//------------------------------// // Party of Three // Story: The Nightmare of Phobetor // by kurusagi16 //------------------------------// Twilight had been quickly alerted to Fluttershy's distress, hearing her cry out in her sleep. She tried to awaken her friend from whatever nightmare she was suffering through, but for some strange reason, no matter how much she nudged or prompted, Fluttershy would not awaken. Her worry grew even more when a dark aura surrounding the pegasus' form before flickering away. "Fluttershy? Fluttershy?!" Twilight tried once more to try and awaken her, and this time, much to her relief, Fluttershy's eyes fluttered open. "Ugh...what happened?" She asked. "You had another nightmare." Twilight answered. "Are you okay? What happened?" Fluttershy sat up, rubbing her sleepy eyes. "I...I don't really know. I remember seeing...my usual nightmare, only much worse this time, but then it's all a blur." "Really? You can't recall anything else?" Twilight pressed. Fluttershy shook her head. "No, although, I do remember feeling a calm warmth before waking up. Do you suppose it was Princess Luna?" Before Twilight could reply, Discord and Luna appeared in the middle of the cottage in a flash of light. Twilight stared at the pair in shock. "Wha?! Luna? Discord? What are you two--?" But Discord ignored her as he knelt down by Fluttershy. "Are you alright, my dear?' He asked. Fluttershy managed a small smile and nodded. "I'm fine...I think. I still feel pretty tired, but, I feel better somehow." Discord breathed a sigh. "Good, I'm glad." "Excuse me, can somepony please tell me what's going on?" Asked Twilight. "Why are you here with Luna? What's up with Fluttershy's nightmares?" "I have to agree with Twilight, Discord." Said Luna. "You seemed to know more about the situation than I before we left, so I think it's time you explain a few things." Discord stood up and folded his arms before saying, "Very well then. The reason for Fluttershy's dreams is all because of a spirit, the spirit of Nightmares, Phobetor." Twilight blinked and tilted her head. "Phobetor?" "Yeah, I know." Discord snorted. "He went by all sorts of names back in the day, but out of all them he chose that one. Honestly, I liked his Icelus alias more." "I take it that this Phobetor is an old acquaintance of yours?" Inquired Luna. Discord waved a talon and replied, "Hardly. I only know him by reputation, though I've never met him, until now that is. Though, last I heard, he'd been sealed away someplace for eternity." "Interesting." Mused Luna. "This is the first time I've heard of Phobetor. Though, I wonder how he was able to return after all this time, and why he would give Fluttershy nightmares." "While I don't know how he got out, I do know that Phobetor draws his power from mortals. He feeds off of their worst fears and anxieties, which he in turn uses to fuel the nightmares he creates. I've also heard that given enough time, he's able to drain a mortal completely of their hopes and dreams, leaving them nothing more than an empty shell. " His whole body tensed up at the thought, and his gaze became narrow and hardened. His attention flickered over to Twilight, who had been staring at him in surprise. "What?" "N-nothing." Said Twilight. "It's just...you're being so serious and straightforward...I'm just used to you telling us stuff in a roundabout way." "Well, I'll have you know princess that I can be serious and straightforward when I want to be." Fluttershy, who'd been quiet up to that point, spoke up and said, "So...Phobetor was giving me nightmares, just so he could become powerful?" Discord's expression softened as he gently ruffled her mane. "Yes, he was, but not anymore. Not after I dealt with him." "Ahem! I think you're forgetting who it was who brought you to the dream realm, and who it was that kept Phobetor off your back." Luna interjected. "Yes, yes. Luna helped out as well." He said dismissively. "So, Phobetor's gone now?" Asked Twilight. "From Fluttershy's dreams, yes." He said. "But I'm afraid he's still on the lose somewhere in the dream realm. If I had to guess, I'd say he's hiding out somewhere and waiting to resume his plans for hostile takeover." "Not if I can help it." Said Luna firmly. "As Princess of the Night, I will not let this Phobetor disrupt the dream realm any further." "Indeed, he'll be sorry he ever tangled with us." Said Discord, siding up next to Luna. She looked at him in confusion. "Us? You mean, you intend to go after him as well?" "You're not the only one with a bone to pick, Luna. That wretch made Fluttershy suffer, and that is something I cannot let go unpunished." "Discord..." Fluttershy uttered softly. "Are you sure you want to go?" "I meant what I said, Fluttershy. What Phobetor did to you...I cannot stand by while he's out free, waiting for him to be captured. Not if I have anything to say about it." "But you have no idea what he's capable of." Fluttershy said, her body trembling with fear as she recalled the nightmares she went through. "He's cruel and relentless, and every moment of my nightmares felt so real that I actually believed them. I don't want you to go through the same hardships that I went through." Discord did his best to try and ease his friend's worries by saying, "Come now my dear. Phobetor maybe be fearsome in his own right, but I'm the Lord of Chaos. He doesn't stand a chance against me." "That doesn't mean it won't be dangerous!" Fluttershy argued. "If something were to happen to you, I..." She didn't want to think about it. Watching the whole scene unfold before her, Twilight heaved a sigh and said, "What if I come along?" Discord and Fluttershy turned their attention toward her. "Huh?" "If Fluttershy is so worried about you getting bested by Phobetor, then I'll tag along to make sure that doesn't happen." "R-really?" Asked Fluttershy. "Oh, I don't know." "It won't be just me, Fluttershy. Luna will be there too. With the three of us together, we'll have Phobetor defeated and be back before you know it." Thinking over it for a moment, Fluttershy agreed and said, "Alright, but please be careful. Both of you." "You have nothing to fear, Fluttershy." Discord said, giving her a little nuzzle. "Just try to get some well-deserved rest, and leave all this Phobetor business to us, okay?" Fluttershy smiled warmly at him. "Okay." With a snap of his talons, Discord had Fluttershy all cozily tucked in. He looked to the two Alicorns and said, "Well, then, shall we be off?" "Yes, there isn't a moment to lose." Said Luna. And in another flash of light, the three of them disappeared, leaving Fluttershy alone to drift back to sleep.