//------------------------------// // Nightmare Moon Finale // Story: Marjoram // by Nekiyha //------------------------------// How could be possible? Was the dominating question swirling around Marjoram's head as he stared up at Nightmare Moon. Celestia was gone, vanished sometime before Nightmare's public return. The ponies near him were shaking in their horseshoes, pressed against each other, and too scared to do anything. Twilight seemed caught between action and stagnation, unsure of herself and unsure of what action to take. Marjoram's second thought was: how do I protect them? “...The night will last forever!” Nightmare moon threw her head back at the conclusion of her speech, laughing maniacally. Marjoram closed his eyes, focusing hard on the most advanced magics he knew. What can I do? The answer came back a millisecond later: not much. Nothing he could cast would work against an alicorn. However, that didn't mean that Marjoram wouldn't try. Marjoram tugged deeply at both the magic reserve in his body, and at the magic in the area. Channeling it into a show of dazzling light, and directing it into a high-energy beam of pure energy and light. If directed at anypony else, the simple energy alone would be enough to kill them. Marjoram hoped that he could distract Nightmare Moon enough to allow Twilight and Spike to escape. If not, Directing the energy at Nightmare Moon, Marjoram let all of the magic go, filling it with all of the emotions that were swirling around his chest. The beam hit Nightmare Moon with the force to take down a building. Nightmare shielded herself with her wings, but the force of his magic forced her to slide back several feet, and caused the surrounding area to scorch a bit. Once Marjoram ran out of magic, his knees gave, and he found himself on the cold ground, staring up at Nightmare and unable to even move. Through blurry, half-closed eyes, Marjoram watched as the last few ponies fled Town Hall, and Nightmare Moon stalked over, a smug smirk tugging at her lips. “Well, that was impressive,” Her sultry voice held a note of curiosity, “Did Celestia teach you? I can feel her magic all over you. You reek of her light.” Marjoram couldn't do much but cough weakly, refusing to look away from the mare that towered above him. Nightmare smiled, a sickly smile that made Marjoram shiver in response. Dark blue magic centered around Nightmare's horn, then wrapped Marjoram in its embrace, freezing him in place both literally and figuratively. Marjoram's heart skipped a beat, his lungs froze up in a series of coughing that splattered the nearby ground with blood. Nightmare's face contorted in disgust, and she rolled her eyes. Her magic flared again, and Marjoram knew no more, hearing Nightmare's maniacal laughter fade as he fell unconscious. (LINE BREAK) Marjoram woke with a start, adrenaline rushing through his system. There was three things he noticed: it was nighttime, he was alone, and he could breathe without pain. The first two didn't startle him, the third thing made him pause, breathing in the cool night air in a way he hadn't been able to do since he was a teen. It was odd, it was terrifying, and it was exhilarating all at once. Then Marjoram remembered: Nightmare Moon, Celestia, Twilight. Marjoram jumped to his feet, and galloped as fast as he could to the library, hoping Twilight and Spike were there, or at least they were somewhere safe. Almost breaking down the door in his haste, Marjoram found the library in complete and utter chaos. One book was help open on a desk. The Elements of Harmony: A Reference Guide. Eyes skimming the page, Marjoram found what he was looking for: the last known location of the Elements; the Everfree Forest. Marjoram ran out of the library, galloping toward the edge of town, out of breath rather quickly, but able to actually run without coughing blood was something almost foreign to him. Using a spell to track Twilight, Marjoram burst through the trees, and began to follow the narrow paths through the dark forest. It took a while, but eventually, Marjoram found a wooden footbridge that led through a thick fog, into what looked like the ruins of the castle the book mentioned. The bridge was rickety, but Marjoram didn't think about that: he ran across the bridge and into the ruins. Breath wheezing in his chest, his legs aching, and his teeth jarring with every step he took, he ran past the main foyer, past the throne room, and up a set of stairs. He could see lights, could feel magic, and he was terrified. Not for himself, not because of what Nightmare Moon could have done to him, but because what she could do to Twilight. What Marjoram stumbled across was both amazing and terrifying. There was Twilight, standing closer to Nightmare Moon than the others, looking proud and amazed. “...the spirits of the Elements of Harmony are right here!” Crystals that lay broken at Nightmare Moon's feet became enchanted with the colours of the rainbow. Nightmare Moon looked startled and unsure. “Applejack, who reassured me when I was in doubt, represents the Element of Honesty!” Some of the crystals swirled around Applejack, but seemed to leave her alone for the moment. “Fluttershy, who tamed the manticore with her compassion, represents Kindness!” More crystals separated from the bunch still floating near Nightmare Moon's feet, swirling around Fluttershy. Manitcore? I'm going to have to have words with Twilight after all this is done! Marjoram felt his heart rate quicken. "Pinkie Pie, who banished fear by giggling in the face of danger, represents Laughter!” Pinkie bounced up, looking excited and truly pleased. The crystals surrounding her seemed to keep her in one place, thankfully. “Rarity, who calmed a sorrowful serpent with a meaningful gift, represents Generosity!” Marjoram realized that Rarity's tail was much shorter than before, something that made him wince a little. Her tail was still gorgeous, though he would doubt many would see it that way. The crystals that swirled around her were clearly welcome, judging by the easy body language Rarity was dislplaying. “-and Rainbow Dash, who couldn't abandon her her friends, even when faced with her heart's desire, represents Loyalty! The spirits of these five ponies got us through every challenge you've thrown at us tonight!” “You still don't have the sixth Element!” Nightmare Moon challenged, hysteria tinging her voice, “the spark didn't work!” “But it did!” Twilight retorted, her body language confident and brave, “A different kind!” Twilight turned to face the five ponies, apparently not seeing Marjoram at all, “The second I realized you were coming for me, I realized how happy I was to hear you, to see you. I realized how much I care about all of you. The spark ignited inside me, when I realized that you all are my friends!” Since when!? What did I miss? Marjoram felt confused. How long had he been unconscious? What had he missed that made Twilight friends with these strangers? Twilight turned to face Nightmare moon again, and a shining rock appeared above her, proudly displaying her Cutie Mark. Marjoram felt frozen, unable to move. Twilight, please! We don't know anything about these Elements! We don't know these ponies! This could be a trap! “You see, Nightmare Moon, when these Elements are united by the spark, the spark that resides in everypony, it creates the sixth Element. The Element of Magic!” The rock hovering above Twilight's head began to shine so brightly that Marjoram had to avert his gaze. In front of him, each of the six mares were floated into the air, and the crystals disappeared from his sight. Marjoram could see the Element that had hovered above Twilight turn into a magnificent crown, also bearing her Cutie Mark, and the group was gently forced to hover near each other, white magic erupting from them to form a rainbow. Nightmare Moon screamed as the beam encompassed her, looking truly terrified before another white light made Marjoram have to shut his eyes to keep from being blinded. The second Nightmare Moon's screaming stopped, Marjoram's lungs seemingly filled with cobwebs again, forcing him to his knees. When the light dissipated, Marjoram looked up to find all six girls on the stone floor, possibly unconscious. “Twilight?” Marjoram whispered brokenly, forcing himself to his feet, and standing over Twilight's body. The shining gold and purple crown was beautiful, but Marjoram only had eyes for Twilight, “Please, Twilight...Wake up.” Rainbow Dash groaned, “Oh...y head,” She stood, wincing and rubbing at her skull. “Everypony okay?” Applejack asked. Twilight stirred, and Marjoram bent down, casting spells to ensure that she was actually all right. “Oh, thank goodness!” Rarity exclaimed. “Oh, Rarity, it's so lovely!” Fluttershy said quietly. “I know! I'm never parting with it again!” Rarity hugged her tail, which had been restored to its former glory. “No, I meant your necklace. It looks like your Cutie Mark!” “Oh! So does yours!” “Look at mine!” Pinkie exclaimed, bouncing over to Rarity and Fluttershy. “Ha ha!” Rainbow exclaimed, “This is totally awesome!” She thrust out her chest to show off her own necklace, which was shaped like her Cutie Mark. Twilight pulled away from Marjoram, standing up. Marjoram followed, clearly worried. “Gee, Twilight,” Applejack murmured, “I thought you were spouting a bunch of nonesense. But, I think you were telling the truth! We do represent the Elements of Friendship!” “Indeed you do,” Clouds parted to the East, and Celestia's comforting voice came from nowhere. The sun rose, and the moon lowered in the sky. A ball of white light appeared, and when it touched the ground, Celestia stood in its place. “Thank the Creators,” Marjoram murmured, “Princess, you're alright!” “Twilight, Marjoram! My faithful students, I knew you could do it!” Celestia's gaze was warm, but then she noticed Marjoram's bare chest. Her brows furrowed briefly. “I tried to stop Nightmare by myself back at the Town Hall,” Marjoram murmured, “I-I had to protect Spike and Twilight, give them a chance-” Marjoram took a breath, “Did I slow her down any? I-I lost consciousness afterward. Where is Spike!?” Marjoram's eyes widened, and he looked around frantically. Twilight let out a nervous chuckle, “He's back at the library. He was up all night, and was so tired he fell asleep after Nightmare Moon appeared. He's okay,” Marjoram sat heavily on the dusty floor, letting out a sigh of relief, “Thank goodness.” “Didn't I tell you that making friends was a good idea?” Celestia intoned quietly. “I didn't until tonight, not really,” Twilight murmured in reply, “I-I'm sorry. I didn't realize that making friends was so important.” Celestia offered a small smile, “It's alright, Twilight. You couldn't have known, and besides, you did admirably. I saw the signs, and knew you'd be important for what's to come. I knew you had the magic inside of you to defeat her, and that you wouldn't be able to unleash your magic until you let true friendship into your heart.” Marjoram felt his heart sink to his hooves. What are Spike and I, then? “Now,” Celestia turned to the shattered remains of Nightmare Moon. Marjoram now noticed that a young mare, an alicorn, lay in the wreckage, “If somepony else will do the same.” Marjoram stared at the cowering younger pony, wondering what in the hay was going on. He pushed aside the ball of feelings that lay in his chest, and turned his full attention to Celestia. “Princess Luna, it has been a thousand years since I've seen you like this. Don't you think its time to put aside our differences and rule together, as we were meant to? Little sister?” Marjoram felt his heart freeze for a moment. He knew he was staring, slack-jawed at the pair now kneeling on the ground. “I lost my sister once, a very long time ago.” That was what Celestia had told him, years ago, weeks after Carnation had died. She'd comforted him with half-lies and semi-truths? Marjoram felt the breath whoosh from his lungs, and he sat down hard, staring at the sight before him, but not seeing. Marjoram listened through ears that felt like they were stuffed with cotton, and watched through eyes that seemed incapable of processing what was in front of him, as Princess Luna ran to her sister, sobbing, crying apologies into Celestia's pristine, white coat. A purple hoof waved itself in front of Marjoram, the quickness and closeness of the movement forcing Marjoram back into himself, “What?” He snapped irritably. Twilight wrapped her fore-hooves around Marjoram in a tight embrace that Marjoram hadn't been expecting, “Oh, thank goodness you're alright! I was so scared Nightmare Moon would do something to you after you attacked her like that-” “Sh-she did,” Princess Luna sniffled, wiping at her muzzle with a hoof, “I don't know what.” “I'm alright,” Marjoram stated coolly, “I-I'm okay.” Celestia looked like she didn't believe him, but nodded slowly, “Alright. If anything is wrong, you can write me anytime.” Marjoram nodded dully, “I know.” Twilight looked back at her friends, then back to Celestia, “Do-do I have to go back to Canterlot with you? I mean, I just found some friends-” Marjoram winced away from Twilight, forcing himself to remain cool and collected. She's found better friends than you, see? She doesn't need you anymore. Marjoram's inner self berated himself for befriending Twilight in the first place. The look on Celestia's face was considerate, “Well, you can remain in Ponyville, and continue your studies on both magic and friendship. You could write a weekly report.” “Really?!” Twilight looked beyond pleased. She looked over to Marjoram, “Could he stay, too?” Marjoram sputtered, “Twilight, I-the morgue-” “Can be moved over here. From what I understand, it would be far easier to have a mortician out here, to provide for Ponyville, Cloudsdale, and many of the outlying villages, than having everypony come to Canterlot,” Celestia interjected, a soft smile playing on her lips. “Ugh! You're a mortician? Gross!” Rainbow gagged, wincing in disgust. Marjoram rolled his eyes, used to the reaction, “I suppose so, Princess. Twilight, you should come with me. You have to pack, and have to tell your parents.” Twilight's ears drooped, “I suppose so.” Rarity cleared her throat, “Can we please leave? This room's décor is horrible!” Marjoram rolled his eyes, and began to make his way down the stairs, noting that he felt cold once more.