//------------------------------//
// Nightmare's Apex part 1 
// Story: Dark Terrors 
// by Dragon Angel Knight 
//------------------------------//

	Nightmare's Apex part 1


When Luna left the dream of Fluttershy, she immediately felt something was wrong. The shadow she had been pursuing for so long was no where to be found in front of her. Still, the lingering feeling that something was... OFF plagued her to no end. On a whim, however, Luna turned and looked behind herself and fear instantly gripped her heart. There, gigantic in scope and monstrous in sight was the Shadow, chasing Luna as if it were a predator.

Doing her best to evade the gaping maw of the beast behind her, Luna fled, attempting to make it back to Canterlot. Unfortunately, the shadow was steadily gaining ground on the fleeing mare, the black hole that was its mouth opening wide enough to snuff out the entire dream-scape. 

Panicking, Luna poured as much energy as she could into the strokes of her wings, trying valiantly to get away. The shadow whipped out coils of darkness to ensnare The night princess, who dodged as best as she could. The shadow was relentless, however and dogged Luna no matter where she attempted to hide.

Eventually, Luna had to stop to rest, which the shadow was counting on. Luna could only watch in terror as the gaping maw came in to finish off its prey. She closed her eyes tight, for the same reasons that foals often do when they were afraid... and for a time, she knew nothing but the embrace of the void.
`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Celestia had been sleeping peacefully when the news had come to her. A thestral guard had simply bypassed the guards posted at the door and nearly broke it down with the force of his buck. She had immediately charged up her horn upon the rude awakening, but the look on the guards face spoke volumes about the situation, so, Celestia stayed her hoof and politely asked for the stallion to calm himself and tell her what was going on.

"I-it's Princess Luna, Your Highness," the guard, Sirroco, said, his voice cracking in several spots, "She... I... medical wing..." At this point, Sirroco broke down in tears, unable to continue. Celestia took the hint and woke up the guards next to the door with a simple spell.

"This stallion is distraught and unable to do his duties," Celestia began, then, turning to the guard on the left, conjuring a potion as she continued, "Aegis, escort him to one of the guest rooms, then give him this. It will put him into a dreamless sleep until the sun raises."

Stolid Aegis gave a crisp salute, then carried out his orders. Celestia turned to the other guard and said, "Sixth Sense, rouse the Solar Guard to support the Lunar Guard. I fear the worst..."
"What about you, Ma'am?" Sixth Sense asked in reply.

"I am going to my sister," Celestia said simply, before teleporting to her sister's side.