Blueblood's Ascension Part III; or, Even Alicorns Have Dreams

by MyHobby


Boot the Messenger

“Oh, calm down, you little imp,” Luna said. “You brought this upon yourself.”

Hanging from a magical thread was what looked very much like a bunny. Kinda. It was shaped like a bunny, and had the legs, ears, and teeth of one. The difference here was that this one looked like it was crafted from a fresh, purplish-bluish-brownish-blackish hairball.

There were also the glowing red eyes to account for.

The demonic bunny growled at Luna from its helpless position. Luna tsked. “Be glad that you chose to surrender, Bête Noire. It will be a far more pleasant stay in Tartarus because of it.”

She trotted towards the gates of the magic prison, a smile quirking its way to her mouth. “I admit that I found a great deal less trouble dealing with you than the other Nightmares. The last three have required a thorough thrashing to subdue.” She lifted the Bête Noire to eye-level. “Don’t think that I didn’t contemplate thrashing you regardless, considering your target.”

She whistled for Cerberus and took a seat on a nearby rock. “Giving nightmares to children. You art truly scum.”

The legendary three-headed dog came bounding in, all three tongues lolling out. Luna magicked a cloud of treats through the air towards the dog. “Sit, Cerberus! Good boy!”

A moment passed in which all was well for the dog. A full mouth, a warm hoof rubbing its belly, and a Nightmare within plain sight. Certainly not one hiding off in the shadows, where the nearsighted pup would have to sniff it out.

One of the heads lifted, despite the pure and utter delight of Belly Rubs. Its nostrils twitched.

“Is something wrong, Boy?” Luna asked. She wrapped the Bête Noire in tighter threads of magic and set it aside. “What is it?”

Cerberus lumbered off, climbing over rocks and sniffing in the crags. He barked loudly, hoping that the heart-stopping noise would incite the hidden monster to flight. They were much easier to catch when they were running.

Luna took to the sky and lit her horn, her eyes darting every which way for some sign of the threat. “You have been found out, Nightmare! Cerberus’ noses cannot be fooled! Face your end, foul creature! Face me!

The Bête Noire sat dejectedly upon the forgotten rock, pouting with its grimy little lips. It twitched a gnarled ear, noting that at least it would have a cell mate. The princesses tended to group captured Nightmares together based on who was recovered on which night.

Its thoughts dropped away as it was yanked backwards by a smoky tendril. It tried to cry out with its little not-a-bunny vocal chords, but was shushed by the very same tendril that had done the yanking. The Bête’s glowing eyes widened as they recognized the dark cloud looming overhead.

“Shut up,” the shadow said. “Remember me?”

The Bête Noire nodded frantically, its eyes pleading.

“No, I’m not here to break you out.” Three glowing openings appeared in the cloud, two of which appeared to be glaring. “Not yet. I just want you to tell Scorpan that we need as many Nightmares to sneak out as we can get. Got that?”

The nightmarish little critter tilted its head inquisitively.

“The less of the plan you know, the better.” The shadow placed the bunny back on the rock. “Let’s just say I know how to fix this whole ‘Tartarus’ issue you’re having.”

Good boy, Cerberus!” Luna’s bellowing voice could be heard coming from some small amount of distance around the mountain. “That’ll show that little Night Terror what for!

The dark cloud peeked over the rock to see Luna trotting back with a very-pleased-with-himself three-headed dog carrying a tattered, unresponsive Nightmare. “Got to go.”

The Bête Noire squeaked, prompting the cloud to give a sigh. “Just tell Scorpan that Shadowfright sent you.”

Another chitter, another sigh. “Fine. Fine! Go ahead and say ‘Larry sent me!’ See if I care!”

The bunny would have spoken further, but the shadow was gone, and the princess was nigh. She scratched Cerberus behind the ears. “Alright, spit it out. You’ve had your fun.”

The dog made as if to do just that, but barked in surprise when the released Nightmare dissipated into nothingness. Luna gasped. “What sorcery!?”

The Bête Noire likewise shrieked in surprise. Luna glared at it suspiciously. “Didst you also have something to do with this, child-frightener?”

It shook its head with great vehemence. “Give Us none of your lies,” Princess Luna snorted. “Your attempted escape has already failed, creature of darkness!”

The Bête sighed as it was hoisted and dragged into Tartarus; it was gonna be a long night.