//------------------------------// // The Need for Magic // Story: Nightmare Twilight // by Tiger Girl //------------------------------// “Swish! Swash!” Colorful streaks disillusioned the natural, transparent air as Rainbow repeatedly slicked around the flying track, showing off her impressive speed. “Enough!” shrilled Spitfire, the leader of the much admired Wonderbolts who was leading the endurance exercise session at the Wonderbolt's Academy. In a flash, Rainbow Dash swooshed down to Spitfire's level and gave her ornately colored mane a side sweep. “Already? I could do 20 more, no sweat!” Rainbow boasted, trying to impress her stern faced instructor. The other Pegasi flew down in single file behind Rainbow, panting for breath after performing the extensive workout. “I think you all did enough for today,” Spitfire nodded at the exhausted Pegasi, who cohesively thanked her and fluttered back to their dorms for a break. Rainbow was about to turn away in disappointment before Spitfire turned towards to address her. “Rainbow Dash," began Spitfire, "you did exceptionally well. You make a great leader and so far hold a good chance for joining the Wonderbolts.” Rainbow’s face lighted up; the corners of her cheeks elevating in excitement. “But don’t get your hopes up,” Spitfire continued, noting her compliment's effect. “There are many obstacles you must overcome during the remainder of this camp. Only then will we see if you’re qualified.” Having finished, Spitfire shot up in the air and whirled away, following the retreating Pegasi. “Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh!!” Rainbow squealed, squeezing her legs together in pure happiness. "I'm going to be a Wonderbolt!" With no pony in sight, Rainbow displayed her excitement over the day's accomplishments in a dance that was more cute than anything else. When her excitement decreased, Rainbow remembered that Twilight might be worried about her sudden departure from Canterlot the day before. “Now that today’s workout is completed, I should go back and say hi to Twilight. I did leave pretty rudely yesterday morning" Rainbow murmured to herself. Rainbow spread out her wings and swooped off the cloud towards the ground below, immediately crashing into her yellow friend who had been innocently walking by, unaware of the incoming flyer. “Hahah. . . sorry there Fluttershy,” Rainbow said embarrassed as she helped Fluttershy back on her hooves and hastened to pick up the perfectly round, red cherry that now had a small bruise on it's right side and place it back into her friend's satchel. “Oh, that’s alright Rainbow,” Fluttershy said pleasantly, holding back a laugh at Rainbow's frantic attempt to right the damage on pretense that laughter was not the kindest action. “I was just alerting my last little friend to go back to the safety of the meadow.” Fluttershy bent down and spoke softly to a small, trembling robin, “It’s ok Little Buddy, those loud noises won’t hurt you, but you really should go back home so nothing hits you.” The robin nodded, flew up into the sky, headed towards the thick foliage near Fluttershy's residence. “Wow, I guess it is pretty noisy down here” Rainbow said with a hint of surprise to her voice. She was so used to the loud ripping of air whenever she raced that she hadn't noticed that the developing city was full of clanking, the screeching of equipment., and the loud conversation of the workers. “Anyways, I was just on my way to Twilight’s. Wanna come with me Shy?” “Oh yes, that would be lovely. After all I don’t have anything else to do today,” replied Fluttershy, giving her friend a typical, sweet nod. The two ponies (well, mostly Rainbow) chatted garrulously about the events of that week as they flew leisurely to Twilight’s castle. But upon arriving, Fluttershy stopped flying and fluttered meagerly in the air, staring ahead with a troubled expression. “What’s wrong Shy?” asked Rainbow, noticing her wet blue eyes grow wide and anxious. “Dash. . . there’s something dreadfully wrong here,” said Fluttershy, her voice no higher than a low whisper. “Oh yeah?” Dash looked at her inquisitively. “Well. . . it’s so dark inside the windows, and it’s hard to explain, but you know, after being around so many dangerous animals while protecting my pets, I can sense monsters, and, well, I can sense there is one in this castle. . . Suddenly, both ponies saw a familiar shadow creep along the curtains that blocked the wise windows of the castle's upper chambers. "Oh my gosh What is that???” Fluttershy screamed as high as her mouse-like voice could and flew behind Dash. "I think it’s the Nightmare!" Dash cried in horror. "Shy, we have to go save Twilight!” Before Fluttershy could respond, Dash grapped her left foreleg with her right hoof and speedily flew upwards, crashing through the haunted window and landing headfirst on the floor as glass shattered about them. “Owwww” moaned Rainbow from where she lay on the floor. “Um, Dashie, are you alright?” inquired Fluttershy, crawling unharmed off Twilight’s bed where she had been flung. “Yeah, I’m fine,” Dash had no time for injuries, she darted up and frantically scanned the room. “Twilight! Where are you?" she bellowed. “Ah, my subjects. You are staring right at us." Out of the shadows came forth Nightmare’s tall, dark figure, her eyes flashing wickedly. “Give Twilight back, Nightmare Moon!” demanded Dash fearlessly, squinting her ultra violet eyes wrathfully. “Twilight is no more,” laughed the sinister mare, “and neither is Nightmare Moon, for I am Nightmare Twilight ” Indeed, the mare resembled Twilight in color and form, but was so tainted with evil that her authentic look was unrecognizable. “I presume you have all come for your precious elements, have you not? Well, you may have them,” said Nightmare, tossing the chest of ornaments at the ponies. It hit the ground and it’s contents scattered across the ground. “They are of no use to us, and will likewise be of none to you. What can you do without its most important element, magic?” In the loudest tone her voice could command, Nightmare Twilight thundered,“Eternal Twilight shall reign over Equestria, forever!" The malicious Alicorn took to the skys and soared out the shattered opening. Following her departure, a dark haze swept over the formally azure sky, and the stars shone more brilliantly than they had ever been seen before, even on lustrous nights. “It’s Nightmare all over again” Dash yelled angrily, and she’s not going to get always with this, not with our Twilight! I am the element of loyalty and I will never stop until we get Twilight back!” Even while she was speaking, Dash knew how small her chances of saving her friend was. The last time the brave pony had cried was recently during the coronation, when Twilight professed how the ponies’ friendship meant to her. Now, that Twilight had so blatantly changed, Dash felt overwhelmed with tears and sank to the ground sobbing. “Oh. . . Dashie. . .there, there now. It’ll be alright,” Fluttershy said gently as she flew over to Rainbow and gave her a comforting hug with her wings. “But how are we going to save Twilight?” Dash sobbed. “We will Dash, we just have to go find our other friends; they will help us.” “Right,” Dash wiped away her tears quickly and jolted up, “Common Shy, we’ll get everyone’s help. Oh, and we’ll take these,” she gathered up the elements into a satchel and swung it over her neck, “I know Nightmare said that there are useless, but what gives? They will probably be our only hope!” “Oh. . if you don’t mind Dashie, she said Nightmare Twilight. . .” Rainbow almost knocked over Fluttershy in furry, “Don’t say that, OK? This is NOT Twilight’s fault and that is certainly NOT Twilight! Now let’s go!” she zipped out of the wiped-out window in a flash of color. “O…K. Wait up Dashie!” Fluttershy hurried after her frantic friend towards Rarity’s design studio. **** “There, that’s the last stitch” Rarity said. “Well Mr. Blueblood, you can try it on.” She teleported the crisp suit over to the mirror where the Prince was almost asleep. “Oh, uhhh, thank you miss Rarity,” he replied stiffly, carefully throwing on the ensemble. “It’s quite nice,” he added, admiring how it flattered his body. “Well of course it is,” said Rarity, “Oh, and we always throw in a little something special for first comers. Spike, would you give the Prince this hat for me?” Rarity handed Spike a neat, light blue cap. Spike nodded and hastened towards Blueblood. As he was reaching up on tiptoes to place in on Blueblood's head, poor Skike suddenly coughed up a puff of fire, damaging, though not severely, the Prince’s blond mane. “Oh my Celestia! What have you done to my hair?!! Blueblood panicked, staring with dismay at the burnt edges. “And I just got a Justin Bieber style” he added sorrowfully. “Sorry sir,” Spike giggled nervously, “But speaking of Celestia, I just got a letter from her." He held out a neatly rolled scroll, fresh from Cantalot. “Do you think we should give it to Twilight or read it here? Rarity wondered aloud. Spike shrugged, “Well it doesn't say Private anywhere. . .” With that, he pulled it open. “My dear Twilight, Luna and I will be going on a trip to Saddle Arabia. It’s very important, so try not to send me any letters unless absolutely necessary because as you know, I will not receive them. We will be back in two days, and I’ll visit you then. Until I return, just relax and get used to your new lifestyle and the power of the stars.” “Maybe I shouldn't show this to Twilight,” Spike said, “It’ll just make her more nervous about bothering Celestia.” “Yes you have a good point there Spike,” replied Rarity. “Does anyone here even care that my hair is ruined?” sobbed Blueblood, disrupting the conversation. Rarity glanced up from the letter and trotted toward Blueblood, her eyes narrowing mischievously. “Oooh it looks like you have a bit of problem. I’ll just snip here. . .there now, you look absolutely beautiful.” Blueblood surveyed his hair and realized her words were literal; she had clipped his mane sideways to create ladylike, swirly bangs. “No! I look ridiculous! How could you do that? How could you ruin my gentlemanly good looks?” he lunged towards the door to escape in utter defeat. “My dear sir! You have forgotten to pay me for that magnificent suit, which I used the most exquisite materials and gems to create.” “I’ll send you a check!” he yelled. Rarity caught him in an aura of magic, a trick she’d picked up from Twilight. “My dear Blueblood, how could you ever forget that a lady demands money immediately after she has earned it?” “Smash!” the east window crashed as Rainbow tumbled, again, headfirst onto the carpet. Rarity dropped her magic letting Blueblood down hard on his stomach. “Rainbow! Whatever brings you here in such a dreadful state?” Fluttershy silently flew in the shattered entrance, “Oh, dear. I am so sorry Rarity. This is the second window Rainbow broke like this. But we really need your help. You see Nightmare. . .” “Nightmare took over Twilight, just as she did Luna in the past, and now we have to save her!” interrupted Rainbow loudly upon regaining her breath. “Yes, exactly, and. . .” “Oh my Celestia! Of all the things that could happened, this is the. Worst. Possible. Thing! Ahhhhh!!” Rarity proclaimed in earnest worry. Fluttershy tried again to finish her statement. “But we have a solution. You see, in that bag. . .” “We have all the elements of harmony and we’re going to gather all of our friends and do the best we can to save Twilight!” said Rainbow, springing into the air and giving a salute. “Yes, indeed! That we shall do. Spike, pen a letter to Celestia, fast!” “Sure Rarity,” said the shocked dragon as he pulled out a piece of paper and quill. He dipped the quill in ink, “Dear Princess Celestia, Twilight has been taken captive by Nightmare, and we really need you to come fast and vanquish the monster! Meanwhile, we will to all we can to rescue Twilight. Your faithful subjects, Twilight’s friends" Spike penned with a practiced hand. A puff of smoke, the letter disappeared. “Celestia won’t be getting the letter for a while though,” said Spike. “She is at Saddle Aribia with Luna, so that letter will just land on her throne and. . .” Rainbow face-hoofed impatiently. “Well, if the princesses can’t help, then we have to do it ourselves huh? “Rarity and Spike, you go get Pinkie Pie. Shy and I will get Applejack. Everyone meet at the center of the city, now GO!” “Goodbye girls, I . . .squeak!” Fluttershy's farewell was left unfinished, for Rainbow had already snatched Fluttershy and bolted with her towards Sweet Apple Acres. *** “Ok let’s take a toll! Fluttershy, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Spike! We’re all here, so let's get going!” “Woah, shimmer down Nilly” said Applejack. Now, from what I picked up so far, there ain’t no way we’re going to git rid of Nightmare without Twilight’s magic.” “But where are we going to get this magic?” asked Pinkie Pie. “Dun Dunnnnnn!” "Pinkie, will you stop it with those sound effects? They are simply dreadful!" fussed Rarity. "Ok girls, we’re going to have to find another unicorn, one that’s really good with magic," pondered Rainbow aloud. “Hey Rarity, aren’t you really really really good with magic?” Pinkie Pie questioned. Rarity sighed, “I wish Pinkie, but I’ve only used magic for whatever I needed to be a seamstress. It would take a long time to learn enough magic to be considered worthy of holding the element. And also, I couldn’t wear both elements of generosity and magic at the same time!” “She’s got a good point” said Spike. “But Twilight was amazing with magic. Where are we going to get a pony as good as her?” “Well. . .perhaps not quite as good, but I’m recalling a pony who might do” said Applejack thoughtfullly. “I propose Trixie!" “Trixie? Why that’s a horrible idea! Don’t you remember the horrible way she treated us last time she was here?” Rarity gasped. “Yes, Sugercube, I do. But she was under the influence of that..umm..magical thing. As mean as she is, she would never purposely hurt anypony.” Rarity raised an eyebrow. “Well… maybe their feelings. . . but listen here, I think she’s our only hope.” “Well, I guess you’re right. . . muttered Rarity, reminded of Blueblood. "He was mean, yes. But he’d never purposely hurt anyone. Just all in good vanity," she added. “I think Applejack has a point, “ said Rainbow Dash. “Everypony in favor raise a hoof!” Each hoof initially hesitated, but then rose, even Rarity’s. “Alright let’s. . . where does she live?” “I know!!” cried Pinkie Pie bouncing. At the questioning expressions of her friends, she continued: You see, Trixie and I both used to live near each other in Rambling Rock Ridge. When we were realllyyyy little filles, we’d haul rocks together and talk about how we would be performers when we got older and live that place. At school plays and around town we’d put on the best shows: I’d play music and do stand-up comedy, and Trixie would do magic tricks. Everypony loved us, and we’d put big smiles on everypony’s faces. But. . .” The pink pony’s curly hair draped flat to her sides as she continued in a bemoaning voice, “As Trixie learned new magic spells she grew vain, and didn’t want to perform with me anymore. She said I was annoying and a distraction to her magic. She wouldn’t even talk to me anymore, she was the only pony who wouldn’t be my friend. It hurt so bad. . . . We had planned to go to Ponyville together to start a new life, but I had to go alone. Of course, I met some pretty awesome friends here, so I knew it wasn’t my fault.” “Of course it wasn’t Pinkie dear,” said Rarity, wiping away a tear. “I had no idea that such eminence existed between Twixie and you. . .are you sure you want to face her?” “I see what you’re doing Rarity, and nothing doing!” yelled Rainbow Dash. "We’re going to Trixie, and I don’t care!” “Whhaat? I wasn’t doing anything of the sort,” said Rarity, embarrassed. “Aww well you’re just a good friend Rarity," said Pinkie, "but it’s Ok! I’d do anything for Twilight! Let's PARTY!. . . I mean FIND TRIXIE!”