//------------------------------// // Ch. 8: The Moon // Story: Generation 4: P-1 Grand Prix // by TundraStanza //------------------------------// Chapter 8: The Moon --- She Graces Villages With Her Presence The Real Princess Of The Night and Dreams PRINCESS LUNA --- "We art prepared. Bring it on, ye monstrosity!" --- Live and let die! The One Villain To Rule Them All The Dark Side Of Anger And Moonshine NIGHTMARE MOON! The pony that came to Luna's rescue soon fell to the floor in a crumpled heap. "No!" Luna yelled and practically ground her teeth in frustration. She had enough of this. This was her demon and she would not allow it to hurt her friend. Taking precautionary measures and levitating the injured quarry out of reach of the makeshift arena, Luna stood and faced Nightmare Moon with an authoritative passion. "And now just one obstacle remains," said Nightmare Moon. Round 1 Fight! Both fighters started off by releasing their respective lightning spells. Electricity danced in the space between the enemies. They held out their attacks unflinchingly for several seconds. Luna was the first to break off and applied a slightly different charge of magic. The night air seemed to focus into a concentrated beam. The apparition of nightmares quickly switched to her gaseous form to duck underneath most of the attack. She then floated over and proceeded to use her darkness mane to slap Luna upside the head. Luna was sent careening before she spread her wings to straighten herself out. She flew down charging toward Nightmare. Oddly enough, some of Luna's physical hoof kicks seemed to be causing visible pain to the shadow pony. However, Nightmare Moon wasn't going down that easily. She started blocking and parrying Luna's strikes while throwing in a few of her own. Scrapes and bruises were becoming more visible on both of the ponies. Without warning, Nightmare Moon's eyes and horn glowed in white. A burst of lightning just exploded out of her entire being. Luna tried to use her own magic to block, but the damage had already been too close. Sparks raced around her body as she was sent sprawling to the floor. "Face it, you foal," boasted Nightmare Moon. "You're nothing without me!" The princess struggled to get up. When she did, it was apparent that she was wobbly and could stumble easily if she wasn't careful. Her breaths were getting heavier as she started sweating near open wounds. "It's the... other way... around," she managed to utter between pants. "What are you babbling about?" wondered Nightmare. "You're an empty shell with an even emptier goal," Luna stated slightly louder than before. "Without my desires to back you up, you're nothing but my shadow." "Ha!" Nightmare scoffed. "Poetic words won't change the fact that you're losing." "Maybe not," admitted Luna, "but I know now that what you said before was wrong. You said you weren't me anymore. I think the opposite is true." It was then that Nightmare Moon noticed an unusual red aura surrounding Luna. "What the?" Nightmare stared with eyes wide. "You are me... and I am you!" Luna declared as the red aura around her swished around as a cloud of smoke. Nightmare held up a wing and a hoof to block out the blinding red light. When she could see again, the pony in front of her had changed appearance completely. It was like looking at a red-tinted reflection of herself. But, it wasn't quite like that. Because this time, her reflection felt like it had stronger magic than hers. For the first time since the tournament began, Nightmare actually had fear in her eyes. In her red Nightmare form, Luna's mane started stretching forward in several waves. Nightmare Moon tried to fly out of the way, but two of the waves wrapped around her stomach area while a third wrapped around her neck. They were starting to pull her in. "No... no," she whispered as she was drawn closer to her foe. Finally, her own dark mane was consumed by the red one. "NOOOO!" her yell echoed as she faded completely. Luna's red aura dispersed and she reverted to her default form. Though now, she appeared much more like her sister in regards to her height and flowing mane. "I guess that's that," sighed Luna from fatigue. But, that was not that. --- "I am Omega! I created this world to satisfy ponykind's desire to sink into apathy. None shall ever have to suffer sadness and anger if they let it all out in a battle to the death." Final Round Fight! A giant symbol in dark, red light appeared on the floor in front of Luna. It resembled the head of a monstrous beast. The pits of Tartarus themselves couldn't hold back a creature of such emptiness and decay. The overall size of the hellhound as it rose out of the floor could rival that of one of the heads of Cerberus. Luna braced herself for anything. Unearthly appendages started growing from the sides of the monster. As if wax were melting and then hardening again, scythe-like arms grew from nowhere. These arms lashed forth for the princess's head. Instinctively, Luna set up three shield barriers made from her white magic. The scythes collided with these shields, filling them with cracks. With a gasp, Luna flew back and away as the shields were ground into non-existent powder. She landed safely, but then fell on one knee. I'm drained, she realized in thought, I expended all I had left against the Nightmare. "Princess Luna!" shouted a cacophony of voices. She lifted her head in surprise to see seven lights fly into the announcement room arena. These lights took the form of cards. Each card had a unique design drawn on its face. One card in particular held what appeared to be a pony holding a cane with an unusual golden trinket for its top. "You can do it, Princess!" the card seemed to say. Still a bit confused but not completely frozen in shock, Luna channeled a little bit of her magic to the card. Upon contact with the magical energy, the card spun around to face the beast. A flurry of lasso ropes just popped out of the card's center and constricted Omega. This seemed to infuriate the hellhound more than anything. "Okay," another card whispered. This one held a picture of a pony in a hooded, light blue cloak. Curious, Luna sent a small spark to this card as well. It turned its face toward Omega and called forth a shadow in the shape of a Pegasus pony. The pony-shaped figure delivered a flurry of kicks to the various sides of the monster before seeming to dissipate. "Sometimes it's really fun to be scared!" exclaimed the third card. On the face of the card was what appeared to be a pony with her hooves spread out wide for a hug while a giant star shone above her. Automatically, Luna focused her magic to this card. Turning to face the tied up beast, the card released a mess of balloons, confetti, candy, and streamers. Omega actually roared as if he were burning from contact with the party supplies. "Alright, Princess!" cheered yet another card. In the image of this card stood a proud pony in an open carriage. In front its wheels sat two manticores guarding their master. Luna was no longer channeling magic into the cards. This card just sort of yanked a bit of Luna's reserves into itself. With its new power, the card turned around and faced Omega. It released a rainbow-colored blast that spread out in all directions once it was right beside the creature. Omega started crouching in pain, straining against the lassos holding him in place. "It. Is. On!" insisted the next card. The card depicted a white pony lying comfortably on a red sofa while looking outward. She was dressed in some of the finest robes. Luna could feel more of her strength pour out, even though she was sure she had been empty a few minutes before. The fifth card spun around to face the hellhound. A barrage of several different gems attacked the monster where it stood. The ropes were showing signs of tearing. "Just wait, Princess," said one of the remaining cards. On its face was a pony dressed in a simple cape and holding a staff high above her head. Barely pausing, Luna sent forth one more burst of magic so that the card could do its work. The card flipped over to face Omega, releasing a giant bubble of magenta magic. Although Omega broke free from the ropes, his extending claws could not pierce this new shield so easily. "We were meant to rule together, little sister," said the last card softly. This card held the image of a tall pony wearing a trailing red cape. A sun shone above her in the background. Seventh time being the charm, Luna gave another portion of her growing magical energy to the card. It quickly flipped its face toward the hellhound and unleashed a beam of golden light that made the beast roar in pain. The seven cards came back to float in front of Luna's face. They started spinning around in place before seeming to fly into each other. This last image was not of one pony in glory. Rather, it depicted the face of the Mare in the Moon, looking down on the land in sorrow as if regretful. Luna took a step forward and let her horn move just within reach of this new card. She closed her eyes and nodded once. Upon contact, the card burst into blue flames and surrounded Luna in a similarly colored glow. "Ponykind does not desire death, Omega!" she hollered over the inferno. "It desires a brighter future." A set of purple plate armor now adorned her chest, head, and hooves. She opened her eyes in determination. Omega tried to charge in with his giant limbs, desperately trying to kill his prey. But, it was too late. "As for you," Luna continued even as her eyes and horn sparked with energy, "good night." A controlled wave of lightning surged out and ensnared the hellhound before his body seemed to crack and shatter completely. Soon, Luna's armor followed suit as well as the entirety of the world she was in. Everything collapsed and faded into the light. --- After what felt like less than an hour, Luna opened her eyes. Though, her sight was immediately bombarded with multiple pieces of colors. "Yay! She's awake!" cheered Pinkie Pie before buzzing a party blower. "Pinkie Pie?" wondered Luna as she started to look around her environment. Somehow, she had woken up in that small library in Ponyville. Every pony else was there as well: Twilight Sparkle, Fair Applejack, Lady Rainbow Dash, Miss Rarity, Fluttershy, the young Pinkie Pie, and... "Tia?" Luna scrambled to her hooves before rushing to her sister's side, "What happened in there?" "I think you might have just saved us all," smiled Celestia. "Me?" Luna blushed as she suddenly realized that all eyes were on her. "I mean, but of course! It is the sworn duty of a Princess to protect her subjects." "Wow, she got real soldier-like in a hurry," muttered Rainbow Dash. To that, Pinkie Pie let loose a few giggles. "Aw, relax, Princess," insisted Applejack before turning to the rest of her friends. "What do you say, every pony? Shall we teach her how to have fun again?" A collective stream of approvals and agreements was her response. "Hoo!" hooted Owloysius. The noise diverted every pony's attention over to the otherwise unattended television set. "What's this button do?" asked Spike aloud as he pressed "on". "Not again!" cried out the ponies as a familiar vacuum sensation spread across the room. --- Fantasy -- Psychological Conflict -- Imagination -- Illusion Unofficial Credits Generation 4: P-1 Grand Prix by TundraStanza Persona 4 Arena and respective references are credited to Atlus and Arc System Works. This story is written for entertainment purposes only and is not for profit. Special thanks to: The FIMFiction staff knighty Wlah Poultron Wanderer D Xaquseg Alexstrazsa Midnight Shadow NTSTS ...and the rest For working, running, maintaining, and moderating a wonderful website where we can all read and write fanon stories about our favorite ponies to our hearts' content. The people at Atlus That made such a heart-touching game that offered some insight to social life and the links that are forged. And to you, the readers Who help give back to the writing community through your views and your comments whether they're positive or negative. --- Now, just for kicks and giggles... Ideas I probably won't do but I do think would be interesting: I'll Grant You Love My Shining Armor The Unconquerable Rhythm Pink PRINCESS MI AMORE CADENZA! --- "Princess Cadance is fine." --- Has A Big Ego And An Even Bigger Mouth The Magician's Counterfeit TRIXIE! --- "The Great and Powerful Trixie is no faker!" --- What Is A Piano? A Miserable Pile Of Secrets! The Bright Eyes Of A Ditzy Doo Day DERPY HOOVES! --- "I said I was sorry about dropping that piano." --- niaR kliM etalocohC roF tpecxE eciwT kcirT emaS ehT seoD reveN The Chaotic Mistake Of Creation DISCORD! --- "Ha ha ha! I love this guy. He's so flattering." --- Now You See Her. Now You See Some Pony Else! The Swiss Army Legs Of The Wastelands QUEEN CHRYSALIS! --- "For the last time, my legs are not cheese!" --- Bully By Day, News Reporter By Night Filthy Rich's Spoiled Little Princess DIAMOND TIARA! --- "What kind of introduction is that?" --- Her Cloudy Destiny Has A Silver Lining Lady Ressentiment SILVER SPOON! --- "Puh-lease! I could've introduced myself better than that." --- I'd Do Anything For Rarity The Bottomless Pit Of Gems SPIKE! --- "Preci... Preci... I still don't know that word." --- Today Is The Day, Cutie Mark Crusaders! The Temper-driven Temperance APPLE BLOOM! --- "Applejack? Where are you?" --- Is There Book On That As Well? The Biggest Mary Sue Since Cadenza PRINCESS TWILIGHT! --- "That doesn't even rhyme!" ---