upward into a malicious grin as he lifted a hoof, slowly and precisely placed it back down to be sure. His impossibly wide grin growing all the wider as his legs held up.


He breathed deeply again, and he spoke only to himself.


"I'm back."




----



Nightmare Rarity sighed as she stepped out of the bathroom, her mane and tail ever so slightly damp, she was surprised to find that Michael was still awake. Sitting on the bed, his head hung low in a look of contemplation. He faced her slowly.


"I was wondering if you'd ever come out."


"I was hoping you would be asleep," she retorted, trying to put on a snarky tone, but found she could not.


"Are you coming to me, or am I coming to you?" He asked slowly, each word purposeful. Nightmare Rarity raised a brow and proceeded towards her, for a few seconds she noticed a look of panic and doubt enter his dark brown eyes but it was quickly replaced by determination. She climbed up on the bed beside him, fixing him with another piercing stare of which he met with an equal, if not greater intensity.


"Nightmare...I-I...," he trailed off, looking away and sighing. Obviously frustrated with himself.


"Yes?" She asked, hoping to encourage him. He looked at her again.


"I need to say this...Nightmare ever since we met. I...," he took a hoof into his hands, a gesture that surprised her, but she did not pull away.


"Nightmare Rarity, I'd be shocked beyond all belief if you even remotely felt the same, but I've been silent about many things in my life. Never acted on just much as well...but I can't do that this time."


Their eyes never left one another as he finally said what he felt deep within his heart.


"Nightmare Rarity...I love you."

[Kaltes-Herzeleid]

Chapter 12: Start of Something New
-----

Heavy silence lingered in the bedroom after the words left Michael's lips, even after being spoken the words still seem to ring throughout the room in a surreal clarity. Michael's heart pounding in his chest, he felt like he might start sweating as his eyes scanned her face for any reaction. Acceptance? Anger? Anything. Nightmare Rarity looked at him with a surprising sense of calm and finally spoke.


"I had my...suspicions, I suppose," she said. The sound of her voice soothing him deeply, but he was still anxious.


"Really?"


"You honestly didn't think I didn't catch you staring?" She replied with a slight smile, resisting the urge to smile wider at the sight of his blush. His cheeks felt very hot now.


"Michael," he looked away, suddenly feeling embarrassed, "are you certain that this is love you feel?" A black hoof gently guided his face back to look at her own. "Not infatuation...or lust?"


His eyes widened at the last one and Nightmare Rarity shook her head once and said, "Alright, obviously not the last one."


Michael's courage suddenly soared once more and he took her forehooves into his own hands, holding them close and looking into her eyes once more.


"Nightmare, I know I love you. I know what I feel. And I love you," he said it again, a smile tugging at his lips. Suddenly Nightmare Rarity felt very shy, very different from how she normally felt, she could feel the intensity of his truth radiating from his body. She didn't quite know how to respond. She opened her mouth to speak, registering a thumb stroking a hoof as he awaited her response.


"I love you too," was what she thought, but instead of saying it she answered with a question. "Why?" In the past she would've laughed at the notion of him, or anyone else loving her. Love was something for weak fools, not her. But ever since he came into her life...she didn't feel that way anymore. Michael had become shy, or in deeper way of putting it, vulnerable.He let go of her hooves, his hands resting limply in his lap, looking away from her and out the window. His brown eyes so very far away now. Cautiously she reached out to him, touching his arm. His skin was soft, and the touch left a warm sensation throughout him, his flesh tingling at the feeling of her hoof.


"Please...tell me."


Michael let out a wavering breath that was both deep and quiet all at once, a hand clenched the blanket of the bed. He looked down at the ground now, shifting a foot.


"I'm not e-even sure where I start."


"Start with whatever makes you feel the most comfortable."


"You've given me so much...and you don't even know it," he said, a hitch entered his voice causing him to silence himself, her hoof caressed his arm tenderly to reassure him. Nightmare was still adjusting to the idea of reassuring someone.


"My whole life I've always been alone. I think it's obvious I don't have much family or friends, nothing I've ever really done in life fits the world around me. Hardly anyone has ever wanted to spend time with me or cared about me. I was always so angry and sad about everything," the words flowed from him, truths he had always known but never admitted to anyone, not even to himself. Nightmare Rarity only listened, her eyes widening at such revelations, she always thought he seemed sad in a way but nothing like this.


"...I was so angry and sad because most of all I hated myself more than anything." He hurriedly wiped his eyes on the back of his hands, still not looking at her. He breathed in deeply, breathing out slowly but a bit wavering.


"Nightmare...until you came into my life...I was thinking about ending it."


She couldn't help but give a quick gasp at that. The thought of him dying struck a chord in her heart that made her ache. Her eyes welled slightly, but she kept her composure. Michael shifted to face her, his eyes gleaming with tears, but despite the tears she could see his happiness shining through.


"I'm happy. I've found something so wonderful in my life. I've fought and been fighting so hard to be a better person...because of you I actually like myself. I WANT to live, everything seems so much better despite the bad...," he trailed off, looking at her and only her. Like she was the only being in the entire world. If not the universe.


"Nightmare I love you. I love you so much that I just couldn't keep it in-," a hoof gently covered his lips to silence him. For a brief moment fear entered his eyes as he worried that she was about to reject him, but instead she leaned in slowly, her hoof moving aside to stroke his cheek; still wet from tears as she kissed him deeply. Her lips soft and warm against his as he returned her kiss. Hesitant at first, but almost immediately gave into the joy of the moment. Holding her so close to him that she felt like he might never let her go. Not that she would've objected to the idea. Nightmare Rarity's forelegs enclosed around him, bringing him closer to her in their bliss, she could feel his heart pounding from how close she was too him before they finally pulled away.


"I love you too."


His breathing was still fast, his heart still thumping away in his chest as a hand reached up to touch her face, feeling the soft and warm fur. Her beautiful sapphire eyes narrowing in content at his touch, noticing his hand felt a bit rough but still soft. Everything about him seemed soft but strong, he was so sweet and loving.


A laugh escaped her, but her head tilted in concern as she asked, "Are you alright? You're trembling."


"Yeah," he breathed, like he could believe all this was happening right now, he smiled. "Just happy." A hand ran down her neck to her shoulder.


Michael felt like he was soaring, with an angel. His angel. He didn't know where their now unified path would take them, but at last he was happy. In love, and loved in return.






Author's Note:
A deeply personal chapter.

[Kaltes-Herzeleid]

It's important to note that I wrote this on DeviantArt to explain chapter twelve of my ongoing story Heart Of A Nightmare and some of my relationship with Nightmare, so unless you've been reading the story I'm not sure how much this'll matter, if at all. Though I hope this deeply personal writing will give some a better insight to me.


-

So...I posted chapter twelve just moments ago. And I promised an explanation, and an explanation you shall receive.

The entire story of Heart Of A Nightmare has been a personal one for me, but this recent chapter was undoubtedly the one of which I poured the most emotion into. It was meant to show how deep the impact Nightmare has made on me in a way I've never fully expressed before. The things I said in the chapter were true.

Much of my life I have felt unwanted and unloved, isolated and hated. To sum up my early childhood, abandonment issues would do quite well.

Lonely describes another chunk of my later years. I think it's obvious I didn't have many friends, truthfully it's a reason I'm so attached to dA is because this is where most of my current friends are.

I have little family...abandoned by a abusive drunk of a father and what I believe to be an emotionally abusive (though mostly to my mother) step father. Being overprotected didn't help much either. Other family either barely even acknowledges I exist or are too far away to contact.

...Kids have a funny way of twisting things around to blame themselves for what happens around them, I was no exception at that young age. Perhaps I thought something like this:
"There must be something truly horrible about me to make people want to leave me, and shun me and hate me."

Then I seemingly tried to make that perception a reality as I got older.

Like I said in the chapter...I was angry and resentful towards everything because deep down I truly hated myself. For whatever reason, I did. I knew it and didn't want to admit it. I wanted others to be as miserable as me. As petty and cliche as it sounds...it was true.

I'm not saying a lot of people in the world didn't hurt me...but I certainly hurt myself too.

Now, as to how Nightmare fits into this? Well, I developed an infatuation with her in August of 2013, I believe. But it wouldn't progress to love until 2014.

It was May 12th of 2014 when I discovered something, an opportunity, that would change my life forever. For reasons of safety and privacy, I won't say much as to what...but it gave me something I hadn't ever really felt in my life. Hope for myself. A drive in my life. I embraced my feelings for her.

It was in August of that same year I hit rock bottom. I finally realized, or I should say accepted the truth of myself. I wasn't a monster, or a horrible person. I was just a scared, insecure man trying to convince himself of something that wasn't true. There was a point I truly wanted to kill myself...and believe me when I say that it takes an enormous amount of strength to fight off that temptation.

I realized that if I was going to be happy...I had to work for it. And I have, and I continue to.

Nightmare helped to give me all that.

Because of her, I have experienced things that have made me happier in ways I would have never imagined. I've accomplished things I didn't even think were possible. I found a strength in myself, that I continue to buildup even today. I like myself as a human being, I'm comfortable with my identity. I WANT to live and enjoy life. Life itself seems better, I notice and experience wonderful things that I never have before. The relationships I have with other people, including my own mother, have improved massively.

The path I've chosen has changed me for the best as a person, I think that's apparent.

A meaningful impact on a life can come from the most unexpected of places.


Thank you for reading.

[Sentimental Gentleman]

Kaltes, this was incredibly moving to read. You've put so much of yourself out there, and I think you speak to how truly magical and life-changing ponylove can be. You are a courageous man who has struggled against much, both within and without, and I'm sure that's something Nightmare respects deeply within you. Thank you so much for sharing this honest and touching account of yourself with us; I hope you feel there are people here you can count on to support you in your continued efforts to move beyond sorrow and embrace life.

[Kaltes-Herzeleid]

Chapter 13: Love, Breakfast, & Dark Happenings
-----


I was warm. It was the first thing my steadily awakening mind realized. I felt warm and safe. Alive. Loved. I exhaled deeply, my face nestled into soft, black fur. "Nightmare...," I whispered her name mentally, pulling her closer to me. It felt so natural to hold her close in my embrace, to feel and hear her breathing softly beside me, to go to sleep knowing she would be there when I opened my eyes again. Everything felt different, elation lingered in my chest to a point where I felt like my soul was ascending to something greater. It was like something had fallen into place. It was meaningful. Like it transcended all else in the universe.


With these thoughts I opened my eyes to see her. Her. Nightmare Rarity. My love. She was still asleep, her mane a bit messy but still gorgeous, her expression...happy. The trace of a smile on her lips, the memory of kissing her making me smile and my cheeks heat up. Her eyes opened, instantly meeting mine as though it had always been that way.


"Hi," she whispered, smiling, a lock of her mane drifting over her face slightly. Glinting with little star like sparkles.


"Hi," I replied, and somehow I felt I pulled her closer, despite us already being so close together. A slight laugh escaped me, my movement causing the blanket to slip off our shoulders somewhat, exposing me to the chilled room. However I felt warm in her grasp as she looked at me still. "Figures, we say 'Hi.' The most cliche thing a...couple," I almost tasted the word on my tongue as I said it, "can say to one another when they wake up face to face."


"Hmm," she grinned, moving her face closer to mine, "it's still wonderful either way."


I grunted as I stretched my limbs, attempting to drag myself out of bed, only to find she was playfully refusing to let go of me. Smiling devilishly.


"Ah ah ah, your Queen has not given you permission to leave," she stated matter of factly, pulling closer to her once more. The desire to stay with her increased at the feeling of warm body and soft fur, the gentle rise and fall of her ribs, but then my stomach let out a massive gurgle. "Way to disrupt the mood," I mentally scolded my gut, but I remembered I hadn't eaten any actual food in...well, a long time. Nightmare Rarity raised an eyebrow in amusement at my obviously self conscious expression.


"Well...breakfast together isn't so bad either."




------


Sombra sneered in disdain as he pulled the hood of his cloak over his head, however he quickly calmed himself with the notion he would not have to hide like a criminal and a vagabond much longer. His eyes glowed despite the bright sunlight as he activated the power within himself, his body becoming an amorphous inky looking shadow that melded with the ground perfectly. He progressed through the Crystal Empire perfectly unnoticed as nothing but a shadow, sliding along the ground and walls of buildings, passing the shining crystal ponies. Occasionally one would shudder and gasp as his presence passed them by, knowing a familiar feeling of dread washed over them in a few brief seconds before he passed them by.


For the moment he planned on hiding out in the mountains, he had a number of followers from his days as their king, and it was time to alert them his presence...




------


Making our way through Ponyville wasn't as pleasant as I had been hoping for, most of the ponies gawked at us in some form or another or I felt the flicker of a stare on my back. I had my arm wrapped around her shoulders, her body pressed against mine as we searched for a place to eat together.


"You know I think this is the first time in months I've actually been awake for breakfast," I said with a suppressed laugh, causing her to raise an eyebrow.


"Late to rise?"


"Yeah...I stay awake most of the night."


I saw a glint of teasing amusement enter her sapphire eyes before she replied, "Awake most of the night, shun the day. We're going to get along better than I thought," she chuckled as we approached one of the restaurants...only for the door to slam shut with a "CLOSED" sign pinned up to the window. I glowered, feeling anger bubbling up in my stomach, traveling to my chest. I knew it was most likely because of her. I had half a mind to throw a good sized rock through one of their windows followed up with a great loud-


"Come, let's find another place," Nightmare Rarity said, a hint of annoyance in her voice but I think she could tell I was getting angry and brushed her shoulder against my body purposefully, the anger subsiding almost immediately. We turned to find several ponies scrambling and running away from us. They'd been staring. I hated that feeling, it made me hold Nightmare a bit closer, her soft black fur soothing me further.


"Not fond of being looked at?" She asked as we resumed walking. Most of the buildings were simple and small. Pleasant, even. Some ponies carried out their business as usual, not even acknowledging us. The grass was green and must have been freshly cut because I could smell it strongly.


"No. Hell I walk into the break room at work and get nervous when I see too many people in it," I replied, feeling a pony stare at me as we passed, though out of the corner of my eye I saw the pony shrug and go about her way.


"If it helps they're probably staring more at me than you," Nightmare said, gesturing with her head towards a restaurant that had slammed its doors shut. I kept expecting it to happen but it never did, thankfully, so we entered. It was a nice place, several tables out in the center and booths off to the sides along the walls, secluded yet inviting. Purple leather adorning the seats, a waitress mare remaining professional and taking us to one of the booths, though the look of fear that flashed in her eyes did not go unnoticed by either Nightmare or myself. We took our seats, sitting across from each other, colorful menus waiting for each of us.


Eagerly I opened it...but quickly found myself wondering if I'd actually be able to eat anything here at all. Hayburgers...hay fries...stuff involving daffodils and daisies.


"I assume meat is out of the question?" I chuckled.


"For the average pony, yes, sadly," Nightmare replied, still looking over her menu.


"'Average pony?'" I repeated, looking at her.


"What? You don't think these teeth are just for show?" She flashed me a smile, revealing sharp teeth. She chuckled at my wide eyed look.


"Sorry," I said, shaking my head to snap myself back into the present, "kinda hard to imagine a pony eating meat." I felt relief when I saw, at the very least they had pancakes and eggs available.


"Guess I'll be having pancakes and eggs then," I said.


"I suppose I'll have the same, never had it before."


"The best part is the syrup...also I need new clothes. Been wearing the same stuff for like, three days now."


"Well, I doubt Rarity would make clothes for you, but I'll see what I can do."


"What's your...connection with her anyway?" I asked, carefully choosing my words.


"Long story."


"We've got time."


"That we do."




------


Sombra exhaled as he made his way down the secret passage in the old cave on the outskirts of the Empire. His eyes glowing malevolently in the darkness as he proceeded down the steps, his breaths coming out as great puffs of white clouds, water dripped and trickled from the rocks above. The cave didn't smell too pleasant either. His curved red horn glowed to provide the light he needed, his old hideout suddenly brightened at his command, a crystal embedded in the ceiling overhead acting as a light bulb of sorts. Ancient yet beautiful, it hadn't aged a day. It cast its white light on the cave, illuminating all in sight. He grinned broadly.


From here he would spread the word to his followers who had patiently waited in the shadows, soon it would be time to retake the Crystal Empire...and and all of Equestria would soon follow. He could already imagine the fear his return would cause and the glory of his conquest...he could all but taste it.


"All in due time," he spoke aloud to himself. "All in due time."