//------------------------------// // Chapter Seven – Nightmare // Story: Marking the Generations – Part Three // by Glimbursts //------------------------------// Blaize gasped as she suddenly found herself appearing in front of the portal. She collapsed in a heap as dizziness overtook her. “What is this? Some pony trick?” she exclaimed. “No…No it’s not,” Starlight replied gravely. Blaize turned to see Starlight was stood looking the opposite way from herself and the portal. She was in a ready stance and her horn glowing dangerously, her eyes were narrowed and focused straight ahead of her. Blaize shook her head, stumbled to her feet, and gasped in shock. Lava and Jade were engulfed in balls of purple fire, unmoving and unconscious. Stood between them was a dark vermillion red pony with fiery wings. The pony’s underbelly was black, as were the sclera of their eyes instead of the normal white. They had teal irises but the pupils within them were vertical slits. Their mane and tail meanwhile were extremely long and were a dark yellow and red. They almost danced like flames as they swayed in the wind. A long horn projected from their forehead and from their back were the aforementioned flaming wings. These being a darker red and yellow from their mane and tail. However, it was the cutie mark that Starlight was most focused on. A familiar red and yellow, ying and yang symbol. “Who are you?” Starlight demanded. The pony grinned, showing her pointed triangular teeth. “Why? You know who I am, Glimmer,” she spat. “No, I don’t,” Starlight replied. “I don’t know the pony stood before me.” The pony laughed maniacally before responding. “I am more than a pony,” she grinned. “I am Nightmare Shimmer. Herald of Opaline Arcana and bringer of fiery destruction to all she opposes.” “If you’re a herald, deliver your message and leave the Dragon Lands,” Blaize responded robustly. “Oh, you are mistaken,” Nightmare Shimmer chuckled. “I have no message for you, I am to collect a few packages.” Blaize growled with anger, her teeth bared, and her wings spread wide as she prepared to attack. She looked between the two ponies, still unsure if she had two opponents or just one. “I’m sorry, the post office is closed,” Starlight responded as she shot a beam from her horn. Nightmare Shimmer laughed again as she effortlessly deflected the shot with a purple fiery shield, her horn flaring with purple fire as she did so. “Is that all you have, Glimmer?” Nightmare Shimmer leered. “Let me show you how it’s done.” Nightmare Shimmer leapt forward, firing a blast of purple fire from her horn at Starlight as she did so. Starlight shielded herself, the fire bursting over the shield and obscuring her view. Suddenly, Nightmare Shimmer was right in front of her, their shields impacting each other. Starlight grunted as she held Nightmare Shimmer at bay. Blaize meanwhile decided which side to take and took to the air. Hovering above Starlight, she took a deep breath and let loose a stream of fire that rained down onto Nightmare Shimmer’s shield. Nightmare Shimmer laughed, suddenly teleporting so she was behind Blaize. She spun around in the air and kicked out with a hind hoof. Blaize gasped as she felt the hoof connect with her side. Then, she was sent flying into the undergrowth nearby. Starlight snarled with annoyance before shooting another beam at Nightmare Shimmer. However, Nightmare Shimmer dodged it, flying around in an arc in the direction that Blaize had gone as Starlight tracked her with the beam. Then, Nightmare Shimmer fired a beam of fire at Starlight again. However, Starlight teleported, appearing in the air ahead of Nightmare Shimmer. She fired another beam which Nightmare Shimmer quickly dodged again before firing back. As she fell, Starlight teleported again, appearing back on the ground. However, Nightmare Shimmer had somehow anticipated where Starlight would appear and had already fired. Starlight gasped as she shielded against the onrushing flames. As the fire washed over her shield, it seemed to cling to it and Starlight found herself blinded. Blaize groaned as she picked herself up from the undergrowth. Clutching her side, she stumbled forward. Suddenly she gasped as she felt herself being plucked upwards by an invisible force. When the fire subsided, Starlight gasped as Nightmare Shimmer landed next to Lava and Jade with a thump. Blaize flailed helplessly in the air as she was held in Nightmare Shimmer’s levitation. “So, Glimmer, what to you prefer?” Nightmare Shimmer grinned. “Crispy dragon or well done?” “Neither,” Starlight replied. “You’re going to let her go so we can have a fair fight.” Nightmare Shimmer cackled. “My Mistress doesn’t believe in fair fights,” she replied. “Forget me,” Blaize grunted as she struggled. “Finish her.” “Oh, I’m far from finished,” Nightmare Shimmer grinned evilly. The fire around her horn intensified, the flame flowing from it like a blow torch. Slowly, she moved Blaize towards the flame whilst she continued to grin and look at Starlight. “STOP!” Starlight cried. “Stop, I surrender.” “Knew you would,” Nightmare Shimmer grinned as she let the torch subside. Starlight sighed with relief but gasped as flames suddenly burst from all around her. She just had time to create a bubble shield to protect herself, but the fire swirled around it. Starlight grunted as she tried to push the shield outwards, but the fire somehow pushed back. Nightmare Shimmer smirked before she gave Blaize a look of interest. “I was told to fetch two, not three,” she muttered. “Then do your worst,” Blaize growled. “Not after Glimmer gave up for you I won’t,” Nightmare Shimmer replied. Blaize cried out as Nightmare Shimmer suddenly threw her into the undergrowth again. Suddenly, voices and the sound of hoofs could be heard getting closer. Nightmare Shimmer turned, looking up the pathway towards the clearing with the fire pit. She grinned as Sunny and the others started to appear before her horn flared. With a burst of purple flame from the ground, she teleported herself along with Lava and Jade away. Starlight grunted as she continued to push her shield outwards. Thankfully, now Nightmare Shimmer had gone, the fire’s intensity was quickly diminishing. Eventually, it dissipated, allowing Starlight to free herself. She looked around before her ear twitched as she heard a grunt from the undergrowth. Blaize snarled as she extracted herself, flicking a leaf from her shoulder. She stomped up to Starlight, a look of determination in her eyes. “Why did you give up?” she demanded. “You didn’t have to save me.” “Yes, I did,” Starlight replied simply. “How could I let you get hurt? It was clear that Nightmare Shimmer was more than a match for us.” “But they were just around the corner,” Blaize exclaimed, gesturing to Sunny and the others who were just arriving. “Were they?” Starlight replied. “I didn’t see them as you were about to get cooked. There was no other option.” Blaize clenched her claws and looked intensely at Starlight. Then she closed her eyes and held her breath as she turned and walked a short distance away, she was clearly struggling with multiple emotions. Meanwhile, Sunny finally skidded to a stop beside Starlight. “Who…Who was that?” Sunny gasped. “Nightmare Shimmer,” Starlight replied as she sat down sadly. “N…Nightmare Shimmer,” Zipp repeated as she and the others looked at each other. “I was afraid of this,” Starlight continued. “Somehow, Opaline got hold of Sunset. She’s changed her, corrupted her somehow. The pony you saw was not Sunset.” “Where are Lava and Jade?” Spike Junior asked as he landed. “Taken,” Blaize replied, still looking away. “Taken because I wasn’t strong enough.” “Nopony or dragon is strong enough,” Starlight responded. “And nopony will be until we find the Elements of Unity.” “Is that how we’d rescue Sunset?” Pipp asked. “Yes, I think so,” Starlight responded. “I think they could be the only way we’d overpower Nightmare Shimmer to do so.” “This is not good,” Spike Junior sighed. “I…I think we dragons need to return to our hibernation.” “What?” Sunny gasped. “Why?” “Because it’s the only way to ensure Opaline cannot find us,” Spike Junior explained. “She has the Dragon Stone and that puts all dragon kind at risk.” “But she already knows where you are,” Sunny argued. “If you’re asleep that makes you vulnerable.” “We’re vulnerable either way,” Blaize replied as she clutched her side. “No, you’re not,” Sunny responded robustly. “You can’t just give up hope like that.” “My mother gave everything she had to protect us from Opaline,” Spike Junior answered gravely. “She saved us, and now it was all for nothing.” Sunny scowled as she turned towards Spike Junior, her cutie mark started to glow as her powers activated. “It wasn’t for nothing,” she said with determination. “Twilight Sparkle made tough and hard decisions to protect Ponykind too. She knew it might not be enough and that’s why she sent us Starlight and Sunset Shimmer.” “But your friend has become your enemy,” Spike Junior responded. “No,” Sunny retorted. “Nightmare Shimmer is not Sunset. Sunset Shimmer wouldn’t do anything like this willingly. Dragons and Ponies need to work together. Together we are stronger than alone. Together we will protect each other. Together we will defeat Opaline once and for all.” “Together,” Spike Junior echoed before his eyes widened in realisation. “The tree.” “Tree?” Zipp echoed. “Like a Together Tree? You have one?” “We do,” Spike Junior smiled. “Look to the trees,” Sunny gasped. “Can you take us to it?” “But that is a myth,” Blaize replied as she turned around. “That tree looks no different to any other.” “Like the Wishing Tree in Bridlewood did,” Izzy smiled. “Until we showed it Unity and then it transformed.” “This way,” Spike Junior smiled as he turned around. Spike Junior led the group through the Dragon Lands, it took sometime but eventually they had climbed up the mountain to the top of the waterfall. There, on the banks of the large stream that led to the waterfall was a massive tree, bigger than all the rest. “Thought you said it was no different to any other tree,” Starlight said to Blaize. “So, it’s a bit taller,” Blaize retorted. “It doesn’t make it special.” “Its origin does,” Spike Junior explained. “This tree was grown from a seed believed to have come from the Tree of Harmony. A present from Princess Twilight herself, it is said that one day it will connect with its brethren in Equestria to reunite dragon and pony kinds.” “Again, it’s a myth,” Blaize replied dismissively. “Do you always talk back to your Dragon Lord like that?” Zipp asked. “Only now we’re not around the others,” Blaize replied simply. “One problem with that theory,” Starlight sighed. “The Tree of Harmony was destroyed, and I don’t remember there being any seeds gathered.” “That doesn’t mean it’s not a Together Tree,” Sunny smiled. “It’s not if it’s come from a special seed, it’s the act of togetherness and unity of gifting it that makes it special.” All the while, Spike Junior had been carrying Sparky. Now they were at the tree, he was getting more and more excited. Spike Junior smiled as he finally let Sparky down from his embrace. Sparky whooped as he started running towards Hitch and Misty. He weaved in and out and around their hoofs with glee. “I think Sparky will be fine now,” Spike Junior smiled as he watched. “He just needed a cuddle to regain his energy.” “But what about yours?” Zipp asked. “You said you were low on energy since you woke up?” “We are,” Spike Junior acknowledged. “However, we still have enough to live peacefully. It’s if Opaline comes that we will have problems.” “Which is why we should work together,” Sunny smiled. Hitch grinned as Sparky hopped up into his hoofs. He cuddled him close before looking over at Spike Junior sadly. “I suppose I need to enjoy this,” Hitch sighed. “Sparky’s place will be here with you.” “Oh, I’m not so certain about that,” Spike Junior smiled. “One of my reasons for the deception earlier are the stories my mother told me of my grandfather. All the wonderful tales of his friendship with Ponykind. I wanted to speed that friendship along. She was always so passionate about the care he’d been given.” Spike Junior smiled as he rubbed Sparky on the head. “You are correct Sunny, the unity between the Dragon Lands and Equestria needs to be reinstated. I see no better way than for Sparky to continue living with you all. He will grow stronger learning from you and become a new ambassador for both of us. Besides, you seem to be a wonderful family to me.” Misty and Hitch looked at each other and couldn’t help starting to sing. What is the key to a family? (Oh, oh) What is the key to a home? What is the part that I'm missing? (Oh, oh) To help me find where I belong I'm searchin', I'm lookin' for somethin' Somethin' that comes from the heart (from the heart) 'Cause sometimes, you need something to lift you up And help to reignite your spark Even when it feels so confusin' When you're alone You know we got each other to find our way home Starlight smiled as she stood back and watched with Spike Junior and Blaize. “Do they always just burst into song like this?” Spike Junior asked. “Kind of,” Starlight replied. “Just the same as Twilight and her friends.” “Is that a pony thing?” Blaize asked. “Urm, maybe,” Starlight admitted bashfully. 'Cause I've got you and you've got me We're closer than close friends, yeah, we're a family If you're feeling low or incomplete You've always got me, yeah, we're a family Together when there are good times (oh, oh) Together when times are tough (times are though) Together when things need celebrating And when you think that you've had enough 'Cause I know you better than anypony else And you know me better than I know myself Suddenly the tree began to take on a green aura which grew in intensity as the song continued. Finally, a green flash shot from its roots, up the trunk and to the very tips of the branches. Much like the Wishing Tree had, the leaves suddenly flashed, changing from a dark green to a vibrant luminescent red. Multiple flowers suddenly burst into bloom, all multi-coloured the same as the other Together Trees. 'Cause I've got you and you've got me 'Cause when you're with your friends, yeah, you're with your family Keep 'em in your heart 'cause that is the key Oh, when you're with your friends, yeah, you're with your family Underground, roots spread outwards from the new Together Tree with great speed. As they connected with the roots from the other trees in Equestria they created a new spark. These sparks suddenly travelled down their own roots and back to their trees. Once there, something magical happened. I've got you and you've got me 'Cause we aren't just friends, no, we're a family When you're feeling lonely or incomplete Don't forget about your friends, yeah, they're your family Oh (whoa, oh, oh, oh) (Whoa, oh, oh, oh, oh, whoa) Oh (whoa, oh, oh, oh) 'Cause when you're with your friends, yeah, you're with your family As the song finished, Sparky flung his tiny arms around Hitch’s neck. “Home,” he squeaked. Hitch gasped but before he could say anything, Sparky had jumped off him and onto Misty. He flung his arms around her neck next. “Family,” he squeaked. “Well, I think the decision on Sparky has been made,” Spike Junior smiled. “You’ve delivered your message and Sparky is well again.” “So maybe it’s time we use our return ticket,” Misty deduced. “I’d say so,” Spike Junior smiled. “I have a feeling, a feeling you will find something when you return. I certainly don’t remember our Together Tree looking this strong and vibrant.” Blaize frowned as she looked at the group of ponies, then she looked at Spike Junior who nodded. “The Dragons are your allies,” she said. “Should you need anything, let us know.” “I’m pretty sure we’ll be able to do that,” Starlight smiled. “This is certainly a memorable location I should be able to target with a well-aimed teleport.” “Let’s get you back to your portal,” Blaize replied as she started walking. As they made their way, Sunny and her friends couldn’t help feeling a stronger sense of connection. They were worried about Sunset, but they felt that whatever challenges lay ahead they’d meet them head on.