Chapter 8
A Nightmarish Brawl
“We’re so sorry Crystal. If I had known this would happen I would have taken you home with us on the spot.” Naruto said as tears began to fall from his face. “I promise you I won’t make that mistake again. From this point on you’re a part of this family. I will happily take you as my daughter Crystal.” Naruto said as he put his cheek against Crystal’s and then hugged both of the girls he cared so much about now.
Crystal wanted to smile and scream out in joy but all that came were more tears, but not of fear but of great joy. She was so happy that she couldn’t help but cry. However the moment was short lived as Naruto heard something coming from where he had thrown Mara. He quickly pushed the two of them away as a large blast of energy hit him. Naruto was shot through a wall and almost went completely out into the open.
“NARUTO!” Luna cried out as her stallion lay on top of many rocks and looked to be bleeding. Luna and Crystal ran over to him as they saw him lying there motionless. Luna wanted to check if he was still breathing but she couldn’t move herself to do so. If he wasn't breathing than the last bit of hope she had would be gone and she wanted every bit of hope that she could muster.
“Oh did I hurt your precious stallion?” Mara asked as she came out of the smoke. Luna looked at her with rage filled eyes. Luna couldn’t believe how angry she was, there was only one other time she got this enraged. IT was a time she would rather forget but right now she couldn’t care less. “You know it’s funny I was worried I would never find you Princess Luna.”
Luna was a little confused at that point trying to figure out what the hell she was talking about. “What do you mean by that?” Luna snarled as she wanted nothing more than to tear this mare limb from limb. She could feel the darkness in her rising but she didn’t care if she had to she would use those powers to protect the ones she loved.
“I’d think a princess would realize that right off the back even after two months.” Mara smiled with a sinister grin that would have sent chills up any pony’s spine had they not been incredibly pissed like Luna.
Luna began to think upon what Mara said until it hit her. “You’re working for Shadow aren’t you?” Luna said in slight surprise. Mara’s smile just increased in length, if I didn’t know any better I would say she looked like the Cheshire Cat. “If that’s the case what does Crystal have anything to do with this?”
“Oh truthfully the only reason I work here is so that I can tie up some loose ends.” Mara said as she stood upon her hind legs which scared Luna slightly. “I am an assassin my dear princess. Unfortunately for you I have a reputation for not leaving any witnesses alive. I thought those two ponies that were in that forest would be easy prey but unfortunately for me they had a daughter with them that I never noticed until Ingrid got there.”
Ingrid was in the room now and was hearing everything that Mara was saying and almost threw up. Luna then put two and two together. She remembered the story that Ingrid told her. Luna turned to Crystal who was still trying to wake Naruto up. “Papa, no not again! I can’t lose papa again!” She cried which caused Luna’s eyes to widen.
“You’re the one aren’t you?” Mara looked at Luna a little confused. “You’re the one who took Crystal’s parents from this world aren’t you!” Luna cried out as she felt herself becoming lost in her rage.
“Well yes I guess that would be me now wouldn’t it.” Mara said as she laughed about it as though it were nothing. “Oh it was so enjoyable to hear their screams as I cut them up, oh even now it sends these fantastic shivers down my spines. Those cries for mercy as her husband couldn’t do anything after I had cut so deeply into his throat.”
Mara looked mad at this moment and I don't mean angry. Her eyes were wide and her smile reminded Luna of a psychopath they had to exile from Equestria after he tried to kill Celestia. Her expression reminded her of that horrid stallion. Maybe this was his wife at one point. Luna couldn’t believe how much she seemed to enjoy hurting Crystal.
“Oh but I must say when I was called upon by King Shadow I was most confused really. I wondered what he would have needed an assassin for.” Mara said as her madness seemed to end just like that. She then turned to Luna and looked at her with a glare that made Luna flinch slightly. “Oh I can see you’re scared Luna, one for your precious coltfriend there and of course there’s me. You don't know how strong I am, considering I took out a demon with one blast.”
Mara began to laugh hysterically as though all of this was a big joke. Luna didn’t find any of this funny whatsoever. Her coltfriend was lying in a heap of rubble behind her possibly dead and her now daughter was crying out for him hoping that he wasn't dead. “You’re a sick monster you know that Mara.” Luna said as she looked down her eyes covered in the shadows of her hair.
“I’ve been called worse from rats to be honest. But you see I was ordered or well paid to come and fetch you for King Shadow. Now I would love to go and do that but first things first getting rid of that little witness.” Mara said as she stepped towards Luna and Crystal.
Luna’s horn immediately lit up and her magic surrounded Mara and she threw her across the room. Luna turned to try and tell Crystal to run when she heard a despicable laughter coming from behind her. Luna turned her head slowly as the mare who had attacked her coltfriend rose up from where she had been slammed.
“Is that all the power you possess Princess of the Moon. Seems like my employer was right about you.” Luna didn’t know what she meant but faced her ready for a brawl.
“So what did Shadow say about me?” Luna snarled wanting to vomit just mentioning that pony’s name.
“Oh he said that ‘my sweet Nightmare Moon has gotten soft being with that pathetic excuse for a coltfriend.’ He then went on to say something like, once he’s out of the way taking Luna will be easy.” Mara said as she smiled joyfully. Luna just angrier the more she looked at this mare.
“I’ll have you know that I have not gotten soft in my time with Naruto and that I practice every day with my magic so that I might one day get to protect him.” Luna said looking back at Naruto who still hadn’t moved which was worrying Luna even more.
“I see you’re still worrying about that stallion of yours huh?” Luna was getting really irritated. She turned her head to face the mare that threatened her love and her new child only to find that she was right there in her face. “You should be worrying more about yourself.” Mara slammed her hoof into Luna’s jaw sending her onto the grounds a few yards away.
Luna quickly got up and tried to fire a spell only to be hit by one that Mara had fired in her direction. Luna was hit directly in the center as her shrieks of pain could be heard throughout Ponyville. Those in the town who had taken notice immediately worried that something was wrong. Twilight being one of them had went to grab all of her friends immediately.
Luna was barely able to stand at all. She had her horn glowing but she was weak. Mara was laughing so hard that it only further enraged Luna. She let loose a powerful blast of energy that not many unicorns could deflect but Mara just yawned as though it was nothing and placed up a ward that drained the magic right then and there. Luna was shocked that her spell couldn’t even get past a ward.
Mara just smiled again as she teleported in front of her doing what she did before. Slamming her hoof into Luna’s face sending away again only this time it was into a bookshelf that fell on top of her. Luna couldn’t move at that point, she was stuck underneath the shelf. “Oh my god this is the best Princess Luna has to offer Equestria no wonder Celestia thought she could take your precious Naruto. I mean you’re practically worthless as you are. You can’t do anything by yourself.”
Luna watched as she walked over to Crystal who stood in front of Naruto trying to protect him. Luna was in complete terror as she watched her new daughter and the stallion she loved more than the world facing off against something stronger than herself. “You stay away from my papa!” Crystal shouted as tears ran down her eyes.
“Oh and what’s the little rock going to do, cry me to death.” Mara snickered as she swatted Crystal away with the back of her hoof. She stood over Naruto drawing a knife. Luna had wide eyes as she watched Mara raise the blade over her head. “Luna how does it feel to watch as everything you love is taken away from you while you sit there doing nothing?”
Luna watched in horror as the blade came down onto Naruto’s side. Blood spouted from the impact. “No,” Luna whispered as tears were running down her eyes, “no, no, no, NOOOOOOOO!” At that very moment, in that exact millisecond she didn’t care what she had to do she was going to make this mare pay dearly for what she had done.
(Play Monster by Skillet this will sound a whole lot better, at least in my opinion)
Mara’s sinister laughter was cut short by a large geyser of dark energy shooting out from where Luna was. Suddenly the geyser became what looked like a hand and completely enveloped Luna. Mara was looking on in shock as waves of energy were being produced causing massive gust of wind to be produced.
“What is going on!” Mara cried as the dark energy that had enveloped Luna was beginning to grow in size. Then the orb burst out like something hitting the water’s surface straight down. Mara shielded her eyes as the dark light that came was brighter than any white light she had seen.
“It’s about time I got my turn.” The voice that came was slightly deeper than what Luna’s was. It was darker than normal. Mara’s eyes were wide trying to figure out what was happening at this moment. Suddenly she felt herself being grabbed by magic. She tried to counter it with her own but nothing happened. Her horn was glowing but nothing that Mara did worked.
What walked out of the smoke caused by the orbs eruption was something that made everypony who had gathered gasp in horror. Remedy and the Mane 6 had gotten there after hearing Luna’s shriek of pure terror and watched as She emerged from the area where Luna once lay.
From his castle in the Dark Forest, Shadow slammed his hooves on the ground leaving cracks in the ground. He was watching the whole thing from a crystal ball that he had kept hidden away from his father. It allowed him to see anyone or thing that he desired to see. His rage was no joke as all of the servants in his room were watching his anger rise to the top, even the massive apes that were around him were afraid that he might snap at them.
“NO!” He shouted slamming his hooves into the ground again. “She wasn't supposed to go to the darkness for him! She was supposed to go there when she came to me.” Shadow cursed a few words. He then began thinking that maybe this was better because now it would be easier for him to win her over. It’s not like she loved Naruto.
In Canterlot, Celestia was reading over some scrolls when suddenly she felt like something ripped her heart out as she screamed in agony. She fell to the floor clutching her chest. Her breathing was heavy as her eyes widened when she realized the cause of this. Her guards were already around her trying to ask of she was okay.
Celestia never gave them the chance as she had already spread her wings and was out the nearest window faster than you could say sunshine. Her worries were great. “How can she still be there?” She questioned out loud, “The Elements of Harmony should have destroyed her, but this is undoubtedly her. How can this be and more importantly…is Naruto safe?”
Remedy, with Carnac in tow, arrived on the scene with the mane 6 as well. They all watched as the figure from the smoke stepped a little more into the light and all of them gasped as every pony that had also followed were speechless. There, standing just beyond the smoke of the destroyed orphanage was a black coated alicorn. Her coat was as black as night and her eyes shined a bright teal color. Her pupils resembled that of snakes as most saw her as one. She had glowing cyan armor on and her sparkling and shining blue mane just as the stars. Standing before Mara was the bringer of the Eternal Night, Nightmare Moon.
Mara stood there in horror as the very definition of nightmare stood before her. Nightmare Moon took a few steps forward as she looked to her left and right. She could see that many ponies were seeing her and could tell and feel the fear emanating from their bodies. She could care less about them and looked down to where Mara was standing.
“How is that even possible?” Mara proclaimed completely shocked at the transformation. “The Elements of Harmony destroyed you!”
“Not entirely, I was able to leave a slight bit of myself within Luna.” Nightmare said as she glared at Mara. “I have been waiting within Luna for my chance to be free. Now I have that chance and—,” She stopped when her sight went down towards Naruto. Her eyes were wide with horror as she couldn’t believe what she saw.
Mara quickly put two and two together rather fast and grabbed Naruto by the neck and held the knife there with haste trying desperately to hold off Nightmare from attacking. Nightmare was only angered by this as her horn lit up. “Try anything and this stallion dies.” Nightmare’s horn’s glow didn’t fade as the knife soon lit up but instead of being thrown away it disappeared only to be brought in front of Nightmare herself.
Nightmare’s horn still glowing created a giant fist of pure magical energy and slammed it down onto the knife. Nightmare eyes shot right at Mara at that moment causing her to drop the stallion. “Step away from him or would you rather see me angry?” Nightmare asked threateningly. Mara slowly stepped away from Naruto who still remained unmoving as blood continued to roll down his side.
Crystal ran over to Naruto along with Nightmare in tow. “Mama what are we going to do?” Crystal seemed completely unfazed by Luna’s transformation into Nightmare Moon which actually had the dark alicorn smiling feeling a warm sensation in her chest.
“Don’t worry my sweet gemstone, he’ll be just fine.” Nightmare said in a calm and gentle voice. “Let mama see him for a second.” Crystal took a step back as Nightmare stepped closer to Naruto and saw that the wound wasn’t as bad as Luna had seemed. Nightmare Moon let a sigh of relief escape her lips as she began to work her magic on the wound healing it up as fast as she could. It wasn’t fatal but she wasn’t going to take chances.
Mara was scared out of her mind until a voice came into her head. “What do you think you’re doing?” The voice said in a sharp and dark tone. Her entire body froze with fear as it felt like something had grasped at her throat. “I didn’t hire you to stand there fearing your target.”
“But this is Nightmare Moon.” Mara said to herself as though she was arguing with herself. “Shadow this is the alicorn who was able to seal Celestia away.”
“It doesn’t matter, this Nightmare Moon is weaker than the original. She is still recovering from her battle against the elements. She’s only slightly stronger than Luna at this moment and we both know that you have more power than her.” The voice said almost desperately trying to get her to agree.
“How would you know? She could be holding her powers back at this moment for all you and I know.” Mara said as she looked at Nightmare Moon with disgust. She hated somepony being better than her and she hated the princesses for that. However through dark ways and rituals she had found ways of becoming stronger than them. So if what the voice was telling her is true than she should have a cake walk with Nightmare Moon.
“Then again you have a point. I wonder what her blood would taste like being corrupted by darkness that is.” Mara said as she licked her lips and smiled wider than even Pinkie Pie. “I want it right now.” Mara said as her eyes became wide as her eyes within white shrank to the size of small bits.
Nightmare looked over Naruto to make sure the knife didn’t leave any other kind of marks on his body. She saw none and that made her happy. She looked over to Crystal who still had tears in her eyes. Nightmare took one from the little filly’s eyes and felt anger running through her as she looked at it. “Hey there little one,” Nightmare said putting her armored hoof onto Crystal’s back, “papa is going to be okay I healed him. He’s all better now.”
Nightmare couldn’t believe this, from everything she heard about herself in Luna’s head she thought any pony would have screamed in fear. This filly though hugged her with such passion and need that all Nightmare could do was hug her back. This little filly made her feel warm inside as did just being near Naruto. She looked down at him and he still remained unmoving but his breathing seemed to be getting better. Yep dark magic powers help everything.
She also began to have a tear run down her face, the very first she has ever had actually. “So this is what it feels like to fear losing somepony.” She thought to herself as she wanted nothing more at that moment but to hold both Crystal and Naruto in her arms but she feared moving Naruto would only injure him. She just settled for her hoof caressing his right cheek. He felt warm, that was a good sign at least. It brought a smile to Nightmare’s face.
“Oh aren’t we having a moment now my sweet Nightmare?” Mara said her voice a little crazed at the moment. “I want to have some fun now, let’s see if you can entertain me. Oh how I want to see what you look like scared!” She smiled as her tongue left her mouth hanging out like a starved animal.
“Crystal, daughter,” Nightmare said placing the small filly down who looked terrified at the moment, “watch daddy alright. Mama has to deal with a disturbing mare right now.” Nightmare was about to use her magic when she heard a groan. Her head immediately turned looking at Naruto who began to move slightly.
“Ungh……….” Naruto groaned as his eyes began to open slightly .Nightmare quickly faced him hoping he didn’t have amnesia or anything. His gaze turned to his left and he saw a blurred mare. The blurred image to him looked a lot like Luna. “Luna?” He asked his vision still failing to help him.
“Naruto can you hear me.” Naruto was a little stunned by the way the voice sounded. It was slightly darker than it used to be and Naruto knew Luna’s voice very well. Naruto’s gaze opened further and the blurriness faded.
He looked upon a mare whose coat was darker than night itself and found himself about to panic as he had no clue to where Luna was. “Where’s Luna?” Naruto asked weakly trying to stand. Nightmare quickly put a hoof on his cheek causing a warm sensation to run through Naruto’s body. The same kind of sensation he had with Luna.
He looked into the snake like eyes of the mare and for a second thought he was looking at Luna. “Don't worry Naruto. You rest right now.” Nightmare said taking her hoof away from Naruto’s cheek. He wanted to reach for it and hold it but she drew it away before he had the chance.
“I am very happy that I finally get to meet you in the flesh as they say.” Nightmare smiled cheerfully, she was happy that she could finally see him with her own eyes and not through the eyes of Luna. Naruto saw the smile and for a second he thought that he saw Luna.
“Oh gag me why don’t you?” Mara said pretending that she had thrown up. Nightmare’s smile quickly became a frown. She turned to the mare with great anguish because this small mare didn’t really know who she was dealing with apparently.
“Oh please you can wait a few seconds; I haven’t gotten any time to spend with my coltfriend since we met.” Naruto had this confused face about him. He had no idea what this alicorn was talking about and furthermore where in Tartarus was Luna.
“Coltfriend? You?” Mara asked confused and then burst out laughing. “That’s so cute sweet Nightmare. I didn’t know one could have such feelings?” She said sarcastically only to further enrage the dark alicorn. “That dumbfounded stallion couldn’t tell the love of his life from a shadow if he wanted to.”
Nightmare slammed her hoof into the ground actually causing some cracks to form. “Do not speak of him like that!” Nightmare shouted shaking the building. Crystal was scared by this and scurried away until she was behind Naruto thinking that was the safest place. “Naruto is smarter than he appears and his heart is brighter than my own sister’s.”
Naruto couldn’t help but wonder why this mare was saying such things it wasn’t like he knew her or anything and why did she give him the same feelings that Luna gave him? It didn’t make any sense to him why a mare he didn’t even know would defend him in such a manner.
“I may not have been there for him out here in this world but I have always been with him by his side. I will not see somepony who would defend my life insulted in any way shape or fashion!” Nightmare’s mane began to flame up like it did when she faced off against Twilight and her friends.
“Oh looks like I hit a nerve there dear Nightmare.” Mara said acting like Nightmare’s threats were nothing but that. “I see somepony has fallen for a certain demon. It seems fitting you know, two demons falling for each other.”
Naruto looked to Mara then to the alicorn standing before him. “Demon? Her?” He thought, how could she be a demon when she was defending him. Naruto again was wondering who this mare was? He kept hearing Mara referring to her as Nightmare but he didn’t know what that meant off the top of his head. When he tried to think about it though he found his head punching him back as if to say no you can’t think about this you should know who this is.
“Do not call him a demon!” Nightmare snarled her anger really showing off now as the sky began to grow darker. Everypony was beginning to get worried that something terrible was going to happen. “He is no demon, he is the only pony in this world who gives an ounce of care for me.” A large crowd of ponies had gathered around now looking at Nightmare with confusion, at least those who heard that last statement.
Naruto didn’t understand what she meant. Naruto didn’t even know who this mare was and yet he felt this odd attraction to her. Again the same attraction he had for Luna but why? This mare wasn’t Luna at all. But for some reason Naruto wanted to jump up and hug the mare, “What in the wide world of Equestria is wrong with me!” he shouted within the confines of his mind.
“Oh poor, poor Nightmare. I can tell just by looking at the stallion he doesn’t even know who you are.” Mara said smiling almost mischievously as she made a motion as though she was pushing her playfully. “So sad really that the stallion you love oh so much somepony who you’ve only seen within the confines of another’s brain finds you a complete stranger. I must say it is a rather sad tale.”
Nightmare looked back to Naruto and could tell she was right which was almost like a blade to the heart but she nor Luna had ever really shown him what Nightmare Moon looked like. Naruto had never sought out her appearance or any interaction with the alicorn. It was almost like he avoided her, but she remembered what he said that one time to Luna that made her happier than ever.
“I also promised that no matter how much you change I will never fear you, even if you become Nightmare Moon again. I will always stay by your side and keep you safe.” And in that same day he sent Nightmare’s heart flying even further into loves embrace. “She could turn into Nightmare Moon right now and I would still hold her in my arms. I would never turn against her no matter what. I’d die before I hurt that mare!”
“I don’t care all I need to know is that he loves me. He may not know who I am right now but that can wait for after I’ve dealt with the likes of you.” Nightmare said as she got ready to fight spreading her legs ready to move at a moment’s notice.
“Oh are we going to fight now,” Mara said the thought of getting to taste this alicorn’s blood made her feel excited to the point that she felt waves of joy going through her body like electricity. “I can’t wait to taste your blood.”
“Oh and are we a vampire now Miss Mara?” Nightmare said her mane and tail flaring up literally. “If you think this is going to be an easy fight you are sorely mistaken foal.”
“No one calls me a foal!” Mara shouted her horn letting off a huge blast of magic. It resembled that of dark magic. Nightmare Moon didn’t move and Naruto was actually trying to get up to push the mare out of the way, for whatever reason he didn’t really know himself. However just as it was about to hit them Nightmare Moon simply swatted it away sending the blast towards the mountains.
Mara looked more shocked than when Nightmare emerged from the black thing that had transformed her from Luna to Nightmare Moon. Everypony else was shocked as well. They didn’t know Nightmare Moon could do that. “How is that possible? You should be weaker than me. Luna couldn’t even hold a simply spell to how can you swat my spell away like it were nothing but a volleyball?”
“Simple really you’re fighting somepony used to dark magic foal. I am not Luna first of all as you know and am twice as strong as she is at this moment. I am not even at full power and I am still slightly injured from my battle against the elements. Yet that spell had as much power as the purple mare had when she was a filly.” Nightmare criticized or more insulted. She was having fun with her and Naruto could tell.
“I said no pony calls me a foal!” Mara’s eyes showed nothing but malice and pure hatred for the alicorn standing in front of her. Nightmare unfurled her wings and headed for the sky. Mara felt that she was trying to get away and she enveloped herself with her own magic and flew after the Princess of the Eternal Night.
“Don’t you dare think you can escape me Nightmare!” Mara said sending five balls of magical energy Nightmare’s way.
Nightmare looked back seeing the orbs of magical energy and put up a force field around herself deflecting the orbs. She sent them to towards the mountains. Nightmare looked at the mare and sent her own blast of magic her way knocking the annoying mare down.
“WHAT!?” Shouted the mare as she was able to use magic to balance herself and stop herself from hitting the ground before impact. “How did she deflect them so easily?” She asked herself aloud. She couldn’t believe this was happening how could Nightmare be this strong?
“Foal, don’t you dare think just because I am injured that I am weak. Do you ever see an alicorn use her full power all at once?” Nightmare said making the mare look at her in disbelief. “I normally would use my full strength on a pony such as you but my coltfriend is in danger and I won’t allow my ponies to be harmed either.”
“Really now?” Mara said a devious grin dawned on her face. Nightmare eyes widened when Mara fired her orbs of magical energy at the crowd, specifically Remedy, Carnac and the main 6. Nightmare appeared in front of them firing her own magic to block them not only destroying them but going through them heading straight for Mara who was stunned in disbelief. But right before the orbs hit Mara was able to teleport down to the ground holding her chest with her hoof in fright.
Mara had never seen any pony break through her magic so easily before. Mara was giving it everything she had and this alicorn was treating her like she was a filly. “As long as I breathe no one shall harm these ponies!” Nightmare declared as her mane flared up shooting into the sky scaring a few ponies but the declaration she made actually stunned a few of them.
Naruto looked at her and again he felt like he was seeing Luna but he still had doubts and he still was wondering where she had gone off to. “Did Mara hurt her?” Naruto thought as the thoughts brought him to his hooves.
“Oh would you look at that,” Mara said pointing to Naruto. Nightmare followed her hoof and saw that it was indeed pointing towards her stallion and her eyes widened when she saw him trying to stand.
He was still in a great amount of pain but he wanted to stand. Crystal wrapped her small hooves around one of his legs getting him to stop his ascent.
“Papa, please don’t.” She said tears forming in her eyes. Naruto was about to respond when the tears actually began to come out of her eyes. “Mama said she would handle things.”
“Mama?” Naruto questioned as he then quickly looked up to the dark alicorn. Nightmare saw this and looked to him her eyes had this soft look to them. Naruto’s head was pounding still from the attack that Mara had launched at him only a few minutes ago. “What are you talking about Crystal? That’s not Luna.”
Nightmare’s head dropped slightly at this. “He doesn’t see it.” She whispered to herself. She heard Mara laughing maniacally and turned to her confusion raking at her body. “And what are we laughing at now?”
“Oh your pathetic excuse for a coltfriend.” Mara said pointing at him after composing herself and wiping a tear from her eye. Naruto looked at Mara confused why was Everypony here calling that alicorn his marefriend? “He’s such an idiot it’s almost pitiable. You have got to have the worst taste in stallions if this is the one you want to spend the rest of your life with. I mean, what kind of stallion forgets the mare he loves?”
Naruto’s felt angered at Mara. Naruto would never forget Luna but why was she saying all of that to the dark alicorn? Also, why did she keep calling her a nightmare? Naruto still didn’t see anything. “But I doubt he’ll ever learn so let me get rid of your problem for you.” Mara said as she summoned forth a large beam of magic heading straight for Naruto.
Nightmare didn’t have time to react and was only able to shout, “NARUTO!” Upon hearing his name called Naruto felt his memories of Luna spring forth at this name calling. He wasn’t the only one in the way of the blast though. Crystal was there next to him shaking like a leaf about to fall from a breeze. Naruto’s eyes turned red and his coat became blonde as he stood up with what strength this demonic power was giving him.
He threw all of his power into his hoof and shot it right at the beam of magic connecting it. There was what looked like friction as Naruto was fighting the magic as though it were another stallion trying to overtake him. Naruto cried out as he poured what remaining energy he had into his hoof and launched it upwards. The beam curved away from him and headed straight for the mountains.
Nightmare and Mara were both staring mouths dropped as they saw Naruto punch the beam of magic away. Nightmare was shocked that Naruto still had that much strength left in him. Mara was turning red from pure rage and fury. She was getting tired of all these ponies getting the better of her. Nightmare was about to face Mara who was fuming and mumbling to herself until Naruto fell onto his side again. Nightmare didn’t know what it was that controlled her but she found herself standing next to the fallen stallion with a heavy heart.
“Naruto?” She whispered putting a hoof onto his cheek again. His eye opened up and he looked at Nightmare a little different almost as though he was finally getting it. His colors were back to normal and his eyes were no longer red. Nightmare felt relieved that he didn’t lose himself like he did those times with Luna although she wondered if he heard her or Luna. The thought depressed Nightmare Moon greatly until she felt a hoof on hers.
Nightmare Moon’s head shot to look at Naruto her eyes wide. He tried to sit up and look at her better but Nightmare Moon placed her hoof on his side preventing him from turning. “Please don’t,” Naruto looked up to the dark alicorn and saw concern in her eyes, “don’t hurt yourself please I don’t want to see you get hurt again.”
Those words sounded like they came from Luna. Naruto could have sworn he heard Luna talking through this Nightmare but who was she and why did she remind Naruto of Luna. Naruto was on the verge of remembering when Mara lost it. “That’s it!” Mara said as her magic erupted around her causing large rocks to fire off in every direction. Nightmare quickly used her magic to surround the ponies and her love from the onslaught of Mara’s rage.
She was able to defend herself as Mara’s horn powered down stopping the seemingly endless barrage of stones and earth that were heading for them. Nightmare looked at her with an enraged stare, one that could rival Fluttershy’s. Mara’s face looked to be one who’s mind had snapped but not a smile but with an expression similar to that of a demons. Her head snapped in the direction of Nightmare Moon’s actually taking the mare by surprise.
“You all think that just because you have demon and nightmare powers that you’re all that don't you?” Mara sounded angry, but Naruto and Nightmare already found her to be mad. “Well let me tell you something Nightmare, you’re nothing but a washed up alicorn who couldn’t even defeat some puny ponies who carried around fashion accessories. Not only that but even now you’re supposed love is lying there and can’t even realize Luna’s been staring him right in the face this whole time.”
Naruto’s eyes widened when he heard this. He looked over to Nightmare as he knew the alicorn by no other name. “What do you mean by Luna’s been here the whole time?” Naruto with that dense brain of his and the fuzziness that had been given by Mara’s attack didn’t really help him connect the dots. “I don't see her anywhere!”
“I’m right here.” Nightmare Moon said dropping her head so that it was easier for Naruto to look into her eyes. Naruto stared deeply into them and right before he was about to see something his mind snapped on him giving him a shot of enormous pain. Nightmare knew there might be something wrong and quickly used her advanced magic to heal whatever it was healing Naruto’s head.
Naruto soon found it clear to think, he wished he could magic like that. “I hope that makes things a little clearer for you, Naruto.” Nightmare Moon said in a soft voice, or the softest voice she could produce. Naruto looked into her eyes and saw the hope within them and smiled at her.
“Oh gag me!” Mara said getting Nightmare to look at her with frustration. “Please Nightmare stop trying to get him to remember you.” Mara said trying to down her hopes even further.
Naruto’s eyes widened when he heard Mara call the alicorn Nightmare. “Nightmare as in…” Naruto was busy trying to put the pieces together when he heard Nightmare shout something he didn’t expect.
“So what if he never remembers my name. I don’t care if he never does. All I need is that one promise he made to himself and to Luna.” Naruto looked up at her with wide eyes, how could this alicorn know what he promised to Luna. “So Mara, ready to see who the strongest mare in this town really is?”
“Oh you read my mind Nightmare. Now let’s have some good old fashioned fun.” Mara said using her magic to levitate herself in the air. Nightmare Moon followed her with her dark feathered wings spread like an eagle’s eyeing its prey.
Mara didn’t waste any time letting Nightmare get set as she sent orbs of magical energy heading straight for the alicorn. Nightmare was caught off guard and was almost unable to dodge but regretted it immediately. She looked down to see Naruto and Crystal down there. On impulse Naruto grabbed Crystal and held her tightly making sure that the orbs would only hit him.
Nightmare’s horn lit up and a field surrounded Naruto and Crystal as the orbs hit it. Naruto could still feel the energy behind each explosion. He was glad that Nightmare was on his side but he knew he had heard that name somewhere before.
Nightmare glared up at Mara and fired off a beam of magic which Mara swiftly dodged moving herself to the right. However she didn’t see Nightmare move that way and found herself getting slugged in the face by an armored hoof. Mara was thrown about ten meters away before her magic gave her her balance back.
Mara felt something wet coming down her lips and wiped it with her hoof. Upon looking at it she cried out in horror. Nightmare was confused by this. “Blood, my blood!” Mara cried out as she trembled there in the air her entire being shaking. Nightmare could only deduce from what she was seeing that Mara wasn’t a fan of seeing her own blood.
“NO! This can’t be, from just one hoof to the face and you make me bleed.” Mara said her face was that of pure rage. She was grinding her teeth before her very magic erupted around her like Naruto’s demonic powers did. “You all think you’re better than me, just because you got a lucky shot. Well guess what,” She disappeared and reappeared in front of Nightmare, “You’re not!”
Mara landed her own hoof against Nightmare’s face sending her about ten meters back. Nightmare was impressed with how quickly she was able to produce that teleportation spell and into an attack. However, she grinned feeling nothing more than a tickle from that punch. Say it’s the helmet on her head or that she’s just so darn powerful, say what you will but to Nightmare Moon that was barely anything.
“You caught me off guard there Mara, I’m impressed that has only happened two other times. Once by my very own sister and the other by Naruto when he hit me.” Naruto looked up at the mare questioning what she had just said. “He was the first to make me feel this way and I am not going to let somepony like you ruin my one and only chance with him.”
“Chance with me? What does that mean?” Naruto thought to himself as he looked up at the battle about to ensue. “Crystal,” He looked down at his new adopted daughter who he cared for so dearly already, “What did you mean when you called Nightmare mama?”
“That’s mama, she changed. Black scary orb surrounded her and next thing I know, she bigger and darker. I don’t know what happened really, but she seemed really angry with Mara.” Crystal said frightened by the battle about to begin up above. Naruto couldn’t blame the young filly, she hadn’t seen things like this and the only other time had caused her to become so afraid that she didn’t let anyone else close until he and Luna came along.
“Wait a second,” Naruto’s mind seemed to start thinking a little better now that it was clear. “Nightmare said her one and only chance with me right, that’s sounds a lot like what Luna said back when I first met her, but Luna wasn’t as upfront about it. I still don’t know what this mare wants but it sounds like she wants me to love her like I would Luna.”
As Naruto was busy trying to put two and two together, Nightmare and Mara’s battle continued. Mara had just sent several spears of magical light at Nightmare who had batted them away as though they toothpicks. Nightmare was finding this to be boring as she charged her horn again getting ready for another blast with her horn. Mara saw this coming and teleported as quickly as she had before appearing in front of the dark alicorn.
Nightmare though was ready for this and threw a hoof up to black the swing coming to her left side. Nightmare grinned at this, “Is this really your full strength foal?” Mara looked up anther both angry an in a sense of disbelief. Nightmare’s grin faded to a frown at her disappointment. “Than this fight will be over before you know it.”
At that her horn stopped glowing and her hooves were surrounded with her magic. She slammed her hoof into Mara’s stomach causing a large cry of pain to come off the mare. She was thrown down to the ground but quickly got back up however Nightmare sent a blast of magic right at her that Mara was barely able to dodge. Mara threw three orbs of energy Nightmare’s way. Nightmare was busy charging up her horn to notice the three orbs as they made contact forcing Nightmare down to the ground.
Mara laughed feeling like she finally making some headway in this fight only to see the smirk on Nightmare’s face which only resulted in the heavy grinding of Mara’s teeth. “Stop mocking me!” Mara said as all of her magic was pulled into her horn at that moment. “I won’t lose to a second rate princess who can’t even withstand a stupid rainbow.”
“The Elements of Harmony are not to be underestimated little foal. Be grateful you are not facing me at full power or you wouldn’t be standing at this moment.” Nightmare said blankly as though she had better things to be doing than this. Which in her mind was true, she felt that she should be trying to get Naruto and herself closer to each other but with him not knowing who she was only furthered the cracks in her heart.
“I am not some pushover!” She declared letting all of her magic out at once. Nightmare didn’t see the amount of magic coming and couldn’t put her guard up and the blast enveloped her. The light ended and there lying on the ground was Nightmare Moon covered in scrapes and bruises from the attack.
“MAMA!” Crystal shouted at the top of her lungs.
Naruto could feel the concern within the little filly’s voice and felt this snag at his heart. It hurt so much that he actually cringed from it. “Why does this hurt? Why does seeing Nightmare hurt me as much as it does when Luna gets hurt?” His eyes shot open upon hearing his mind again. “Nightmare…Luna…no way.” Naruto finally got it, finally for the love of God because Celestia isn’t on my happy list. He looked at the fallen alicorn and saw it. He saw her, he saw Luna.
But this wasn’t Luna and he knew that, but he knew that was Luna. He knew finally the alicorn that had been attacked with such a ferocity of magic. His eyes widened in horror. “Now let us be rid of her for good.” Mara stated with an evil grin. Nightmare was slowly getting up when she felt the massive surge in magical energy and looked back over to Mara. “Like I said no pony will ever defeat me not even the likes of you Nightmare Moon.”
“I hope you use more energy in this blast because that last one barely harmed me. Sure my outer body may have some bruises I was only caught off guard by the sheer power you produced. Don’t think it will happen again.” Nightmare said as she summoned all of her energy into her horn.
They both shot forth large beams of magic at each other. Upon impact the shockwave sent out caused most to hold their ground. Others just stood there unaffected but that number was few. Twilight among those few was awe struck at the amount of magic being brought forth by both mares. She thought only the elements could bring forth such power.
Nightmare and Mara were now fighting a dominance battle. Each adding a little more power from their magic into their respective beams trying to gain the upper hand. From his dark castle, Shadow was getting rather annoyed by the lack of damage being done and decided that he should do something. His horn glowed and his smile turned sinister as he couldn’t wait for his new wife to be here.
Nightmare Moon suddenly felt something tugging at her hind legs. She wanted to turn back to see what it was but she couldn’t move her head or her magic would cease and she would be overcome by Mara’s magic. Naruto’s eyes were wide as he saw Nightmare’s very own shadow slowly moving up her leg. He knew what was happening but he couldn’t move his body, it was as if the pain had drained all of his energy.
Crystal’s eyes were wide with horror trying to figure out what was going on. Nightmare was beginning to lose her focus as the shadow had made its way up to her flanks where her cutie mark was now surrounded by the shadow. Naruto saw it though, the moon, (How he didn’t see it before is beyond my comprehension), the same moon cutie mark as Luna. That was all needed to see to know it was her.
Naruto could feel the demonic powers flowing through him as his body was surrounded by a bubbling red aura. Only one fox tail came out but it was all he needed. Naruto threw his hoof forward sending what looked like a claw hand and sent it straight for the shadow. He grabbed a hold of it somehow as it was halfway up Nightmare Moon’s body. Her eyes turned to see Naruto’s demon powers going off.
“SHADOW! If you can hear then let me tell you something.” Nightmare said as she had to stop Naruto before he hurt not only himself but anypony else. “I won’t let anypony take me from him. I don’t care what ponies say about him. He may be an idiot sometimes and he may have a brain the size of a squirrel’s but he is the only one allowed to hold me.”
Nightmare’s magic level increased at that point, “And that pony, that stallion is NARUTO!” She shouted as her body lit up the color of her blue magic as it eradicated the shadow trying to consume her and not only that but the last of that energy was sent into the beam which decimated Mara’s magical beam enveloping her with her magic.
Shadow was thrown back by the sheer amount of magic that Nightmare Moon had brought forth. His back hit a wall and he cried out in pain. “How,” he whispered trying to get back up, “how did she get so much power there? It’s impossible.” He quickly remembered Mara. Shadow hadn’t used his full strength with that spell but he felt that he wouldn’t be able to do something greater without killing her. So he had to settle for his assassin. (Who thinks of an assassin when they don’t want someone to die seriously, an assassin?)
Back on the field Nightmare was huffing and puffing as she heard Crystal crying her way to her. Nightmare turned her head to see the little filly jump into her arms. “Mama, I was so scared. I thought that icky black thing was going to take you away.” She tried to say some other thing but they were muffled by her tears and her wailing. Nightmare only held the small filly closer.
“So this is what it’s like to feel like a mother?” Nightmare thought as she smiled to herself. “It’s alright my little moon gem everything is going to be alright now.” Crystal was still crying but she was happy, happy that the ones she now called her parents were okay.
Nightmare then remembered Naruto and quickly turned to see him struggling to get up. She unfurled her wings and dashed over to Naruto holding Crystal tighter so that she wouldn’t be hurt by the sudden winds. “Naruto what are you thinking?” Nightmare began to scold. Naruto looked up to her and smiled, “Why are you smiling you idiot, you’re in pain and shouldn’t be moving so much.”
“I can’t teleport or fly, how else am I supposed to get over to my marefriend?” Naruto said making Nightmare Moon’s eyes widen.
“Does he finally remember?” She asked herself within the safety of her mind. “Does he finally know who I am?” Nightmare felt like she was going to jump up and down but held herself back because she didn’t want to look like an idiot.
“It’s good to see you’re alright Luna.” Nightmare felt her heart shatter at those words.
“He doesn’t remember who I am.” Nightmare thought as her eyes closed trying hard to hold tears back. “I guess I don’t mean that much to him. All he sees is Luna and not me.” She felt torn and was about to fly away when Naruto spoke up again.
“And I’m happy to finally meet you,” Nightmare’s eyes widened as she shot up looking at Naruto dead on, “Nightmare Moon.” He said making her first tear fall.
“Naru—” She stopped halfway as Naruto had lunged at her wrapping his front hooves around her. Her eyes were as wide and as dilated as they could get. She turned her head so that she could see that this was actually happening, he was hugging her. “Naruto?”
“I’m so sorry Nightmare Moon. I’m so sorry.” He said as Nightmare then had a face of confusion. “I have to be the biggest idiot in the whole world. I’m so sorry I didn’t see it before.”
“Naruto it’s not your fault I should have just told you right away who I was.” Nightmare said, realizing that not once throughout that fight against Mara her full name hadn’t been said. But that didn’t really make sense, because the only pony anypony knew about named Nightmare was Nightmare Moon herself.
“No it is my fault because I should have seen who you were from the very beginning.” He said pulling away so he could look into her eyes. “I knew Luna could turn into you but I didn’t believe it, I thought you weren’t real.”
“What?” She said with wide eyes slightly hurt by the words that had left the stallion’s tongue.
“I thought they were all saying meant to get me away from Luna. I thought that you were some imagined being meant to scare others away from my mare.” Naruto didn’t like saying things like that but he wanted it to be known now that many ponies were present. Luna wasn’t his property but while they were together she was his mare no one had any say in that but she herself. “But now you are real, you’re standing in front of me and I can say with utmost certainty that everything they all said about you is false.”
“What do you mean by that Naruto?” Nightmare asked looking at him confused with saddened eyes. She didn’t understand how Naruto could have thought that about her.
“I don’t see why everypony thought you were evil because all I saw was a mare with a pure heart.” Naruto said placing a hoof on her cheek. His smiled warmed Nightmare’s heart.
“How can you say that when I was the greatest threat that Equestria has ever seen?” Nightmare asked feeling even more confused. How can Naruto even say that? She was the one who to bring eternal night just because of bare jealousy how could he possibly say this about her?
“It’s because you’re my marefriend.” Nightmare’s eyes widened when she looked into Naruto’s at that point. “I know for a fact that you may be upset and I don’t blame you. You probably think I shouldn’t be holding you in these hooves don’t you.” Nightmare only nodded at this. She was a little scared because he might let go and she didn’t want him to. She had wanted this for too long.
“Naru—,” Suddenly Naruto wrapped his hooves around her and brought her into an embrace. “Naruto?” She asked in disbelief
“I swore that if Luna ever turned into you I would still hold you in my arms. I wasn’t lying Nightmare Moon.” Naruto whispered making Nightmare tear up at this point.
Celestia had just arrived to witness what she thought was taboo. Naruto, her crush, in the arms of her corrupted sister. She was about to rush them when she saw tears coming down Nightmare Moon’s eyes. She watched as Naruto stroked through her mane and across her back. She felt a little jealous but the way her sister looked, even though she was corrupted, was actually surprising. She seemed happy with a sense of disbelief. Celestia also couldn’t resist the giggle she got from the bright blush on Nightmare Moon’s face.
“Naruto.” Was all she could say as she wrapped her own hooves around Naruto and squeezed as tightly as she could. Although the hug sent several shots of pain through Naruto’s body he let her have this. She needed this now, she needed to know that this wasn’t some dream she was having inside of Luna’s head. She needed to know that he was real and not some fake imagination.
She cried harder than she had ever before. There was only one other time Nightmare cried, it was when she was banished to the moon by her own sister. She felt broken that she was defeated to easily. But that time she was hurt, this time she was happier than that time she sealed away her sister in revenge for what she did to her all those years ago.
“It’s alright Nightmare, everything is going to be okay now.” Naruto said whispering into her ear. Her tears were causing his coat to become sticky but he didn’t really matter. He was happy to finally meet her, and he regretted not really trying to learn about her.
Nightmare was also regretting things the fact that she judged him so poorly. Naruto’s not that good when it comes to thinking so getting hit with an enormous amount of magic was going to make it harder for him especially since he was hit square in the face. She regretted that she doubted him.
“I’m so sorry Naruto.” She whispered loud enough for Naruto to hear. Naruto looked at her a little surprised that she would be apologizing. However he smiled at this felling glad that this all happened. Although, he could have gone without getting stabbed in his side. That pain was still there but he fought through it to keep the smile that he had for Nightmare.
Mara felt all the pain come to her at once and cried out getting the attention of Naruto who was busy trying to comfort his marefriend. Whether Nightmare Moon knew that or not he would tell her later. Crystal jumped onto Naruto’s face surprising him a bit and then she fell down only to be caught in both Nightmare Moon and Naruto’s hooves. They looked at each other and smiled, they both knew that Mara was down for the count, so they ignored Mara completely.
Shadow back in his castle was furious at how easily he was stopped; then again he had underestimated the alicorn’s power. He looked through his crystal ball down at his assassin who could barely lift a hoof much less a knife. “Come on I didn’t pay you to get beat get up!” He ordered through her mind.
“If you haven’t noticed I was practically blasted to Tartarus and you expect me to get up. I can barely feel my own brain working.” Mara retorted getting frustrated with him now. Shadow just looked away from his crystal ball wondering if Mara’s brain was even functioning.
“Fine if you’re going to complain then I guess I have no choice.” Mara’s eyes widened, was she about to die and by her own employer’s hooves. “I’ll give you some of my power.” Those words brought a shocked look to the unicorn’s face.
“You can do that?” She asked in disbelief. She didn’t think that anypony could share magic no matter how powerful they were.
“Of course and this you might call incentive for getting me my soon to be bride.” Shadow said from inside his castle as his horn glowed with a black aura, a deeper black than anypony has seen mind you. He raised his hoof and placed it on the crystal ball. As if by magic his shadow magic had been sent through the ball and had appeared around Mara.
She tried to scream as the powers were going into her only she couldn’t utter a sound as the power entered through her mouth and nose. She was twitching as the powers were beginning to fill her body. She felt all of her pain end there, and her coat had grown incredibly dark from the transfer of magic. She stood up and smiled wide. The power she felt was nothing like she could even hope to dream of attaining without becoming an alicorn.
“Now I believe you have a mare to catch.” Shadow said smiling at his work. He hadn’t done this before but he enjoyed watching those who entered his shadowy “embrace” as he liked to call it. Although Mara had been his first this was definitely going to be interesting just as long as she didn’t send Naruto into one of his demon periods that would likely get her killed.
Mara just broke out into a fit of uncontrollable laughter that caught the attention of Naruto and Nightmare Moon. They looked at her as though she was crazy. “I think she finally lost what was left of her mind.” Nightmare Moon said feeling that she would have to fight again. Her magic had been regenerating but at the moment she had as much power as she had released when she blew back Shadow’s shadow magic and Mara’s magic so she wasn’t in any real danger.
“Oh Nightmare, have you seen yourself lately?” Mara asked as she looked over to her with a psychotic smile. “Because you’re going to need a surgeon when I’m done with you.” She said as her horn lit up with a darker shade of red. Nightmare didn’t understand what was going on but was getting annoyed by this mare and her persistence.
“Naruto stay right here okay.” Nightmare said to Naruto as she placed a hoof on his cheek. She was almost pleading but she didn’t want any of these ponies seeing her like that, not yet anyways. Sure she had just shown emotion towards Naruto but she had been holding it in for so long you can’t blame her for letting her emotions getting the better of her. Can you?
Naruto just nodded as they slowly put Crystal down. “You stay here and keep put. Alright my little one? When I’m done we can all go home and have fun okay?” Crystal’s small tail wagged at this. Nightmare Moon found it cute it’s just she didn’t know the first thing about fun considering her entire life had been focused on getting revenge on her sister.
Nightmare flew above Mara almost in a taunting manner. “I’ll give this one chance foal, turn around now and go crawl under whatever rock you came out from under before I send you to the plains of Tartarus myself.” Nightmare threatened as her horn glowed getting ready for what she believed would be a pointless fight.
“Oh but I believe that this fight my dear Nightmare will be much different.” Mara said as her shadow began to expand which actually confused Nightmare Moon a bit. Mara was listening to all the voices in her head that were telling her how to use this magic.
“Impressive.” Was all that Shadow could say. He hadn’t thought she would get so comfortable right away. But then again she had already lost her mind and her soul was already claimed by darkness so seeing her get the hang of the magic so easily wasn’t all that surprising to him. But he did have to wonder why she looked at his mare with such a lust for blood.
Nightmare shot her magic at Mara only to have it blocked by a black wall. Nightmare eyes widened with shock. “Where in Euestria did that come from?” She wondered as the wall fell down to its source, Mara’s shadow.
“Like it?” Mara asked a grin on her face. Nightmare wanted to smack it right off. “Seems Shadow really wants you Nightmare Moon. It looks like he’s so desperate that he gave me some of his power. Normally something like this would have taken years to get used to for a normal pony but as you can tell I am no normal pony.” Mara said as her shadow erupted from beneath becoming was looked to be eight tentacles similar to an octopus fighting something on dry land.
Nightmare looked at them with hints of fear in her eyes. Naruto looked at Mara in horror then he slammed his hoof down which backfired sending pain throughout his body. He didn’t let it come out though as he knew this wasn’t going to be good. Right now though, he was cursing Shadow’s name in his head so not to give any new words to his daughter to his right.
She looked horrified at what she was seeing. He imagined what Mara did to her family and could only guess this was the same look she had on when she saw her parents get murdered. This sent a rage through Naruto that you wouldn’t believe.
Suddenly he heard Nightmare cry out from above and noticed that she was being attacked by the various tentacles that Mara had outstretched from her shadow. “Oh this is too fun my dear Nightmare Moon. Oh what can I do to make this more fun? “She actually began to think of ways she could find more enjoyment in her dismay.
Nightmare hadn’t seen the tentacles, they were much faster than she gave them credit for and wasn’t able to dodge in time. She floated there as she used a teleportation spell to escape the barrage of hits the tentacles were giving her. She felt something trickle down her chin and wiped her hoof against it. Blood, her blood. Nightmare wasn’t like Mara in the sense that she would voice her anger so greatly that everypony thought she was crazy.
“Mara I think I’m going to end this so I don’t have to hurt you anymore.” Nightmare charged all of her magic into her horn. Mara just looked at her with intrigue wondering how much power she was going to let loose this time. Nightmare shot her beam of magic at Mara which enveloped her body again.
Naruto watched knowing there was no way that Mara could have survived two of those blasts of magic. He felt that this horrible experience was finally over, that Crystal was finally going to be given the justice that she deserved. When the magic beam faded away smoke was all that remained. HE sighed in relief because he knew now that she couldn’t be alive.
Nightmare felt good about doing that. She felt that horrid foal had finally been taken care of. She landed softly on the ground and spat in the direction of Mara. She turned and headed over to Naruto and Crystal who were both happy to see that ended quickly.
“Oh is that it my dear Nightmare?” Nightmare stopped in her tracks and Naruto and Crystal also had both of their smiles stolen from them. All three of them looked to the smoke as it was blown away by a mere swipe from the shadow tentacles. “I must say if that’s all you can bring out then this isn’t going to be as fun as I thought it would be.”
Suddenly all of the shadow tentacles came together and formed a giant black claw. It shot straight at Nightmare Moon who wasn’t even able to unfurl her wings in time to dodge the attack as she was launched away. “MAMA!” Crystal cried out as Naruto was still in shock at what just happened.
Nightmare felt pain rake her body but Mara wasn’t done with her as the claw slammed down on top of her. Naruto snapped back to reality as he heard Nightmare’s scream. He turned his head to watch being torn from the gorund by the claw and launched into the air.
“Ooo this is just too much fun!” Mara said as her smile widened to the ends of her ears. She then had her shadow wrap around Nightmare tighter causing her to scream again. “Yes, SCREAM! SCREAM you insufferable princess. I want to hear more, I want to hear more suffering! I want to watch you bleed!”
She began slamming her into the ground several times. It wasn’t that fast with how long the shadow was itself. However each time Naruto felt himself getting angrier. She finally stopped after slamming her down into the dirt ten times. Naruto was steaming anger from his ears. Crystal wasn’t taking this as she ran forward. Naruto reached out trying to grab her but the pain in his body had him pulling back immediately and he then cursed his body.
Mara brought Nightmare in front of her and looked at her with fiendish eyes. “So,” She said seeing the blood dripping from Nightmare’s lips and legs, “how does it feel to have your body crushed? How does it feel to be humiliated? I know it sucks because I am not just going to embarrass you I am going to make you wish you had just come with me quietly and let me kill that little filly.”
Nightmare Moon spat in her face and smiled. Mara had this face of shock and horror like Rarity gets when a single splash of mud gets on her dresses. “I will never leave him or her. I will never let anypony hurt my new daughter.” Nightmare said as her smile grew larger as she looked over to Naruto with only one eye open at this point.
Mara roared out as she threw Nightmare over to where Naruto and Crystal were. Naruto crawled over to her with what little strength he had left. Crystal was already over to her new mother crying the entire time. Naruto finally reached her as Mara watched with a sickening smile.
“Nightmare Moon, please be okay.” He whispered putting his hoof to her cheek. She opened her one good eye as she tried to laugh off the pain which only worried Naruto even more.
“Sorry Naruto it looks like I can’t protect you after all.” Nightmare said feeling destroyed on the inside. Naruto shook his head and brought her face up to look at his.
“You did protect me enough. And you don’t have to because nothing is going to change just because you can’t protect me. You’ll always be by my side no matter what.” Nightmare Moon smiled happily at this before she was grabbed again by the shadow.
“Oh gag me. How can you possibly feel anything for a stallion that is so stupid. I mean he didn’t even recognize you and what’s worse is that he thought you weren’t real.” Mara said trying to break down Nightmare’s heart any way she could. She was in pain, she should be terrified not smiling with her supposed coltfriend.
“He pretty much denounced you were even alive.” She said bringing Nightmare inches from her face. “You are either the dumbest mare in history or you have just fallen that hard for him you can’t get back up.”
“Both are wrong you idiot mare.” Nightmare said as she stared deeply into her eyes as if trying to tell her something through them. “I am not dumb at all, in fact, you have to be the most oblivious pony of all.”
Naruto stared over at Nightmare Moon wondering what she meant. “For so long I have wanted to get some appreciation from the ponies here. All I wanted was a little notice. But something changed that I guess you could say. I or well Luna met him.” Nightmare Moon looked at Naruto and made him blush brightly. “He made both of us feel something we haven’t felt since ether of us were brought into this world.”
“Blah Blah Blah. No one cares how realized things.” Mara said waiving her hoof around annoyed by Nightmare’s stalling, at least to her it was. “Get to the damn point or I can just end this now.”
“Well then if you’re wondering why I don’t care for that fact it’s because for five straight months since Luna met him, since I first saw him through Luna’s eyes I knew for a fact what I felt only it took his words to help me find the truth.” Nightmare said as she closed her only good eye as she prepared for something no one expected. “I am in love with that stallion.”
Everypony was silent upon hearing such words from a mare that was so feared. She found love? Mara’s mouth was agape not from the shock; she knew full well that Nightmare Moon had feelings for the stallion. She just didn’t expect her to confess right here. Naruto must have been the most surprised that she confessed. It took Luna three months to do that and here Nightmare Moon was confessing something like that. Now he understood why his heart was racing to during the times he wasn’t sure who she was.
His heart was telling him his love was right in front of him. He smiled only to have it taken by her own screams as the shadow around her seemed to be trying to squeeze the life out of her. “As touching as that sounds I hate you and I want to see you broken.” She increased the tension of her grip around Nightmare’s body with her shadow magic.
“Leave my mama alone you big stupid meanie!” Crystal shouted getting the annoyed mare’s attention.
“Oh right you.” She mumbled irritated that the small filly still breathed. Then she got as great idea, to her that is. (I do not approve of this at all). Another shadow claw shot out from the original smaller than the other but still grabbed ahold of Crystal. Crystal screamed as loudly as she could as everypony watched helplessly as the little mare was lined up next to her new mother.
“Let my daughter go this instant.” Nightmare Moon declared, Naruto was trying to speak but his fear was taking his words from him. They were both in the clutches of a mad mare and he was too weak to even stand on his legs. Where were his demon powers when he needed them most?
“Um…let me think abou—No!” Mara said grinning again that sinister way that made Nightmare grind her teeth. Had she had her full power she would have unleashed all of it then and there in one final burst if needed. Mara turned her gaze over to Crystal and it went from cynical to downright terrifying actually halting all the tears that Crystal held in her eyes and the words lodged in her throat.
“And for you, you’ve been quite the little trouble for me. A simple job turned into a nightmare for me. You know what I think would be nice?” Mara said slamming the two shadow claws together putting Crystal and nightmare’s heads side by side. Nightmare looked at her new daughter with concern. “To watch both of you suffocate right here and now!”
The shadow around them shot forth just like what happened to Luna only this one was going to kill. Nightmare Moon looked toward Naruto as everything became slow. Crystal cried out for Naruto as Nightmare summoned what was left of her strength to try and free herself and Crystal. Mara stood there a psychotic and sick grin pasted on her face from ear to ear was the only thing keeping the others watching the horror at bay.
Nightmare shot out of the shadow using what little strength she had and grabbed ahold of Crystal. The shadow still clung to her though. Naruto was now running to them. He didn’t know where the energy came from all he knew was his powers were finally coming just in the nick of time. He grabbed a hoof of them both trying his hardest to pull them free of the shadow.
“Nightmare, Crystal don’t you dare let go!” Naruto said pulling with all his might as Mara was trying to pull them back into her shadowy embrace. Naruto was pulling with as much strength as his demon powers were giving him to the point where his coat had actually changed color and his eyes were a deep red. His teeth had become sharper now.
Mara although she was pulling back rather roughly could feel the intensity of Naruto’s strength. She was shocked to see that an earth pony could wield so much strength after dealing with an attack that she had delivered herself. This made her angry and pulled harder. Naruto felt the force that Mara was giving and puled harder. Nightmare Moon was feeling great pain as was Crystal but they were both focusing on one thing. Holding onto his hooves as best they could. Crystal was using both while Nightmare was only able to hold with one hoof.
Naruto could feel the shadows being ripped off from their bodies and pulled harder pleading with whatever demon lie within to lend him more strength. It provided almost immediately allowing him to pull them further out. Both Nightmare and Crystal smiled feeling barely any of the dark magic holding them anymore. They finally saw a shining hope that they would break free. Suddenly though Mara began to laugh out loud making the three of them look at her.
“Oh this was just too much fun.” Naruto’s eyes were filled with anger as he wanted to let the two go and rush her. He hated that voice and he hated this mare with every fiber of his being. Mara merely just waved her hoof in the air as if to gesture something to get a move on and her shadow erupted forth bringing several tentacles. Naruto watched helplessly as both Nightmare Moon and Crystal were being wrapped up by the shadow again.
One of the tentacles slapped him away sending him several yards away as he skidded through the dirt leaving a trail. Both Nightmare and Crystal were fighting to keep their heads out of the shadows’ embrace but to no avail. “You know as much as I love hearing your screams of fright and terror.” She said with an annoyed and irritated expression. “I’d rather just silence you now.” She said as the shadows appeared like Venus fly traps’ mouths ready to clamp.
“PAPA—!” That was the only thing that got out before the shadow clamped down silencing her.
Nightmare looked over at the horror but not before witnessing herself about to suffer the same fate. She looked at Naruto one more time, “NARU—,” it was cut short just like Crystal’s as Naruto saw both of his girls taken from him. He stood frozen as his powers seemed to want a release but without his mind comprehending everything it was finding a hard time in doing so.
“Oh yes that’s better much better.” Mara said taking the silence as death’s words. She loved its sound, but preferred the sounds of others screaming for their lives. It just had this sort of harmony with her ears that made her want to dance. She widened her eyes and the shadows holding Crystal and Nightmare Moon began to compress causing great pressure on their bodies. Had they not been in the shadows their screams would have been heard throughout Equestria.
Naruto wasn’t as lucky as he heard their cries through the shadow actually making it harder for him to keep sane. Everything in this world he loved so dearly was about to die and he couldn’t do a thing to stop it. Naruto felt a little more power come and rushed at Mara. Mara giggled finding his attempt amusing as she flicked one of her hooves making Naruto’s own shadow grabbed him and held him there in place.
Naruto felt useless, she was too strong and there was nothing he could do right now. He felt the demon within him wanting control but he couldn’t let it have that. When he saved her this time he didn’t want to have any tails on him. “You are so pathetic. I can’t believe that Shadow was actually worried about you.” Marta mocked feeling this was too easy. “You’re a pushover. I can’t wait to see your face when the two things you love so much die.”
Naruto’s eyes widened when he heard those words. Sure there were times when he thought Luna might be dead but he always knew she wasn’t. However now this mare comes around and could possibly be the thing that destroys her and not just Luna, but also Crystal and Nightmare Moon.
“What do you think you’re doing?” Mara then stopped and seemed to be frozen in fear. The voice rang with that of a dragon’s roar, the only thing that Mara feared in this world. “I told you not to kill Nightmare Moon!” His voice almost caused her to actually fall.
“I wasn’t,” Mara said frightened, sure she could talk back to him but when he got like this the last time was when Mara felt pure fear for the first time. “I was just making it easier to bring her back to you after all you said I could kill the little filly, I mean it’s not like Nightmare Moon’s going to blame you for that.”
Shadow, within the confines of his castle felt himself shocked at her words. Nightmare declared Crystal to be her daughter which meant, if she died by her orders he would never hear the end of it from her and his hopes at getting his mare would be crushed. At least until they had a filly of their own. He smiled at that but his mind brought him back to reality.
“Release them Mara!” Shadow ordered getting a confused expression from Mara.
“Them?” Mara restated softly until it hit her, “THEM!” She shouted getting the attention of Naruto again. “What do you mean by them? We had a deal you get your mare and I get to kill the filly. What happened?” She said her anger actually causing the shadows to grip harder.”
“STOP THAT!” His voice almost broke her ear in half. She stopped as the tension she had been doing on the two shadows were now only barely hurting them but still slightly crushing them.
“I need that little filly in order for Nightmare and I to be one.” Mara was about to interject when Shadow spoke up again. “I’ll triple your pay if you do this call it incentive, double for bringing the filly to me and triple because you couldn’t kill anything today.”
“You swear on the shadows’ embrace?” Mara asked feeling that was the right choice of words to use in this situation.
“How did she know I can’t break a promise upon the swear of the shadow’s embrace? Damn her!” He exclaimed in his head as the thoughts for how to destroy her later were coming into view. However, instead he sighed feeling slightly defeated. “Very well, on the Shadow’s embrace I swear you’ll get your pay.”
“Okay then we have a deal…again.” She said releasing them from her shadowy embrace. The two of them fell down to the ground. Naruto’s eyes watched in horror as this happened, their bodies were bruised beyond belief. His body was trembling so badly he thought he was going to explode.
“Are you sure they’re still alive?” Shadow asked Mara who merely giggled at this.
“Of course they are silly.” She said giggling again. Shadow blushed because he felt slightly played there. “They’re barely breathing, to anypony else they’ll look dead, though.” Shadow’s blush left as his face became horrified.
“Grab them and run now!” Shadow ordered fear riding his voice like that of a scared commander in battle.
“Why that Naruto can’t do anything to me while I am holding him down.” Mara said until she felt the air around her become stale. “What in the name of Tartarus.” She turned to Naruto to see the earth around him being pulled up. “What in the name of…”
Naruto wasn’t even looking at her though. His eyes were focused on the two supposed dead corpses lying at her hooves. At that one moment he didn’t care what happened because only one thought was going across his mind at this point.
KILL!