//------------------------------// // Chapter Twelve - Loyalty // Story: A New Nightmare // by LittleAngelStocking //------------------------------// Celestia levitated the rolled up letter out of her beloved cake with a grimace, but then smiled. She unrolled the letter, when Luna stepped in. “Tia! I believe I have figured out where Nightmare may go next,” she stepped up to her sister, and then glanced at the letter. “Did you?” Celestia said eagerly, forgetting about her cake. “Do go on! We must act quickly.” Luna nodded. “I believe that she might go after the other Elements – she will want to get rid of one or all of them, so that our chances against her will be less.” Celestia nodded, realizing Luna was right. “Alright then. Should we summon all of them here?” “Yes,” Luna nodded. Celestia sighed deeply, then stood up. She opened the letter and read it. Luna watched her expression go from a concerned one to a shocked one. “Celestia? What is it?” “Forget calling the others” she said, and turned to her guards. “Go get Shining Armor – now!” ~~ Rarity was anxious for a reply from Celestia, but she didn’t let it show on her face. A lady is always patient. She had settled on a red floor-pillow, her hooves tucked underneath her, elegantly sipping a cup of iced tea. Spike was lying next to her on his back, his head resting against her side. “Spike? Aren’t you going to eat your sapphire?” She asked gently. He gave her a guilty look, and set the big gem on the ground next to her. “No thanks, I’m not really hungry…” Rarity sipped her tea, trying to think of something to say to cheer him up. She opened her mouth, but he beat her to it: “Rarity, am I worthless?” The question surprised Rarity, but she immediately responded: “Of course not, Spike! You are not worthless!” Spike didn’t look so sure. “Well, Twilight said that…” “Twilight wasn’t herself.” Rarity told him. In truth, she had no idea what Twilight’s issue was but she was confident that it must have been something else making Twilight do and say those things. “Spike, Twilight loves you. She’d never hurt you, or say those things to you. You know that,” she reached back and wrapped her hoof around him, tugging him closer and nuzzling his head. He hugged her neck, and Rarity continued, “you are the most loyal, kindest, sweetest, most generous dragon I have ever had the pleasure of meeting,” Rarity said. “and Twilight certainly agrees – I’m sure Celestia will know what’s wrong with her.” “You really think so?” “I know so.” “Thanks Rarity, I…thanks. There was a long silence, and Spike was about to say something, and then stopped, and blinked. He turned his head away from Rarity, and before Rarity could ask what the matter was, he belched out a letter. “Oh! My,” Rarity caught it in her blue aura, and opened it. Rarity, Gather the other Elements and meet Shining Armor at the library, Princess Celestia “Oh dear, this doesn’t look good.” She rolled it up and placed it on the desk on the other side of the room. “What is it?” Spike asked, “What did it say?” Rarity stood up. “Celestia wants me and the other four to meet Shining Armor at the library,” she said. “I hope nothing has happened.” “Oh.” Spike said quietly, and after a moment he stood up. “I’m coming with you.” Rarity paused on her way to the door. “…Are you sure?” “Yeah,” Spike stepped up next to her, “There’s something wrong with Twilight and I want to help her.” Rarity couldn’t help but smile. “Alright, come along Spike. We need to find our friends though, first.” ~~ “…So, this has only been what, two – three days and Twilight’s actin’ crazier than a beheaded snake?” Applejack asked for a third time as the six of them headed towards the library. They could already see Shining Armor’s carriage sitting in front of it – the lights were on, he was no doubt inside. Night had fallen over Equestria; Celestia had lowered the sun with particular haste this evening, wanting it to be over with as quickly as possible. Luna was even hastier in raising the moon – it hung a tad higher than it should at this time of night. “That is what Spike tells me, yes.” Rarity confirmed. “I can speak for myself,” Spike muttered from his place on Fluttershy’s back (“You poor thing, what happened to you?” had been followed by her sweeping him up off the ground and hugging him gently) “Oh my gosh! I hope Twilight is okay!” Pinkie fretted, her usual bounce had been replaced by a sort of bouncy trot. “Should I fly ahead and make sure it’s safe?” Rainbow Dash asked, to which Rarity responded. “Dear, we’re only a few feet away.” Rainbow Dash shrugged. “Eh.” Shining Armor stepped out of the library door, and quickly galloped towards them. “She’s not here.” “She isn’t?” they all said in unison. “She isn’t,” he repeated; his brows furrowed in worry. “Oh dear!” Rarity whispered. “Where could she have gone?” “Were there any clues?” Applejack asked, walking past the captain and peering in. “Not that I could find,” Shining Armor shook his head. Fluttershy spoke up: “I, um… I think I might know…” “Where?” Shining Armor stepped up to her and she stood up a bit straighter. “Well, uh, the other day I-“ “Spit it out!” Rainbow Dash cried, “Twilight could be in trouble!” Fluttershy winced. “The Everfree Forest.” “What are we waiting for, then!” Rainbow cried, “let’s go!” Shining Armor turned to his companion guards, “Stay here in case she returns.” They nodded, and he scanned the area once more before motioning for the mares to follow him. But Fluttershy stopped. “Where did Spike go?” ~~ Twilight broke the surface of the water, paddling her aching legs and gasping. She felt like just stopping her legs, but that would mean sinking to the bottom, and she certainly didn’t want to do that. Night had fallen over Equestria, purple clouds sat lazily in the sky, stars twinkled brightly, and if Twilight weren’t busy trying not to drown she’d have stopped to admire it. “Luna did well tonight!” she said, managing plant her hooves on muddy earth, she then crawled out of the river and collapsed on the dry grass. She lay there for a few moments, weighed down by both the water in her mane tail and coat, and the indigo chest piece around her shoulders. She got up to her shaking legs; her entire torso feeling like it would tear right off. “I… I got what you wanted!” Twilight called, she waited for a reply; but when none came she started hesitantly: “So… I get to stay in control, right?” No reply. “Okay! You’re not saying anything – that must mean you’re pleased! Right? Right?!” Still no reply. Twilight shook herself like cat, trying to shake out the water that was running down her coat. She didn’t know how she was going to be able to walk when she was weighed down like this, but she walked anyway. She needed to. She trudged forward, trying to keep her thoughts from her friends, or the Princess. “I don’t remember it being this heavy when I wasn’t wearing it.” She briefly wondered who she was talking to, then simply shrugged and continued forward. “Twilight!” Twilight’s entire body seemed to freeze. No. She didn’t turn around and continued walking. “Twilight, wait!” the baby dragon ran up beside her, “Where are you going?” Twilight’s lips trembled, but she said nothing and simply continued forward. If I don’t acknowledge him, It won’t take control of me. “Twilight? Can you hear me?” he lightly nudged her shoulder, and his eyes trailed towards the big blue chest-piece. “Is that…” Twilight closed her eyes, feeling tears well up in them. Go, go Spike! She thought. I couldn’t bear to see you hurt again… “Twilight, please say something!” “Go – go! Please… just go!” She clenched her teeth, expecting to say something violent, rude or especially hurtful. But nothing happened – she remained in control. “No!” Spike said firmly, “Twilight, what’s happening to you?” Twilight didn’t answer, she had no answer. Spike grabbed her leg, attempting to stop her. “Where are you going? Twilight!” “Please, go!” Twilight gulped, her body quivering – It could take control any second! “Spike, please – I don’t want to hurt you - I have no control! Please, just go!” Spike stopped walking for a second, seeming to think about it, and then he grasped her shoulders and jumped up onto her back. “No! I’m not going to leave you.” “Spike, please…” “I don’t care what happens. I’m not leaving your side!” “Spike I…” She realized that her assistant wasn’t going to change his mind, and simply let out a shaky breath. Just don’t talk to him, and maybe It won’t hurt him. And so she continued on her way, stopping for only a second when she stood in front of the Everfree Forest. She held her breath and started forward.