It was midday in Canterlot as princesses Luna and Celestia sat awaiting the arrival of the adventurer Daring Doo. They had received a letter telling how the young mare had fallen to some form of course and should not wake or release the artifacts that cosed her ailment. So she was to be brought before them to see for themselves.
"Princesses we have arrived with miss Doo." A guard said as two more came in laying the sleeping pegsus down before them. Daring lay there fitfully squirming in her sleep her coat socked in sweat and between her hooves was a staff made of black metal and a ice blue gem set to look like a slit eye mounted on its top.
"Oh no.... not that item." Luna mumbled with a haunted look.
Celestia looked to her sister. "What is it Lulu?"
Luna sighed looking on the verge of tears. "this staff was created when... I was her... and I had a servant hid it away..... I was afraid and now a mare, No less then the one Daring Do.... found it.. and is being tormented.... I have t end it."
"What is it exactly sister?"
"its meant to spread Nightmaes if I or.. her was wielding it... but if a different mare grabbed it and is not the owner the safety mechanism will send the user into a nightmare state... I must save her..... while i'm in take her to the infirmary to keep her in good condition..." Lune uses a magic to dive into the dream world.
Tia gave a small sigh as she picked up her sister and the yellow mare. "Good luck Luna."
When Luna awoke she found herself laying on the ground just outside a small lantern lit village among the fog. Sitting up Luna hears a scream from the village.
Luna light her horn to form a camouflage but to her surprise her magic only lightly changed her color. With a small grumble she moved closer to the village. Now closed lune found something that made her fur stand on end. A stallion with no head and a bloody axe held by his side stood before a beheaded mare.
"You Fiend.. this mare deserved no treatement as such.... identify" Luna called.
The headless stallion simply turned to Luna raising his axe.
"Run miss!" Came a young fillys voice called as Luna saw a vary young copy of Daring Doo poke her had out from one of the buildings.
"Daring?" Luna called before tuning into a small stream of smoke and reappearing next to the filly.
Daring let out a small squeal before remembering where she was. The filly slammed the door and began poring salt along the door. "Where did you come from miss..." She asked as Luna looked her over. Daring appeared to be a filly a bit younger than the CMC and oddly sporting a slightly thick diaper and oversized hat.
"Daring it is I, princesses Luna here to rescue you!" Luna said.
Daring tilted her head. "Uh miss you aren't Luna... I mean you got her colors but the princesses have horns AND wings."
Luna looked herself over seeing her wings where missing and sighed. "Understand that I am.. But know that i'm here to help you..... but.. what happened to you?"
Daring sighed and looked back at her padded flank. "I don't know one moment I was in a temple the next I'm back to being a filly who can't hold her bladder... Oh and on top of that we are trapped in a village being attached back the headless horse!"
"the headless horse? that old filly tale?... dont' worry little one I'll help you... looks outward How in eqeustria are you like this though?" Luna said as Daring waved her off. "Well he's not a fillys tail... He killed the mare out there for trying to help me."
"strange.... if my rod creates nightmares to a point to the host's existing nightmare... why did it pick the headless horsemen for you?"
The filly looked away hiding her eyes under her helmet. "H-how should I know... What's important is that he's not all we have to worry about... There's also the Shadow Mare guarding the town and picking any who head into the dark."
Luna looked down at the filly. "Not to worry I can get us out of here but... I must know, Daring what is it in this dream that you are afraid of?"
Daring turned away from Luna and mumbled a reply. "I don't know what you mean... I'm not afraid of anything but what's normal here... Fear of dieing if the headless horse catches me."
"Daring.. this is a nightmare based on your worst fears... I would know now, tell me you have another fear?" Luna asked picking up daring to hold her and try calming her.
"H-hay put me down!" Daring squealed in her adorable little voice as she squirmed.
Luna gave a giggle. "calm down little one, you are a rambunctious one besides... is that anyway to act in front of a princess?"
The small filly let our a small whine blushing and struggling less. "N-no..." As she stopped fighting a faint hiss met there ears as Daring squealed covering the front of her diaper with a now complete red face. "Hay no not now... In front of a p-princess!" She all but begged as the diaper became more and more yellow.
"Hmm... this nightmare it shouldn't be that bad, as I am merciful. there should be a nursery somewhere... perhaps a safe haven for a bit... you do know where it is?"
"Daring nodded her hat sliding over her face. "Ya I know where it is... There's a Nursery that I woke up in here... It's upstairs. That's why I fortified this place as best I could... So I had the supplys."
luna nodded. " alright lets get you changed." She puts the filly on her back as she walks up stairs and seeing a humble little nursery. "My this is a rather cute safe haven... Ah but lets get you cleaned up. She cooed laying Daring down on a table. "perhaps you can tell me about yourself daring... to keep your mind at ease."
"Um... There's not all that much to tell... I'm an adventure, treasurer hunter, and a writer." The filly said wile trying to distract herself with a plush toy on the changing table shaped shaped much like her nimasis.
Luna layed her down in a fresh diaper before powering the fillys tush. "Hmm... what about your family?"
"Oh... Um there's not much to say... My mom passed bringing me into this world and dad died when I was... Well around this age." Daring said nodding to her filly form.
"Oh my and you had no family? So... you weren't taught much were you?"
"N-no it was fine... I had all the money that was left for me in there will... And I put myself threw school and college before I found my calling as an adventurer..." Daring said putting the plush down.
"but.. you never had anypony to.... depend on for comfort... in this case... you were afraid of even the simplest tales..." Luna said as shs finished taping up the new diaper. "how about I tell you a story?"
Daring kicked her legs fruition but to Luna it like and adorable little fillys pouting. "I wasn't scared of old mares tales... A-And not to be rude but shouldn't we focus on getting out of this nightmare and not telling story's?"
Luna signed. "Very well... But later you should understand why." She picked Daring up. "now, every nightmare I've create with the rod always has a safe haven and a failsafe to end it, so... What have you noticed that's out of the ordinary?"
Daring tapped her chin. "Well there's the church... That mare that tryed to help me... The one who died said it was dedicated to the moon... But there's also the general store across town lights coming from inside but there's nopony there. And lastly there's the cemetery... The grave keeper is a diamond dog and from what I saw he was setting the place up for a party."
"Hmm..... a store that lights but none is there... the church of the moon... and a dog for party...... chuckles I must've been predictable.... perhaps our best bet is the church. how will you fare in combat... in your status?" Luna asked.
Daring frowned her ears splaying back. "Between my new age and... Garments I'm not going to be any use in a fight... Besides you know the story's of the headless... He can't be stopped only slowed or out ran... At best is you can keep him our of building by pouring a salt line along the doors."
"Hmm... Very well, lets stock up on stuff to evade the horseman.." Luna carried her downstairs. "can you get a bag and stock up I will head back up to the nursery to pack a bag as well."
"I'm on it!" Daring Doo said giving an adorable little salute and waddling off to gather what she could.
Luna went upstairs and notices a diaper bag she packs up with diapers, power, cream, bottles, and even a pacifier just in case. then she comes back downstairs "I'm all packed."
She was met by Daring who had a small sack with a salt box, first aid kit, a lantern with two bottles of oil, rope, and a knife. "This is all I could think might be useful..."
"Very resourceful. Now, I suggest that you be on my back.. i'll do the running and you... provide the items... I hope you are alright with this considering your age now would slow down the running"
The filly sighed her head lowering slightly. "Ya I know... I wouldn't be able to out run him... Or out waddle really." she mumbled the last part before she glanced at the diaper bag on Luna's side making her blush more.
Luna used magic to put Daring on her back And pack the supplys into the diaper bag. "Now, we'll need one distraction so..." grabs a toy off the floor. "this would distract them enough for us to make it there.... any objections?"
Daring gave the toy a Colt In A Box a small glare. "It's perfect I always hated those things."
Luna nodded having the toy a few cranks before tossing it out the window.
The two listened to the toys music and just is the toy popped open with a giggle they heard it bet hit with the horses axe. "Go Luna!" Daring called holding onto the princesses mane.
Luna made a mad dash through the door into an ally. "Tell me directions to the church. and hurry we only have a small time!"
"Just fallow this ally take a left then a right at the first sixth house, then its just a strait shot there." Daring called holding on.
Following the directions Luna found herself stairing at the church as the approached But then she heard a sat of fast approaching hooves. "Oh no Luna he's behind us!" Daring squealed in fear.
"Don't panic.. its time to show me what you are Daring Doo... Be resourceful and get him off my flank."
Luna could feel Daring move around on her back for a moment before sometimes was removed from the diaper bag and moments later Luna heard a thud. "Yes I triped him up!"
soon they entered the church and luna sets Daring down before holds the double doors "Quick Find something to bar them."
"The salt Luna lay a line along the door he won't be able to open it!" Daring squealed pointing to Luna's diaper back where she had put the salt box.
Luna nodded quickly getting it out and laying down a line before stepping back just in time for something to bang into the doors rattling them violently but not opening them.
Luna sat down as Daring slumped to the floor herself. "that was close... good call on the oil" Luna called. Daring have a small smile and nod.
after clearing her head she picks up daring and holding her so they can walk around the church. "right.... lets look around."
It was an average church with only two main differences. One was the nightmare moon them, the other was the stain glass windows at the back of the church depicting Nightmare Moon standing atop a broken and chained up Celestia.
Luna flinched at the sight. "I don't like this place." a light from the small stairwell at the back drew there attention. A hooded pony slowly walks into there view her hood down over her eyes as she sets down the lamp. "Why hello there... What beings you to the church if the mood in these trying times?" She elderly mare asked.
"we are looking for a way to end this nightmare... I am Luna Formally Nightmare Moon, I beseech your help in ending what I have brough into this world to never happen again. will you aid us?"
"Help you say... But the little one must be punished for Daring to tamper with a tool of the Queens." The elderly mare cooed tilting her head with an unnerving grin.
Luna stetted herself."I... Luna Princess of the night and Former Nightmare Moon... Wishes to relinquish the nightmares passed to this little one.... The Scepter is to be Destroyed in hopes to never be used again.. to never go back to the corrupted ways...... I have tasted, seen, and lived 1000 years of isolation..... I will not go there again.... Please... don't punish the young one for my disobedience"
Now the mare chuckled. "If you wish the staff no more and the little ones freedom she and you must pass the tests and collect the eyes of night... Bring the eye gems here to release the filly."
Luna nodded. "You are a elder of the night so there for you may be our ally... then please... lend us the wisdom and tell use where the eyes are."
"One is within the stores basement the other at a party of the dead... But be warned each has a guardian most fowl. You will need to take up arms just to survive."
"I cannot do this alone do to restrictions... if you can... allow this little one to be able to perform more Please." Luna asked.
The old mare sighed. "I am sorry my princess but I can not alter the barer of this nightmare... I can how ever give her these." The mare produced a small wooden box with a small number if matches inside.
Daring began reaching for them before asking. "What... What are they?"
"Matches that will drive away any creature or force for as long as they stay lit."
"Hmm.. Warding Matches.. judging the contents there's 10... Daring in dire situations use them, but one at a time." Luna looked to the old mare. "will gathering these items will also permit me to undo the restrictions?"
"I do not know if they will for you but in tell the nightmare is over little Doo sill stay as she is... Helpless and dependent on others."
"I'm not Dependent or helpless!" Daring yelled with a cracking voice.
(Yep that will show up later.)
Luna watched the filly with a thoughtful expression before the old mare chuckled and nodded to them hobbling back to the stairs. "Once you have the eyes I will be at the top of the bell tower awaiting you."
Luna turned to Daring. "Daring... You understand are mission right?"
"We have to defeat the guardians and collect the eye's." Daring said as she slipped the marches into her filly sized green jacket.
"Any changes needed?" Luna asked patting the fillys diaper to chuck. "N-no!" Daring squeaked.
"Daring... don't be afraid to ask for a diaper change... i'm here for you." The filly looked away. "It's only a little wet I'm fine..."
"Very well..." Luna said giving her a few pats and puts her on her back. "lets get the jewels... You ready?"
Daring nodded pulling out a single match at the ready.
"Let's go." Luna called throwing the double doors open. But as she looked outside the church the headless horse stood there axe floating high over his neck ready to strike.
"Prepare Daring.... and be ready..." She called before makes a dash for the general store barely getting missed by the first axe swing of the House. Moving as quick as she could Luna reached the general store with little issue other than the horse that followed. But now outside Luna and Daring saw boards over the door.
"I'll keep him away get the door princess!" Daring called hopping down and striking a match. The area was filled with a soft blue light as the Headless Horse stopped just short of the light.
"Right!" she moved to the wood to pull at them with her hooves. They may have taken her wings and most of her magic but they couldn't take her strength which she used to pry each bord loose. As the last bord came free the rushed inside and laid a line of salt just as the match burnt to close to Darings hoof making her yelp and throw it out the door before it burned out. Daring herself let out a few whimpers of 'ow' as she sucked on the small burn her hoof now had.
"dear are you alright?" Luna asked picking her up. Daring waved her off. "I'm fine... I just got a small burn... It's fine."
"lets tend to it. don't want a hoof being ruined."
Daring grumbled pulling away. "It's fine... Besides this is just a dream right? It doesn't even hurt anymore."
Luna sighed as she held the filly up to eye level. "Trust me Daring, in a dream many things even the smallest can injure a pony's true form. In fact it can even end a pony's life... so to clear the mind we must mend the small things, agreed?"
Daring gave a sigh and nodded slightly. "Alright... But I can bandage it wile you look for the basement door. No need to wast time if I can patch myself up right?"
Luna sighs and pulls out the first aid kit. "Vary well."
Once Luna set Daring down the filly got to work fixing her hoof.
Luna began looking around for the basement door but kept close to Daring as she did. After a small bit of searching she found a bolted and locked cellar door in the back storage room.
"Well that's grate... Now we have to find a key." Daring said waddling over with her now bandaged hoof and med pouch balanced on her back.
"Yes, perhaps the owners put away the key somewhere near by... Any idea where they could be?" Luna asked the filly. Daring gave a small hum before looking to the shops cash register counter. "Maybe over there shops like these usually keep a set of keys on the shelf under the register."
Luna nodded and went to investigate the register. Looking under it she spotted a few keys labeled: Front door, Bedroom, and Cellar. Along with these there was a small silver statue of a hooded mare holding a book with Luna's cutie mark on it.
"Huh?" She took the keys and the small statue looking it over. "What's this?"
"Hay I've seen that before." Daring said waddling up to see the statue better. "Ya that looks like one of the statues from the temple I found the Staff in."
"Hmm... I'll keep this just incase." Luna said putting the statue away in the diaper bag. "Alright lets go to the Cellar."
Daring nodded following Luna over with her slow waddle.
Luna unlocked the door and slid the bolt free. Pulling the door open its old hinges groan with protest they Looked down the staircase leading Into the dark cellar.
"Better get the lantern out, oh and put this back." Daring said holding up the first aid pouch.
"Hmmm oh I have an idea." Luna said as she put the pouch away and pulled out the lantern and some oil. After filling the lantern and putting the half empty bottle of oil up she asked daring for one of the warding matches.
"Oh I see, your wanting to try and make the lanterns light work like the matches." Daring said hoofing Luna the match box.
"Yes. if the fire lights up the match to keep it lit. then we can use the lantern to keep the flame." lights the match and transfers the flame to the lantern. The two watched as the pale blue flame formed on the lanterns wick only to turn back to a normal flame once the match was pulled away. Luna sighed letting out a small curse under her breath.
"Well it was worth a try..." Daring said watching the wording match burnt out.
"well lets not waist anymore then..." Luna said gesturing to the open door. Daring as she began waddling towards the opening.
Luna shone the lantern down. "See anything Daring?"
The filly looked down and even took a step down. "Looks like a cellar, there's a lot of shelf's so this is probably the stores storage."
Luna lower the lantern so it let more light into the cellar for the filly. Scanning the shelf's that she could see Daring suddly pointed off to a side of the room. "There!" She then scampering down the stairs and out of Luna's sight.
"Hay, Hold on!" Luna called quickly following. Daring made her way to one of the walls and was climbing a shelf with her small filly wings fluttering weakly behind her trying to get to a orange cat like glass eye on the top shelf.
"Is that the object we seek?" Luna asked stepping up beside the climbing filly ready to catch or help her if she needed it. Daring was almost to the top as she called down to Luna. "Well its a crystal eye... So hopefully." Reaching the top shelf Daring pulled herself onto it and picked up the crystal eye.
"eew it feels warm and slimy!" Daring called tossing the eye down to Luna.
"Daring are you sure its a Crystal Eye, because they are not meant to be... slimy." Luna said catching it in her magic.
"Ya I'm shore its crystal." The filly said as began trying to climb down despite her poofy rear making it quight difficult.
"You know, if you would like you can just jump and I will catch you." Luna said with an assuring smile.
"Na I can do it mys-waah!" Daring started to say before she missed a shelf and began falling.
Luna quickly reached our with a hoof safely catching the filly. "Gotcha!"
Daring blushed slightly as she hid her face with her hat. "Er... Thanks princess." She mumbled when the two heard the sound of the cellar door as it slammed shut making the two jump a bit.
Luna quick turned tords the stairs brining the lantern with her to illuminate them. "Show thine self!" She called out. The only response she got was an unsettling sound of young fillys giggles and the found of several sets of small hooves scurrying among the cellars rows of shelf's just out of the lanterns light.
Luna looked at the lantern when she remembered a spell. "I think I can intensify the lanterns flame... but it will burn the oil faster."
"It's worth a try." Daring said as another set of giggle and running hooves made them look to a different set of shelves.
Luna nodded using her magic to amplify the flame. With a flash of light the room lit up illuminating three shadowy foals with creepy white grins and pricing red eyes. "Play..." They said together in an unsettling harmony.
"Menacing... are you alright Daring?" Luna asked not taking her eyes off the shades.
"I'm f-fine... Though I'll admit I may need a change once we get somewhere safe..." The filly called in a meek tone.
"Very well..." Luna said looking around before asking. "Do you happen to have a doll?"
"What why would I have a doll?" Daring asked confused.
"Just asking. there a chance they would want to play..." Luna stated when the three shadowy foals tilted there heads cooing in there coat raising harmony. "Play?..."
Luna searched the diaper bag for something they can play. As she looked away Luna heard the foals haunting giggles before the spoke again. "Let's play..." At that moment the lantern went out. Daring let out a small gasp before blue light filled the immediate area signing the gray maned mare had lit a match.
Luna looked around for anything to distract shades when her eyes landed on an old pull string doll. Snatching it up with her magic Luna pulled the toys cors before tossing it. "Play with this!"
The doll flew into the dark a happy jingle coming from it before it cut our suddly as if forcefully stopped, ripping sounds where heard before the dolls head rolled into the matches light stuffing falling out of its neck.
As it it did Luna refilled the lantern and lit it before tossing Daring onto her back. Luna made a dash for the cellar door throwing it open only to slam it shut once they where our locking it. Daring jumped down from Luna's back and pored salt along the cellar door just before furious banging came from inside making the filly jump back with a squeal.
Luna collapsed into her rear. "That... Was close."
Daring nodded letting herself collapse to the floor as well.
"You look tired... perhaps we should return to the safe house to recollect our thoughts?" Luna asked.
"We don't need to go all the way back there... I mean the doors are sealed here now." Daring offered as she sat up onto her yellow tented diaper.
"Well it looks like somepony needs there diaper changed." Luna cooed with a smile as she picked the filly up. Daring blushes looking away. "Er... Y-Ya I guess I do need a change... Now."
"you were very brave... so here's something for you." Luna said giving daring a kiss on the forehead. The filly stared blankly forward for a moment before rubbing her forehead and pulling her hat down. "Y-you didn't need to do that, Now um... Can you please change me the wetness is cooling off an it feels clammy."
Luna chuckled and set the filly down on her back to start changing her. Wile Daring once again hid her face with her hat.
"How come you hide yourself?" Luna asked.
"I-I just do..."
"Then why not look, the legendary Daring Doo shouldn't be embarrassed about a diaper change." Luna said powering the fillys rear and taping up the diaper. Daring sat up with a small grumble. "I'm a grown mare and an adventurer... I shouldn't need diaper changes."
Luna sighed. "for now you do and I'm sure in the real world your in a diaper right now."
"What, Are you serious?!" Daring squealed a blush coating her face.
"Its a medical emergency in case you are unable to make it out of a coma or such." Luna said calmly.
Daring sighed. "Ya I guess your right."
"If I can say... you do look cute." Luna said picking the filly up. "now just one more artifact."
Dating nodded a small blush still on her cheeks. "Ya... And from what the old mare said its in the graveyard with that Diamond Dog grave keeper."
Luna nodded. "Right, if I recall they are fond of gems... maybe we can find one to bargain."
Daring smiled. "That shouldn't be to hard this is a shop we are in so maybe there's some here."
"Luna set the filly down. "Let's look around for some."
"Ok ill look around upstairs you check around the store." Daring said getting the bedroom key from the diaper bag.
Luna goes to look around the register. "every shop has a safe.... but where?" after searching every inch of the store however Luna turned up empty.
The princess sighed to herself with annoyance. Luna moved to head upstairs when she spotted Daring waddling her way down the stairs a small silk bag between her teeth and a second silver statue on her back. Once she reached the bottom of the stairs Daring spat the small bag out and held up the small statue. "Found a jewelry box with some nice jems and this."
Looking at the small statue closely Luna found this one was of a stallion dressed much like her night guardponys only with a hooded cloak set to look flowing wile its hood obscured the face, on its armor was once again Luna's cresent moon cutie mark.
"this looks like one of my guards but... different. what does it mean?" Luna pondered.
Daring shrugged as she dumped out the silk bag letting a few medium sized rubys, diamonds, emeralds, and sapphires fall out. "This this will be enough?"
"Enough indeed, good job Daring." Luna praised.
Daring smiled and put the jems back in the beg. "Thanks."
"now lets go... ready the next warding match." Luna said as daring climbed up onto her back pulling out a match. "Ready!"
Luna nodded dashing out the front door knocking over the headless horse as they bolted down the street.
"The graveyard is out on the far edge of town just keep heading strait!" Daring instructed.
Dashing along the graveyard came into sight a few moments later. Oddly it was tussled up exactly as Daring had said like a party, lights, balloons, and even streamers decorated the tombstones.
"Odd... A little to festive for a graveyard." Luna mumbled when she began hearing the Headless Horse approaching. To bolth there surprises when they reached the graveyards gate the horse skidded to a stop just outside.
Luna took a moment to catch her breath. "This us getting ridiculous..."
"Actually its part of his legend princess Luna, he can't enter grounds of the dead for fear they will drag him back to death." Daring said hopping off the mares back.
"are you saying this to Frighten me?" Luna asked looking down at the filly.
"What no its just part of his legend princess." Daring said looking over as the Headless Horse began walking away.
Luna gave a small nod. "Let us fine the Grave keeper then."
"Did you call for me miss?" Came a creepy sweet voice from behind the two. Daring lot a squeal as they turned to see the gray brown Diamond Dog with a ratty top hat, dark brown vest, and dirty white shirt with rolled up sleeves leaning on a shovel sporting a lazy grin.
Luna did her best to hide her own fright as she spoke. "Y-Yes... Greetings sir we come seeking to locate a artifact that should be hidden here."
The old dog scratched his head with a small sigh. "Ah I see. Not here for the celebration but seeking something... Tell me lassys what be ya looking for?"
"A crystal eye." Luna told the dog as he scratched his chin.
"Hmmm well there was one of my kin who was laid to rest with something that looked like a crystal eye... He's resting down in there." The dog said pointing to a small stone building with a gaited front. "Down in the tombs marked with a cresent moon atop his casket."
"may we ask of you to do the honors. I fear disturbing a burial site is... Simply not in my nature." Luna said with a small sigh.
"Fine with me lassy, how about you knee high?" The dog asked leaning on his shovel to look down at Daring who shrugged. "I've plundered tombs before I'm fine with coming with you."
"she's with me.. we'll pay you handsomely for the work." Luna said as Daring scoffed. "I can help him!"
"Indeed I need someone to carry me a lantern." The dog added.
Luna sighed. "how about this... I will carry you and you can carry the lantern ok?" Daring grumbled but nodded. "Fine."
Luna smiled picking the filly up and passing her the lantern.
"You lassys ready then?" The old dog asked.
"I am ready, Daring?" Luna asked turning to look at the filly who nodded. "Ready."
The three moved to the tomb as the old dog pulled a set of keys from his vest slowly finding the right key to unlock the gate revealing the stairs. "Down we go lassies..." He said as he began down the steps.
Walking down they all could see the odd stone carvings and coffins that where set every few feet, after a bit if walking they finally reached a large room with several rows of stone coffins.
"Here we are." The old dog mummered.
"alright where's the artifact... the sooner we can leave the better." Luna said.
The dog gave a small grunt as he moved to the center coffin. "Here give me some more light lassies."
Luna nodded stepping closer as Daring held the lamp out shining light over the casket. As she did the dog began to slowly pull the stone cover lose.
Luna got shivers at the desecration of someones grave. Once fully open the three saw the bones of a diamond dog dressed up with what was left of a suit and top hat. Clutched in-between its boney claws was a necklace with a gray snake like eye.
"This is it." Luna said as Daring nodded. The old dog gave a small srug and reached in for the eye only to seam to struggle. "What... Now come on pappy let er go." He grunted pulling with all his might.
"May we?" Luna asked as the dog gave a grumble backing up. "Be me gest."
Luna walked to the gem. "Daring... maybe you can pull it out since this is a connection to the gems."
"I can try." Daring said.
Luna set her next to the eye as the filly reached down and to there surprise plucked it from the dogs bones with ease.
"Huh, well that wasn't to ba-" the filly started when the stone coffin slid shut all on its own.
"What lassie!" The old dog called as he began trying to reopen the coffin.
"Dating!" Luna yelled trying to help the dog. Slowly the coffin opened a crack but then refused to move.
"Princess w-what happened?" The filly called from within.
"I don't know, its a trap of some sorts... Do you have a ward match?" Luna called.
"Y-Ya I got them in here with me."
"Light one, me and the digger are going to get you out." Luna said looking at the digger. "WE can get her out yes?"
"Of course we will! Let's put are backs into it!" He called pushing harder as a flare of blue light came from within the coffin.
Luna helped him with all her strength. "Come on... Don't worry Daring we'll get you out. just keep calm."
But despite her encouragement the lid didn't seam to move when the sound of whimpering cot Luna's ears.
"I'm scared... H-Help me!" The filly called with a sob.
"Don't worry i'm here... just talk to me." Luna said as the coffin lid began to move.
"I-I wanna get out of this nightmare..."
Luna sighed and pushed on the stone. "In order to get out of this nightmare its focused on one crucial thing in your life that haunts you to this day. I created a failsafe to allow them to get out of the dream if they are at their breaking point. you have got know what your Truest Darkest Fear is. Something you can't sleep everyday. something you can't let go... You have to tell me, please."
"I... I fear being hurt by ponys... I-If I let them in and they leave me again." Daring mumbled.
Luna picked her up pulling her into a hug as she picked up the eye. "It seams its almost to the end now."
"Let's finish it princess." Daring said with a smile.
"Just Luna... you earned that much.. thank you for your services Digger... we are here to end the nightmare, lets go." Luna walked with daring on her back carrying the 2 eyes as she made here way to the gate. "Final Dash tot he Church."
"Luna wait... Look." Daring said pointing to a party table where sat a silver statue depicting a diamond dog dressed in something like lunar guard armor and whereing a skull mask.
Luna trotted up to it. "What is this?"
"Maybe we should take it with us... Like the other two." Daring said.
Luna looked back at the filly. "Are you sure about this Daring?"
Daring shrugged. "You already have the first two, may as well pick up this one too."
Luna nodded picking the silver figure up and put it up.
"Ok let's get going."
Luna nodded before moving the the gate and bolting out. As she ran Luna began to see odd vines of darkness that snakes our from every shadow. Daring gasped. "Oh no its the shadow mare, don't let the vines touch us!"
"Keep your guard and light a Ward match!" Luna called as the filly nodded striking one. There was a sickening screeched as the vines withered.
With surprising ease they race to the church burning all but the last of there ward matches. Bursting threw the door Luna called out. "We have arrived with the artifacts in hoof!"
"Then please bring them forth." The old mare said from her spot at the alter.
"Daring you may do the honors." Luna said sitting the filly down and passing her the set of snake like eyes.
"Right." Daring said trotting up to the hooded old mare and offering the eyes. The old mare smiled and took them pulling it into her hood as a bandage fell lose. "And so the failsafe has been activated..."
Luna felt her power begin to returning "thank you spirit of the staff Daring, see you in the real world."
As Luna spoke a chill ran down her spin as the old mare gave a chuckle sounding much younger.
"Oh yes see you all in the waking world." The mare said looking up and pulling down her hood to reveal the twin crystal eye now where her own eyes should have been.
"W-What? What is this treachery, Speak!" Luna demanded.
The mare chuckled softly. "I am the Mage Shade, I bound my own soul to this rod when we hid it so I could walk the world once more and help bring eternal darkness and nightmares..."
"I was not aware of this sudden news... and How DARE you used me!" With an anger stomp Luna continued. "Mage Shade.... what have you been hiding from me!?"
"Nothing much my queen. Simply that along with the failsafe a resurrection spell will be cast, using up this ones own magic and body." Mage said using magic to lift up and tie up Daring.
"Release her.. NOW."
"No and before you get any ideas of harming me you should know me and this mare are now linked. She will feel anything you do to me." Mage Shade said pulling the squirming filly into her forlegs. As she did Luna felt a warmth from her bag.
"Huh?" Luna mumbled reaching into her bag to find the three silver statues where giving a warm glow.
"What, Where did you get those!?" Mage Shade screeches backing up.
"I got them out among the nightmare. Perhaps I can activate them." Luna mumbled.
"Ask and we shall help you princess." A mare called as the mare statue suddly burst revealing a mare who looked like the one Luna had found dead when she arived appeared.
"Aid in my endeavours.. Send us all back to the Real world... But Lock Mage's Spells and Magic till I can handle her myself." Luna called as the two other status shuddered revealing the old grave digger and a stallion who looked like the headless Horse.
"We will try my princess." The all called as the room was consumed with light.
~~~~0000~~~~
Luna awoke with a startled gasp looking up from her own medical bed to see daring laying in one next to her laying limp with the staff no longer tightly in her hooves.
"Where is the staff." Luna asked as daring weakly pointed to it laying on the floor between them as a doctor began examining the mare.
"Sister... where's Mage?" Luna asked looking up to her sister.
Celestia tilted her head. "What do you mean dear sister, who is Mage?"
"I'm unsure.. but she is a being who bound her soul into to it." Luna slowly gets up moving to Darings side as the doctor finished his examination.
"She should make a full recovery princess... All though the magics of the staff and the physical strain it put her threw will leave her vary weak for a month at least." The doctor said as Luna slowly pulled daring into a hug. "I shall take full responsibility for her recovery. After all I have a promise to keep."