//------------------------------// // Chapter Twenty-Two // Story: Heart of Diamonds // by APoeticHeart //------------------------------// After arriving at Canterlot, my heart pounds heavily as we make our way toward the castle. I’m still trying to get over the fact that the spirit of Nightmare Moon is the one that’s been tormenting me this whole time. A feeling of worry washes over me What if she succeeds in taking over my mind and body? She’ll definitely be able to do anything she wanted to my precious son and I won’t be able to do anything about it. A heavy sigh escapes my lips as I look at the ground with a frown. “Hey Rares, are ya alright? Ya look like Winona when she’s sick.” I feel Applejack place a hoof on my shoulder. I give her a disgruntled glare “Well that is very nice of you darling to compare to me a sick dog!” I sigh heavily and realize that I shouted at her “I’m terribly sorry Applejack darling, but I’m still just trying to understand why the spirit of Nightmare Moon has chosen me as her prey.”I look at all my friends with a frown. “Don’t worry Rarity, Princess Luna will be able to help you.” Twilight reassures me with a warm smile “Remember, nopony knows Nightmare Moon better than she does. She’ll know how to defeat the spirit of Nightmare Moon.” “I hope you’re right Twilight dear, because I just don’t want that foul creature to be reborn in me and hurt my son again.” I feel tears form in my eyes at the thought of Connor being tormented even worse by me if I become Nightmare Moon. “Hey now girl, don’t turn on the water works.” Rainbow Dash hovers down beside me and places a hoof on my shoulder “We’ll beat this thing Rares, together!” She gives me a firm nod along with the others. I look at them with a soft smile before I take in a deep breath and exhale “Thank you girls, I don’t know where I would be without you all as my friends.” I sniffle and give a nod “Let’s go end this once and for all.” Soon we arrive at the castle where two guards give us a courteous bow of their heads “Twilight Sparkle and friends, the princesses has been expecting you. Please make your way to the royal throne room.” The two gives a bow of their heads once more and we return it as we trot into the castle. As we arrive at the throne room Princess Luna and Princess Celestia are sitting at their respective thrones. The look on the faces are of focus “Welcome my little ponies. Luna and I are glad that you all could arrive as soon as you could.” We give them a bow before we approach them. “Of course Princess Celestia and Princess Luna.” Twilight nods “As soon as I received your letter, I went to gather my friends.” A look of worry soon washes over her face “What is this about Nightmare Moon possibly returning? I thought we got rid of her once and for all when we used the Elements of Harmony on her.” We all nod in agreement. A heavy sigh escapes Luna’s lips “My dear friends, it was only the spirit of Nightmare Moon you all vanquished as you know I returned to my old self. Yes you all got rid of Nightmare Moon, but from within me and I don’t know where her spirit went to. I never thought it would return until I discovered her in Rarity’s nightmare.” She looks at me with great worry in her eyes. “So how are we suppose to beat this thing this time?” Rainbow Dash pounds her hooves together “If we can’t see Nightmare Moon, then we can’t actually lay a good hoof beating on her.” Luna nods in agreement and lets out a heavy sigh “That is true loyal Rainbow Dash, and that is why we must venture into the dream world to face this menace before she has a chance to return to her full form.” She turns her attention to me “My friend Rarity, for us to be able to do this, we must travel into your dreams. Will that be okay with you?” I look at her with determination and give a firm nod “Of course princess, I want to end these nightmares once and for all. I want to finally put an end to that barbaric so she will leave Connor and myself alone.” “Count us in princess!” My friends firmly nod and I can feel my heartbeat rise with pride at their support and willingness to help me. “First though, Rarity, this might sound painful, but I assure you it’s not. For us to be able to visit your dreams, my sister and I will have to put you under a sleeping spell.” She looks at me worriedly “The reason why my friend is because if you happen to wake up during your dream, we won’t be able to stop her. If that happens.. well, I don’t want to think of it.” I inhale and exhale deeply as I look at her, Princess Celestia, and the others as I nod “Let’s do it then! What do I have to do?” Celestia trots up to me “Just relax Rarity and let Luna and myself do the work.” She rubs at my shoulder soothingly and smiles at me warmly and reassuringly. I inhale and exhale deeply one last time “Well darlings, I’ll see you in my dreams.” I give a wink and close my eyes to start and relax. “Okay Tia, let’s concentrate.” I hear Luna speak as soon I can feel a warm, comforting aura envelope me and I feel myself become tired. Soon, I drift off into my subconscious. Don’t worry my baby boy, Mommy is going to beat this thing and we’ll finally live in peace.