//------------------------------// // "Reigns: Genesis" - Part 3 // Story: Nightmare Rarity "Reigns" // by UltraCrow //------------------------------// “Reigns: Genesis” - Part 3 Story Author & Concept by Ernest “Ultra” Zamora, Jr Proofread by Original MLP:FiM Comic: “Nightmare Rarity” Story Arc by Heather Nuhfer Where we lay our scene: Its been 30 moon cycles since Spike, Shadowfright and the Nightmare Forces have left the Equestrian world and returned to Dreamscape Castle with Nightmare Rarity. The world has now been left in ruin and deprivation; the Hooviet Union war machine has already began invading area’s outside of its island while at the same time have been taking its own pony civilians and using them as slaves to manufacture and support its war efforts, the Camelu have partial control of the land of Concordia after taking the capital. There are several ponies and impalas who have not only evaded the State of Camelu Army, but also have began to fight back after the Nightmare Forces have left its army. Meanwhile, Princess Celestia has been uneasy, knowing her royal guards are limited, she is unsure if her land of Equestria will be next to be invaded. However something unexpected happens that gives her slight hope for the future. Deep beneath the old castle ruins... Celestia stirred awake, her eyes slowly opening. She hadn't gotten much sleep, so many things have been on her mind that woke her constantly; it wasn't just on her sister who still hadn't awoken, but for the defenseless subjects who have been forced from their homes and out to the wilderness. It didn't help in the fact that she could no longer raise the sun and lower the moon which had kept her in a proper time schedule. Now she felt so ordinary, and helpless at times, all these thoughts have slowly drained her; her once beautiful moving glistening mane had dimmed and had grown dull. She had to keep close to her sister, having her moved from the clinic to her own bedchamber, hoping that she could wake-up at any moment; each time before she would attempt to sleep, she will use her magic to attempt to wake her dear sister but to no avail. “Your highness?” softly asked a guard as he gently knocked his hoof against the door of her bed chamber. She slowly made way off her bed, and walked to the door. “Yes?” she softly answered. “Forgive me for waking you, but we have some new information that we must share with you.” She nodded slowly and followed the guard into the hall. Things underground had gotten reasonably conformable. They had been able to save a few more civilian ponies just before the Nightmare Forces had overrun the forest and wilderness. Some of those ponies mourned for several moon cycles for their loved ones who’d they lost or weren't able to save, it took some time before they had the courage to move forward and make the best of what they have been, so far, bless with. The guard opened a door to the communication room to allow Celestia to enter. “Your highness!” the commanding guard saluting. “Please…” she winced at the loudness of his voice “I already told you there is no need for formalities or salutes.” she said timidly as she sat down next to the table filled with documents and photos. “I’m sorry Princess.” the guard replied as he sat down as well as he took several papers into his hoofs. Celestia sighed “I hear your have something to report?” “Yes, for several moon cycles as you know there have been reports rumoring that several nations have invaded other lands.” said the guard “We can now confirm that these rumors are indeed true.” “What nations and what lands have they invaded?” She said with worry. “From the reports we have, the Hooviet Union whom we had an embargo for quite some time have invaded several area’s, luckily they have stayed away from our lands. We have vague reports of a small group called the State of Camelu, it seems they have grown to mass numbers and have taken several lands, most noticeably the land of Cervidas.” “Is there any indication they would attack our land?” “So far we are aware that they are steering clear of Equestria, but we do not know if this is a ploy. As you know our guard numbers are drastically low. Tia took a deep sigh as she glanced down “I can only be a matter of time...” she softly said “I do have to say something else your highness.’” Tia raised her head not really wanting to hear more depressing news. “Our scouts who have been giving us this information have also informed us, that most, if not all Nightmare Forces have left.” “Well, thats certainly better news. Is there any chance for us to leave and return to Canterlot?” The guard slowly shook his head in a negative way. “I’m sorry your highness, but the animals that once lived in the wilderness have gotten very brutal and savage due to the lack of food, one of the three scouts wasn't able to make it back. Plus, we just can not simply have you out in the open, the risk is too great if any Nightmare Forces are lingering or possibly could return for another attack.” She couldn't help but shed a tear as her mind drifted into more thoughts, she didn't know how long she’d be stuck in this shelter, she wanted to go out and help the defenceless ponies in any way she could. “Your highness?” the guard asked seeing Tia’s attention slowly get away. “Uh, sorry.” she said as her attention returned to the meeting. “Princess!!!” a yell ringing through the halls. Both Tia and the guard hearing the sounds quickly stood up made their way out of the of the communication room to see what was the matter. Tia looked down the hall to see Scootaloo galloping at full speed toward her. “Princess!” Scootaloo putting all four of her hoofs to the ground to come to a full halt in front of Tia. “Goodness, what's wrong Scootaloo?” “It’s Luna! Hurry!” She said panting out of breath “Luna!?” She gasped and without hesitation made her way back to her bedchamber at full speed. With all the depressing news, she dreaded the worst as she quickly made it to her chambers to see Zecora, Sweetie Belle, and Apple Bloom sitting around Luna’s bed. “Oh, Please don’t tell me...” Tia told herself dreading the worst as she entered. Zecora turned around to see Tia walk toward them, just not far behind Scootaloo finally made it back. “What’s happened?” Tia asked. a most familiar voice spoke out “Tia?” Celestia gasped in shock as she saw Luna weakly sit up on her bed. “Luna!!” Celestia cried out as she ran up to her sister and gave her a hug, Tia’s mane slowly began to return to glisten and flow once more. “My goodness you're okay!” Tia holding onto Luna “I was so worried about you.” Luna smiled as she held Tia back. “I’m glad to you see you too Tia.” “We heard cries for help outside your bedchamber door.” Said Zecora “Sweetie Bell insisted we’d check and see, thats when we found Luna has awoken.” “I-I didn't know where I was.” Luna softly said. “Its okay, you're in a safe place.” Tia said as she smiled as her sister. Luna winced in pain as she placed her hoof on her head. “Whats the matter Luna?” Tia asked “Last thing I remember... we were on the moon fighting against the Nightmare Forces after Nightmare Rarity commanded them to attack us.” Luna rubbing her forehead “Soon, Nightmare Rarity, she said something to Twilight... After that, I saw a bright flash... all I felt was if I was falling in dream... it felt so endless.” Luna explained “So its true... My sister is Nightmare Rarity?” Sweetie Belle asked. “I’m afraid so little one...” Luna lowing her head “I... We couldn't save her.” Sweetie Belle lowered her head as well, saddened. “Where are the others?” Luna asked as she looked up to Tia “We don’t know.” Tia responded. “Wait, what do you mean??” “You and the rest of the girls came down from the moon just like shooting stars, you landed in Ponyville. The rest of the girls... we don't know where they landed.” Tia explained. “Then we must go look for them!” Luna replied. “We can not, after you arrived the Nightmare Forces began their attack on the land.” said Zecora “I don’t understand, didn't I just arrive?” Luna asked confusingly Tia placed her hoof on Luna’s shoulder. “You’ve actually been asleep for quite some time.” “What...? How long have I been asleep?” “Close to thirty days” Tia explained “T-Thirty Days??” “I’m afraid so, there are several things that have happened since you returned.” Tia said “I assume I slept... through the invasion?” Tia nodded. “Just as Zecora said, The Nightmare Forces began attacking Ponyville and Canterlot and the rest of the lands.” Tia paused for a moment “Everything is lost, we were able come here to the shelter deep below the old castle ruins.” “Everything is... lost..?” Luna soon felt regret knowing she should have taken Shadowfright's offer, it wasn't before long tears were streaming from her eyes. “I’m so sorry! I didn't mean for all this to happen!” Luna said breaking down “Shhhh, its okay Luna.” Tia said holding Luna close. “What’s done is done... as for now I’m just happy that you are here and alive.” “Um... Excuse me Celestia, but if Luna is now awake... would this mean if the other girls be waking up as well?” asked Apple Bloom Celestia looked at the young filly with surprise. “If the other girls had the same sleeping spell... then yes, they should be waking up. I can only hope they have landed in a safe place. Goodness help them if they aren't.” Elsewhere... “Rarity, Fight it!” echoed in her mind as she effortlessly cried out to her dear friend as the Nightmare forces swirled around the white mare. “I’m... I’m sorry my dear...” and with that her will was taken, the elements enveloped her. Not a sight of what was underneath could be seen through them. She could only watch as the elements slowly let their grasp go, and what was seen next... These thoughts and images repeatedly continued, no matter what she did or said, would see her best friend develop into the dark mare that stood before her at the end. She couldn't escape the final image of the dark mare’s horn flowing with energy just before what felt like she was falling into darkness. Physically she stirred, trying to escape the repetitiveness of these images. Something felt as if it couldn't let her escape, bonded for what felt like an eternity with the events that unfolded in her dreams. This time though, it seemed as if a great weight has been lifted and the sense of her bondage have been released. She slowly began to open her eyes, her pupils adjusting to dim light, blurry at first, then the began to focus on her surroundings. “W-what...?” she softly muttered. She tried to move but with each movement she felt as if her body was still numb. Letting out a whimper she continued to try and move her legs however the tingling sensation of the numbness was too much to bear, she would have to wait till her body would awaken as well. “Where am I....?” she said softly, looking at her surroundings. Nothing looked familiar, perhaps very alien to what she’s used to seeing, nothing seemed, alive. She continued to look around, she was under a cliff with nothing but withered wilderness and vegetation surrounding her. She continued to examine what was around her, somehow she was centerpiece of a crater that had impacted the ground. “How...?” she quickly winced as she felt her legs slowly regain their feel, a soreness in each of her joints, being as if being in the same position for quite some time. She had so much more questions than answers to her situation, however she remembered the dream. She quickly look up to the night sky searching. “Please.. Please don't tell me..” with ghostly shock she saw the moon and its silhouette covered with surrounding Nightmare Forces which choked the moonlight. “No...” she choked out trying to contain her tears. It was all true, what she witness in her dreams where was all real. “The girls!” she said, attempting to stand, while the feelings in her legs were back, her joints were too stiff to move. A moan escaped from her as she collapsed back to the ground. “AJ!” she yelled out into the dark wilderness before her. Her ears posed to listen closely for any response. Not a sound echoed back. “Pinkie! Spike!” She continued to yell and look about. Her ears slowly began to fold back as her voice seemed to drown in the darkness. “Luna... Rainbow...” She said quietly as she lowered her head. Her heart began to sink as the thought of where they are, with the addition of possibly being alone and vulnerable slowly sunk in. She looked back up at her surroundings. She needed more light so see if she was in any danger. Tilting her head, she did what felt second nature to her, closing her eyes she quickly summoned for a light spell, but what felt so natural to her was now missing. “It’s gone!” a look of worry took over. “I don't my magic anymore.” Looking back at the moon. She resumed to remember the dream and the sensation of her falling and something taken at the same time. That was the moment she knew, the moment that her natural ability was stripped from her; but she had no chance of taking the thoughts in as a loud snaps of a branchs came from within the darkness of the wilderness. Her head quickly turned and looked into the direction of the noise her ears poised listening. “Girls?” she softly asked. Another soft snap of a branch emerged from the darkness, her heart began to pound unsure of what was out there. She winced as she tried to stand on all her legs but the pain was excruciating. Her joints weren't ready to take her full weight of her body and gave way once again. She let out soft moan as she fell back to the ground. The sound was enough for whatever is behind the darkness to give a low growl sensing her dilemma, more snaps and rustles could be heard as it moved closer. Her eyes became focused on the sounds looking for any signs of the source, her heart pounding faster as each sound seemed closer and more near; but just as the sounds neared, it stopped. Whatever it was, it was out of the deep vegetation and on soft ground. The moon didn't offer much light with its silhouette let alone with the dark moving clouds that surrounded it. She slowly shifted her legs under her, even if the pain was unbearable, she would at least try and make a run for it. Poised and ready she heard nothing but silence, her ears quickly flicked, listening. “Is it gone..?” She thought to herself. One of the clouds surrounding the moon let way for a soft light to fall upon her predator, her eyes widened seeing what stood before her. A grizzly bear which seemed to look as large and dark as the wilderness behind it. Its jaw open revealing its sharp teeth, its saliva lightly glistening in the moonlight as it pooled and dripped from its maw. Its eyes seemed to almost glow in the reflective light of the moon. A low tone growl came from it’s mouth and its hot breath she could see as if it were a flame. She had no choice, she was ready to run at its very moment of attack. The beast began to inhale deeply, she could see its chest expanding. “This is it, any minute now...” she said to herself. Her eyes locked with the creature. The creatures eyes narrowed, and with that a loud guttural roar escaped from beasts mouth as leaped through the air lunging at her at her. She quickly snapped up on her legs about to dash away, but something else caught her ear at that exact moment, it was another roar from the wilderness. “EEERRRRAAAAGGGGGHHHHHHHHH!!!!!” She quickly glanced at the direction of the noise and saw what was a glowing unicorn horn piercing into the beasts side just at the very moment the grizzly leapt at her, the beast's claws swiping just inches from her muzzle as the beast made a loud scream of pain. She fell back in shock, looking at the two as they both scrambling and thrashing about the ground. “Go! RUN!!” yelled out a voce out from the pile. “I SAID RUN!!” the voice said again as the grizzly roared back to its feet. She didn’t’ have to be asked again, she once again stood up and ran away to a clearing beside the cliff. She ran with all her might to get away from the gruesome fight but her joints sparked with pain with each gallop. “Ahh!” she yelled out as she tumbled just a few yards away. She quickly dusted off the fall and looked back. The unicorn horn glowed brightly as it lunged back again at the grizzly. The grizzly made a loud groan as it took a swipe at the stranger; the stranger falling to the ground below the grizzly and his horn dimmed into the darkness. The grizzly looked about and saw the young mare on the ground once again, it roared and began it chase after her. “Oh no!” she cried out as she quickly got back to legs. She tried to make her escape but her legs were just not cooperating as she stumbled again. Her eyes slowly began to tear up as she looked at the grizzly running at full speed to her roaring, but just as it gained full speed the grizzle quickly slowed and its eyes slowly dimmed. She looked upon amazement as the grizzly collapsed just beside her, raggedly breathing, its eyes slowly closing as a pool of blood began to emerge on the ground from its neck. Her eyes now flowing with tears, dazed of what could have been. Soon a soft clap of hoofs began to walk toward her, she looked around around the large beast for somepony to appear, but the hoof noise had stopped. There was silence until she heard a voice. “Are you alright?” the voice said raggedly She snapped up, and looked up on top of the beast, and there the stranger stood breathing heavily as blood from the creature stained across its face and mane. “Hey, are you alright?” She wiped her tears away and looked upon what she could with the moonlight, it was a light brown male unicorn pony with very dark brown long mane and tail, his eyes a light shade of brown reflecting off the dim moonlight. She could see him wearing a long cloak coat, covering most of his body. He jump off the beast and next to her. She shook her head to get out her daze. “I’m okay, but my legs they’re very sore and I couldn't move them.” She replied His horn glowed and an ora began to surround her, gently lifting and supporting her up on her legs. “This should help for now. It should be enough for you to move without putting too much pressure; but we must get away from this place. There is way too much danger here.” “Thank you” she said with gratitude. “What about you? You're covered in blood!” “Oh, I’m alright. The blood is not mine.” He said as he tried to wipe the beasts blood off with his hoof. “Come, its best that we get out of this wooded area.” he said. She nodded as they both walked away from the dark wilderness and into the pasture clearing ahead. “Please pardon me for asking, but where am I?” she asked. He looked back at her a bit puzzled. “You mean, you don't know where your at?” “Why no, all I remember is being on the moon to recuse a friend of mine, but we were attacked and then I woke up here.” He looked at her oddly as he stopped walking and turned to face her. “Wait, you were on the moon?” he said with a questionable expression. She nodded as she sat down in front of him. “So you're the object that I saw flying through the sky!” he said. “My goodness, I found it… after all this time...” he said to himself. She looked puzzled. “I. What...?” “Yeah! We- ” he paused for a second. “...I saw several objects fly out from the moon but... that was nearly thirty moon cycles ago.” “Thirty moon cycles? Don’t you mean days?” “There hadn't been any daylight after I saw those objects fall from the moon... then these dark elements started to...” he paused again “...lets just say all hell has broken loose since then.” “No daylight??” she exclaimed “It would mean Nightmare Rarity has been in full control.” she thought to herself. He looked at her strangely. “Those dark elements.... did they look like creatures?” she asked “Yeah... they did.” he said back looking at her more closely. “You know what going on... don’t you?!” she nodded slowly. He began to get upset. “Is she the reason why things are the way they are, the reason why it happened?” he thought himself. “Tell me young pony, who are you? Are you the reason why there's so much misfortune to us?!” he said scolding to her. “No!” she responded “I was simply trying to rescue my best friend from the Nightmare Forces!” she cried out. “I have no idea what has happened!” “Take a good look around you!” He replied aggressively. She was taken back by this. “Why is he so angry with me?” she thought, but she did look around, everything seemed so withered, dark, and dead. “Those dark creatures took everything! All the plants, food, and even-” he stopped mid-sentence as he closed his eyes and gritted his teeth holding back an angry cry. He took a few deep breaths before he calmed down. “Look, I... I’m sorry for lashing out at you like that, its just that I’ve-...” he paused again and sighed “I guess if If you have been asleep for that long you wouldn't have known what's been happening.” he said. “I just found it strange that somepony would just ‘sleep‘ through it all.” “I can assure you it wasn't my will to sleep through it.” she said sincerely. He could only nod, feeling upset at himself for getting away like that. He slowly stood back up and began walking. “Come, I know lake not too far from here.” He said obviously to change the subject. “I need to clean myself from all this blood.” She nodded and followed right beside him. They walked a few paces before she had any courage to ask anything. “If you don't mind me asking, I never got your name...” she asked timidly “My name...” he said lowering his head slightly as they continued walking. “I-I’m sorry, I didn't mean to impose-” “It’s Alright.” he insisted. “My... My name is, Ultra” as he looked to her with a warm smirk. “May I ask what is your’s?” Ultra asked. She warmly smiled back at him. “Its Twilight... Twilight Sparkle.” End of Part 3