//------------------------------// // Episode 14: Sweet Dreams // Story: Yu-Gi-Oh! EQG: Duelist Rangers Season 1 // by Bahamut0 //------------------------------// "You know, today was pretty nice.", Burst said as he walked Celestia home. "Hope you had a good time." Celesita smiled as she kissed Burst goodbye. "I had a wonderful time. Have a goodnight Burst." Burst then headed for home, ate dinner, showered, and was soon off to bed. "I wonder if I'll see that girl in my dreams again. Nightshade? Maybe I can tell her the good news." Burst smiled as he drifted off to sleep. And sure enough Nightmare found her way into his dreams again. In fact, she had been seeing Burst grow up through each of her nightly visits. Now she saw Burst the way he was in the real world. "Hey Nightshade!" "Hello again Burst. You've grown since I last visited you.", Nightmare said with a smile. "Yeah. Guess what? I've got myself a girlfriend!" Nightmare was surprised, but was nonetheless happy for him. Because soon he would be hers. "Any woman would be lucky to have you. So who's the lucky girl?" "My principal. Celestia." Nightmare was shocked to even hear that this world's Celestia was dating the guy she loved. Burst then noticed her shift in mood. "Nightshade? Are you alright? You look a bit sad." Nightmare snapped her attention back to Burst. "Oh! It's nothing. Just a bit surprised is all." Burst walked closer to Nightmare. "Nightshade. I know you're hiding something. You looked pretty down when I mentioned I was taken. You like me don't you?" Nightmare sighed and faced Burst. "I do Burst. I've seen you grow into who you are in your dreams. I still see the little kid I played with during that one dream. I found myself loving you. But who could love a creature like me?" "Nightshade, I do like you. And I'll admit you are real pretty." "You think so?" "Your eyes are lovely color of blue-green, your hair is like the star, you're like the night sky come to life. It's a shame you're just a girl in my dreams." "...Burst. I'm not a figment of your dreams." "What?" "I've been entering your dreams for the last couple of days. I'm very real, and so is my love for you." Nightmare walked up to Burst and wrapped her arms around him. "Also, Nightshade isn't my real name." "What are you saying?!" Burst forced her off of him. "I've seen how you lead the rangers into battle. I guess you could say you've already fulfilled your dream." "No...no. It can't be possible! How could someone like you be-?" Nightmare summoned her wings and her eyes returned to normal. "I am Nightmare Moon." Burst couldn't believe it! "Why? Why haven't you tried to destroy me?", Burst asked as his voice started to crack. Nightmare smiled and pulled him close to her and wrapped her wings around him. "Why would I destroy the guy I love? Burst. Stand with me and we could rule over this world. The sky blanketed eternally with stars." Burst pushed her away. "Why do you refuse me so?", Nightmare asked sadly. "Because I can't let you destroy my home!" Nightmare was startled! This was the first time she had ever seen Burst angry. "What do you mean? How would there being no sun destroy anything?" "Nightmare. Earth needs its sun. Without its heat or light, nothing would grow and everything would freeze! The whole planet would be a wasteland! Haven't you given thought to the consequences of your actions?!" Burst shouted. "I trusted you! I thought you were my friend! And now I find out you're the same evil the rangers and I have been fighting!" "I'm not evil!" Nightmare herself was in tears now. "All I wanted to do was help Luna have her subjects love her! And what do I get as thanks?! Banishment to the moon for a thousand years! Then after all that time, Luna and I are able to return home. I almost succeeded that time but was separated from her and sent here! I felt like I was ripped away from my mother! All I wanted was to make her dreams come true! And what happens?! Every foal lives in fear of me from myths about me!" Nightmare sat as tears streamed from her face. "I just don't want to be hated anymore! I don't want to be alone! I thought I found a friend in you. Maybe even something more than that..." Nightmare then looked at Burst with tear-stained eyes. "But I guess I can't ever find happiness. Because now I've hurt you too..." Burst couldn't stand to see her like this. He remembered when his younger self played with her. There was no way the girl he knew was the same one Sunset had described. Maybe after all this time, she was just lonely. And it dawned on him. He had been her first friend. "Nightmare...I'm sorry.", Burst said as he walked up to her. "But why did you try to continue your plan for eternal night here? You could have a new start. And for what it's worth, I don't hate you." "Y-you don't?", Nightmare sobbed. "But I have to know. Did you really mean what you said about me? As being more than a friend?" Nightmare had stopped crying. "Every word Burst. From when I first saw you, I was captivated with more than your appearance. You're kind, and brave. You're willing to risk it all and put the safety of those around you first. You've really lived up to your dream of being a super hero. No matter what I always see a bit of that little boy inside of you. But this isn't right. You love Celestia. I saw when I sent Dragonic Knight. You giving up being happy just for my happiness wouldn't be fair to you." Nightmare then felt Burst wrap his arms around her. She then noticed a flash of blue light and white dragon wings had materialized on his back. Burst wrapped his wings around her too. "Well make it work somehow Nightmare. I love Celestia, but I love you too. We'll see what we can do. But what are you going to do now." "Surrender to you and the rangers. Why not bring an end to your other battle as well right? And Burst?" "Yeah?" "Could you call me Moon instead? I'd rather leave the first part of my name behind." "Sure...Moon." Nightmare smiled as she returned the hug. She then grew a bit more bold and went in for a kiss. Burst was surprised, but he did enjoy it. "Wow. Where did that come from?" Nightmare giggled. "Can't a girl say thank you? I'll see you when you wake up soon. Sweet dreams Burst." "Goodnight Moon."