Moon informed the rest of the group the next morning. Needless to say, everyone was reasonably troubled about it. "Don't get too sad. There is a way to save Rarity from what she's become. And it lies with Inferno."
"Then I'm going in with him!", Burst declared! Moon shook her head.
"Burst. You and the others can't do this. It has to be Inferno. He's the one Rarity holds close to her heart, and the one that wants to save her more than any of us."
"Great. We don't get to see any action!", Rainbow Dash groaned.
"I wouldn't be too sure about that Rainbow.", Nightmare said with a small smile. "Thanks to her new nightmare powers, Rarity can summon nightmare forces. Chances are, we'll have our hands full dealing with them. We've got to protect our home don't we?"
"...I guess that's better. So when can we expect Nightmare Rarity to hit us?"
Inferno tried sensing for Rarity's energy. He found something! It was faint, but it was still present! And from the feel of it, it was pretty close. 'Either she's baiting me...or she intends for me to go to her.', Inferno thought. As if on cue, the sky began to darken. "I'd say right about now." Inferno narrowed his eyes. "And it looks like we're gonna have company." A castle made of diamond appeared almost out of nowhere. Soon, pools of shadow slithered across the ground and condensed into dark creatures. Inferno summoned his Duelist Arms. "Hope you guys are ready for a long morning." The others summoned their own Duelist Arms. "I'll take care of any in my way. You can handle protecting the school." Inferno charged forth! Firing his blaster at any of the creatures that took a swing at him! "NONE OF YOU ARE GONNA STOP ME!" Inferno slashed at any nightmare creatures unfortunate enough to get in his way! Burst and the others decided to engage any nightmare creatures that were advancing on CHS.
"Well guys. At least we can't say it was a dull morning!", Burst joked as he lead the charge against the creatures! At the same time, Inferno was burning her way through the horde of nightmare creatures that stood in his way! Either by blasting them, or by slashing them down! The further he advanced, the harder Inferno fought!
"So it looks like Nightmare Rarity's not bothering to deal with us herself.", Inferno noted. "Time to show here we can't be ignored!" Inferno sent out a wave of fire in a single slash by charging up his sword! Incinerating a large number of nightmare creatures in the process and clearing a path to Nightmare Rarity's castle. "I guess I'll just stroll up to the front door now." As Inferno walked toward the castle, remains of the nightmare creatures began to slowly piece together. As Inferno got closer to the castle's front door, the pieces created a giant pool of shadow! A gigantic nightmare creature formed from all the pieces, and blocked Inferno's path. "Heh. Looks like she wants me to earn an audience with her. Well the bigger they are...." Inferno activated his powers, flew up to the giant's face, and unleashed a charged shot from his blaster! Taking its head off! Inferno then dove down with his sword! Splitting the creature down the middle! Shadow leaked from the area Inferno had slashed. Inferno then slowly sheathed his sword. As he almost sheathed it, he uttered a single word. "Ignite." The creature burst into flame! Leaving nothing behind but ash. "...The brighter they burn." Inferno then noticed the castle's doors open. "Looks like I've been invited in." Inferno walked through the doors, and they slammed shut once he was inside. "Ok...this just got a little bit creepy.", Inferno said as he noticed how empty the castle was. In another part of the castle, Nightmare Rarity was watching Inferno through a gem orb.
"Most impressive darling.", she said with a dark giggle. "Now. Come to me...." Nightmare Rarity sent out a series of gem beacons to lead Inferno to her. "It's rude to keep a lady waiting." Inferno noticed the beacons, and followed them.
"Seems like she was expecting me." Inferno followed the beacons to a set of grand doors. "I guess there really is little left of Rarity left in her." Inferno then steeled his gaze. "Just means I've got to fight harder to get her back!" Inferno kicked down the door, and found an empty throne room. "Rarity?! Where are you?!"
"I knew you'd come for me darling.", 'Rarity' said as she stepped out wearing an azure dress and matching fingerless gloves. For a moment, Inferno felt unrestrained joy!
"You're alright." Inferno smiled. Rarity smiled as she walked over with her hips swaying.
"You told me that you'd always protect me Inferno. Now I have a question for you..." Rarity leaned in and whispered into Inferno's ear. "Inferno. Would you forget about the others and stay with me? To guard and love me forever?" Inferno froze. He remembered Moon's warning, and what Rarity had just said confirmed it.
"Rarity? Do you remember that necklace I gave you?"
"That old thing? It was cute, but not really my color..." 'Rarity' was pushed away by Inferno!
"You're not her. This is probably the first time I've hated you saying the word cute.", Inferno glared at her. "You're not Rarity. YOU'RE NOT THE GIRL I LOVE!" Inferno fired a blast of flame at her! Dispelling the illusion and revealing Nightmare Rarity. "Don't you DARE try to hide your face with hers!"
"Impressive darling.", Nightmare Rarity said with a dark smile. "Truly a shame you didn't except my offer. You could've lived a life of great luxury and power. Plus, I'm MUCH more attractive than the Rarity you know."
"No. You're hideous.", Inferno said harshly. "What really made Rarity so beautiful wasn't anything trivial like her body. It was her heart!" Inferno was about to draw his sword, but Nightmare Rarity just giggled.
"Can you really strike me?", she asked with a sneer. "Who knows? That could hurt me as well as Rarity." Inferno flinched, and sheathed his sword. "Good boy. Now I can really have some fun!" Nightmare Rarity shot a blast of dark magic! Knocking Inferno to the floor! "I've been waiting for someone to entertain me. Now that you're here..." Nightmare Rarity picked up Inferno with her magic, and stroked his cheek with her hand. "...I plan on playing with you for a good while." She flung Inferno across the room with her magic! "I know your dragon powers make you durable. So I won't have to worry about you breaking on me." Inferno slowly rose to his feet, and began to walk towards Nightmare Rarity. "Oh? It appears you want more punishement. Well fortunately for you...." Nightmare Rarity fired another blast of magic! Knocking Inferno to his knees! "I have plenty in store for you." Inferno grimaced as he got to his feet again, and walked towards her once again. "My, my. Ever the determined one are we? No wonder Red-Eyes partnered with you. Maybe after I've worn you out, I'll put that potential to good use by making you my slave. Blasts of magic are so trivial. Time to change-up the formula!" Nightmare Rarity used her magic, and several small but sharp gem shards levitated in the air. "Shard storm." Nightmare Rarity snapped her fingers, and an endless stream of gem shards were sent flying at Inferno! Inferno put his arms up to shield himself, and pressed on! "Someone's determined to get to me.", Nightmare Rarity said with a slight purr in her voice. "I hope you don't mind I'm playing hard to get."
"Yap all you want...", Inferno growled. "Nothing's gonna stop me from getting to you!"
"More power to you.", Nightmare Rarity said with a smirk as she increased the intensity of gem shards that were sent flying at Inferno! Inferno had dragon scales for skin now, so the shards didn't cut into his skin. However, that didn't mean that them striking his skin didn't sting. Inferno winced in pain! The closer he got, the more furious the barrage of shards grew!
"You can hurt me all you want...BUT I'LL NEVER SURRENDER!", Inferno roared. "Rarity...would never forgive me if I ever gave up easily...." Inferno was no more than a foot away from Nightmare Rarity as he reached out to her. Only for a gem barrier to block his hand. Inferno fell to his knees as his hand slid down the barrier. He was exhausted from fighting his way here, and the nearly endless barrage of gem shards striking him didn't help in the matter. Nightmare Rarity smiled as she dropped her barrier, and walked over to Inferno. Kneeling down to his level. "It hurts so much..."
Nightmare Rarity caressed Inferno's cheek. "Shhhh. There, there. Let me end this. Just submit Inferno. It'll all end then." Inferno looked up to her eyes, and wrapped his arms around her tightly.
"Rarity. I don't know if you can hear me in there, but please listen. I told you were my treasure and that I'd guard you with my life. That also means me protecting you from yourself. Because there's no one like you Rarity! I couldn't replace you even if I tried!" Tears began to fall from Inferno's eyes. "Please Rarity....wake up from this dream...." Deep inside of Nightmare Rarity's mind, Rarity slowly opened her eyes.
'Inferno...' Rarity's eyes snapped open, and she gazed in horror at what had happened and saw herself chained up. 'What have I done?...No. NO! I won't let things end this way!' Nightmare Rarity's eyes widened as she felt a pain in her chest!
"AGGH! WHAT'S....HAPPENING.....?!", she howled as she tore herself from Inferno! A bright white light shot from the core of her being! "NO! NOOO!" Rarity forced her way out of the light, and landed on the floor! Rarity quickly regained her senses, and ran over to Inferno! She gently picked him up and caressed him.
"Oh darling....I'm so sorry.", she said sadly.
"Hey...no need for that.", Inferno said with a weak smile. "That wasn't you...it never could be. You'd never be so selfish or cruel."
"And I'd never call your gift to me simply 'cute'.", Rarity said with a small smile as she and Inferno shared a hug as she clutched the necklace Inferno had given her. "But now it's time to bring this bad dream to an end!" Rarity turned to face Nightmare Rarity, and summoned a duel disk modeled after Gem-Knight Master Diamond! Nightmare Rarity gazed at her hatefully and summoned an obsidian duel disk!
"LET'S DUEL!"
Rarity: 8000
Nightmare Rarity: 8000
"You may have your body back. But I'll be the one to make sure you sleep forever!", Nightmare Rarity hissed as she drew her hand! "I summon Gem Shard Onyx! Then I'll set a card and end my turn." A monster made of pure black gemstone full of jagged edges materialized on Nightmare Rarity's field!
"And I'll be the one to make sure you never hurt anyone else!", Rarity spat as she drew a card! 'Time to show this knock-off how a true gem shines!' "I summon Gem-Knight Garnet in attack mode! Destroy Gem Shard Onyx!"
Nightmare Rarity smirked as Garnet charged at her monster! "My shard will be the one to shatter your knight! Whenever a shard monster battles, their attack points double! So now Onyx's attack is boosted to 3000! Shatter her Garnet!" Gem Shard Onyx cut Gem-Knight Garnet to pieces! "I end my turn."
Rarity: 6900
Nightmare Rarity: 8000
'Her gem monsters reflect how dark and twisted she is!', Rarity thought as she drew her next card. 'And only a few of my monsters can actually beat her shard's effect in terms of attack points!' Rarity then looked at her hand. 'Blast! These cards can help me. But it'll mean wasting them this early in the duel! But if I want to keep my life points safe, I'll need to make use of them.' "I summon Gem-Knight Alexandrite in defense mode and end my turn with a face-down!"
"If you think you're safe, think again!", Nightmare Rarity said with a savage grin! "I activate my trap! Shard's Edge! Now all 'Gem Shard' monsters I control can inflict piercing damage! Destroy Gem-Knight Alexandrite!" Gem Shard Onyx charged at Gem-Knight Alexandrite! Shattering the monster!
"I activate my trap!", Rarity said with a smirk! "Brilliant Spark! Since you destroyed a 'Gem-Knight' monster I controlled, I can inflict its attack points as damage to you!" Nightmare Rarity winced as a bolt of energy struck her life points! "So much for a flawless duel."
"I end my turn.", Nightmare Rarity said coldly. "Now the effect of Shard's Edge activates. I have to discard a 'Gem-Shard' monster from my hand or deck." Nightmare Rarity discarded a card from her hand.
Rarity: 5100
Nightmare Rarity: 6200
'It's not much of a start. But I've at least gotten in a small hit on her life points! But I know my Gem-Knights won't let me down! Let's show her how bright we truly shine!' "I draw!" 'Yes! Just what I needed!' "I play Brilliant Fusion! This lets me send monsters from my deck as the fusion materials! I fusion summon Gem-knight Master Diamond!" Master Diamond appeared in a brilliant flash of light!
"I stand ready to fight by your side my lady!", Master Diamond said proudly!
"Unfortuanately, Master Diamond's attack points are reduced to zero by Brilliant Fusion's effect. But that won't be for long! I can discard a spell card from my hand to restore his strength! Now I can make use of Master Diamond's other effect! He gains 100 attack for each 'Gem-' monster in my graveyard! Now I'll have him attack your monster! Master Prism Slash!" Master Diamond shattered Gem-Shard Onyx in a single slash!
Nightmare Rarity smiled as he monster was destroyed."Since he's been destroyed, my shard's effect activates! You take his original attack points as damage!"
Rarity winced as gem shards cut into her life points! "I end my turn." 'Looks like her monster is as jagged as she is! Not to mention my life points are falling quite low! I'm going to need to be careful with how I proceed with this duel.'
Rarity: 3600
Nightmare Rarity: 5800
"Now it's my turn!" Nightmare Rarity grinned at the card she drew. "AHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHA! And now it all ends! I play shard fusion! I can banish fusion materials listed on a fusion monster from my hand, deck, or graveyard! I banish three 'Gem-Shard' monsters from my deck!" A dark vortex appeared on her field! "Now to bring out the monster that will shatter your hopes and send you into eternal rest! I fusion summon Dark Gem-Knight Aerneth!" A monster wearing pitch black armor with jagged black crystals on it stepped out of the vortex. It boasted 4000 attack points! "Now I'll attack your Master Diamond! This activates Aerneth's effect! The attack and defense of your monster is cut in half! I call it the luster drain!" Master Diamond's color began to fade as Aerneth advanced upon him and shattered him with a single slash! The force of the attack brought Rarity to her knees! Nightmare Rarity let out a dark chuckle at the sight. "I wonder how you were EVER the Element of Generosity. You were so eager to keep your friends that you let me in! And now? You'll lose them all the same. Once I'm finished with you, I think I'll pay them all a visit. But before them, I'm going to enjoy making your precious Inferno my slave."
Rarity: 1300
Nightmare Rarity: 5800
Rarity instantly stood up at hearing Nightmare Rarity go on! Rarity took a deep breath before staring down Nightmare Rarity. "You're right. I was selfish in wanting to keep my friends because of one silly nightmare. But I want to fix my mistakes. No matter how long it takes, or how much it hurts, I WILL make things right and to protect the people I love! And to do that, I would gladly throw myself in harm's way to keep them safe! I AM the Element of Generosity!" Rarity then felt a surge of power well up inside her! In a flash of light, Rarity had ponied up! But in addition to the tail, ears, and horn, she had a pair of wings that looked like they were made of diamonds they shone so beautifully! Rarity then noticed a rainbow-colored glow coming from the card on top of her deck! "All you are...is a knock-off! I draw!" Rarity smiled as she saw the card she drew. "I play the card Brilliant Harmony! This lets me banish materials listed on a Gem-Knight fusion monster! I banish Gem-Knight Lady Brilliant Diamond and Gem-Knight Master Diamond!" Both the fusion materials jumped into a swirling vortex! "I fusion summon Gem-Knight Lady Adamant Harmony!" A female Gem-Knight made of pure diamond and wearing a purple cape stepped out of the vortex as it faded! "Now I'll attack your monster!" Adamant Harmony charged at Aerneth with her blade drawn!
"We'll see how impressive your monster truly is when Aerneth activates his effect!" Aerneth unleshed an aura of shadow, but Adamant Harmony shined right through it! "WHAT?!"
"Adamant's name is very fitting. She's unaffected by card effects! Making her unyeilding and unbreakable! And her attack points match! 4500! And all of them are directed at your monster! But I'm not done yet! I'll activate another one of Adamant Harmony's effects! I can banish one 'Gem-Knight' fusion monster from my graveyard and have her gain that monster's attack! I banish Gem-Knight Seraphinite to boost her by 2300! Destroy Aerneth! Adamant Prism Slash!"
"AAAAGGGHHH!", Nightmare Rarity screamed as her life points took a massive hit as Adamant Harmony destroyed Aerneth!
"A flawless attack Adamant.", Rarity said with a smile.
"Always a pleasure to assist my lady.", Adamant said with a bow.
Rarity: 1300
Nightmare Rarity: 3000
Nightmare Rarity scowled as she got to her feet! She then noticed her body fluctuating on her. "No...NO!"
"Struggling to keep it together darling?", Rarity asked with a sly smile.
"You....you think you're better off without me? My power can get you anything you want! You would be nothing without me!"
"There's nothing from you that I want.", Rarity said sternly. "I have all that I need. And considering you need a host, it's YOU who are nothing without anyone."
"I draw!", Nightmare Rarity hissed. She thenscowled at her cards in anger! "Impossible....I can't make a single move!"
"Then you won't mind me making mine!", Rarity said as she drew her next card! "Finish this Adamant Harmony! Radiant Harmony Slash!" Adamant Harmony's blade began to glow radiantly with the colors of the rainbow as she charged forth! Slashing away the last of Nightmare Rarity's life points! Nightmare Rarity growled as she got to her feet again. "You beat me in the duel....BUT NOW I CAN DESTROY YOU MYSELF!"
"You got to her while she was alone ugly.", Inferno said as he drew his sword. "Let's see how tough you are when I'M by her side!" Inferno then looked to Rarity. "That is, if you don't mind the company." Rarity smiled.
"No one I'd rather be with right now darling." Rarity summoned her own Duelist Arm. "Let's put an end to this bad dream!"
"RRRRAAAAUUUUUGGGHHHH!" Nightmare Rarity roared as she unleashed a storm of gem shards at Inferno and Rarity! Rarity saw it coming, and generated a gem shield! Blocking the shards from hitting them! Nightmare Rarity scowled and fired blast after blast at Rarity's shiled!
"Time for a little misdirection Inferno!"
"I gotcha gorgeous!" Inferno rolled away from the shield and fired some shots from his blaster into Nightmare Rarity! Nightmare scowled at him, and began to fire blasts of magic at him! Rarity saw her chance and charged forth! Striking Nightmare across her back!
"YOU INSECTS!", Nightmare howled as she fired a flurry of magic blasts all over the throne room! Inferno and Rarity took to the air to dodge the blind fury! Nightmare Rarity's rage left her incredibly vulnerable, and both Inferno and Rarity took note. Nightmare was at the center of the storm. Inferno and Rarity powered up their swords, and dove down! Executing powerful twin slashes that caused darkness to leak out of Nightmare!
"Well Rarity? Would you like to finish this together?", Inferno asked.
"Time for a dazzling finish Inferno!", Rarity said with a smile. Rarity and Inferno crossed their blades, and combined their energies.
"I...IMPOSSIBLE!", Nightmare roared!
"BLAZING PRISM SLASH!", Inferno and Rarity shouted as they launched a blazing energy projection of a gem! Causing Nightmare Rarity to be trapped in a flaming prism! Destroying her with the series of burning slashes that burned away her dark essence!
Rarity breathed a sigh of relief. "I'm glad that's over." Rarity then turned to Inferno and gave him a loving smile. "Looks like I'm the one who saved you this time around darling."
"Nice change of pace isn't it?", Inferno said with a grin. Rarity pulled Inferno into a hug, and they wrapped their wings around each other. the castle then began to fluctuate! "I guess our make-out scene will have to wait."
"Indeed. No sense in staying here any longer!" Rarity and Inferno took off out the nearest window and watched as the castle faded away into nothing. The others had finished destroying the last of the nightmare creatures, and cheered at seeing the two of them make it out okay. "Now. Where were we?", Rarity said playfully as she pulled Inferno into a deep kiss which he gladly returned. The two soon landed on the ground, and their friends rushed over to them. "It's good to see all of you again too."
"Welcome to the alicorn club Rarity.", Moon said with a smile.
"AWESOME wings Rares!", Rainbow Dash said with a grin.
"Yes, yes. They are quite lovely." As the group celebrated, Blitz Surge approached.
"I take it I missed all the fun?", he asked.
"Oh. I was wondering where you were at Blitz.", Burst said. "I forgot to introduce you to everyone we've been so busy lately. Everyone. Meet my half-brother. Blitz Surge." Most of Burst's friends were quick to greet Blitz, but Rarity was hesitant. "Rarity? You alright?"
"Sorry Burst. Just a bit tired." Inferno shot her a puzzled look. The group then dispelled their Duelist Arms and headed inside. Once they were inside CHS, Inferno stopped Rarity.
"Rarity. You looked like you recognized Blitz earlier. What's up?"
"Inferno. While that creature was using my body, I could hear everything she said. She met with someone in the dreamscape and agreed to give all of you nightmares. That person's voice..." Rarity then looked to Inferno. "Inferno. I think Blitz is bad news. Especially for Burst."
"So what're we gonna do? Burst would snap at us for accusing without any proof."
"I don't know darling." Rarity let out a sigh. "But let's hope I'm wrong..."