//------------------------------// // Sharing The Nightmare // Story: Nursing Old Wounds // by Just Reading //------------------------------// I wonder if she’s is asleep yet? The thought floats through Twilight’s mind. Lying on her side, facing Luna, she listens to soft breaths, trying to lull herself to sleep. It’ll be easier to sleep if you just clear your mind Twilight. The thought comes to Twilight as easily as it were her own, but foreign Is that you Luna? She projects her thoughts this time, attempting to contact the princess. Yes it is Twilight, Luna responds, the bubbling into Twilight’s mind like a laugh. And there’s no need to think so hard when communicating with me, it comes across as shouting. Just think as you normally would and I’ll hear it. Luna’s explanation of her new way of thinking hits home with Twilight. She can hear every thought can’t she, even this one. Panicking, she attempts to hide her thoughts, focusing on keeping her mind blank What if she finds out my secrets? Twilight don’t worry, Luna comforts, her words easing Twilight’s distress. Your secrets are safe with me. Just relax, let your mind wander. You’ll never get to sleep if you keep this up. Sorry, I’m just nervous. Twilight inhales, a deep breath filling her lungs, calming her frantic mind. Her thoughts slow, the tank of her mind emptying out, ready to be filled. Other thoughts drip-drop into her mind, blurred at first, but as her mind grows vacant they become clearer. Luna’s thoughts clear but for her counting clouds, the white, fluffy pillows floating across the scape of her mind, numbers in time with each one. Seventeen, eighteen, nineteen, Twilight joins in, counting the clouds with Luna, her mind dimming. Forty-seven, forty-eight, forty-nine, fif-, the darkness overcomes Twilight’s thoughts, smothering her consciousness, finally asleep. The roaring crackle of fire catches Twilight’s mind, pulling her from the haziness of sleep. She snaps her eyes open, a landscape of burning stretching for miles. Structures in various states of ruin scattered between towers of flame against a smoke-filled red sky, toys abandoned by a some demonic child. Luna’s protests call from somewhere above, each cry mixed with the twisted cackling of another voice. Twilight fails to realize any of these things, the cries of another demanding her attention. Sobbing, the air thick with the sound, choking her. The struggled cries held by a familiar voice, Celestia. Each smothered sob a stab of pain for Twilight, drawing tears to her eyes. Twilight? The thought a drop of water against the book of Twilight’s mind, seeping through the pages, barely touching the centre. Can you hear me Twilight? Another drop, aided by the efforts of the first, bores deeper into Twilight’s mind. The thought repeats, drop after drop, the eventual torrent tearing pages, soaking Twilight’s consciousness with a single thought. Can you hear me Twilight? Yes Luna, Twilight manages to force the thought into her mind, struggling against the weight of Celestia’s sobs. I’m here. Where are you? Each action of her own will pulling Twilight out of the pool of pain, the sickening cries fading to background noise. I’m atop my sister’s tower, Luna’s thought carries a somber tone. It will be easy to spot, it’s the only structure left. Shaking away her previous chains, Twilight climbs to her feet, the mix of ash and rubble beneath making unstable footing. Examining her surroundings with a clear mind this time, she notes her own position. Dug into a ditch, a mound of stone chunks forming an unclimbable wall to one side, the other side an easy slope of black ash. Padding up the ash, the destruction meets Twilight’s eyes, fire from her feet to the horizon. With no standing structure in sight she turns, finding the only thing left untouched among in the ruins. A tall, white tower, lines of black ash snaking down it’s sides. All Twilight can see of the top is an aura of darkness spilling over the side. Luna’s voice, defiance hiding her fear, falls from the tower top also, another voice joining it. Is it her? Twilight holds the thought in her head, waiting for Luna’s response. It is. Luna responds. The thought bringing words to Twilight’s mind, weak, in pain, in trouble. Fear pulls at her spirit, the horrible feeling accompanied by nightmarish visions. You’re right Twilight, Luna speaks into Twilight’s mind again, the hint of a smile in her thought. I am in dire need of help here, her power has grown. There’s a staircase inside the tower, if you can-, Luna’s thought is cut off by a blare of pain. Twilight grits her teeth at the flash of red, hoping safety for the princess. I’m coming Luna, Twilight thinks as she sets off for the tower, a chunk of stone tripping her instantly. Hissing in pain, she shakes the hurt from her hoof, pinning her eyes to the ground to prevent further mishaps. Her hooves leave inch deep prints in the ash as she steps around the ruins of buildings, broken brick and stone forming an obstacle course. The short journey through abandoned homes and shops tells quite a story. Carcasses of ponies young and old wait for her at each turn, all fleeing, all burning or burnt. A torn library, it’s shelves toppled, the marble floor covered by a carpet of strewn books. As Twilight nears the tower, a building missing it’s wall catches her eye. The gaping hole reveals what she assumes was a barracks, golden armor twisted and melted in the heat of the flames. One poor pegasi baked alive inside his shell, a taste of what must have been many more. The solid pillar of white stone is largely unaffected, it’s black scars the only sign of the surrounding ruin. White-washed oak doors framed with brass lay agape, the lobby left open for Twilight. Inside the floor is bare white marble. A wooden desk tipped over at the far end of the lobby, another white door behind it. The wall to her left is bare, the tapestries that once covered it bundled on the floor below. To Twilight’s right a stairway beckons her, the steps white, matching the rest of the room. The desire to reach Luna dominating her mind, Twilight bounds across the marble, meeting the base of the stairs in a few steps. The clip-clop of her hooves against the stone signals her ascent, the sound bouncing against the enclosed stairwell, reaching the ears of the pair atop the tower. Be careful Twilight. A warning from Luna aside from the constant battle of words between her and the nightmare. She’s waiting at the top of the stairwell. The pain carried with the thought drives Twilight, her legs racing to be the savior. Her mind works with each stride, fumbling for a plan. What can I do to help you Luna? Twilight directs her thought at her mental partner, her own mind exhausted of ideas. Luna broadcasts a sigh. There is one possibility, but it requires much luck on your part and carelessness on her’s. I don’t know if it’s worth the effort. I’ve come this far Luna, you have to let me try, Twilight urges, sensing Luna’s defeat. Still climbing, the conversation at the tower’s top comes into earshot. The mocking tone of the nightmare a familiar voice for Twilight. If you must, Luna concedes. It involves using your thoughts to form the dream against her, it is partially yours after all. Do not be careless though, she holds just as much power in this space as you do with centuries more experience. Twilight’s steps slow at Luna’s explanation. Her mind drawing power away from movement and into thought. So how exactly do I do it? The end of the stairs in sight, Twilight finds a dark mist descending the stairs to meet her. Just think. The darkness engulfs Twilight, cradling her to the top of the steps Good luck Twilight. “So dear little Lulu here has bought another into this world of ours.” Deposited harshly onto the white stone, Twilight struggles to her feet. Before her stands a familiar sight framed in a black aura, her teeth framed by a sly grin. “Nightmare Moon,” Twilight spits the name out, narrowing her eyes. “I thought we got rid of you years ago on the Summer Sun Celebration, I guess I’ll have to beat you again.” Her words are bold, although her heart shakes and mind races with fear. A ink-black tendril sparkled with stars closes the distance between the two ponies, causing Twilight to flinch from a touch on her snout. “Cute,” Nightmare giggles at Twilight’s reaction. “But courage didn’t win your last battle against me, your friends did. This time you won’t be let off so easily, I’ll use your body as another slave in my one-pony army. You two might be able to overcome Celestia this time.” Half listening to Nightmare’s mocking, Twilight’s thoughts follow a trail of wild ideas. Fantasies of what she could possibly conjure to overcome the enemy. Don’t dwell on your plans Twilight, Luna’s warning comes soft, Twilight almost unable to sense the thought. She has just as much access to your thoughts as I do, just think and act. The new information sets off warning bells in Twilight’s mind. The sudden pressure blending her mind into a mush, her previous attempts at a plan lost. “Oh don’t ruin my fun Lulu,” Nightmare tuts, directing her aura at the panicking Twilight, wrapping her in black. “I can’t have you getting too many ideas, so I think we’ll skip the battle I had planned.” Twilight now suspended in her power, Nightmare deposits her next to Luna with a smile. “You two do make a cute couple, I’m almost jealous.” Struggling against the snakes of black mist binding her, Twilight finds herself unable to move. Her mind in a frenzy, she focuses on the first thought that floats into her head, forming it in the dreamscape. That’s a very pretty butterfly Twilight. The taunt pressed into Twilight’s thoughts, the mocking tone it carries familiar to her. You should listen to your partner Twilight, I can put thoughts into your head just as easily as Luna. For someone renowned as knowledgeable you truly think poorly on your feet. Don’t ridicule her. Luna’s weak thought stumbles into their shared mind, earning a laugh aloud from Nightmare. “You and your precious little Twilight can’t do anything to stop me,” A grin spreads across Nightmare’s face, enjoying her victory. “Now before I drive the two of you insane I must ask one question Luna, why have you not fought back? Last time you put up much more of a resistance, it’s been a little boring without it.” The comment raises a question in Twilight’s mind she hadn’t realised was there, something that she in her panic she had skipped over. “I, I would somewhat like to know the answer to that as well Luna, why haven’t you fought back? I know you hold a lot of power, far more than I could ever dream of.” Two pairs of eyes pinning her against the cool stone post, Luna releases her pent up breath in defeat. “Because all my power is spent hiding this from my sister,” Luna speaks directly to Twilight, ignoring the billowing black clouds to her left. “If she found out I was going mad so shortly after my return she’d,” Pausing, Luna’s mind works with her jaw, teeth chewing blue lips. “I don’t really know what she’d do, but I couldn’t have her finding out. I shouldn’t have burdened you with this either Twilight, this is my battle to fight, now I’ve put you in grave danger.” “Oh Luna,” Twilight shakes her head, tears pooling in the corners of her eyes. “I had no idea you were hiding this from your sister, you silly, silly pony.” She smiles, the wetness from her eyes forming dark lines down her cheeks. “Is there any way we can talk with her?” Luna’s lips part, not a syllable leaves her mouth before darkness plugs it. “Don’t think you’re going to escape so easily, I have slaves to train,” The playfulness in Nightmare’s eyes battles with ambition, her black pet following her thoughts. Luna? Twilight disguises the thought with a flood of emotion, hoping Luna will see through what she assumes Nightmare cannot. “You never learn do you Twilight,” The black beast tuts, cocooning Twilight in starry blackness. “My black pet blocks Luna’s speech just as much as her thought. Now just hold still and try not to squirm, it will be over quickly.” Sounds of Luna’s muffled cries disheartening her, Twilight scrambles for her oldest instinct, one bred through years of practice. “Celestia!” She screams with mind and mouth, the effort tearing at her throat. A surge of dizziness causes her head to sway. Ignorant of the tendrils loosening their hold, Twilight retches, the taste of bile staining her tongue. A similar sound fills the air, Nightmare forced to her knees over the bout of sickness affecting them all. It spills from black, blue and purple lips together, the wave of nausea forming its peak, breaking onto the white stone. “What did you do?” Nightmare spits, saliva stringing from her snout, a tie to the pool of vomit below. Her aura of darkness retreats to hold its master, allowing Luna’s mouth free roam. The buildup of bile erupts from Luna’s lips as the black snake leaves, another stroke on the green and white painting the floor now holds. “She broke the barrier,” Luna manages, gasping for breath after near suffocation. “What do you mean?” Nightmare demands, eyes bulging. “It means Celestia’s coming,” The effort of speaking too much, Luna attempts to collapse onto her side, a bed of black holding her up. Gripping Luna with her black tendrils, Nightmare suspends the exhausted pony upside down, her eyes looking to pop right from her skull. “How can she possibly be coming, how could she know?” Nightmare deafens Luna with her interrogation, putrid spit flying from her mouth, speckling Luna’s face. Night-blue eyelids shut, consciousness apparently evading her, Luna fails to respond. Frustrated with the princess, Nightmare releases her grasp, letting Luna fall to the stone with a sickening crunch of bone and splash of vomit. “What about you Twilight?” Veins catch Twilight’s attention more than anything, red snakes running through Nightmare’s eyes taking up more space than her pupils. Her body a perfect frame for the insanity, black flames roaring behind her, drool staining her cheeks and lips. “Do you know what she means?” Twilight struggles against her prison briefly, retesting the strength of the crazed Nightmare’s bonds. “I have no idea,” She replied finally, finding the dark binding tighter than before. “But if Celestia’s coming you’re finished Nightmare Moon.” “How could she possibly defeat me here?” Nightmare questions Twilight, expecting no answer. “Only the three of us have access to Luna’s mind, so only the three of us can enter this dream.” “That’s where you are wrong,” The voice pierces the red sky in a beam of light, Celestia descends in the aura of brilliance, rainbow billowing behind her. Her eyes fall upon Luna, tracing her sister’s fallen form. “Oh Luna, how foolish of you,” She murmurs wistfully, shaking her head. “Ha!” Nightmare exclaims, her pupils shrinking to pinpoints, head tilting as a grin parts her face. “You’re the fool. Now I have you in Luna’s mind I can posses all three, who would ever be able to stop me?” She giggles under her breath, commanding the black swarm forward. Celestia turns away from her sister to face the seething cloud of darkness, her rainbow mane rippling in the non-existent wind. Nightmare’s power collides a foot before it reaches Celestia, like water on hot iron it evaporates, dissolving into the wind. “You always were weak Nightmare,” Celestia speaks softly, her quiet words aggravating the black beast. “How can you say that,” Nightmare screams, a rain of spittle propelled from her mouth. “I defeated you twice, only the power of those elements managed to stop me.” Trembling, she summons her aura, forming it as an arrow. “See how you manage against my full power.” Watching from the sideline, Twilight flinches as the colossal point of darkness charges towards Celestia, only to shatter against her power. As if made of ice, the spearhead splinters into thousands of shards, each piece twinkling out into nothing. The failure drops Nightmare’s jaw, her shock allowing it to hang agape for moments. Her fury quickly recovering, she stamps her hoof against stone, snorting at the effort. Concentrating her full force, arrowhead after black arrowhead shatter against Celestia’s radiant aura, each failure sending another shiver of anger through Nightmare. “How have you grown so strong,” She cries, still maintaining her hail of black. “I have not grown any stronger,” Celestia explains, her voice slow and careful, as if speaking to a child. “You were never strong enough to battle me alone. It was Luna’s power that defeated me, not yours.” White eyelids falls as Celestia breathes deep, bracing herself. “Goodbye terrible Nightmare.” The blood-red clouds above part, allowing a beam of sunlight to spotlight Nightmare. Celestia releases the breath, channeling her power into the ray. Brighter and brighter it glows, its radiance consuming the nightmare. The glare too much, Twilight turns away, shielding her eyes with a hoof. Her only knowledge of the event’s occurrence what she can discern from the terrible screams. The glow impossible to look away from, Twilight plugs her eyes with hooves, blacking the world out. A touch on Twilight’s shoulder rouses her. “It’s all over Twilight,” She hears Celestia whisper into her ear. Pulling away purple hooves she finds the world dim, a circle of seemingly brand new stone among stains of green and yellow where Nightmare once stood. Trailing her eyes across the ground, she finds Luna shifted from her previous position, the deep-blue princess resting against the stone pillar, her chest moving with each breath. The awe of Celestia’s display wearing off, Twilight finds a wave of emotion rushing to her head, thousands of questions waiting to be answered. “Thank you Celestia,” She manages at first, her gratitude overriding all. “I, I don’t know what would have happened without you.” Snuggling against her teacher’s touch, Twilight allows her mind to drift back into comfortable memories of her fillyhood, if only for a moment. “You are the one who deserves the thanks Twilight.” The reply comes as a surprise to the unicorn, starting her upright. The question obvious in Twilight’s expression, Celestia smiles, helping Twilight to her feet. “I know you must be curious, but I think it would be best for both you and Luna if we returned to the waking world. She has some explaining to do.”