//------------------------------// // Page 7 // Story: Luna's Bloody Nightmare // by Miss Vixen //------------------------------// Nightmare started to stir. “Huh…. WHO, WHAT, WHE, Ooouuch!” Nightmare shouted as he sat bolt upright on a couch. “Please ma’am, you are in no condition to move about like that.” A light brown pony wearing a medical uniform instructed Nightmare. “Actually Mrs. Hearts Aid, Nightmare here is a colt.” Luna said correcting her. “My apologies Mr. Nightmare, It’s just that I assumed you were a mare due to your appearance.” Mrs. Hearts Aid said while motioning for Nightmare to lay back down. Nightmare followed her orders. “Don’t worry about it, I understand the confusion. So tell me doc how bad is it?” “You have nothing to worry about, only bruises a plenty and nothing very serious that would require immediate medical attention. Just a few days rest and you should be fine.” Mrs. Hearts Aid said with reassurance in her voice. Nightmare shift his position on the couch slightly to become more comfortable. “Thanks for the treatment Mrs. Hearts Aid.” “No problem and if it wasn’t for her highness here your injuries could’ve been more severe, but thankfully… oh look at the time, I’m sorry I have too rush out on you two but I have other patients elsewhere that need my help and all that jazz, so good-bye.” Mrs. Heart Aid said as she rushed out of the room. Nightmare turned to look at Luna and assess her condition. Although Nightmare was covered from head to tail in bruises Luna looked much worse. “Ouch, you look worse than me.” Luna rolled her eyes. “I was holding you down with my bare hooves after all, but don’t worry I’m in far better condition than you are at the moment.” Nightmare looked down towards the floor as regret started to cover his face. “Look Luna, I’m sorry for injuring you… again. I’m sorry for when you hit that rock and I’m sorry for now. Can you forgive me?” Luna shook her head. “Stop apologizing for everything, neither of those were your fault and of course I forgive you, how could I not?” “I know, but still I feel really bad that you were hurt.” Nightmare said not wanting to look up. Luna looked at Nightmare with a serious look in her eyes as she lifted his head to the point where their eyes met. “Nightmare you’re taking the burdens of events that should not concern you for they are in the past, so stop beating yourself up already and that… is an order, understand.” “Luna, you of all ponies should know that I don’t take orders from anypony.” Nightmare shot back. The two ponies giggled at the situation. Then Luna turned and grabbed a blanket with which she then placed over Nightmare. “Thanks Luna but what about your injuries, should you really be moving about so much?” “Don’t worry about me my injuries will heal within a day and as for my wing it has somehow magically healed in no time at all, you wouldn’t know anything about that would you Nightmare?” Luna asked almost implying that Nightmare had cast some sort of fast healing spell while she had been unconscious. “Sorry Luna, but I only gave you basic medical care, that’s all.” Nightmare tried to shrug it off. Luna sighed, “Look how’s about I go make you a couple of daisy and clover sandwiches, does that sound good?” Nightmare gave a small laugh. “With the tables turned, yeah that sounds pretty good Luna.” As Luna left the room and took the hallway that leads towards the kitchen, she couldn’t help but think, ‘Oh Nightmare your actions or lack of ones you are willing to admit are showing a side of you that is willing to give up much of one’s self, but receive no credit for such feats. These qualities I have not seen in Equestria even though they fit in with ease. A bizarre predicament that I’m not sure how to handle.’ Luna shook her head, ‘Nightmare as horrible as your world has become it is clear to me you have taken the best of what it has to offer even if you won’t admit it. Please get better for me at least.’ ~~~~ Nightmare took his time to look around the room. He didn’t get the chance before for he went right into conversation after he woke up. The room looked to be that of a study turned into a family room, rec room, second salon, or something to that affect. At one end there was a fire place with a river rock mantle. Working my way back towards me, a small low leveled table, similar to that of a coffee table, was placed in the center with two white couches on either side placed so that they faced each other and then a pair of decorative, higher end in price tag, chairs were, placed at the end of the table, just so, so that they faced the fire place. On the wall to the right of the fire place was the only door to the room and nothing else worthy of mention, for the rest of the wall was relatively bear. However once you reached the end of this wall a third couch, more to that of a love seat which I was left to lay down on, was placed against the wall facing toward the fire place. It did seem a bit out of place, but hey I didn’t design the room. The wall to the left of the fire place didn’t have much to talk about either, for there was no decorations or anything really to talk about. The only distinctive qualities that were held were at the corner to the back wall. A large bay window that wrapped around the corner gave a decent amount of seating with a good view from what I can tell, but who knows, I can’t see it from where I am. There was also a small table with two wooden chairs, made of a darker wood, the kind that one would find in a coffee shop and the idea of its placement normally wouldn’t work with rest of the room, but for some offshoot reason it really did work much to my surprise, who knew. Nightmare decided to put his thoughts away and get some rest and this sounded like a good idea until Princess Celestia walked into the room, but she seem to be lost in her own thoughts. As she paced around the room, Nightmare only laid outstretched on the couch, not making a sound while wearing a big Cheshire grin on his face. Then Celestia began to speak her mind without realizing it. “Oh what to do, what to do? Do citizens really think of me as a tyrant and have my past actions really shown that spotlight unto me and what of Luna? Does she think of me in that way; I hope not, but still. Could I really be a tyrant and then Nightmare said there were other names that he couldn’t even bring himself to say? What could they be? Am I really that bad of a pony and if I am then it’s all my fault? Oh what to do, what to do?” Celestia kept tossing and turning these thoughts upon the sea of her mind. The Cheshire grin Nightmare wore, that was from the thrill of being invisible around others while doing nothing, was replaced with regret for what was troubling Celestia. “Maybe I shouldn’t have told you that story.” Celestia, in a surprised state, spun around and was now facing Nightmare, while almost falling and knocking over one of the white chairs in the process. “Aaahh…. Whoa you scared me. Sorry Nightmare I forgot you were placed in here.” “No Celestia, I’m the one who should be sorry. From the sight of the state that you are in, I’m really regretting telling you that story.” Nightmare said, motioning for Celestia to pull up a seat. Celestia used her magic to levitate one of the white chairs so she could face Nightmare. “Luna’s right you do apologize too much. Look I’m grateful that you told me that story, for I am now more aware of my actions than I ever was. It’s just… I know I should not let the opinions of others affect me and leave them in the past, but I’m still worried….” “You’re worried about the most important opinion in your life, being that of you sister and what she makes of this revelation.” Celestia looked towards the floor. “Indeed, I fear she may begin to think of me as a tyrant and that I truly did banish her for full control of the land and not just to rid it of Nightmare Moon. Nightmare, what do you think of the situation?” Nightmare shifted on the couch so he was now in a sitting position. “Celestia, I am a creature of neutrality. My opinion doesn’t matter and I only make decisions once I have heard both sides of the story so that the first decision is a final one.” “But you still have an opinion even if you believe it to have no weight.” Celestia said as she gave Nightmare a knowing look of him trying answer the conundrum without making matters worse. “Look, you are the one who knows Luna the best, so just stop what you’re doing for a little while and ask your-self. Would Luna ever think that way about you?” Celestia shot Nightmare a smirk. “Thanks Nightmare that’s really good advice, but I asked for your opinion.” “Asking your-self if Luna would ever think that way about you is my opinion.” “Yeah I guess you’re right.” Celestia said sighing, but there was something in her voice that let Nightmare know that even if she found the answer, she would still be concerned by the situation. “Alight it’s time for me to be the concerned worrier.” Nightmare announced. “Oh-um alright.” Celestia replied. “Back their inside the archives, what happened exactly?” Celestia let out a sigh. “Well you started to go into convulsions and Luna was holding you down. She received many injuries and eventually she was knocked out when your head hit hers, but that gave Twilight and I just enough time to focus our energy into holding you down. Eventually you just passed out from exhaustion and Luna did wake, but… I do feel there is more to this story than what I know.” Nightmare nodded. “Yes indeed there is, but that is for Luna and I to discuss at a later time. No offence.” “Non-taken Nightmare. I can see that you have many problems from your world that you wish to deal with and that my sister has been helping you. I don’t mean to pry, but as I have said before I am also here for help if you so desire.” Nightmare thanked Celestia and with a growing silence between the two something came to Nightmare’s mind. “Um Celestia, if you could do me a favor.” “Sure Nightmare what is it?” “Well I know you just told the details of the events of what happened in the archives, but I need you to tell Luna that I would like to talk to her… about her side of the story. I want to hear it with her words.” Celestia nodded, “I will honor thy request.” With that an Adviser had entered the small room and informed Celestia that she had some immediate business to attend to. Celestia place the chair back into its original position and said her light fair-wells to Nightmare, who could now receive some rest, but with a heavier mind. ~~~~ Luna and Twilight Sparkle were walking down the hallway that led to the small room to meet up with not only with her sister Princess Celestia, but also Bloody Nightmare a mysterious mare looking alicorn with more questions about him than answers, along with the rest of the bearers of the elements of harmony and a small dragon whose main profession was that of a librarians assistant. Her mind, like that of the others, was heavy with the events that had transpired within a single day, but what kept pestering her was the concept of her sister being a tyrant. The only thing she could do for now was push it to the back of her mind. “Um excuse me Luna, but your mind seems to be elsewhere.” Twilight said trying to start a conversation. “Aren’t all of our minds heavy with the events that have happened today?” Luna replied. “Well yes, but you seem to be concerned about something else other than the problems that we will have to face.” “Well Twilight it is not with the problem of the changeling faction, or that of the untold power that Nightmare possesses. It is of his past and the isolation that he has been through.” Luna said half lying, for this still concerned her, but it was not what concerned her the most. “I understand Luna, you are concerned about his past for you also have been through an isolation. One kindred soul looking to help another.” Twilight said. “Yes Twilight, however the isolation that he has been put through is a societal one and not a physical one like mine. There is also the fact that I have been able to have a foal hood before my isolation, unlike that of Nightmare where it appears he has been isolated since birth, from what he has said.” “I’m sorry Luna, I don’t know what to tell you, for a problem like this has not happened in Equestria and I’m not sure if there is a clear solution. The best I can say is that we show him a willingness to accept him for who he is, something I’m not sure if he has been shown before.” Luna looked at Twilight. “You suggest that we take the path of friendship and I fully agree, however I am not sure if he is willing to accept it.” Luna replied. ~~~~ As the two alicons entered the small room Luna decided to take a look around it to see what was happening. Twilight sat down with the rest of the other ponies. They were surrounding the coffee table and were involved is some sort of board game, probably tries to ease their minds with some harmless fun. The room was still bear as usual and not much seemed out of place. As Luna tuned towards the back of the room she saw that the plate, which once held the meal that she had brought Nightmare and was sitting on a tray that had been brought in for him, had been devoured. However Nightmare was not lying down on the couch and looking at the bay window, Luna saw nightmare sitting on the ledge with his back against a wall. He was resting his front hooves on one of his back knees and the other was hanging off the ledge. Luna walked over to the table that was next to the window, pulled out one of the chairs and sat down in it. “Good evening.” Nightmare said with an odd accent for he was the one to start the night’s conversation. However he did not turn to face Luna, he only looked out the window. “You really shouldn't be moving, you know that right?” Luna said with a bit of concern in her voice. “Yeah-yeah. Don’t worry Luna I heal quickly.” Luna sighed and looked down at the table. “Tia said that you wanted to talk to me, about what happened in the archives.” “Yes I did.” Nightmare said shifting his position so that he was now sitting upright with his front hooves resting on the table and facing Luna. “If I’m not mistaken, didn't she already tell you about the events?” “Indeed she did, but I wanted to hear your side from you.” “That is very thoughtful Nightmare.” Luna said smiling. “Alright let’s see. You were talking to Twilight, but then you appeared to be talking out-loud, as if to some pony else. It seemed like something from you past was starting to get to you.” Nightmare looked away from Luna. “It isn't the first, I’m certain it won’t be the last.” Luna sighed and shook her head. Nightmare had many problems and helping him would be a long hard road. “I then moved to a position behind you and wrapped my hooves around you, trying to give you some comfort.” Luna moved a hoof so that it now rested on one of Nightmare’s. “A single touch can give more comfort than a thousand words. You taught me that Nightmare.” Nightmare looked at Luna’s hoof, but didn't remove his. He blushed as he tried not look towards the pony that now sat across from him. “I don’t believe I have ever said that Luna.” “You never had to speak a word of it Nightmare. Your actions have done it for you.” Nightmare looked up at Luna. He wanted to avoid any idea that he did in-fact help with Luna’s injuries beyond that of basic medical care that he claimed was all that he did, but he knew that there was no way of talking out of the fact that Luna knew. They both were at a stale mate and the best thing to do was to admit it and move on. “I suppose my actions have.” Nightmare final said. Luna heard the confession in Nightmares voice, it was clear as water. “As you started to shout at whomever, I tried calling your name. Eventually I even had to yell just to get your attention.” “I do seem to remember that part at least.” Nightmare commented. “Yes and then you apologized far more than what was needed.” Luna shot back. “Sorry about that.” Nightmare said apologetically. Luna rolled her eyes. “Alright, then I asked you what your grandfather looked like and you seemed to be stuck on that question. Your head started to hurt as you kept saying and then… that is when you went into convulsions and I actually don’t remember much after that for it was just a blur for me.” “Oh, I see.” Nightmare replied with little enthusiasm. Luna could tell that a new conversation topic might be good at that very moment. She looked over to the group of ponies that had been enjoying a board game. “Why don’t we go over and join the rest of us?” Nightmare shifted back to his original position, the one that he was in when Luna started to talk to him. “Sorry, but that’s not my kind of scene.” “Come on Nightmare, it’ll be fun.” Nightmare said nothing. He only looked out the bay window. “Nightmare, how do you know it isn't for you if you don’t try or does something from your past say otherwise?” Luna said with a quizzical look and leaning a bit forward. Nightmare continued to look out the window. “I have tried Luna, in the past and even when I was a part of things, I still felt like I wasn't supposed to be a part of them.” “Remember Nightmare, This is a different place and a different world. Why don’t you give it another try, for me at least?” Nightmare stood up a bit weak, but mobile. “Alright, I guess I can give it a try.” Luna rose from her chair and both Nightmare and she walked over to join the others. She sat down in one of the big white chairs, opposite her sister who was sitting in the other and Nightmare sat down on the floor in between them. “So nice of you two to have joined us. We were just about to start a new round of trivial pursuit. Would you two like to be a team?” Celestia asked. Both of the alicorns looked at each other and gave a nod to Celestia, who handed them a playing piece. They both played into the night letting their minds rest onto something of less concern, and almost beating the team that Pinkie Pie and Twilight were on. A fun way to end the day.