//------------------------------//
// 11 Nightmares In The Dark 
// Story: Blitz And Balance 
// by Ennelly Von Swortts 
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Author:  Ennelly Von Swortts 


Co-Author:  ElectroPHX228 (Blitz) 


Chapter Eleven:  Nightmare In The Dark 


 

  Silver watched the statue as it glowed a faint silver in the light of the moon.  There was a flash of orange behind him as Ground Frost lit the fire.  "Will you stop staring at the glowing statue, and tell Trixie why you all keep calling me the 'element of Strife'?"  Silver smirked as he turned to where Trixie sat by the fire.

  "As you wish."  He walked over and sat opposite the fire.  "I am sure you know about the Elements of Harmony, so I won't bother telling you about those.  But it would surprise me if you knew about the Elements of Chaos.  They are Spontaneity, Deceit, and Strife.  Whirl Wind was the previous holder, and upon her death, it transferred to you.  The current Element of Deceit is me.  You understand?"

  Trixie nodded.  "Trixie does have a question.  Who bears Spontaneity?"

  Silver looked into the fire.  "An earth pony by the name Apple Brown was the last known bearer.  Before you ask, yes, he was a member of the Apple family."

  Trixie looked thoughtful for a moment.  "'Last known bearer'?  What does that mean?"

  Silver took a deep breath.  "Apple Brown, along with two other bearers disappeared about a day ago.  Unlike two of the ponies.  Apple Brown though...  He was one hundred percent unpredictable.  If it were just him missing...  Well, let's just say it wouldn't have bugged anyone.  Anyways, another member of our group is closing on the one element with no known bearer.  I would expect her to find the bearer before we get there."

  Trixie nodded.  "Just one question.  Who are you ponies, and why do you all have black manes?"  Sudden laughter behind her caused her to turn.

  "You truly are the element of kindness Marigold."  Ground Frost stated as said mare fed a bunny who had wondered into the camp.

  Trixie turned back to Silver with a questioning gaze.  Silver chuckled.  "That explanation will have to wait.  Who we are, however, are members of the Order Of Balance.  The black mane and tail is a sign of our acceptance of the darkest parts of ourselves.  It also shows our devotion to our cause of keeping the balance in the world.  However, not all our members have a black mane and tail.  One Pinkamena Diane Pie kept hers its natural pink color."

  Trixie smiled.  "Trixie thinks she knows the same pony.  Pinky Pie in Ponyville, right?"  Silver nodded with a smile.  "Honestly, Trixie could see her as Spontaneity."

  Silver nodded.  "True, but she holds the element of laughter.  But I have no doubt she'll find Spontaneity before we make it to Ponyville."  Silver noticed the statue was glowing brighter.  "Keep your eyes peeled!  Don't want a Nightmare to sneak up on us!"  He called out, instantly bringing everypony's attention to the statue.

  Trixie looked at Silver.  "Trixie still doesn't know who you ponies are."

  It took Silver a moment to realize his group hadn't introduced themselves.  "Oh, I'm sorry.  My name is Silver Quickdraw.  I'm a painter and stone carver.  That is Ground Frost-"  The Stallion nodded.  "-he is a scholar in all magic, and a bearer of Magic.  Like I said, I'll explain that later.  That is Red Delicious.  Yes, he is an Apple family member.  Bearer of Honesty, the Apple Family always had the strongest connection to that element."

  The blue stallion smiled.  "My parents had a sense of humor when naming me."  He explained.

  "And the mare is Marigold.  She worked as a vet, and a bearer of kindness."  Silver finished as the mare waved.

  Trixie smiled.  "Trixie Lulamoon is a showmare who currently lives in Ponyville, just outside Princess Twilight's castle."

  Hoarse laughter filled the air from just outside the fire light.  Everypony was instantly on guard.  "I see five little elements siting around a fire.  One will go the southern pyre."  A voice said in a singsong tone.  A shape slowly moved toward the fire, revealing what looked like a gray earth pony.  A pony without a face.  The red crossed out circle was indication enough to know what it was.

  "Trixie wishes to know how many of those things are out there."

  "Three.  There have always been three.  One Unicorn, one Earth Pony, and one Pegasus."  Silver stated.  Without the wall of shadow surrounding them, he could see a blackish light faintly coming off the Nightmare in the silver light.

  "The element of Deceit will speak, but what is true, and what is trick?  You never know, be careful what you believe, be careful what you pick."  The Nightmare intoned.  Silver was sure if it had a mouth, it would be smiling.

  Trixie looked like she had just been challenged.  "And yet, Trixie is more inclined to believe him then you, creature of fear.  So go back to whatever master would be stupid enough to think you'd make a good choice."

  The thing laughed.  "You know what I am, yet not who I was.  But that does not matter, as that pony is gone."  It laughed again.  "I see four little elements sitting around a fire, one has gone to the southern pyre."  The Nightmare slowly walked backwards as the ponies looked around to see Marigold was nowhere to be seen.

  "I shall give you a warning.  Do not go to Ponyville, and my master will be merciful to your precious elements, and Order of Balance.  If you continue on, however, Ponyville will suffer the fate you stopped today."  With that, it disappeared into the night, leaving three Unicorns and an Earth pony by a fire and a statue.

...0... 

  Fluttershy was just walking into her home after a long walk through town when a sudden, paralyzing fear the likes she had never known, gripped her heart in a death like clamp.  And just like that, it was gone.  Only a feeling of loss was left behind.

  She took a shaky breath before closing her door.  She had no intentions of leaving in the next few days anymore, she decided as she carefully walked to her bed.

  Outside, something flittered by the window while her back was turned.  She saw neither it, nor the brief flash of light that followed.

...0... 

  Mark stepped back.  It had taken some time, in part because of all the orders for lanterns Pinky had been making of him.  The carriage itself had been tough to perfect as well.  But in the process, he had gotten a perfect match for Nyx.

  Sighing, he stepped outside for a moment.  The light from the moon was soft, and blended well with the silver light coming from the lanterns now hanging all over Ponyville.  He had to admit...  It looked beautiful in the soft silver glow.  The lanterns also helped him finish Luna's carriage.

  He looked up at the moon.  It was so much closer then back on earth.  It was beautiful.  Nothing could quite compare to the night sky.  There was something about it that day couldn't catch.  Just as day had things night couldn't catch.  It was a very delicate balance, especially here.

  He saw a faint flash of what looked like a small lightning strike, but no thunder could be heard from close to where Fluttershy's cottage was.  Nothing was on fire or anything, and he'd seen the lightning before.  But he'd seen it less often since he started making lanterns.  Somehow, they were connected.

  He'd have to hang one in front of her cottage tomorrow.  He had also heard rumors about a silver fox around.  No one could really confirm nor deny these rumors.  Mark looked toward Canterlot.  He still didn't know how, but Pinky had managed to hang his flameless lanterns in a few places in the far off city, giving it a very faint silver glow.  He smiled.  That mare was something.  Turning, he stepped back into the heat of the foundry.  He had an order of lanterns to make after all.

  As soon as the door closed, a Pegasus dropped from the roof of the building.  Glancing at the door, the figure glared at the glowing silver lantern hanging next to it.  They hadn't expected this.  The figure took flight, and flew the long way around Ponyville to fly south to avoid a troublesome Phoenix.