//------------------------------// // Chapter 5 – A Great New World // Story: The Nightmare King // by Lt_Lance //------------------------------// The Nightmare King :Chapter 5 – A great new world: “Molly please put the tables down, Red Skies just cleaned them!” Lance pleaded “You can’t tell me what to do you’re not the boss o' me!” Molly yelled to lance “Molly I am your boss! I own the place, I pay the bills, and I pay you!” Lance said in a flat tone “Well, me names on the sign!” Molly whined “That’s because we serve your alcohol Molly it’s called branding!” “Calls it what you want but this is my pub. Says so out front!” Molly said smiling to herself “You sure as hell don’t act like it now put those tables down or there coming out of your pay!” Lance said pointing directly at her. Even a thick headed celtic unicorn knows when to stop… sometimes at least. At the mention of hurting her wallet she set the tables back where she picked them up and walked back up to the bar top. “But I still don’t see why we have to wear these stoopéd things!” (Yes the whole thing with the tables and a near magical rampage was all because of clothing) “I never had to wear anything to sell a drink before!” “Does it kill you to wear a bow tie?! It just sets us apart from the patrons. Trust me Molly, I know what I’m doing.” “Well at least I don’t need to wear a girly apron like *snicker* Skies!” “Niet, it is not girly apron!” Red skies called out from the new kitchen. “Molly, he is the chef, he needs it.” Lance said raising his hooves. “But Lance why bow ties!” she whined again. Lance straightened his bow tie and pulled on his new black vest that he made for himself and looked at molly and said matter of factly “Because Molly, bow ties are cool.” “Ugh your off your nut Lance!” she stormed off upstairs to her room It has been two weeks since Lance got his hands on the Drunken Mare. The first thing he did was rename it to something a little more tasteful. Since they were going to be using Molly O’Malley’s equipment and brewing techniques, Lance named it Molly’s Pub. It went straight to her thick skull. She was hard to manage at first but she always means well. However when she starts drinking (Which is quite often) her magic acted up. The drunker she was the stronger her magic became. Lance thought it was very amusing and could also serve purpose in the future. She had no memory of Lance’s little accidental display of power. Lance converted his room into an office where he did his paperwork and other activities. Totally legal and not treasonous activities. Yes he was kind of annexing Princes Luna’s territory but it’s not like she needed the Dreamlands or anything. “I should really talk with Nightmare about when Luna might become a problem.” Pinkie's party was great publicity for Molly’s. Turns out that the Drunken Mare wasn’t that good of an establishment. Molly made good stuff apparently, we saw many ponies from the party come back afterword. Lance was disappointed that only two of the mane six showed up to his party. Of course Pinkie Pie would come she was hosting the damn thing. The only other element bearer to show up was Applejack which is still awesome. Lance walked up to his office/room, he got to the top of the stairs he looked down the hall way that held the center of the second story. In its heyday the Drunken Mare was a full blown tavern that offered rooms and such but, Lance and Skies had converted it into their living arrangements Molly put together her distillery in the basement so she didn’t help. There were eight separate rooms that they just made into four big rooms each with their own bathroom! Lance had the room to the back left. Molly had the first on the right and Skies was across from her. I walked into my office and sat down behind my desk. *Fwoosh* I cracked my neck it always felt good to do that when I was human again. Of course I’m still dressed for success. Sunglasses lifted up onto my hair and wearing my white sleeved shirt with my black vest over it. Straight black pants with a black belt, I looked like a bartender. “Let’s see what’s on the table today” I said happily sorting through the pubs mail “Bills bills aaaaanndd bills. What’s this …horn enlargement? BWAHAHAHAHA …that’s just rich. Let’s see what else we got. …Hmm now this is interesting a notification of court changes. Night court will begin in three months’ time with the first true moon in over a thousand years?‘’ “My wittle Woona is growing up? This is unacceptable!” I entered the dreamscape. I had a lot that I needed to learn and I know just the ancient dark evil to ask. I haven’t even needed to take a bite in a week. I think he’s warming up to me. Can’t say the feelings mutual I still hate the bastard but he still hasn’t told me everything. Most likely because he thinks that when he is no longer useful to me I will finish him off. He has every right to this belief because it is totally true. “Nighty!” “What do you require my lord? ” Yea he dropped the whole Mr. Myrvang thing pretty fast. He has taken to flattery to keep me from taking bites. I played with the dismembered digits that hung around my neck. “I require information about the last host.” “What do you want to know?” “I just read that she will raise the moon in three months is she going to be back to full power?” “Sir with all due respect that is impossible. There is no way she would have the magical strength to shape the sky until at least a year after her return.” “Well I just heard that the first true moon in over a millennium will rise in three months care to elaborate what they might mean by that Nighty?” “Just because she doesn’t do it does not mean she isn’t responsible. Most likely scenario, her wretched sister will raise it like she has been doing but with Luna’s guidance.” “Well that’s… adorable. Then when do I need to worry about Luna wanting to take this place again?” “Do you not intend to give the Dreamscape back? It is hers by right as princess of the night.” “I may of considered it if YOU hadn’t fucked me!” “I’m just saying that it may cause problems if she wants it back. Magically, Luna is quite adept. Managing to stop the dawn and wage a war at the same time required a lot of magical focus.” “That’s why I’m here you whelp! When will Luna be in position to threaten me?” “The Nightmare Night after the anniversary of her return.” “Lunar eclipse then…” As I was sitting there contemplating the possible ways to get out of a fight with Luna. (I reaalllllllyy do not want to fight the pony diarchy.) Something… weird happened. Something walked right in front of me. It was quadrupedal and shaped kind of like a pony but it was wrong. It had yellow glowing eyes and a definite mouth. It was made of shadows. The nightmare that took my form was made from black and had definite shape. This thing looked like it was made of smoke and not refined. Above all else the damn thing just walked by me without a glance. That dick! “What the actual fuck are you?!” I called after it. Its head snapped to look at me, exorcist style, it looked me up and down with an interested gaze. “You see me?” “Well it speaks with its mouth at least I know it’s not in my head.” “Yes am I not supposed to imp?” “You are not the night mistress, nor are you the demon.” “Okay? …I’m going to assume you’re talking about Luna and Nightmare. What do you have to do with either of them?” It turned around completely and started to slowly walk towards me. “Nighty, what the fuck man?!” I mentally screamed “It’s a dream reaver a native of the dream lands they survive by eating the dreams of ponies. ” “And you waited this long to tell me this because?” It walked up and looked closer at the fingers hooked on the chain that hung around me neck. “You wear the demon around your neck.” “Crap it’s going to try and kill me isn’t it? Wait with my track record I shouldn’t even need to ask that question.” “You slayed the demon?” I took a step back and said “And if I did?” “Do you claim these lands?” I narrowed my eyes “Yes” “What is your name?” “I am Myrvang.” The Reaver kneeled to me. (It did that pony kneel, that one where they bend one of their front forehooves and look to the ground.) I had to withhold my shock from this turn of events. The damn thing was yielding to me. Fuck you death, you ain't got shit! “Hail King Myrvang lord of nightmares.” “Bitchen title! Oh yea… wut?” “Wut?” “You claim the Dream Lands as yours. You are the king of nightmares.” He said lifting his head “But wouldn’t that make me the king of dreams?” I questioned “Yeah, but that sounds totally gay” he deadpanned “…True” I said nodding my head. He was still kneeling and looking at me expectantly. I used my dream shaping abilities to conjure up a throne room. It looked kind of like Celestia’s throne room but I had a few tweaks. I actually had a throne, it was loosely based off of the jarl’s throne in Winterhold but instead of the wool trim I gave it red leather. The fountains to the sides poured out blood instead of water. Where Celestia’s two unicorn guards stood I placed a couple of bloody hooves. As it was fading into focus the reaver looked around and smiled. I sat on the throne and spoke “Rise imp” I had a stupid grin on my face “I see your enjoying yourself.” “I was wondering when you would speak up and yes I find this whole situation awesome.” “Do you have a name?” I asked “My name is Caze” “What business do you have with me Caze?” “I was on my way into the dreams of the town of Ponyville my lord but you take top priority. The Dream Lands have not had a ruler on over a millennium.” I raised my eyebrow “My lord? …Neat” “Aaannd?” “There are threats out there that must be dealt with! If you wish to remain in power you must gain the favor of the Night Mistress. Then there are the purifiers. A few weeks ago I felt the great magic of harmony radiate throughout the Dreamscape. That means that the elements have found new bearers, they beat the demon once and they can beat you. They must be dealt with quickly to ensure your safety.” I narrowed my eyes and glared at him “Are you telling me to kill the bearers of the elements of harmony?” “It would be for the best” He said nodding. “He has a point.” “You shut the fuck up!” I stood from my new throne and walked down to the reaver. I flicked my left wrist and the bloody hoof on my left walked along side me. It ripped itself a mouth on our way down. I was now only a few inches from his smoky face. “My lord?” My body color started to fade as my glamour failed. I stood over him completely black and angered. “BLGHGHGH!” my abomination shrieked at him. He must have realized he must of done something wrong because he dropped both of his forehooves and put his face onto the floor. He was visibly shaking which impressed me given his smoky form. “Please don’t hurt me King Myrvang!” he pleaded on the ground. I grabbed him by the back of his neck and held him in front of the bloody hoof. It looked at him with its black lifeless eyes for a few seconds and then bit into his left forehoof. “AHHH!” I snapped my fingers on my free hand and it let go and walked back to its place by my throne. “Let me make myself perfectly clear.” I grabbed his neck and lifted him to be face to face with me. “If you even think about telling me to hurt the innocent again in any way… I. Will. Kill. You!” “I-I-I understand” I dropped him on his haunch. *Fwoosh* “Good” I smiled at him and walked back to my throne. “Now that the hostility is out of the air anything else to add?” Caze was holding his injured hoof and cringing. “One more threat you should look into King Myrvang. The stars fell on her return.” I raised an eyebrow. “The stars you say, care to elaborate on that Caze?” “The demon used their power to escape the moon and imprison Celestia.” “Nighty what the hell is he talking about?” I spoke aloud “Did you not read the legends? Come on Mare in the Moon is a common foal’s story. 'On the longest day of the thousands year the stars will aid in her escape.' I used those stars to break the bind Celestia put on Luna and escape. ” “My lord who is Nighty?” Caze questioned looking around “The past! No need to concern yourself with him. Now you were talking about fallen stars?” “Yes King Myrvang the four stars are in Equestria now.” Caze said raising his good hoof. “Wouldn’t someone notice stars just lying around Equestria?” I said putting a finger beneath my chin. “The stars are not actual stars my lord.” “Than what the fuck are they!” I yelled at him He looked at the ground and spoke softly “I don’t know” “…I need a drink” “The library where is the damn library!” I was in the market square looking for any leads on where I could find the library. When I got distracted looking at all of the different stalls. They sell everything here! From gemstones to health insurance there is a stall for it. I spotted one of the flower sisters Daisy I think. She was selling pants... just kidding she was selling flowers! “Well now …time to employ my awesome social skills.” I trotted up to her stall and slammed my hooves right in front of her face knocking her out of a daydream. “You, flower salesmare, where is the library!” “Celestia help me!” “Celestia can’t help you now!” “Have mercy!” “Only if you tell me where the library is!” She raised her hoof to point in the direction behind me “Three blocks that way take a left. You will see it after two more blocks.” “Yes, this pleases me, you shall be spared!” I trotted off smiling and humming it’s a wonderful world. Her brain must of been so full of fuck. “Ah. Here it is, Daisy knows her stuff!” The library was a lot bigger than it appeared in the show. Looking at it now I could see how all those ponies from episode one could easily fit inside. The one thing I couldn’t get over is how long it took me to find the damn thing! I have been living here for like two weeks and I never saw this thing. For the love of god it’s a giant tree! “It’s a public library right? Don’t they live here? Do I just walk in? Fuck it I’m knocking.” *knock knock* It took a few seconds but eventually I heard the pitter patter of little feet and who else to open up but the little dragon himself. His spines seemed a whole lot sharper in person and his head was a little less round. He looked like a small, pudgy, purple argonian in a lot of respects but with a smaller snout and four clawed fingers. Not nearly as cute as he was in the show but I think I like him more this way. He looked me up and down and blinked two sets of eyelids and asked. “A bar colt?” “Hello there little one” I said with a reassuring smile “Oh I’m sorry sir but the Librarian isn’t in” spike said stepping aside letting me in. “Oh but your Twilight's number one assistant don’t you have the power to check out a book?” I said pointing my hoof at him. “Well yea sort of” Spike said as he rubbed the back of his head smiling. “Great! You can help me then little dragon.” “Okay …what do you need?” Spike said putting his claws on his hips. “Do you have a book on legends?” “Umm, yea check mythology near the back.” Spike raised his claws and pointed toward the back. “Thank you my scaly friend I’ll check back with you in a moment." I said as I was trotting off. The library was amazing. The walls were absolutely covered in books on shelves, seemingly, carved into the tree itself. I’m sure the room it always shows twilight in is some kind of private study. I will find out later, right now I need to find out about these damned stars. “Mythology, mythology, mythology …Here we are!” “Let’s see. What have you got here Twilight? Hmm. Here we go, 'Legends and You'!” It was a red leather bound (or whatever ponies bind books in) thick tome. The cover was plain and only carried the title in gold lettering. I grabbed the book and took it to a nearby table. The book seemed well maintained but old. I flipped through it looking for anything to satisfy my curiosity. “Hmm stars, stars, stars… Here we go! The Legend of the Four Stars.” “Caze was very adamant that the stars are a threat to me. Let’s see what we got here “ “'Legend of the Four Stars as written by Strato coulomb.' At the close of the Nightmare Rebellion Nightmare Moon was permanently bound to the moon by the power of the Elements of Harmony. The greatest seers and prophets predict that she will use the power of the four stars of the otherworld to escape. The four stars are interdimensional rifts it is unknown where they come from or what they are exactly, but the great Starswirl the Bearded mentions them several times in his journals. One such excerpt is “The four stars are watchers what they know is limited but to what they do know they are fiercely committed.” Starswirl always calls the stars watchers implying that they are alive and are “watching” us. The rifts will open up to their widest during the anniversary of Nightmare Moons defeat the Summer Sun Celebration. Three of the Institute of Gifted Unicorns greatest seers have predicted Nightmare Moon will escape on the longest day of the thousandth year using the rift energy of the stars to break the Elements of Harmony’s binding curse on her. ” “Holy fuck… The stars…?” “For more information look under prophecies.” I checked the table of contents for prophecies. They were in the back apparently, I flipped through the book frantically I had to see the truth behind these damn things. “Here we go” “'Prophecy of the stars as told by Pandora Box' Pony, mutt, bird, and ape From a world of intolerance and hate Taken by fate and given new form These four will be reborn The pony; trusting and lovable The mutt; fierce and loyal The bird; quick and nimble The ape; strong and indomitable ” I don’t know how long I sat there looking at the book until Spike came looking for me after a while. He was looking at me with a worried look on his face. “Dude you have been back here for hours. Twilight will be here in a few minutes, do you want to wait for her?” I composed myself to the best of my ability and grabbed the book. “No, thank you my young friend, I’ll be taking this... Do I need a card or something?” “No we just need you to sign your name and write out the title of the book you're checking out” “Okay, I’ll be on my way.” I had a long walk home after some revelations. Most importantly... I am not alone here in Equestria, there are three others out there. What threat a few bronies could have on me is unknown. hell I’m pretty sure I’m one of these stars. I wasn’t really in a new form, but unless there’s a brute running around out there, I must be the ape. A mutt and a bird probably mean a diamond dog and a griffon. They shouldn’t be too hard to find... I haven’t seen any of them around yet so they must not be common. And if they are bronies they will eventually find their way here. Barring any unforeseen incidents. When I got back to Molly’s pub we were pretty busy. It was Friday, or payday, and ponies had bits to spend and worries to drown. Molly was really pulling through if there’s one thing I can count on her for, it was alcohol. She can drink it like no other and she can sell it without equal. One of these days I will hear the story behind the cutie mark. I don’t know how appropriate it is to have an alcoholic beverage on your flank but I’m not going to judge Maneglican culture. “Lance I need your help 'ere!” Molly called out to me "I’ll help in a minute I just need to put something in my office!” I walked into my office and put the book back on my desk and turned around and lifted my sunglasses to reveal my demon eyes (Which is what they are called) “Caze” I spoke into the room in an even tone. Caze limped out of a shadow in the corner of the room. (That is where dream reavers hide, always in the shadows of your room. They are the bumps in the night, the breathing under your bed, and the monster in the closet) He limped before me and kneeled. “Yes my lord?” “Listen and listen well Caze if you want to redeem yourself in my eyes and continue to live I have a task for you.” “Anything Nightmare King” He said submissively looking towards the ground. “You will be my eyes in the dark, Caze I want you to go out and search for the stars and anything else I deem necessary. Also you are to guide any reavers you find to me understand?” “Lord Myrvang what are the stars? What am I looking for?” He asked looking up to me. “Look for a griffon and a diamond dog who don’t exactly fit in. they are in Equestria, that is all I know.” “Of course I’ll be off at once. Anything else I should know?” Caze said as he got up on his hooves. “Listen for the words human and brony, I doubt any of them will be that stupid but you never know. Now off with you!” I said pointing towards my window. Caze walked back into the shadow and out of sight. I had no doubt that he would obey, he knows the price of disobedience. I covered my eyes again behind my shades and walked down toward the bar. I may be running the Dream Lands now but I still had a pub to run and I will be damned if I let Molly destroy it.