//------------------------------// // Chapter 18: Infinite Jealousy! // Story: Nightmare Ponyville // by Super Ponyman //------------------------------// (Canterlot Castle, Throne Room) Celestia and Luna sat in their thrones, with the rest of the royal guard and servants standing at the foot of the stairs leading up to their thrones. Everypony was wondering why they were instructed to get their families away from Canterlot, and at such a late hour as well. Celestia was tapping her hoof on the floor, nervous to read the letter that appeared mere seconds ago. She didn't want to see the bad news, that her worst nightmares were coming true. She wanted to burn it all away and destroy all her fears... But even she had to face the fear, that one of her students would try to overthrow her. Luna opened the letter, It was from Burning Star. She began to read aloud to Celestia. "Dear Celestia and Luna," "I bring grave news. Not only has the Nightmare Tribe returned, but Sunset Shimmer has escaped from Tartarus. By the way, you need a much better guard than Cerberus... he was easily won over by a rubber ball, A dogs greatest weakness." Celestia interrupted Luna, "Oh this is my fault! If only I had not let my guard down and kept an eye on Sunset, this would not have happened." Luna put a hoof on Celestia's shoulder, "It is not your fault alone sister, I did not think that the Nightmare Tribe would escape, either." Luna continued to read the letter, "She has also loosed a soulless monster alongside her, it was called Black Sun, a cruel amalgamation of parts from every species of pony in Equestria. It was incredibly strong..." Celestia thought of the idea of some sort of... monster being, hunting both her and Luna to the ends of Equestria. Luna continued to read, suddenly developing a worried smile, "However, he was defeated..." Celestia jumped for joy, literally. She flew out of her throne, relieved by the fact that this "Black Sun" was dead. Luna said to her sister, "Hey, I'm not done reading here." She continued to read, "By your brother Prince Eclipsio. By the way, he now has Black Sun's body, due to his own body being gone now... Black Sun sacrificed his body for Eclipsio's soul to live on. Now, your brother is coming to aid you in the defeat of Sunset Shimmer... again. "But this time, she is packing some serious power. She has the Alicorn Amulet and a Pair of Magitek wings, you know the ones I gave to Scootaloo? Yeah, apparently she found another pair... whoops." Celestia and Luna went pale at the mention of their brother's name. Did Eclipsio really return? Was he going to destroy Equestria, or would he save it? the feeling of not knowing what he would do scared the crap out of them. But Sunset wearing that cursed Alicorn Amulet combined with the mysterious power of Magitek Wings, Celestia and Luna may actually need their brother to help... if he doesn't kill them before Sunset does! Luna finished the letter, "I don't have enough time left to write, I'm going with Shining Armor and Shadow Armor, along with the CMC and Twilight and her friends to free Ponyville from the Nightmare Tribe. Please, please don't kill your brother... he seems like a pretty chill pony now." "From, Burning Star" Celestia and Luna took a sigh of relief, they both worried that Eclipsio would be real mad about his banishment to deep space. I mean, who wouldn't be? It's not like Prince Eclipsio could wipe the world away with a black hole or something... except he could, and he may eventually do that. Luna said to her sister, "Celestia, we may have to use Eclipsio to stall for time..." The room suddenly got very dark as the moon was eclipsed by somepony, then all the torches went out! Luna and Celestia ignited their horns and tried to shine a light in the room. It was blacker than the darkest pit of Tartarus! The sisters heard the raspy voice of their brother, "You, would use me? To stall for time?" The darkness suddenly vanished, revealing Prince Eclipsio! Celestia summoned her pole-axe, Luna summoned her broadsword, and they both said to their brother. "Why are you back? I thought you were still out in space being banished?" Eclipsio chuckled, and said "I could have come back at any point I wanted to, but instead of seething with hate jealousy, like Luna did... I used my powers to explore space, to see all the wonders of the universe..." Luna snorted, obviously offended. "That is not amusing, that is a... dark part of my past, brother." Celestia scowled, "If you're here to help, then you are making a very bad first impression, Eclipsio!" Prince Eclipsio clapped his hooves, completely ignoring Celestia's comment. "Finally Celestia, you decide to flex your authority and intimidation on somepony... I am proud of you." His expression turned serious as he turned towards the door, "but I'm afraid that our guest is here..." Almost as if it was on cue, Sunset Shimmer blasted the door down, sending the wooden shards hurtling towards the royals. Eclipsio effortlessly blocked it and turned them to dust. Sunset galloped in, eyes ablaze with Dark magic, the Alicorn Amulet hanging around her neck and a pair of magitek wings on her back. She snarled at Celestia and Luna, "I'm back, and I'm better than ever. Better than you two ever were and ever will be." She finally noticed the dark gray alicorn standing between her and her prey, "Who the hell are you?" Prince Eclipsio rolled his eyes, "Oh come on Sunset... surely you recognize the pony you were trying to imitate with your creation Black Sun..." Eclipsio put his hoof on his chest. Well... I am Prince Eclipsio, swallower of the sun and moon, controller of unnatural darkness..." Sunset laughed, "Hah, you are nothing compared to me. I use my jealousy and hate towards those stupid princesses as my fuel... what do you think you can do against me, pal. You do not know my pain..." Eclipsio began to smirk, then said "Oh you have no idea how much pain I was, and still am in... Sunset Shimmer." Sunset suddenly heard music out of nowhere as Eclipsio began to open his mouth and sing a dangerously cold hearted song. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=XKjOJuPjiu4 All of a sudden, Sunset heard Eclipsio singing along. I am the tallest of mountains, I am the roughest of waves, I am the toughest of terrors, I AM THE DARKEST OF DAYS! Sunset began to see sparks of magic erupt from Eclipsio's horn, sending blasts of electricity surging through the air. I am the last one who is standing, don't try in my way! Because I've been better... just take a look of my face! Eclipsio was up in Sunset's face, and she could see cuts and scars on his face. She felt somewhat uncomfortable now. cause if you're messing with me, I'm a dangerous weapon. I am the sharpest of blades, I'll cut you down in a second. Eclipsio generated energy knifes and flung them through the air at Sunset, who blocked them with some difficulty, she had never dealt with somepony this strong. Because I was born in this pain, it only hurts if you let it. So if you think you can take me then you can go and forget it! He continued to sing, sending chills down Sunset's spine. He began to sing more in almost mocking matter, And after all this time, you're back for more... Sunset responded, I won't stop until know my name! So I'll take what's MINE, and start this war. I'm coming at you like a tidal wave... Eclipsio and Sunset blasted each other with magic, the beans colliding. When everything you've known has come and gone! Sunset struggled against the flow of magic, but she pushed onwards, determined to destroy her opponent. Only scars remain of who I was... Eclipsio advanced on Sunset, she struggled hard against Eclipsio's onslaught of magic. When there's no one left to carry on! Sunset finally felt her shield crack, Eclipsio was winning. This pain persists, I can't resist... but that's what takes to be INFINITE!!! Sunset felt her shield broke, as Eclipsio lifted her body into the air with her magic, she looked scared as he continued to sing, sending chills down her spine and turning her face pale. So look areound you, and tell me what you really see. I'll never end, and that's the difference between you and me. Because when your time is up and everything is falling down, it's only me and you... WHO IS GOING TO SAVE YOU NOW! Sunset began to feel her life at stake, Eclipsio was determined to destroy her. So look around you, and tell me what you really see. You live a lie and that's the difference between you and me. I have the power let me show you what its all about, it's only me and you... WHO IS GOING TO SAVE YOU NOW!" Sunset Shimmer fell to the floor, struggling to stand up, she then said to him "Really? A song? Is that all you got, pal?" Prince Eclipsio chuckled, saying "Sorry, I've always wanted to do that to somepony. But, we have both seen our powers. And I know why you are so angry at my sisters..." Sunset unleashed a giant ball of fire, Eclipsio blocked it and sent it flying into the ceiling, blowing a hole in it. Eclipsio knew that besting Sunset in a magic duel would not solve the problem... So he would try a different tactic, a stronger tactic... He would talk her out of this massive jealousy fit... He said in the back of his mind, "This is gonna suck."