//------------------------------// // Chapter Fifteen // Story: Battle Ready: The Rising of Sin // by D101 Reviews //------------------------------// "I actually didn't think you'd come out tonight Fluttershy darling," Rarity said as she observed Fluttershy carefully. "I think this is the first time we managed to get you to come out and enjoy Nightmare Night." "Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be such a bother," Fluttershy muttered meekly. "Nonsense darling," Rarity said, waving away Fluttershy's comment smiling. "It's not a bother to get your friend out to enjoy herself. And I must say I love your costume." "Oh what? This? Well it's um, it's nothing special," Fluttershy muttered. "Oh come now Fluttershy your costume is simply adorable," Rarity insisted. "I think you make a lovely bunny." Fluttershy beamed from beneath hair and hood of her snow white onesie/snuggie.The outfit was rather adorable, especially given Fluttershy's rabbit like tendency to run and hide at the first sudden noise. The single fitting garment was all white save for the pink patch on her stomach and the pink little spots on the palms where the pads of a rabbit's foot would be. The hood came complete with two floppy ears, each covered with an inner pink material and at the small of Fluttershy's lower back was a fluffy rabbit's tail. Indeed, it was rather cute all in all. "Well, thank you Rarity. Your costume is just lovely too," Fluttershy said at last, returning the compliment. "Oh I know," Rarity sighed, beaming. "I have to say I think Sweetie Belle tied the corset a little too tight but I think it works." Rarity was wearing a rather risque all black ensemble. A tight fitting black corset, a black frilly skirt, black knee high boots, fishnet stockings and very snug black leather jacket. She had even, much to Fluttershy's mock shock, taken her mane and tail out of their signature curls and instead straightened them to a razor sharp edge. Even more daringly, she had sprayed black highlights into her mane and tail as well as added deep purple eyeshadow and black lipstick to replace her usual makeup. To finish the daring look, if she were to smile, one would see she had added false incisors to her teeth, giving them a distinctly deadly look. "You look... um... nice," Fluttershy said at last, smiling, but blushing as well for the sake of Rarity's modesty. Rarity herself gave a small laugh and looked herself over again. "Yes I suppose it is a little more dangerous than I'd planned but you can't hold back with Nightmare Night can you darling? I mean let's be honest, Princess Luna's going to be coming as Nightmare Moon after all." "I guess," Fluttershy muttered, smiling as the smooth figure of Con Mane sidled up beside the two of them. "Your drink your highness," Battle said as he handed Rarity a slender (and plastic) champagne flute, filled with a bubbling liquid of solid red. "Oh thank you Mister Mane," she said, winking playfully. "What is tonight's drink then?" "Cherries from Tartarus," Battle answered, handing Fluttershy a plastic bottle of Coke. "Shaken, not stirred?" Rarity asked and took a small sip. "The opposite in fact," Battle corrected, taking a sip from his own bottle. "It's simply divine!" Rarity exclaimed. "Battle you certainly know how to spoil a lady. Fluttershy do you want a taste?" "I'm fine thank you Rarity," Fluttershy declined politely. Battle smiled and took a deep glug from the bottle in his hand before looking around. "So any sign of the others then?" he asked, looking around. As he did so he removed his sunglasses and slipped them into the front pocket of his suit jacket. "I've seen Pinkie Pie doing her usual thing here and there that's for certain," Rarity said, checking in a small hand mirror that her makeup was still spotless, "Other than that, no. I haven't seen hide nor tail of Applejack and Rainbow." "I swear to god if Rainbow's decided tonight to play hide'n'seek I will be pissed," Battle sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Won't be able to see the sneaky minx until she's-" "Right in your face?" Battle flinched but didn't react more than that as he slowly opened his eyes. "Dash. I may not be able to act so calm, and thus won't be held responsible to the bloody nose you will get if you do that again." "Lighten up would ya tall dark and broody?" Dash laughed, taking a bite from an apple. "What's Nightmare Night without a few pranks?" "Slightly less hazardous to your health," Battle retorted, smiling nonetheless. "Nice Daring Doo costume by the way. Haven't seen that half a dozen times already tonight." "Thanks," Dash growled, sticking her tongue out at him before she finished off her apple, giving a sideways glance at Fluttershy and Rarity. "Aren't those your pyjamas 'Shy?" Fluttershy gave an embarrassed squeak and hid behind her mane as Battle shook his head. Rarity set her now empty 'glass' down on a nearby stool and gave Dash's costume a once over, giving her a scathing look. "Rainbow Dash did you buy that costume from one of those cheap and tacky costume shops?" she asked with disdain. "What!? No of course I didn't!" Dash exclaimed indignantly as Battle hooked a finger around something in Dash's collar. "What the heck do you think you're doing?" With a quick yank, Battle pulled the tag from Dash's jacket and handed it to Rarity. "Seriously, Applejack could have done better with that lie." "Party Planet?" Rarity said quietly. "Weather patrol's been busy okay?" Dash mumbled. "Didn't have to time to really make a costume and then wham, make or break time. I couldn't exactly have asked Rarity to make me a costume a day before Nightmare Night." "She threw this together for me in about an hour," Battle commented, pulling at his lapel. Dash stared at him. "I hate you." "I know." Rarity rolled her eyes and threw the tag over her shoulder. "I don't suppose there's any chance you've seen Applejack tonight Rainbow darling?" "She's taking a bunch of Hunted around Ponyville," Rainbow Dash explained. She checked her watch. "Matter o' fact she should be almost done. She's bound to be heading' off to the Candy Offering any minute now." "Candy offering?" Battle asked. "It's where all the foals- "And Pinkie." "-And Pinkie thank you Dash, give up their candy to Nightmare Moon," Rarity explained. "They used to do it in the Everfree forest but last year we had a close call with some Timberwolves." "Princess Luna sure scared them away though," Dash smirked. "Did kind of ruin the whole Nightmare Moon image but I think the kids had enough nightmares from that night." "Yeah that sounds about right," Battle agreed. "Is that where we're going then? Meet up with AJ and Pinkie at the Candy Offering?" "Sounds like a plan," Dash nodded. "Agreed," Rarity said. "We should spend Nightmare Night together and fun. Wouldn't you say so Fluttershy?" Fluttershy didn't respond verbally but nodded her assent with a small smile. The moon was getting higher in the night sky, and yet the lights of Ponyville refused to dim. The pair walked through the throng, looking nervously at each other every once in a while. They stayed slightly back from the dark stallion who had emerged from the now empty library. They had been assured that the Princess of Magic lived in the tree, yet this new stallion had emerged instead. She was convinced that it was merely a small blip in their plans. He on the other hand was worried. "Perhaps we should turn back?" he whispered. "We can blame our failure on poor information." "You're a fool if you think she will forgive us!" she snapped back. "She is not here though!" he hissed. "I heard from one of the townspeople she is in Zebrika and has been for several months now!" "Have no fear, I have been doing reconnaissance of my own," she said slyly. "I heard that Princess Luna makes an annual visit to the towns of Equestria and that Ponyville is her first port of call." He didn't respond, but she could imagine him biting his lip behind his mask. She sighed. "What is troubling you now?" "Would we be able to do it? She is immortal after all." "She is immortal too. And she will not let us enjoy a quick death is we don't bring her an alicorn of great power for her arrival." He shuddered at the thought, before nodding. "Okay. We take Princess Luna." The sky darkened slightly and a powerful wind began to blow around the town square. A cloud passed over the moon. Battle looked up from his conversation with Dash. "This is supposed to happen right?" he asked uncertainly. "Oh yeah," Dash assured him. "Princess Luna has a thing for dramatic entrances." "Pot, I'd like you to meet my friend kettle," Battle muttered. "Haha, funny guy," Dash stuck her tongue out at Battle again. "I am a very amusing guy," Battle agreed. A hole was suddenly opened in the clouds, a single shaft of moonlight spilling through as a dark silhouette began to descend through. A black metal chariot, being pulled by two bat ponies in the armour of the lunar guard. A halo of more bat ponies flew around the chariot as it came towards Ponyville. In the chariot itself was the tall, imposing figure of Nightmare Moon, her astral mane of inky night dotted with stars, her black coat darker than the night's sky and her turquoise eyes burning with a passion that radiated from her cat-like pupils. Her armour was black and silver, a long flowing gown of midnight blue silk clasped to her shoulders by glittering sapphire broaches. "Impressive," Battle muttered. "Like the entrance I see?" Dash said. Battle elbowed her gently as the chariot landed on the stage. The guards all stayed above keeping their eyes peeled for a threat as Nightmare Moon stepped from the chariot and looked out over the gathered children of Ponyville. "And here I thought I would find some delicious young foals after such a long journey from the castle!" she called in a powerful voice. "I have been so hungry all evening." Someone shoved into Battle from behind as they walked past. "Excuse you," he muttered under his breath. The figure paused and turned to look at him. Battle felt unnerved as the figure was wearing a black hooded jumper and a white mask, a grotesque harlequin smile stretched over the mouth. The eyes set under the mask studied Battle for a moment. Battle stared back. He saw nervousness, uncertainty and fear all jumbled together in those eyes. But then there was determination too. A second figure joined the first and grabbed then by the hood of their black cloak. Whoever this newcomer was, they were dressed similar fashion, black hood and white mask but instead of a smile there was a frown. And like that they were gone. "Freaks," Dash muttered in his ear. "Definately," Battle said, slightly distracted. The foals were giving up candy to Nightmare Moon, who made a great show of throwing back sweets at certain intervals, laughing maniacally at the taste. Applejack and Pinkie Pie were standing on the ground in front of her, helping the foals give candy to the alicorn, with Pinkie sneaking the occasional sweet for comedic effect. Several of the bat ponies had become grounded and were starting to mingle with the crowd. "Battle?" Fluttershy asked. The hairs on the back of his neck began to stir. There was a tingling sensation in the pit of his stomach and mind jumped into full throttle. His gut feelings were rarely wrong, and right now his whole being was screaming at him that something was about to happen. One of the few remaining bat ponies frowned and reached for his crossbow. There was a commotion towards the front of the stage. Someone screamed and Nightmare Moon instantly jumped down from the stage and ushered the foal's behind her as two figures burst from the crowd. The Lunar Guard leapt into action to defend their Princess as frightened and panicked parents tried to get their foal's to safety. Chaos spread and spread quickly. And in the midst of it all, Battle had no idea how he'd reached the stage so quickly. The two figures he'd seen before were wrestling and grappling with the guards and they were winning. They were good. Stronger than Battle would have thought for the size of them. The guards were too close together for them to try their swords and the fight was moving too quickly for them to dare and use their crossbows. Princess Luna had dropped her guise of Nightmare Moon and was still shielding the foals whilst Pinkie Pie and Applejack ran small groups of them away to the safety of their parents. The Princess herself was defended by a wall of bat ponies who kept trying to bundle her into the chariot and take off. One of the two figures, the one with the sad face, threw his attackers to the ground and leapt towards Princess Luna, only to be met halfway by Battle Ready stepping in front of them. Sad Face looked at him and snarled. "This does not concern you!" they snapped. Female. "Stand aside." Battle didn't respond with words, simply taking up a defensive stance, his eyes cold. Sad Face sighed and lunged. Battle sidestepped her attack and slammed his elbow into the back of her neck. She hit the ground and grunted, but rolled before Battle could get his hands on her. She quickly jumped to her feet Battle could practically hear her smile. "You are good," she admitted. "But you will have to do better than-" Battle's fist shattered the porcelain mask and her nose in a sickening crack. She cried out and staggered back her hands reaching up to her wounded face. She shrieked in pain again as Battle kicked her right knee, popping the joint and cracking the bone. Her hands shot down to her injured knee on instinct and Battle grabbed her by the sides of her head and slammed his own knee into her jaw, sending her rocketing back on her heels and to the floor, out cold. Battle looked over at the other attacker, to see him disappear into an alleyway followed by a troupe of Lunar Guards. He looked down at Sad Face and straightened his bow tie, before reaching for his sunglasses and slipping them on. "Good enough?" he asked his unconscious opponent.