//------------------------------// // Chapter 19 // Story: The Nightmare // by Cirrus Sky //------------------------------// A’triet looked over the group of cultists before him, they had all become sullen after the rainbow of light had swept out of the ruins and flared into the sky like a firework. Their weapons were in a large pile far from their hands, a group of strong and armed warriors stood between the red clad worshipers of the Nightmare and the collection of guns and blades. “Your goddess is dead.” The tribal leader said firmly. He had no reply. “Go now before I change my mind on giving leniency to you.” As one the cultists stood and fled out from the former prison, they had felt the power of their dark queen snuffed out, now would not be the time to stand against her former gaolers nor whatever power had defeated her. “As for you.” The guardian turned to a cowed sky-man, his arms and legs bound in chains and a band holding back his wings. They had found him sneaking from the ruins once the cultists had begun their act of worship and had quickly disabled him. “You are more than likely wanted by the conventional authorities. If the actions of Captain Dash are any indication, some should be along by sundown.” He sheathed his sword with finality, “You can get a lift back with them.” Hoops glowered but knew better than to protest. More than one of the warriors would be capable of taking him down no matter how far or fast he flew. Triumphant voices drifted from the ruins behind them and A’triet turned in time to see the huge chunk of stone that had blocked his path be moved away by his princess’ familiar white magic. The warriors stood at arms for their ruler. It was with great surprise and joy that they saw their princess accompanied by another. Her tan skin was ash streaked as was her white dress, but she held herself with poise and her pink eyes shone with merriment. It was the change in Princess Luna that struck them all most. Their princess smiled and laughed like she never had before, joy suffusing her features and stance. “Brother! We did it!” Mēi hollered, A’triet was taken aback at her unexpected volume. She ran over to him and heedless of the warrior’s intimidating appearance grabbed him in a hug. “Oh A’triet, we rescued Princess Celestia. I’m an Element of Harmony!” Her wings fluttered excitedly and pushed them a little. He grasped her elbow and steered her back a step. “You have a lot to explain dear sister.” A’triet said, trying his best not to laugh. He motioned his warriors to relax and set himself a seat on a half buried stone. “Tell us the story Mēi.” -*- The guard airship was floating towards them as the sun dipped to the horizon. The merry group cheered and wave. Only Hoops, bound and trapped, was unhappy to see them. The warriors and the adventurers were having a well earned rest. Several of the tribe members were playing music; from horse packs they had produced a fiddle, some hand drums and a pipe. The more energetic amongst the group danced in celebration. Luna and Celestia still sat close, arms tight around each other and grinning fit to burst. Cadence and Shining were dancing to the music along with Pinkie, the Corporal was jigging a pattern around them. Mēi clapped out a time for the musicians, joyful that all had ended well. Jack and Rarity sat, the archaeologist leaning against her partner, sipping from some ceramic crocks the tribe chef had produced. Their drooping eyelids and happy smiles hinted it was something rather good. Rainbow had also been supping from a bottle, a nice cold beer that one of the mages from the tribe had been happy to part with. For a nomadic desert dwelling group, they had plenty of connections and supply lines. Having emptied the bottle she noticed a conspicuous absence. Twilight wasn’t joining in with the festivities. The india-ink haired woman had been in her thoughts since the dust had settled deep in the catacombs. Rainbow was unsure how things would go on from here and now, she had only been hired on until the flare prison had been evidenced. Now not only had they discovered the place with irrefutable evidence, they had banished the imprisoned denizen and released a centuries trapped princess. A little above and beyond the remit from when a fussy librarian had fetched a washed up adventurer out of jail. Standing from her comfortable spot on a blanket, Rainbow looked around for Twilight. The librarian was sat away from the group on a lump of stone, holding her knees close and resting her chin on them. Deciding to join her, the adventurer started over to the stone. As Rainbow got closer she could see the girl shaking. “Are you ok?” Twilight jumped at the unexpected call. “I... I’m fine, yeah. Fine.” Her voice was wavering and the waning sunlight made the tear streaks on her cheeks stand out. Emotions were something Rainbow was not the best at handling. The flier couldn’t think of an answer, instead she sat next to the librarian. “You’re still wearing the crown thingy.” She poked the metal circlet. “You still have your necklace on.” Twilight tried to muster a smile as the gold chain and red gem glittered in the fading light, the metal clinking as it moved on its bearer. “Yeah, but a crown isn’t really practical, y’know? It’s all over now and stuff, it’s a bit much to wear normally. ” Rainbow teased. Twilight tried to laugh but it turned into a sob. “You’re crying.” Rainbow wiped at the tears with her hand. Twilight leaned against her. “In the last twenty four hours I have nearly died at least half a dozen times.” She stated matter of factly. “I kept working through it, thinking about preventing a world ending event in the near future, and y...” She trailed off with a half shrug half tense-up. “And?” Rainbow turned the librarian to face her, looking down into her shining amethyst eyes. Twilight blinked and tried to turn away. “I... I thought about you. Just, knowing that you would be there to help. Since the moment you caught me when the boat was on fire. I just knew that you would be there.” She blushed a little but teared up again. “And now it’s all over, we’re done. Everyone will go in the morning.” The catch in her voice was accompanied by another shudder. “I, It’s just a little panic... Don’t worry. Go and have fun with the others.” “I’m not planning on going anywhere.” Rainbow whispered, her tone implied she meant for longer than this moment. Pulling Twilight even closer she nested the librarian against her collarbone. Taken by surprise Twilight let go of her knees and slid sideways a little, Rainbow caught her; she rested her chin on the girl’s head, her indigo hair still smooth despite the days of activity. “No?” Twilight’s voice was small but hopeful. “Element of Loyalty remember?” Rainbow chuckled and wrapped her other arm around Twilight. “And the little part about how I’m crazy for you.” The gunner smiled when she saw how red Twilight was becoming. “I’m not loyal to just about anyone Twi’. I don’t fly the desert and fight off the undead for anyone but someone very special.” “I, I don’t kiss just anyone either.” A small voice offered. “You’re fascinating and adventurous and brave.” Twilight looked up. “With you I know I am safe.” She sniffed a little and wiped some tears away. “You? Super magic sorceress Element of Magic and, not forgetting, librarian? Feel safer with a gun toting load-mouth braggart who can fly? Yeah, I am like, the best ever at flying but still...” Rainbow gave the mage a squeeze. “Let’s just say we both feel safer around each other and you aren’t going to see the back of me in a long time.” Twilight looked up at rose eyes and smiled, “That sounds great.” She pushed herself up a little, still wrapped in Rainbow’s embrace, and leaned in until she could feel the adventurer’s warm breath on her cheek. “Rainbow Dash, I love you.” She covered any reply with a deep kiss. Rainbow returned it enthusiastically. Down by the makeshift camp the festivities had been put on hold as the four friends, three princesses and one older brother all watched the rather adorable sight. “Woo yeah!” Pinkie cheered. Sat above them, Twilight was too happy to really be embarrassed. “Come on, we just saved the world, let’s go celebrate a bit!” Rainbow stood and pulled Twilight along with her, leading the librarian by the hand to the fire and circle of friends. The assembled Guarding Ones and friends watched in awe when then the sun finally fell below the horizon and Luna raised her moon and freed the stars. All the dancing and revelry lasted long into the night, even while business was concluded with the Guard force there was still a festival feeling amongst the group. Hoops was handed over and Luna, with a strange and old official badge, had all charges against Rainbow dropped. Apparently there was a clause in the law about assisting the crown. When the fires burned low and the warriors settled to patrolling or rest everyone decided it was time to turn in. “Ah’m beat.” Jack was slack eyed though still merry. “High time we got some real proper sleep, ain’t had any in nearly two days.” Leaning against her, Rarity hummed in agreement. “We have spare blankets you can all use.” Mēi waved someone over, they came bearing blankets. The healer looked at the pile, “Oh... Uh. Some of you might have to share...” “No problem darling.” Rarity yawned genteelly, “Jack and I are well used to that, we have some materials still about too.” She gratefully accepted the fabric bundle and the two withdrew to find a comfortable place amongst what was left of their camp. “I think we’ll be ok too.” Cadence said softly, wrapping her arm around Shining’s as they sat beside each other. Luna laughed at his surprise. “Do not get up to any mischief daughter.” The princess of the night wagged a finger. Shining gulped and was led away by his, newly confirmed, girlfriend. “What of you Pinkie?” Mēi turned to ask the Corporal, “Oh... never mind.” It was about the only reaction one could have to the sight of the woman flat on her back sleeping with a fez balanced on her face. “Go, sleep Mēi. You have done a grand duty as a hostess.” Luna placed a hand on the healer’s arm. The willowy woman nodded sleepily and went to rest close by her people, though she left the spare blankets with her princess. There was a mighty yawn, Celestia blushed. “I am most tired sister.” “Then time to sleep.” Luna cast a spell and a tent manifested from the firmament. “I have got to learn that spell...” Twilight commented, tiredness clear in her voice. “We shall teach you Twilight, when it is not late even for me.” Luna levitated the spare blankets around the gunner and the librarian. “Sleep child and have my thanks.” The princesses entered the tent in companiable silence. “Time to sleep then. It sounded like a royal order.” She was not going to disagree, she was completely exhausted. Twilight picked up her portion of the blankets to make a bed. Rainbow grabbed at her a little, waving her arm about. “Naah, stay here with me.” The adventurer looked up beseechingly. Twilight sat close to her again. “Ok.” She smiled, “I think our last attempt was disturbed by kidnappers anyway.” Twilight smoothed out some of the warm blankets and lay down, pulling Rainbow with her. “Mmhmm.” Rainbow lay down beside her and wrapped an arm over the librarian. “Keeping you close to keep an eye on you.” Twilight snuggled in close to her. “Not having you snatched again.” “I feel safer already.” Twilight and Rainbow slept wrapped in each other’s arms, dreaming of adventures to come. -*- The next morning Luna and Celestia woke together and performed their duties for the first time in centuries. The guarding ones stood and watched, applauding their monarchs, laughing and cheering the princesses. Rarity and Jack emerged from their makeshift camp to take breakfast, Pinkie and Mēi were making pancakes around the fire, Shining and Cadence sat close together brewing coffee and tea. As the princesses joined them for breakfast so did Twilight and Rainbow. “What is everyone’s plan from here.” Twilight said casually, taking a proffered stack of pancakes and passing a second to Rainbow before they sat down. “Ah think we’ll be heading back homewards for a bit.” Jack said around a mouthful of breakfast. “We have a few good finds to work on.” Rarity added, waving her hand over the scroll copies she had rescued from her ruined camp. “I hope we can return for more digging, now things are safe. I’d love to work with you darling.” “That would be great, now we have two original sources on hand to talk with too.” Twilight waved towards the sister princesses, sat back from the group. “I think we had better leave them to catch up for a bit though.” “What will your people be doing now Mēi?” Rarity looked from the princesses to the healer. “Oh, well, I suppose now that our task is over, we’ll do whatever Princess Luna wishes.” She poured some tea into the waiting cups. “We are her guarding ones after all, everyone who stays with the tribe out here swore it their solemn duty to assist and guard her.” “Fascinating...” Twilight looked like she was about to dig deeper when Luna spoke up, moving to join them. “I think we will be spending some time together with my daughter.” Luna placed a hand on Cadence’s shoulder. “My sister must acclimatise to this modern world and it would be easy under the guise of visitors to the head of research.” “How wonderful.” Shining grinned but couldn’t keep a certain dolefulness from his tone. Cadence clipped his ear. “It will be fine Shining. I am not about to let all this just drop.” She planted a kiss on his cheek, which flared with a not-a-blush. Twilight smiled from ear to ear. “So...so uh, Corporal Pinkie Pie! What will you be up to once we reach the fair city we call home?” Shining waved his hands to attract the attention of the officer of the law. “Me? Oh, same as before. I’ll be back to work in the guard.” She went back to her coffee. “I’m sticking with Twilight.” Rainbow announced. “Someone needs to keep an eye on this egghead, she has a habit of finding trouble.” She grasped Twilight around the waist. “Twily!” Cadence wrapped them both in a hug. “Finally! A living breathing person to date. I thought you would end up marrying a bookshelf or something.” “A marriage of convenience that would be too.” Shining laughed at the reddening pair. Eventually the teasing abated and everyone started the process of packing up to leave.