Chapter 5; When The Sun Goes Down.
Nightmare Rarity walked down the dark corridor, looking at each cell. She passed Rainbow Dash’s cell, the pegasus mare noticing her. She screamed and shouted when Nightmare Rarity passed, clashing her hooves against the bars. She kept walking, ignoring her scream and shouts, un-phased. She turned the corner, passing more cells in an endless loop. She bowed her head to her guards as she passed another one of their posts. They bowed in return as she continued down the dingy and dark hallway. She went up a set of stairs, weaving through more corridors, the only light being the moonlight shining through the windows. She stopped near a cell, still shrouded in darkness. She watched the pair of ponies inside the cell talking. “It’s okay, Princess Celestia.” Twilight spoke, moving closer to her mentor.
“No it’s not, Twilight… “Celestia replied, muzzle buried in her hooves. “We’re being held here against our will.”
“We’ll get out. We’ll-“ She began to speak, looking upward before stopping and shutting her mouth. She pulled back, away from the bars. Nightmare Rarity trotted forward silently, looking down at Celestia. Her face showed that she wasn’t amused in any way or form. Celestia rose her head, staring at Nightmare Rarity.
“I assume you know why I’m here.” Nightmare Rarity spoke, Celestia slinking back in the cell beside Twilight. Nightmare Rarity lit her horn, her magic moving the chains behind Celestia and Twilight which grabbed onto them, chaining them both to the wall. She opened the cell, the metal door clanking behind her. She removed the same talisman she had used on Luna, placing it around Celestia’s neck. “Not going to talk? Ah well, that’s fine by me, darlings.”
“Let Rarity go.. let us go.” Twilight whispered, her voice barely audible and hoarse. Nightmare Rarity stopped, looking over at the lavender coloured mare. “I.. know you have control.. please don’t do this.” She plead, tears welling in her eyes. Nightmare Rarity flicked, looking away sharply. She repeated the chant under her breath, the talisman glowing a pale yellow before she removed it. Nightmare Rarity left without another word, locking the cell door behind herself. She walked back up the same corridor before, tears welling in her own eyes.
“I’m getting soft again.” She sighed, taking a deep breath before exiting the dungeon, passing Rainbow Dash once more. When she exited, she walked through the castle, the moon’s light still shining through the windows. She felt the magic in the talisman being absorbed into her body. Her legs buckled, her gasping with heavy breaths as the magic weighted her down. She was holding two god’s magic in her feeble mortal body. She panted, sweat dripping down her body as if she was doing intensive exercise. One of her guards moved forward.
“Are you okay, My Queen? Is there anything wrong?” He spoke, leaning close to the mare. Nightmare Rarity rose from the ground, brushing specks of dirt off of her coat as if nothing had happened and it was only a minor in convenience.
“Yes. I’m quite alright. Is there any news of Ponyville?” She asked, taking another deep breath. She felt the magic inside her beating like a second heart, it slowly becoming less overwhelming.
“We’ve encircled the town, do you wish to join your soldiers in capturing the town, My Queen?” He answered, bowing his serpent like head low.
“Yes. Fetch me my armour.” She smirked.
-<> <> <> <>-
As Nightmare Rarity adorned her armour, she rose the sun into the sky. She wore what Nightmare Moon had worn long ago, the colour matching Nightmare Rarity’s eyes. She trotted out of her bedroom, climbing down the stairs before walking to the main door of the castle. Her nightmare creatures stood in rows like soldiers, waiting for her to lead. She turned into mist, exiting the castle and weaving through the Everfree Forest.