//------------------------------// // Chapter 2: Saving Rarity. // Story: The Nightmare Returns. // by Lucy_Marigold //------------------------------// Chapter 2: Saving Rarity. Twilight Sparkle ran to the lobby of her castle, hearing a loud knock on the crystal door. Her mane was dishevelled and she looked as if she hadn’t slept for a long time. “Finally! You’re here. Come in Princess Luna.” She spoke, ushering the princess of the night inside the dark castle. “You speak urgently. Is it true? Have the nightmares emerged once more?” Luna spoke, trotting carefully inside. Twilight didn’t speak, she just lead Luna up a large flight of stairs before entering a large room. The other four elements lay outside on the balcony, as Spike the dragon slept beside them. “They took her again, they took Rarity.” Twilight spoke softly, tears welling in her eyes. “I saw them heading towards the Everfree Forest. The girls are ready, prepared for anything. Spike will remain behind in case.” “Thou mustn’t delay. We must go now before dawn otherwise, if she’s transformed, she will no longer be thy friend, Princess Twilight.” Luna stated. Twilight rushed forward to gather her friends before they departed for the Everfree forest. -<> <> <> <>- “My Queen? Have you awoken yet?” The nightmare known as Shadowfright spoke, leaning close to his new leader. Rarity raised her head, opening her eyes. Her outer irises were now a pale turquoise, her pupil fading to a slit. She smiled coldly, running a hoof across her muzzle. Her coat had become the colour of a starless night, her mane flowing in majestic locks. Nightmare Rarity had returned. “Why yes, darlings, I have.” She spoke softly, looking out at the other shadows gathered around her broken throne. She knew the castle was in shambles but it didn’t matter. She would fix it. “Do you remember the plan, Larry?” Shadowfright flinched, hearing his normal name. “Y-Yes, my Queen.” He stuttered. Another nightmare creature ran forward, bending on one knee in front of Nightmare Rarity before speaking. “Your Majesty, the remaining Elements of Harmony and Princess Luna are approaching the castle. What shall we do?” She spoke, looking up at her with crimson eyes. “Let them come.” She snapped, grinning before nodding towards Shadowfright. She glanced out the window, seeing signs that dawn was approaching soon. Nightmare Rarity rose from her throne, trotting forward until she was in the centre of the room. She lit her horn, sapphire coloured magic raising broken stones and torn fabric, placing them back into their places. She moved the spare throne out of the window before it sealed up. Tapestries with diamonds and moons decorated the room, turquoise coloured flames lit in every candle holder. She smiled, her nightmare subjects weaving around the marble banisters, lining up on both sides of the long carpet that sat in the centre. She slowly walked back to her single throne, sitting down to wait. -<> <> <> <>- Rainbow Dash flew ahead of her friends, peering through the thin trees. Normally they would have been attacked by something by now but it was as if the Everfree forest was dead and nothing was alive anymore. Rainbow spotted the worn castle up ahead and flew downwards to alert her friends. “Hey guys, the castle is up ahead!” “Ah have a bad feelin’ about this, gals.” Applejack spoke, shivering in her own coat. Pinkie bounced beside her, oddly cheerful despite the situation. “Oh AJ, it’ll be fine. We saved her the first time, didn’t we?” Pinkie commented. Luna was silent, deep in thought. “Girls, we’re here.” Fluttershy whispered as they arrived. Twilight moved forward, taking the lead. She opened the creaking oak doors, the room shrouded in darkness. They approached the throne room silently, gently taking each hoof step lightly. Nightmare Rarity sat on an ancient throne, a single nightmare creature beside her. “Give us Rarity back!” Twilight shouted, gaining their attention. “Ah. You’ve finally arrived, I was getting bored by all this already, Darlings.” Nightmare Rarity spoke, waving a hoof in dismissal. “Anyway, attack them or whatever.” Suddenly, thousands of nightmare creatures emerged and began to attack the ponies. “Rarity! Fight it!” Rainbow Dash yelled, dodging a swipe. Pinkie Pie bounced over a pair of creatures, smashing their heads together. “Yeah! You did it before so it’s okie-dooky for you to do it again!” She shouted, spraying another creature with silly string. “Shut up you foals, you have no clue who you’re talking to!” Nightmare Rarity hissed, blasting Rainbow Dash in the wing with magic, causing her to tumble to the ground. Fluttershy rushed forward, catching her in her hooves before pulled her away from the fray. “Rarity, ye need ta keep fighting!” AJ cried, using her lasso to trip another group of creatures. Luna and Twilight were blasting away with their magic, avoiding becoming overwhelmed. Sunlight peaked through the tinted windows. Nightmare Rarity laughed, tackling Luna to the ground. The shadows circled everyone, trapping them in a circle. Rainbow Dash watched as Nightmare Rarity grabbed Luna by her throat, dragging her away. “My Queen? Where should we put them?” Shadowfright asked. “The dungeon. I’ll deal with little Lulu here myself.” She snapped, walking away with a knocked out Luna. The five other ponies were dragged away by their hooves, contesting as they went.