//------------------------------// // Chapter 2 - Unpredictable // Story: For Want of Eternal Nightmare // by Flame Bolt //------------------------------// Eclipse’s eyes slowly fluttered open. At first everything was red, but eventually reverted to normal. She tried to stand and found that she couldn’t move, looking over her shoulder revealed why. Standing over her was Nightmare Moon, her left hoof being used to restrain Eclipse from escaping. “Woken up have we?” sneered Nightmare, “quite convenient to be honest, it allows me to deal with you first.” Before she could react, Eclipse was levitated off the ground and suspended directly in front of Nightmare, “Eclipse, you betrayed me and now you will suffer severe consequences” she said before flinging Eclipse into a wall. Before Eclipse could react, she was once again lifted into the air, only this time she was flung through the balcony doors. Eclipse coughed and sputtered until she finally mustered the strength to speak, “Why are you doing this, Nightmare? What gain do you think eternal night will bring you in the long run?” “Isn’t it obvious?” replied Nightmare as she slowly made her way over to Eclipse, who was sat up against the balcony wall. “Not really, no” said Eclipse. “Many a time has my beautiful night been shunned by the populace” Nightmare looked up at the sky “Just look at all the horrible light the day brings. Do you honestly mean to tell me that my subjects prefer THIS over my eternal night!?” “You just don’t get it do you?” scowled Eclipse, “It’s not what they prefer, it’s what they need. Without sunlight, crops fail. When crops fail, it leads to starvation because ponies won’t be able to grow anything. The problem with you, Nightmare, is that time and time again, you fail to see the bigger picture because it is clouded by your deluded beliefs.” “How dare you insult and try to lecture me on matters that I am completely aware of.” spat Nightmare, slamming her hoof against Eclipse’s throat and holding it there “Well well, it seems we are in this situation again” she grinned, “only, this time, there’s no one to save you.” Nightmare increased the pressure on Eclipse’s throat. Eclipse writhed and squirmed to no avail, her vision started to darken and she fell unconscious. A few seconds later, the door to the room exploded sending a shower of wood everywhere. When the dust cleared, Princess Celestia and Twilight where stood in the doorway. Nightmare chuckled, “Quicker than I expected to be honest, oh well still doesn’t prevent me from doing what I intended.” With lightning fast reflexes Nightmare spun round, levitated Eclipse over the balcony and kept her suspended there, “I have the upper hoof Tia, now if you do as I say she’ll live, but disobey me” she chuckled again, “and I think you’ll know what will happen.” “Luna why?” Celestia asked. “Oh please, you think this was Luna’s choice? Ha! Don’t make me laugh, Luna got what she deserved, she tried to fight back of course, but I made sure she had no choice but to turn into me, even if I forced her.” After hearing this Celestia bolted forward, knocked Nightmare into the wall and put her horn against Nightmare’s neck to restrain her. “Yes, that’s right Celestia” encouraged Nightmare, “let all the anger out, you never know what you might become when you do” she smiled. Celestia’s eyes widened as she released Nightmare and slowly backed away, she had two options. She could try to fight Nightmare but risk releasing her ‘other self’, or she could try the diplomatic approach. She picked the latter. “What do you want Nightmare?” “Nothing much, just eternal night.” “No, I will never allow you eternal night, Nightmare.” “Fine” she grinned, “at least I don’t need her anymore.” She gestured to Eclipse and let her fall. She hit the ground with a loud ‘Thud’. “NO!” screamed Twilight running to the balcony, looking over the edge to see if Eclipse was alright. This was the last straw for Celestia, she didn’t care if she released her ‘evil self’, Nightmare needed to be taught the lesson of not harming her subjects. She bolted forward, restraining Nightmare again, only this time Nightmare noticed Celestia’s eyes turn draconic for a split second. “Twilight, go and get some of the royal guard and check on Eclipse, in the gardens.” Twilight hesitated for a moment before Celestia’s eyes flashed draconic again. “NOW!” she shouted. Twilight didn’t delay any longer, seeing Celestia angry was one thing, but being shouted at when she like this was another. As soon as Twilight had left, Celestia turned her attention back towards Nightmare. “Just out of curiosity, Tia, do you know what happened to your eyes just then?” Celestia’s eyes widened, “No...” she backed away, “this can’t be happening to me.” “Oh but it is” smiled Nightmare. Celestia looked in the mirror and noticed her draconic eyes. “Sometimes,” Nightmare began, “you need to experience ‘true power’ to know its potential.” She walked over to Celestia, leaned towards her ear and whispered, “You know you want to.” Upon hearing this, an excruciating pain shot through Celestia’s head and she collapsed on the floor, her vision started to darken as she lost complete control over her body. “Wise choice, Tia” said Nightmare, before laughter echoed through the room. The laughter was the last thing Celestia heard before she lost consciousness.