Rarity sat calmly before the twin thrones of the Diarchs. She wasn't sure which thought in her mind she should focus on first: Nightmare's rueful pleasure at Luna's throne being returned to its proper place; the possible purpose of this interview she was summoned for; the various recent events that had crossed her path; or how Bruce and Terry were doing in Gotham. However, she quickly cleared her thoughts as Celestia and Luna entered the room, taking their places on the throne. Steady, she cautioned Nightmare in her mind.
You do remember what brought me into being, don't you? Nightmare snarled.
Of course I do now, Rarity replied. But nothing you do here is going to solve anything. Rarity bowed politely to the Diarchs. "Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, she greeted formally. "To what do I owe the honor of this interview?"
Celestia smiled lightly, but Rarity could see where the smile was somewhat strained. "Well, there are a few events that have happened recently that have...caused us some concern."
"We had thought to ignore them, as they seemed relatively minor," Luna added. "However, a much more significant event has occurred, and these events now seem connected. We felt it best to consult with you on the matter. You seemed best placed to give answers, given the nature of the incidents."
Rarity smiled softly, though inside she grew cautious. "I'll help in whatever way I can, though I'm not sure how much I can do."
Celestia smiled. "The first incident of concern regards your new assistant, specifically her former employer."
Rarity snorted disdainfully. "After what I've been able to interpret from bits and pieces regarding that...mare's behavior with poor Coco, I hope you're telling me she's in the hospital or in jail."
"A bit of both, actually," Luna replied curiously. "She's been placed in the mental ward of the Manehatten General Hospital. Apparently, she has gone for several weeks with barely any sleep, and what sleep she has gotten is filled with horrible nightmares. While sleeping, she screams out for somepony to 'leave her alone' or 'help her', sometimes apologizing profusely. While awake, she rants and raves. Since being confined, doctors have witnessed phantom injuries appearing on her body whilst she sleeps, only to vanish moments later."
Rarity tilted her head. "Well...from what I've managed to learn, I can't say she's getting more than she deserves," she replied. "But why ask me?"
"Do you recognize the spell that has been applied to her?" Celestia asked. "It's not a common one."
Rarity scratched her chin. "Well...I've been doing some obscure reading with Twilight in my free time...and it sounds a bit like the Karmic Reprisal. Isn't that the spell that makes someone experience the wrongs they've inflicted upon others from the perspectives of their victims? Twilight mentioned it was one aspect of a Reformation Spell she'd planned as a backup, before Fluttershy proved fully capable of handling Discord."
Celestia frowned briefly, but smoothed her features. "I believe you are correct about the spell."
"The matter of concern," Luna pointed out, "is that from what we've been able to determine, the spell was placed on her shortly after you hired Miss Pommel, and was placed in her dreamscape in such a way that I was unable to perceive that she was having a nightmare."
"Well, such a working is far beyond my abilities," Rarity pointed out. "I'm afraid all I was able to do for Coco was give her a room that locked from the inside, and enroll her in Iron Will's self defense and self assertion courses." After Fluttershy's lack of satisfaction from Iron Will's original seminars, the minotaur had completely reworked his system so that his clients could escape being victims without becoming bullies themselves. A balance between self defense lessons and a gradual increase in self confidence as a result worked well. ...he'd also eliminated his satisfaction guarantee from his business plan.
Oh yes, Nightmare muttered silently. That's all you did to help her.
Hush, Rarity scolded silently. "As far as why you weren't able to perceive it, Luna, I'm afraid that explores details of dream magic that are simply beyond my comprehension. Whoever did it must know your abilities nearly as well as you do."
Nearly?
I said hush.
"Well, as we've been unable to resolve that one," Celestia murmured, "perhaps you could answer a question regarding...your choice of the Ponyville aerial relay team's uniform design for the Equestria Games this year?"
Rarity smiled innocently. "That was actually a bit of a joke on Rainbow Dash, as well as a bit of encouragement for the team as a whole. See, Rainbow had been going on and on about how Cloudsdale was the team to beat, and Cloudsdale was sending the Wonderbolt's...so I thought dressing the Ponyville team as the Shadowbolts was thematically appropriate." She turned to Luna. "I hope you did not find it offensive. I admit in hindsight it might have been insensitive, given how Rainbow first came across the design..."
"That's quite alright," Luna replied. "Personally, I found it rather amusing, and a good point with which to argue with Celestia." She turned her eyes towards her sister. "The Wonderbolts were founded to serve you in many matters after my banishment. I don't fault you for having your own elite team dedicated to your service...but it is only fair I get one as well, and the uniform design already exists..."
Celestia sighed. "We'll talk about it another time, sister," she relented. "However, Rarity...perhaps you could explain your choice of theme for the Ponyville Days festival?"
"Which part?" Rarity asked curiously. "Gothic chic, or the comic book supers theme?"
"Why you thought they went together," Luna replied.
"Well, that's why I was Batmare, after all," Rarity pointed out. "It certainly received excellent reviews." And Spike certainly enjoyed dressing up, she thought happily, remembering how adorable he looked in the Robin outfit.
Slash fiction, Nightmare teased silently.
Hush! Rarity snapped back, suppressing a blush.
"And...then you dressed up Fluttershy as Batmare so she could fill in for Big Mac in the Ponytones anonymously under the influence of Poison Joke?" Celestia asked.
"It worked out rather well, I must admit," Rarity pointed out. "Dear Fluttershy got to experience what it was like to perform in front of a crowd without the sense of everyone watching her. She quite enjoyed it, considering how many repeat performances she requested."
"There's another matter of concern of mine," Luna added. "Recently, I assisted Sweetie Belle with a certain...nightmare of hers, and she spoke of certain bedtime stories you'd been telling her? She wouldn't tell me what they were, but mentioned waking up one night to discover you had...bat wings?"
Celestia had been sipping her tea at that point. Rarity's reflexes deflected the spray of tea with her wings, flipping them in front of her as a shield before the liquid touched her, and then shaking them dry. "Oh, these things?" she asked deprecatingly. "I just woke up with them one night. Since neither of you showed up and made a fuss like you did when Twilight sprouted wings, I figured they weren't important like hers were, so I didn't make a fuss either. Besides, Twilight was having such a hard time adjusting to being a Princess, I didn't want to add another headache to her plate if they did signify something."
Celestia and Luna exchanged glances, and Luna then spoke up. "We'll get to that," she said finally. "There is another matter that I feel we must address. ...recently, I received a premonition that an old enemy of ours, Tirek, had escaped Tartarus and was once again stealing magic."
Rarity gasped. "That's terrible! But...shouldn't you be informing Twilight?"
"I would...except that not minutes after I witnessed him draining magic from a pony in the vision, I witnessed him slain by a creature resembling Nightmare Moon."
Rarity was glad her coat was white, as her paling was not visible. "Oh? Do tell."
"She approached and drove a dagger into his skull right between his horns, and the magic he had stolen returned to the ponies it was stolen from."
You didn't tell me you killed him! Rarity hissed internally.
I was operating completely independent of you, and he eats magic! Nightmare hissed back. If I hadn't, he would have eaten me!
...fair enough.
Luna levitated out Tirek's corpse. "This dagger was found embedded in his skull when he was found," Luna replied, gesturing to the blade. "Perhaps, Rarity, you could explain why it was enchanted so that only a specific magical wavelength could pull the hilt from the wound...your magical wavelength?"
You might have mentioned that before I went after a magic eating demon, Nightmare scolded.
Well, cat's out of the bag now, Rarity thought silently. She sighed. "It's a long story, your highness. But the dagger is mine. A gift from a friend in another world." She cast a light spell. When the light faded, she had donned her true bat suit. "The hilt is keyed to my magical signature, so it can't be used against me. The crossgaurd is null alloy, which prevents the magical nature of the hilt from influencing or being influenced by the blade. The blade is nth metal, a special alloy that neutralizes magical fields. That's why it sent all the stolen magic back."
Celestia gaped. "Who could you have gotten such an artifact from?" she demanded.
"It was a gift from an adoptive older brother, one Richard Grayson," Rarity explained. "And...there's someone else who should speak up here." Talk.
Nightmare let out a sigh through Rarity's lips. "Not how I expected this meeting to go," Nightmare replied. "It's...something to see you both again."
Celestia and Luna both gasped. "Nightmare?" Celestia whispered.
"But how?" Luna demanded. "You were purged-"
"Actually, I was just sealed away deep in Rarity's psyche," Nightmare replied. "One night, I wished I could be free of that prison. The present situation is the result of Discord granting that wish."
"Discord," Celestia muttered. "I might have known. If you'll both excuse me..." Getting to her hooves, she left the throne room.
Luna walked forward. "And...the bat wings? And...the rest of the situation?"
"I believe Bruce Wayne would be better off explaining these things," Nightmare replied. "The portal back to Gotham is in Rarity's basement. Just be sure to tell Bruce Rarity gave you permission to visit. He's a brilliant detective, a determined fighter, and has the strongest will of anyone I've ever encountered. You'll like him."
Luna tilted her head. "You're probably right. I just might. Do I have that permission, Rarity?"
"Certainly," Rarity replied. "But...what about...all this?"
Luna drew in her magic and cast a spell over Rarity, examining her magical aura. "Well, this is just my opinion, but considering your magic is that of a recently ascended alicorn, that makes you the Princess of Gotham City by Equestrian standards...so I'm pretty sure you have diplomatic immunity." With a smile, she turned to head off. "Keep a tighter leash on Nightmare, and I don't believe we'll need to speak of any of this ever again." She vanished in a teleport spell.
Rarity stared. "That was...unexpected."
She's certainly changed. Still think she'll like Bruce. I hope you like calling Luna Mom.
Wait, what?
Jumping the gun a little, aren't we, Nightmare?
5910171
Well, Nightmare was born from Luna, so she knows Luna's likes and dislikes. She'd know if Bruce was Luna's type.
WHAT?!
This is my favorite of the last three chapters, and they all were very good. I love every line of dialogue, the decisisons and the revelations.
Hmmmmm
Riddle me This: What would you get if you crossed a bat-Man with a Nightmare Moon?
Answer: something that will give ANY criminal the Fear of the Night!!!!!
*WolfGrin*
This chapter's divergence from the timeline...
Coco is Rarity's assistant (obvious)
Tirek killed by Nightmare under the nose of Rarity with her own dagger
Batmare, Nightmare, Previous Location unmasked.
Nightmare doing shenanigans to Rarity on those last two lines.
9/10
so wait if rarity is able to travel back and forth from gotham to equestria... does that mean the same for the others and if so i'd love to see a fic where their new adoptive fathers come to equestria and have to deal with their real family. and who the mane six would side with ultimately.
5910205
And no Rainbow Power or Crystal Castle, or destruction of Golden Oaks.
.... Now that would be an amusing set of reactions.... I wonder if Bruce will be getting a little younger, as the Princess must have access to things that Others would not know exists.
significant event (or maybe 'something much more significant')
5910183 but is Luna BRUCE'S type?
5910206
So far, everyone who's returned either brought their father figures with them, can go back and forth, or both.
Ha! Those last lines
And the funny part is, Bruce will still be young in comparison.
5910212
Brilliant. Has her head on her shoulders. Believes ends justify the means only so long as the means don't invalidate the meaning of the ends. Is okay with being a little underhanded. Good with kids. Loves the night.
...sounds like she's Father Bruce's type.
5910214 Oh? I've only read rarity's, applejack's, and twilight's and this is the first i've seen of it
oh well anyway I love these stories twilight's is my favorite
That last part was perfect. I was busting up.
5910227
What about Rainbow's (Technological Technicolor Technomare), Fluttershy's (Fortresshy: The Nine Fathers), and Pinkie's (Can't Spell Slaughter Without Laughter)? And what about Trixie's (On the Corner of Straight and Narrow)?
I get what nightmare was implying! Luna and Bruce, good ship...
Well, she's either saying that Luna will turn human, and possibly have success in romancing Bruce Wayne (I don't think that this is going to happen...); or she is referring to the fact that she came from Luna, and that she is part of Rarity now. (I think that the second guess is the correct one...)
5910258
Or you might have the first one backwards.
5910292 Bruce turns pony and romances Luna? Damn he's good.
now that is a chapter to remember and the cliffhanger is really good and a plot twist at the same time.
Still think she'll like Bruce. I hope you like calling Luna Mom.
and rarity's power is on alicorn level this is vary interesting.
I wonder how Bruce will feel about moving to canterlot with Luna as her husband?
Harts Fire
5910317
Her power isn't on alicorn level. She just has alicorn magic, which is subtly different from unicorn magic. That has nothing to do with power levels.
..at least according to my headcanon.
ok that makes a bit more since.
it is still a bit of a wonder or maybe not as she is holding nightmare moons mind so to speak.
5910292
DON'T DO IT MAN! DOWN THAT PATH IS NOTHING BUT DARKNESS AND MISERY! DON'T DO IT! Of course, you're going to do it anyways, even though you've been warned...see here.
5910245 In the same order: Couldn't get into because it just didn't click with me like the other three, didn't read, didn't read, and finally didn't read
The ones I haven't read yet sound pretty cool I just haven't gotten around to it
and the rainbow one is mostly my personal preference, but doesn't mean it's not good
If I don't see Bruce Wayne and Princess Luna shipping, I will find you, I will chain you in my basement and torture the desired chapters out of you. ;)
Amusingly enough, I really am curious to see how that'd play out. Bruce is older than Jesus at this point, so shipping with him with Luna...that would be fun to see pulled off.
5910354
5910363
Now...which of you am I supposed to listen to?
Here's an idea. You two, use Pinkie Pie's Olympian diplomacy plan. And get it on video tape.
DO IT DO IT DO IT! Luna finds a way to cast a spell that keep Bruce young and immortal and another that'll allow Bruce to become an bat winged Alicorn. I can see it, oh lord I can see it.
5910371 That, good sir, is ultimately up to you. For the sake of argument though, I present my reasons for wanting to see this route:
Bruce Wayne and Luna would be an excellent match, for starts. Secondly it is {to me anyways} a unique idea and ship; I've yet to see it in any sense that I can recall. In addition to both of those, it would be damn-interesting to see how you would write such a thing, because that is a hard bill, if you think about it. Bruce Wayne would need some way to restore his youth {to some extent} and {arguably} some form of immortality. While Luna {in theory} can do this, and it's not uncommon in fanfics, to see it written competently would be a treat to myself {and likely} some other readers.
Plus, Bruce Wayne and Princess Luna. Screw anyone who says otherwise. <3
Oh, and I know where you live, like any good alcoholic stalker.
Really just really
5910564 Well, yeah, he's Bruce Wayne. He's money and he KNOWS it.
5910292 I was actually referring to more 'biological' reasons...
Fist pump for the Shadowbolts. and i wonder how Twilight will get her key since Nightmare took out Tirek?
5910776
Since Golden Oaks wasn't destroyed, why does she need it?
5910809 Um they will still need the element powers for something else. She may not need the castle that came with it but the elemental powers yes. Though Nightmare vs Starlight. that's gonna be a thing to see. Certainly better then what you did with the Joker.
5910835
Hmm...I suppose Twilight will need to get a key somehow in this world...
Alternatively, I can just ignore it and say events of Season 5 don't occur.
5910865 okay. no problem there. heck out of season 5 i only like the first two and hate the last two.
Rarity's Princess of Gotham now? So if you have BOTH wings and a horn, does that pony become a Princess? Now that I think about it, does it only apply to mares?
5910905
Haven't been any males named who have them.
Wut.
5910913 So far, the only males who can are the R63 counterparts of everyone in Equestria. *coughDuskShinecough*
Luna and Bruce Wayne, Sitting in a tree,
Defeating all the villains that they see,
WHAM! Down a mugger! BAM! Down another!
Wait! That's no villain, that's me!
It's just a silly song, Fluttershy. They didn't attack Pinkie...
This was good. And Nightmare's last line. I was torn between laughing, do a spit-take, and screaming "WHAT!?" So yeah. That was unexpected.
To all the Bruce x Luna shippers, just remember which Bruce Wayne we're dealing with here. A rather old, one who has heart problems. Granted, they are under much better control due to Rarity and magic, and he's more fit than in Batman Beyond, but unless he gets magic'd young again in Equestria, I don't see it. Plus, he's motherfucking Bruce Wayne, aka the ORIGINAL Batman. He doesn't trust ANYONE. Respects them, maybe. Trust them, no. A love like what you all want REQUIRES absolute trust. There can be no plans to take the significant other out, if needed. Knowing Bruce, that would happen.
5910809
It may still manifest as a castle of some sort, but at the very least it will involve a structure made of crystal that has a tree theme.
However, Twilight is probably not going to get her key from Discord in this ponyverse.
Twilight Sparkle: "We would like to thank you for watching over our friend while she was in your world, Mister Wayne. Rarity had much to say about the stallion that became her second father."
Bruce Wayne: "Nothing too horrible, I hope."
Twilight Sparkle: "Oh, not at all. She really looks up to you. Heh... Now that I'm aware of some of what you taught her, I'm going to ask her for advice on how to be a good leader, since (unlike me) she's had some practical experience."
Bruce Wayne: "Just knowing that you have friends to ask for help from is a good start. One I didn't really learn until late in life. Rarity has told me a lot about you and your personal journey from being a lonely prodigy through your many adventures and misadventures, your becoming a Princess of Equesrtia by helping your friends, and the sacrifice you and your friends made to save Equstria. In honor of these accomplishments, I'd like to present a plaque signifying a similarly powerful friendship from my world."
With that, Bruce presented Twilight with a small plaque bearing an emblem comprised of three overlaid stylized symbols Twilight would later lable as The Gotham Bat, The Themysiran Eagle, and Hope of El:
fc03.deviantart.net/fs70/i/2012/363/9/6/trinity_logo_by_mr_droy-d5pkd0o.png
Mere moments after receiving it, she saw it shimmer with a rainbow glow which was matched in her eyes.
Rarity: "You don't think?"
Applejack: "Only one way to find out!"
*A Short While Later the Mane Six, Celestia, Luna, Discord, and Bruce Wayne are gathered near a crystalline palace where the Castle of the Two Sisters used to be. The overall structure gives the impression of a stately manor set in the branches of a giant tree growing out of a great meeting hall (the later of which Rarity identified as resembling an early version of the Hall of Justice used by the Justice League on her father's world)*
Rarity (as they enter the Hall): "Well... At least it's not too silly looking."
Rainbow Dash: "Oh wow! Statues of us! And Spike! So awesome!"
Discord: "Look on the walls! I see a relief of the time Fluttershy taught me the value of friendship!"
Luna: "And here is another, depicting my reunion with my sister! And another, showing my first Nightmare Night in Ponyville!"
Rarity: "Oh my! Father, you simply must come and see this one! It believe it depicts the moment you first took me into your arms when you found me!"
Bruce Wayne: "It does. I remember it clearly."
Pinkie Pie: "What are we going to call this place? The Party Pallace? The Crystal Castle?"
Discord: "How about Cleveland?"
Bruce Wayne: "I was thinking The Hall of Frienship myself."
Celestia: "I think that last one best represents what we are seeing here. don't you agree, Luna?"
Luna: "Indeed! The Hall of Friendship it is!"
Luna (looking over everyone as they recover from her Royal Equestrian Voice): "Too loud?"
5911279
While I won't actually write a chapter covering this...
Consider this canon as far as what happens with Twilight's key and the Tree of Harmony.
...now I just need to figure out what Rarity's key is. Since I don't think Coco's in any condition to give her hers.
5911333
Might kick in for My Little Pwny, but not for My Little Killing Machine.
5911316
The first Batarang she actually received from Bruce?
Edit: On second thought, it would have to be a gift from someone she tought the value of Generosity to, so perhaps a gift from either Inque or Victor Fries after she helped turn their lives around?
I read this entire story in one go. Only the entire Adoptive Displaced left to go! And the new ones! And the team up!
i0.wp.com/www.kksblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/motyw-drogi-75-300x221.jpg?resize=300%2C221
I gotta long road ahead.