//------------------------------// // Nightmares // Story: Rebellion // by Symphony //------------------------------// Even when the cycles of the moon and the sun changed constantly, Twilight Sparkle could feel that it was nighttime. The little dragon she had met had curled up on her back and had fallen asleep minutes ago. She didn't know why such a young creature would walk around in the wilderness on his own, but he seemed to know what he was doing, and what to avoid. That was something she needed; a guide to help her. Twilight sighed and took a look around. She had to find a place to sleep as soon as possible. She decided to sleep next to the tree line by a bush so she could hide from plain view. They hadn't encountered any more of the Surrendered, but she wanted to be safe, rather than sorry. Spike snored loudly and kicked out his left leg, as if he was dreaming about running from something. He continued to mumble something incoherent, and Twilight giggled at the display she found to be adorable. She averted her eyes from the drake and looked up at the sky, where the majestic night sky was currently being shown. Her eyes fell on the moon, currently adorned with the crude image of a pony. Twilight didn't get to inspect the strange image on the orb any further, as the sun bumped the moon away in a comical fashion. She pouted in a childish manner and laid her head down to rest. Before she fell asleep, her thoughts drifted away to her parents. She almost regretted her decision, but she shook her head gently to rid herself of those selfish thoughts. She closed her eyes and sighed. They would have to find their way through the forest tomorrow and hopefully avoid any encounters with the Surrendered. Spike started rolling around and Twilight was able to hear him talk in his sleep. “No mom... We have to run... Don't sleep now... Mom?” His last word sounded desperate, but he soon reverted to snoring once again. Twilight felt a tug at her heart from the drake's pleading. She fell into a restless and strange sleep. Hate... Malice... Malevolence... Those were the only thoughts of the black alicorn as she pried away at her lock on her prison. Her responsibility had become her prison, all because of that wretched beast... She scowled and put more effort into chipping away the last remaining pieces of her imprisonment. Oh, she would have her sweet revenge as soon as she had escaped... That draconequus would learn his lesson about touching her sister and claim their country as his. All in good time, she reasoned and focused at the task at hoof. She recalled his smirk as he imprisoned her and lashed out with a powerful arcane lightning bolt, lighting up the area around her momentarily. Her draconic eyes glimmered with glee as she noticed a barely visible crack on the shield containing her. She reared onto her hind legs while taking a moment to collect her energy into one final strike. The space around her shifted from the energy emanating from her horn as it blazed forth with brute, unyielding power. She whipped her head backwards, and as her forelegs made contact with the surface again, she whipped her head forward and unleashed the spell. The space around the dark blue beam shifted and contorted as the beam progressed toward the shield. It hit square at the already existing crack, and the shield burst into a million shards raining down onto her in small sparkles of disintegrating magic. Nightmare Moon allowed a small smile to embrace her lips, before she shape-shifted into a purple mist, which slithered away toward the planet she originated from. She intended to find her sister, then face off with the beast once and for all. But this time, she refused to fail as that would probably mean the end of the road for her and her sister, as she doubted that she would have the power to break out once again. “I am coming for you, coward...” She snarled. Discord was walking down the halls of his mismatched abode with his arms behind his back, deep in thought. He had sensed the release of both of the alicorn sisters. He knew that breaking free must have taken much of their energy, so they would have to regenerate their lost power and lick their wounds for some time before they would be able to take him down. To add insult to their injury was the fact that they were still separated. When their respective energies had returned, they would easily be able to sense each other. That meant that he had little time for small-talk, he had to act, and act fast. As he continued his leisurely walk, several members of his personal force passed him. Every single one of them bowed as he passed them and he smirked. The Surrendered had proven themselves to be quite useful on several occasions, and he always felt warm and fuzzy inside as another pony practically hoofed over their own free will in order to serve him and his chaotic cause. But of course, sometimes he would encounter a fighter; somepony who refuse to obey him. They always surrender to his will, whether they want to or not. Doesn't take much to simply rip away somepony's will. That was the case of today's catch. All he had heard from Screwball was that they had brought back a unicorn stallion who had put up an impressive fight to escape from them. But of course, he had been overpowered and brought back to Discord's castle, as that stallion would prove to be a precious addition to his forces when he had proven his strength in combat. Discord ascended a flight of stairs and heard obscene shouting in the distance. Discord felt overjoyed at the prospect of having another puppet to play with and walked out to the ponies with a bounce in his step. “You!” The white unicorn growled as Discord walked toward him. The stallion was held back with multiple chains and a small ring of obsidian metal was around his horn to prevent him from using his magic. As the stallion strained against the bonds holding him back, his dark blue mane swayed from side to side. The stallion snarled and set his light blue eyes at the mismatched beast in front of him. “Oh, a troublemaker, aren't we?” Discord mocked the stallion, who continued to fight the restraints holding him. “Believe me when I say that I have a way of dealing with troublemakers...” Discord used a small spell to read the memory of the stallion, learning his name and the members of his family. “Shining Armor, will you surrender to me now? Or will I have to rip everything away from you?” Discord asked menacingly. Shining Armor scowled and spat on the ground in front of the spirit. “I will never surrender to you, monster...” Discord smiled sadistically as he ran his eagle talon down the stallion's face. “Remember your manners, child... It would be such a shame if little Twilight came to be harmed because of you disrespecting me like this...” Discord chuckled darkly at the stallion's shocked expression, which turned into a threatening scowl. “Don't you dare touch her! I...do whatever you want with me...just...just don't hurt her...” Shining hung his head in defeat. The draconequus smirked and brought forward his lion paw which was blazing with magical energy. “Sorry sis... Sorry for letting you down, but I'm not gonna let this psycho take you...” Shining Armor sighed. Discord laid his lion paw to the head of the stallion. The stallion's eyes shot open and he started convulsing violently. He thrashed with all his might in a weak attempt to escape from the burning pain in his head. Discord felt his powers becoming stronger as the will of the stallion was passed onto him. Shining Armor closed his eyes for one second, and as he opened them again, the white in his eyes had turned yellow. Discord removed his paw and turned around to leave the stallion to fend for himself. He had more pressing matters to tend to. Pre-read and edited by frieD195.