//------------------------------// // Chapter 4: Spike’s Attempt. // Story: The Nightmare Returns. // by Lucy_Marigold //------------------------------// Chapter 4; Spike’s Attempt. Spike looked out at the sky, seeing the sun rising. Twilight had said they would be back before dawn. They hadn’t returned. Spike grabbed a scroll from the table nearby, sending it off to Celestia like Twilight had told him if they didn’t return. After sending the scroll, the baby dragon sat on the balcony, eyes all puffy and red from crying. He burped up a reply moments later. ‘Dear Spike, We’ll be there shortly, explain to me everything once Cadence and I arrive. Signed, Princess Celestia.’ The letter had said, written out in hastily written cursive. Spike waited, watching in the direction of Canterlot. A pair of figures appeared in the distance, landing on the balcony a few minutes later. “P-Princess Celestia! Princess Cadence! It took Rarity again.” Spike sobbed, grabbing onto Celestia’s leg. “Those shadowy things.” “So it is true. Did Luna go with them?” Celestia spoke, Spike nodding. “What are we going to do, Celestia? What happens if YOU don’t return?” Cadence asked, grabbing Spike into a hug. “I shall go and investigate. They have most certainly been captured.” She replied, looking up at the moon that still hung partially in the sky. “Spike, you’ll come with me. Cadence, you must remain here and prepare the ponies of Ponyville for the worst. If I don’t return active protocol ‘Fallen’.” They all nodded in reply. Spike got onto Celestia’s back, sitting down. Celestia flapped her wings, flying up and into the sky. -<> <> <> <>- Spike watched from a distance as Celestia battled Nightmare Rarity, eyes welling with tears again. He stayed hidden behind a large statue, holding his breath. He gasped his shock as he watched her pin Celestia to the floor. “Tell me this, did Rarity willing accept or did you force it upon her?” He heard Celestia speak, blood pooling on the ground, sword sticking upwards. “I willing accepted, Princess Celestia. But unlike your sister, I thought about it and I bargained. Guards! Take her to the dungeon. Put her with her little student. Get rid of that corpse as well.” He watched Rarity trot up to her throne where she sat. Celestia was dragged away screaming, another shadow picking up the corpse of Luna like a sack of potatoes. He looked back at Nightmare Rarity who was splattered with blood and smirking once more. He pulled out a fire ruby that was shaped like a heart, holding it close to his chest with his claws. He moved forward, hiding behind each pillar. He froze, feeling something grab onto him. He turned around, a nightmare creature holding onto him. He was grabbed, held tightly as he was pulled forward to where Nightmare Rarity sat. “My Queen,” It spoke. Spike began to panic, sweat pouring down his face. “What is it-“ She began but stopped, looking up and seeing Spike. “Spike. W-What are you doing here? Y-You shouldn’t be here. It isn’t safe here. Y-You need to leave.” “Let Twilight go! And Princess Celestia!” Spike shouted, lighting the nightmare creature on fire before escape its grasp. “Let them go! And let Rarity go too!” “My, My, Spikey-wikey grew some balls, didn’t he?” She got up and stood in front of him, glaring down at him. “R-R-Rarity..” Spike stuttered, shaking as she loomed above him, dropping the ruby onto the ground. “I am not that foalish mare, you fool. You have no idea who or what you’re messing with. I accepted this, Spike. I want this. Don’t you want to be my king again?” She snaked around him, wrapping her long tail around his body. “N-No! I-I don’t!” He screamed, frightened. “Wrong answer.” There was a smashing sound as she crushed the fire ruby under her hoof. Nightmare creatures appeared, wrapping themselves around Spike tightly. “My Queen, what shall we do with him?” Shadowfright asked, him being among the others. Nightmare Rarity put a hoof to her muzzle, thinking for a moment. “Put him with the rest.” She sighed, watching them drag Spike away. She left the room, climbing up a tower before she reached her new bedroom. It was a circular room, a large bed made of mostly pillows and blankets sitting in the centre like a nest. There was a dresser on left side of the room, a large vanity mirror beside it with makeup supplies and hair brushes already lain out for her. On the right side was a pair of glass doors, opening up to a balcony. There were large windows beside the glass doors, looking out to the forest in front of her new castle. She rose the moon with her newly gained power, looking out of the windows. Her eyes flicked back and forth, from normal to nightmarish until they settled on their nightmarish form. “You’re getting weak, Rarity.” She spoke to herself. She sighed, removing her crown and necklace, setting them down on the dresser, glancing into the vanity mirror. The last time she had been Nightmare Rarity she hadn’t seen her reflection. She looked at her large hair, curled and looking like the night sky in a few parts. Her coat was now velvet black, her own cutie mark resembling stars more than diamonds. Using her magic, she picked up a makeup wipe and removed her makeup. She went and sat down in her bed, curling up to sleep. -<> <> <> <>- Twilight slunk to the back of her cell as she saw Nightmare Rarity’s guards approaching her cell. She stayed hidden in the shady corner, watching as they opened the cell door and tossed another pony in. Her eyes widened as she looked at the pony in front of her. “Princess C-Celestia?” She croaked, her voice hoarse from the screaming and shouting. The princess slowly rose up, sitting on her fore hooves. Twilight moved forward and help her mentor sit up. Celestia hissed in pain as her wings moved, the wounds still fresh. She was missing her crown and necklace and there was a magic blocker chained to her horn. “What happened?” Twilight asked. “L-Luna.. s-she’s..” Was all Celestia could say before she burst into tears, sobbing onto the shoulder of the other alicorn. “What happened to Princess Luna?” Twilight whispered, holding the older mare closely. “She’s d-d-dead..” Celestia sobbed out, more tears streaming down her face, dripping off of her muzzle. Silent tears fell down Twilight’s muzzle, her sitting there in numb disbelief. She looked out the bar window, seeing the moon. The two alicorns mourned in silence, watching the moon and stars until the moon vanished from sight. They both fell asleep in each other’s hooves.