//------------------------------// // Chapter 16: Delight City's Dilemma // Story: MLP: Nights Journey Of Dreams // by JusSonic //------------------------------// Chapter 16: Delight City’s Dilemma The scene has us return to the world that is known as Equestria Prime. Where we are focusing on the scene closer to Rainbow Castle. Right now, things are basically looking calm at this time, but a lot of things have happened from behind the scenes. Currently within the Medical Chamber Room, we find Goldie’s group trying to care for the sleeping bodies of the Mane Six who’s Dream Spirits have yet to return from another world called the Night Dimension. Right now, Discord was just finishing the last repairs on the Universal Dream Monitor which got busted from what was already said and done last time. “There, now with a press of a button, we’ll see how…” Discord smiled to press the start button for his machine, and… Just then, red flashes were going off along with loud alarm sounds. This caused everyone to feel alarm in what is going on that has them worried. "Uh...oh!" Fila lightly yelped in thinking...that is not a good sign. “Great, now what?” Jack Zen rolled his eyes in seeing they got another issue to handle. “Oh no….you won’t like this!” Discord spoke in getting a static fuzz picture showing Rainbow, Rarity and Fluttershy sinking into an enemy’s evil portal. “Rainbow Dash, Rarity and Fluttershy’s Dream Spirits have suddenly fallen into an evil plot.” He explained this in just having seen what was being done to their friends that are in a world dimension far from their own they can’t reach. “WHAT!” Much of the gang yelped in not liking the sounds of that. “Alert, vital signs of sleeping host are dropping.” Omega warns the others as the capsule chambers for Rainbow Dash, Rarity and Fluttershy show their life-stable signs reacting in an unstable way. “Autumn Gem, we need to apply the same serum and treatments we gave to the others.” Sombra issued this to his love in what they need to do here. “Right. And to think, we only had to deal with Twilight, AJ & Pinkie Pie three days ago.” Autumn Gem nods in hearing that and shall do what she can. While Sombra & Autumn Gem continue to do their work, others were quickly making sure everything is still ship-shape for the others that are sleeping in stasis. “It’s almost reaching near six to seven days. A whole week and still nothing.” Goldie sighed in seeing it’s been a week that the Mane Six have not been seen by the public. “Come on little gizmo, give us some results!” Pinkamena spoke to start tapping on Discord’s machine to give them a better view of what’s happening, but… “Error! Error! Unable to comply!” The system’s male voice responded that it cannot comply the order. “Rrrrrrrgh….” Then Pinkamena growls in annoyance to start pressing random buttons. “Calm yourself, if you push that many random buttons, then…” Discord tries to calm the pink pony, but… “Poofruvhmmm…” Suddenly, the Dream Universal Monitor’s screen blew out which showed smoke leaking from it as well as destroyed electronics and wires; the flashing lights & alarms also died down at the same time. “Ooooohhh-Nooooo! NOT AGAIN!” Discord slapped his forehead to moan in seeing the thing is busted again. “Um, oopsy.” Pinkamena sheepishly apologized again for this, she got a little excited it seems. “Well, back to the old drawing board, I guess.” Discord snapped his fingers in seeing he’ll be busy working again. “Hey every pony,” Apple Bloom suddenly pop in from near the front entrance. “We heard a noise.” Then Sweetie Belle came in in sounding concern. “Everything okay?” Scootaloo came last along with Phobos while the CMC thought something was up. “More or less, how’s Ben, Nyx, Starlight Glimmer, Spike doing?” Goldie lightly shrug off to not mention any big problems to worry the fillies while also asking how things are going with those outside this chamber room. “We’re keeping everybody in the dark, but pretty soon, everyone’s gonna want answers in where their princess and councilmen are.” Phobos explained the serious case that their act to keep lying to everyone in Ponyville is gonna keep rising up until it gets to the point of no return. “Hugh, just tell them to keep doing what they can, we’re doing what can be done here.” Goldie sighs to say in feeling their friends running the Rainbow Kingdom are doing all they can and wants to keep encouraging them to do so. While Golden Heart was busy talking to this little group, Pinkamena comes over to the sleeping bodies of Rainbow Dash, Rarity and Fluttershy as she rest a hoof on Fluttershy’s capsule. “I get the funny feeling that the others are reaching hard times. And once more, Phantom Pie may soon reveal herself to them.” Pinkamena spoke in feeling like her senses are telling her of what might be coming soon, & it might be bad. “Stay strong my friends & just have faith and belief in the one who’s guarding over you.” She spoke these words softly to give some words of advice to those that are not here, but in spirit to keep doing their best. Soon the scene begins to fade out in darkness at this time as Golden Heart’s group continues to do their own work in helping to keep their sleeping stasis friends safe until their Dream Spirits return. So far, whatever is going on must be getting rougher by the minute. All they can do now is continue to pry and hope their friends shall return safely to them… ------------------------- At this moment, the scene returns our full attention of what is currently going on within Nightopia’s Delight City. At which, the background was playing ‘Electrical Entertainment’ during this view as we see Twilight, Applejack, & Pinkie Pie seen rushing to get behind small sandy hills off a playground. They were passing some Nightopians that were mindfully flying about as the ponies were sneaking from this spot near some trees. “Sneaky-Sneaky, sneaky…sneaky-sneaky, sneaky….” Pinkie Pie was making these quiet noises while they were sneaking about. “Pinkie, we don’t need yah ta keep saying sneaky ta say we’re sneaking’ around.” Applejack rolled her eyes in seeing what her friend was doing was unnecessary. “Aw, but it makes it so much more fun when we’re sneaking.” Pinkie Pie pouts in thinking what she was doing made it a lot more interesting. “Let’s just focus on being stealthy, as in being quiet while we approach the cage.” Twilight issued this to her pink friend about what they should do here instead. Soon the ponies managed to sneak on over to the bottom of the chain connected to the ground. After seeing there were no Goodles around to attack them, the ponies had to quickly start climbing up. Twilight was taking lead followed by Applejack and Pinkie Pie and they watch out for any Key Keepers on guard. Luckily though, the enemy wasn’t around, so they managed to reach the bottom of the cage while NiGHTS flew around in trying to figure out how to get out until… “Pss, NiGHTS!” Pinkie Pie whisper this out to get the flying jester’s attention below her. “Wha…” NiGHTS suddenly stopped her flying to hover up in looking down at who came. “You’re all here?” She asked of surprise as NiGHTS was not expecting her Visitor friends to be here. “Yep, we’re here alright! An’ ta get ye out!” Applejack nods off in declaring that they are gonna spring this jester. “We saw you fighting Reala and how he caught you.” Twilight stated in having seen what happened earlier when Reala was here. “You…you did?” NiGHTS yelped a bit while trying to not let her expression be seen. “Did you…happen to see or hear anything else?” She asked in feeling concern if maybe this group also knows about her secret of being a Nightmaren. “Not much from those explosive boom-booms.” Pinkie Pie shrug off to say that they couldn’t tell what the two jesters talk about when they fought during the noises. “I…I see.” NiGHTS look down to almost feel concern, these ponies say they didn’t hear what was going on during the fight, but what about…beforehand? “In any event, we’re here ta bust out a pal in trouble.” Applejack declared off in simply stating what they are doing here right now. “We’re ready to Dualize with you NiGHTS, what do you say?” Twilight spoke to say this in speaking honestly and putting up a little smile. NiGHTS stare at this group in surprise, she couldn’t tell if they knew the truth about her or were just playing. But…they were here and wanted to help her out because she’s in trouble, and also… It’s because they see her as their friend; that alone brought a smile to NiGHTS’s face. “I say, let’s get out of here.” NiGHTS stated off in feeling herself get all cheered up at this moment. Soon NiGHTS stretch her hand out to Twilight and soon a familiar blue light came from when they touched. And then afterwards, NiGHTS was able to phase out of her cage to fly off to go through some Rings. Soon they collect more Blue Chips to Paraloop and then go up a large slide from a playground set. Course while Applejack was piloting, the gang yelp to dodge away from what was surprisingly…a purple & yellow hive with some buzzing bees. “BEES!” Pinkie Pie’s spirit screamed out in seeing that they got bees all over. “Worse, they’re Beezes, they’re bee-like Nightmarens that are spawned from that Beez Pod.” NiGHTS warns the group that these are some really bad bunch of bees to deal with. “Just wha we don’t need, evil insects.” Applejack’s spirit rolled off her eyes to say in feeling like this was all they needed. “I know the feeling, I came across some before.” Twilight’s spirit sighed to say in having shared her own experience in facing off evil insects from her world. Soon NiGHTS was quickly acting to grab around the Beez Pod since its location was over some innocent Nightopians. Afterwards, both the pod and the Beezes were toss and crashed to dissolve away. With that taken care of, the gang quickly fly off, they go up to a pole to grab and spin around to collect Blue Chips and let go to be flung across. They come across more Blue Chips to Paraloop and go through more Rings, and ahead was what look like some moth-like creature with purple “Watch out, we got Mothpils ahead of us!” NiGHTS warned her friends of what else was coming at them. “Let me guess, they’re like moth-like Nightmarens?” Applejack’s spirit asked off in remarking the fact of what type of Nightmarens these guys are. “Wow AJ, how’d you know?” Pinkie Pie’s spirit replied in being amazed her friend knew that so well. “Never mind that Pinkie Pier, let’s just get through this…we need that first key!” Twilight’s spirit issued off to say this in feeling they just need to get by this. The gang got to a jar cannon and it soon shot them off, and which they plow right through the Mothpil. Then they go up to a large railway to loop-de-loop on parts of the tracks for the Blue Chips and go for the Rings ahead. Then they dive down to be fired from a jar cannon and go straight through an open building’s window to end up on the other side. While that was kinda crazy, they soon spot a Goodle riding on a gigantic pink bird ahead of them. “There’s one of the Goodles!” Twilight’s spirit pointed out in seeing their first target. “With de first key!” AJ’s spirit stated in knowing what this also meant for them. “Let’s go get it!” Pinkie Pie’s spirit proclaimed in wanting them to get the guy with the key. “Then we better pick up the pace!” NiGHTS stated to say that they’ll have to be faster to catch up to the target. The gang was using their Drill Dash to go through Rings and go through tricky loop circles as they were chasing after the Goodle. Finally, they managed to catch the guy, and from NiGHTS strength, toss the gigantic bird down as it made its screeching voice before impacting the ground as it and the Goodle vanished. And with the first key obtain, NiGHTS and friends quickly had to fly off where the cage was just ahead of them…and then smash right through it; getting rid of it as the first step to getting NiGHTS’s freedom. “Like before, there must be two more to deal with.” Twilight’s spirit explained to her own group in what they need to do, get the last two keys. “Sounds like you got it memorized.” NiGHTS quoted on Twilight’s good memory of the case in point. “We’ve done this plenty of times already.” AJ’s spirit stated off in knowing the drill by now. “Right, so let’s go get them two more keys!” Pinkie Pie issued forth in knowing what they are gonna do here. Now the gang gotta work fast as Pinkie Pie takes over to pilot NiGHTS now to fly through them spiky rings that almost closed in on them. They travel through before entering a more colorful orange area of this city and grabbed a pole to swing off it to travel forth. As NiGHTS goes down, they hear flapping noises before spotting a green gigantic bird with a Goodle riding ahead, but more Mothpils are blocking. By doing a Drill Dash, NiGHTS bypass the Mothpils and went through a jar cannon that shot her to spiral up the path while hitting some red lever switches that showed slot pictures and they came out perfect that the gang was earning dough. “Oh! I think we scored a Jackpot!” Pinkie Pie’s spirit cheered in seeing what they have just earn now. “We’re not here ta gamble, Pinkie!” AJ’s spirit sternly told her friend about their reason of being here. “Don’t worry, the wins will help. Besides, this is just to help boost the fun.” NiGHTS stated this much to her friends about this state of their situation. “I’m almost wondering how this sorta thing came from me.” Twilight’s spirit sigh to ponder in not recalling a slot wheel game being a part of some future city. After reaching the top of the area, the gang reach more Rings to go through and then they reach a spot with a slider. But then as NiGHTS approached it, something happened as she started to transform before the pony spirits’ eyes. And soon NiGHTS changed into something in the form of….A PINBALL!? Yes, as of the moment, she was rolling down the clear slide like an actual ball, course this action caught the others by surprise. “WAAAAAHHH….” The pony spirits of Twilight, Applejack & Pinkie Pie were yelping in their cries from rolling back and forth and such. “Hang on, we’re on a roll!” NiGHTS issued this off to tell her friends this while being in control here. Soon Pinball NiGHTS was going down a spiral slide as they were collecting anything in the path by the turn the jester did in this form. And soon when they came to the edge were shot out of it, which NiGHTS transformed back into her jester form to feel being shot off to fly straight. And soon with the Goodle in sight, NiGHTS performed her Drill Dash attack to go through the Rings and soon impacted the target. The gigantic bird made a last screech while it and the Goodle vanished into dark particles and obtain the second key. “We got the second key.” NiGHTS spoke to her friends, but seem to receive silence. “Hey, are you okay?” She look to see the pony spirits of her friends, that seem….a bit dizzy at the moment. “Rolling…rolling…rolling…” Pinkie Pie’s spirit was repeating this while looking like her eyes spin. “Ah, so….dizzy.” Applejack’s spirit held her head to stop the spinning feeling. “NiGHTS…you should have told us…you were going to do…that. Ugh…” Twilight’s spirit was feeling a bit woozy from what their friend did that they weren’t aware of. “Sorry, my bad. Maybe the next time.” NiGHTS apologized in advance for that sorta surprise. Soon NiGHTS came across a barber’s pole to quickly spin around and around to collect Blue Chips, toss off to go through Rings. However, cautious is made apparent when strange purple, eel-like Nightmarens came to discharge electricity to NiGHTS and friends, if the jester didn’t avoid them. Soon NiGHTS twirl off to leave a gold dust trail after avoiding those Nightmarens and more Mothpils and was coming to a familiar sight. After spotting the cage, and with the second key in their hold, NiGHTS managed to smash through that prison which made it her second chance to have her freedom. “One more to go! Everyone feeling better?” NiGHTS stated to say in knowing they got one more cage to destroy. “Well, I think I’m not so dizzy.” Pinkie Pie’s spirit stated off in checking herself at this time. “But wha were them eel things?” AJ’s spirit questioned about those creatures they had to dodge around. “Eelons, their Nightmaren eel-like creatures that give a discharge. Approach them the wrong way & you’ll get a shocking feedback.” NiGHTS explained that the eel-like creatures were more Nightmarens. “For now, let’s just focus on obtaining that last key.” Twilight’s spirit stated in what they truly gotta work on now. Now with Twilight not feeling so dizzy, she takes control to pilot NiGHTS now. Soon they were flying through another part of the city that seem more neon light within the times it gets dark. As they go through an alley way, they soon shot upwards through Rings like they were riding an elevator before reaching their floor. As they seem to reach the highest point where all around was nothing but lit up windows, the gang heard a bird squawk and turn to find a blue gigantic bird with a Goodle riding on it. Course as the gang tries to follow, this city has many different paths to take, which leads to different parts that it’s easy to get lost in. “Where’d they go?” Pinkie Pie’s spirit asked in not knowing where the target went. “We lost sight of them.” Twilight stated in seeing they must have made a wrong turn. “Everyone, listen up. These glowing balls act like switches that turn on the light-colored neon.” Owl suddenly flew suddenly in order to explain this case of traveling around in the city here. “Thanks for the tip Owl.” NiGHTS thanked their wise old bird friend for the advice. “Come on, let’s get going’!” AJ’s spirit issued off to say this in what they gotta do. Soon NiGHTS flew off to come near a Ring path going down, which she took that brought them down. They flew across the lower section of the city, collecting Blue Chips and going through Rings while deciding which path to take. They came across a red glow ball which they turn on and then turn to go another way. Soon they saw the Goodle above them, but had to ride the Ring elevator to get up top to chase after the target. NiGHTS flew near a jar cannon, which shot them in the direction the target was flying…But at that moment, a rail slide was seen and NiGHTS soon transformed back into her pinball form and started to roll with it. “Woh-woh-woh….” Twilight’s spirit yelps from feeling like she was going up and down motion. “Weee-hee-hee!” Pinkie Pie’s spirit was cheering from feeling this happen now. “How-do-do ye steer this-th-th-thing?” AJ’s spirit was yelping to say her words as best she could. “Just go along with it!” NiGHTS stated to her friends to hang in there. The gang was rolling along the rail slide around some turning points, but once they pass by the target, they came out to where they ended up in a pool-table theme area where they knock off the large size balls. Course during the moment, the Goodle slip by but NiGHTS quickly was going back on the chase. And then while dodging the balls going up and down, she dove down a hole where the target fled, but it also meant she turn back into a pinball to begin rolling again after the target. “Everyone holding on there?” NiGHTS asked off in double checking how the others are doing now. “Uuuaaghh….” Twilight, Applejack & Pinkie Pie’s spirits were making strange moans from feeling the effects of being dizzy from that last round. “I’ll just take over from here then.” NiGHTS simply stated in deciding to handle this while her friends recover from being dizzy. As NiGHTS was rolling on the rail tracks in by passing the Goodle again, she soon reach the end of the mark that allowed the jester to return to her real self. And just as the Goodle was coming by, NiGHTS grabbed it and then throws the blue gigantic bird down as it made a screech noise while vanishing along with the Goodle. And thus, NiGHTS secured the third and final ke, as she was doing Drill Dash moves to pick up speed to go on through the open city district before finding the last cage and smashed right through it. Thus, making NiGHTS be completely free from being stuck in any cage from the limit of the ponies’ Dualize mode. “If you girls are okay, then we did it.” NiGHTS smiled off to say this to her friends of their current moment. “We did?” AJ’s spirit asked off in finally getting her senses together here. “Oh, that’s good!” Pinkie Pie’s spirit smiled off to say this in being happy to hear about this. “Well, we’re glad we managed to help get you free NiGHTS.” Twilight spirit smiled to say in being glad they managed to help their friend once more. “Yes, but…now I feel we’ll really be in trouble.” NiGHTS slowly spoke in sounding concern about something now. “What do you mean?” Pinkie Pie’s spirit asked off in being lost in the discussion. “You must have heard who’s coming for me when I was caged, didn’t you?” NiGHTS stated with a stern face in reminding those of who is coming for her. “De Cerberus character? How bad can he be?” AJ’s spirit questioned about how tough an opponent this new foe will be. “I think from what we’ve experienced so far can give us enough to tell what we can expect next here.” Twilight’s spirit stated in sounding serious, comparing the last tough Nightmarens, Cerberus maybe an even harder foe to face. Suddenly, the city parts of the neon lights started to change colors as a familiar red theme started to develop the whole area. This familiar scene that everyone knew by now meant one thing, a new, more stronger Nightmaren was gonna be on the way. And then everything started to blur out at this time as NiGHTS and everyone soon vanished to be taken to where a battle shall begin. With that, everything goes blank at this time… ----------------------- The scene begins to change to something that is a null and endless void, dark purple spike-shape rocks, and there was what look like dark gray clouds covering an orange moon. At the same time, the background was playing ‘Clashing Cerberus’ for the suspense moment. Then appearing was something that could be related to the mythical beast, Cerberus. It was seen as a creature made up of two different spheres linked together by chains. The ones in front have spiked collars and legs. One head is red and seems to be the attribute of Fire. The second head is blue and seems to be the attribute of Ice. The red dog snarls a bit while it wagged a bit of its head. The blue dog makes a howling noises before moving ahead with its other half. As seen, both of them are chain to a collar orb connecting them. As the camera zooms away, we find that everyone was within a strange dark cage to keep anyone from escaping…especially with a mad dog with them. And soon within the spot center, NiGHTS was there along with the pony spirits in seeing the beast before them. “Is that thing…Cerberus…of this dimension?” Twilight’s spirit slowly was asking in seeing what sorta creature this was. “Yes, that’s the Hellhound…the strongest, most feared Second-Level Nightmaren.” NiGHTS nods in being both concern and cautious in seeing their foe right before them. “But why does it only have two heads?” Pinkie Pie’s spirit questioned that if this thing is called Cerberus, why doesn’t it have three heads? “How’s about we be glad it ain’t got three, cause here it comes!” AJ’s spirit spoke off to mention this while seeing their foe come for them. Soon Cerberus began to launch itself off to attack, AJ took control to dodge to the left. But the Nightmaren was relentlessly pursuing NiGHTS, charging at the jester for a chance to take a bite out of the target. They gang were trying to get enough distance while still being pursued by this Nightmaren. “NiGHTS, isn’t there anything we can do to stop it?” Twilight’s spirit asked her friend if there is a way to defeat Cerberus. “I only heard of one way to stop Cerberus. Use the chain to knock the hellhound Cerberus’s heads together!” NiGHTS issued off in what he has come to know as the only way to beat such a foe. “But no one’s been able to pull it off, he’s very relentless.” She issued the hard fact about what this Nightmaren is. “Well let’s hope we can move quickly enough.” AJ’s spirit stated to say in seeing they gotta at least try. “Right, cause here they come!” Pinkie Pie’s spirit nods off to say this while seeing their foe coming at them. The gang had to respond to dodge the two Cerberus heads that were charging to eat them, as NiGHTS dodges to the left again. While the dogs were near the bars of the cage, NiGHTS went forth to attack the orb with a Drill Dash. A flash happened and some howling, as the Cerberus heads were pulled back to collide against the other’s head. Then from a pink cloud burst, separated and started to drift down in the void mist below them. “Did we finish them off?” AJ’s spirit asked in pondering if they managed to win or not. “No, if Cerberus could be defeated that easy, anyone could have done it.” NiGHTS shook her head with concern as this was not the end of such a foe. “Seriously? He’s that tough with only two heads?” Pinkie Pie’s spirit raised her eyebrows in finding this very shocking to believe. “For now, we best focus on fighting him.” Twilight’s spirit stated in what they best do now. Soon the next thing to happen was that the stun Cerberus heads return upwards, their flare manes return before their legs also materialize as they were ready to attack again. Something was noticed, the orb changed to a yellow color when it was once blue. Then without warning, both heads snarled to growl as they chase off after NiGHTS, who had to use Drill Dash to get around them hellhounds. Then from coming up to the orb again, delivered another impact, but as it got shot back, the dogs heads didn’t collide as they were rattling the other’s chain. “Hugh, these two can rally bicker like cats an’ dogs.” AJ’s spirit sighed in seeing this action here before them. “Our impact wasn’t enough, it seems.” NiGHTS stated in what the fault was fro that attack of theirs. “Then is there a way to try harder?” Twilight’s spirit asked in pondering the thought at the moment. “Oh, maybe I can try.” Pinkie Pie’s spirit spoke off in suddenly having an idea to help out. Pinkie Pie took control to use NiGHTS to fly and keep the two mean dog heads from being close before knocking them together from afar. NiGHTS managed to Drill Dash to get back near the orb to impact it again. Both dog heads yelp while making a howling cry as they collided into a big explosion this time around. As they sank down into the mist below, NiGHTS was going through some green Rings to help charge up the Dash Power. “Have you girls noticed something?” NiGHTS spoke in wanting to ask her friends something that she’s noticed here. “I think I have, the orb changed from blue to yellow when we landed hits.” Twilight’s spirit explained in having seen that when Cerberus comes back, the orb is different color each time. “So that’s their weakness.” Pinkie Pie’s spirit exclaimed to say in having realized something crucial. “So maybe one more shot outta do it.” AJ’s spirit exclaimed in seeing what they gotta do here next. It wasn’t long before Cerberus recovered to not be stun to regain its senses to howl again as it return up for another fight. This time, the orb went from yellow to red at this time, which might seem to state a last moment to be in the red zone of alert notice. A giant bat flew by NiGHTS’ group, as they had to fly around it and watch out from the two dog heads in sensing something hot and cold. “He’s moving too fast, even with Drill Dash.” Twilight’s spirit stated in seeing they can’t keep up with the dogs chasing them. “Can’t we do something’ here?” AJ’s spirit complained off in wondering if they have a way around this. “Hey, what about that Rocket Persona we got?” Pinkie Pie’s spirit suggested this out of nowhere suddenly. “Of course, you three acquired a new mask for me. So, let’s try it out.” NiGHTS stated in recalling that from the Visitors having obtain another Ideya & saving a second part of Nightopia, earn them a new mask. Soon from getting Cerberus to attack them from a two header side attack, but both ice and fire bite off the other to growl in annoyance…gave a brief chance. Soon NiGHTS took forth the Rocket Persona to put it on, and suddenly, she began to transform…INTO A ROCKET VERSION OF HERSELF! Soon without warning, Rocket NiGHTS blasted off with speed that felt like Drill Dash in rapid sections, only quicker. Cerberus saw this, and tries to catch up, but was lagging behind. “Steady…steady…NOW!” Twilight’s spirit focus in trying to control this new rocket mode of NiGHTS as she aim for the orb. “Here goes!” NiGHTS yelled out in getting herself ready to go all out now. Taking this moment, Twilight had to pilot NiGHTS new rocket ability. From steering it with all one’s got, the gang managed to have Rocket NiGHTS bypass the two-headed Cerberus to knock the orb off. That caused the two dog heads to yelp out while getting pulled back and collided against another while they howled in pain from a bright gold explosion. NiGHTS turn back to her normal jester self as she and the others waited to see what happens next until…the frozen Cerberus didn’t fall into the mist, but imploded in a purple cloud with scattered chains falling around. They’ve done it, NiGHTS & friends have managed to win against the fearsome Nightmaren; Cerberus. At that same moment, the background was playing ‘Peaceful Moment’ at the time of this scene. “Hooray! WE WON!” Pinkie Pie’s spirit cheered in seeing that they have won the battle. “Heck, we finally gone and beat de nasty Cerberus de Hellhound!” AJ’s spirit smiled proudly in seeing that they won this fight. “Wow, now I’m kinda speechless.” NiGHTS responded a bit surprised, she never thought they could stop Cerberus. “Aren’t you glad now NiGHTS, you won’t have to be worried about Cerberus now.” Twilight’s spirit spoke in trying to bring about a very positive feeling to the jester that was worried about facing Cerberus. “Well remember girls, the other two 2nd-Level Nightmarens we fought came back and really went out.” NiGHTS pointed this out to her pony spirit friends in having forgotten about their last battles against two foes they fought and return to fight them again. “As much as I like to believe he’s gone, Cerberus will return.” She knew better, Cerberus will not just lick his wounds, he’ll come back and give them a real hard time. “Well…at least ye got us!” AJ’s spirit smirked off proudly to mention this claim on the matter. “Hugh?” NiGHTS responded puzzled, what was this now? “We’ll be here to help!” Pinkie Pie’s spirit smiled in saying they’ll help NiGHTS out if that enemy returns. “You guys…” NiGHTS was almost stun speechless, these ponies want to be there to help out even if it becomes more dangerous. “Thank you. I think it's time we got outta here and back to Dream Gate now.” NiGHTS filed off to nod in saying that it’s time that they return & leave this place behind. “Right! Lead the way.” Twilight’s spirit nods in agreement, and wants NiGHTS to help lead them. Soon NiGHTS was flying around in leaving a gold dust trail in her wake. The jester felt happy from the victory to even having her friends help her out when she was feeling down. And now NiGHTS flies off when the nightmarish realm began to fade to which they made their escape from here. At least now thanks to those that believe in NiGHTS, they got out of a tight jam and stop Cerberus, what else shall happen next….shall be something else to be seen…During the same moment, the background theme was also closing off at this time when all things went dark… ------------ At this moment within a familiar dark realm of Nightmare, Reala was slowly making his way to meet up with his master; Wizeman. As of right now, Reala had sick Cerberus on NiGHTS, only for the mad old dog to be temporally beaten for now. Then there was some giggling noises as who should appear to be floating from above to land on the right side than…Phantom Psycho Pie. Reala look to her once, then look away to continue to move off from her. Course Phantom Pie hovered near the floating Reala in wanting to make conversation. “Hey there, what’s wrong?” Phantom Pie asked off in making some form of conversation. “It’s nothing of our concerns.” Reala remarked off to say in not bothering with this pony. “Heheheheheh….” Then Phantom Pie started to make a strange mad and cruel evil laughter noises as if finding something amusing. “And just what is so amusing that you find…funny?” Reala stops to look at Phantom Pie in seeing she found something…amusing? “Nothing…except for your plan.” Phantom Pie shook off her head to playfully make this stated claim about a plan of Reala’s it seems. “There was nothing funny about my plan, it was flawless!” Reala snapped off to this nightmare pony in questioning his plans. “Funny, the last few times you used the NiGHTS captured prison act, really were flawless…oh wait. Maybe not.” Phantom Pie spoke off in sounding curious to think about the thought for a minute, then broke off to tease and taunt Reala in how things fell apart. “Keep this up, and I assure you, even if you are on our side, you may begin to push your luck.” Reala stated with a frown in how much Phantom Pie was pushing things to a certain limit with him. “Really, you know…you maybe Wizeman’s Right-Hand Man to lead the other Nightmarens, but you don’t realize something.” Phantom Pie asked off playfully to hover around in making some discussion of the subject. “That even if you have trapped NiGHTS in a cage trap, what’s to stop someone from climbing up the chains to free her? And then those helping NiGHTS defeat the key keepers and afterwards, once they are gone, then NiGHTS is truly free. And let’s not go into detail about the Level Two Nightmarens that got beat after NiGHTS was free.” She was making ever little remark in how every time something seem like NiGHTS was not gonna make it, she and those that help her made it out okay, barely, but okay. “Even if what you say is true, NiGHTS’s luck will soon run out. No one can survive against Wizeman, not even NiGHTS!” Reala protest to say that even if NiGHTS survives against more obstacles, even a full face-to-face against Wizeman is meant for failure. “That so…then maybe you aren’t missing anything to be lacking in.” Phantom Pie spoke off slightly intrigue to hearing this while making another claim of thought. “And what would that be?” Reala raised an eyebrow in what was it this pony was going to state. Then in a sudden moment, Reala saw Phantom Pie try to attack him, but he leaped up in time to watch the nightmare pony break a nearby pillar to make a hole before it broke apart. As Reala landed across the ground and smoke from the rubble pillar came, Phantom Pie suddenly dash across to wield her Phantom Blade and prepares to cut the evil jester. But Reala suddenly clapped his hands on the blade at the right moment to stop its attack, while it may be hard to believe, Reala has strength to equally match NiGHTS even if they are not physically built for it. “Ohhh, not bad. But still, the only thing lacking is the killer instinct to do whatever it takes.” Phantom Pie smirked off to say before speaking a bit more dark and with a hollow voice in stating the terms. While Reala held Phantom Pie’s blade from trying to get near him, or even near his throat from the position, he held it back while glaring at this pony and from hearing her statement; which he realized what she was making him under about. “Are you so bend on killing them that you have forgotten what we’re after. Wizeman needs them alive, so he can get what they have…” Reala sternly states this in seeing Phantom Pie does not care about what Wizeman wants. “Hehehahahahahh….I never said you have to kill them.” Phantom Pie laughs darkly in seeing Reala misunderstood her. Then Reala makes a move to toss her backwards, but the pony rebalances and then when she stood her ground, put away her blade for now before looking at the evil jester. “What I wanna do is have a little…’fun’…with them. You have to simply make them suffer nice and slowly.” Phantom Pie spoke with dark and shrouded expression in having the darkest of thoughts to which would give some nightmares. “First, a little jab to stop and weaken their movements, then…deliver the blow when they are no longer amusing.” She stated to hold her blade, jab it into a pillar, then sliced it upwards that sliced it in half to crumble down. “It’s much more fun to watch such pure fear and terror, it’s very pleasing.” Phantom Pie stated to say this back towards Reala while slightly licking her lips and held her sword as if wanting to taste it for as if….it had tasted the cut flesh blood of victims. “I must say, your imagination seems very…derange and ludicrous.” Reala narrow his eyes in feeling like every word this nightmare pony speaks of makes some think she’s insane. “Heheh…the stronger the will, the more fun it is…to break it.” Phantom Pie smiles sinisterly to say with a chuckle in responding to the comment with her own thoughts. “I really am looking forward to seeing them all suffer. And you, Reala, better not be going soft when NiGHTS gets to suffer by my hooves.” She spoke to hover around and playfully moved from ear to ear in stating something else to be under the guy’s jester skin. “And to what matter would you say I’ve gone ’soft’ for the traitor?” Reala raised an eyebrow in suspicion in why this pony dares say such things. “Well…I can tell by the look in your eyes, and think…maybe deep down, you worry for her.” Phantom Pie slyly spoke in coming around the front to say this in thinking this guy feels concern about NiGHTS. “After all, since she did hurt you badly, she almost felt like she wanted to make sure you were okay. After being beaten before being trapped for Cerberus to handle.” She reminded of Reala’s defeat in being wounded by NiGHTS before leaving the scene. “That was of her own weakness…a weakness of caring for others than being respectful and obeying to Wizeman.” Reala issued off remotely to point his finger and glared at Phantom Pie in making all the wrong assumptions. “We were his Level-One Nightmarens, stronger than all others, our ties are only from the moments we’ve spent as Master Wizeman’s Right-Hand Men.” Reala explained how he and NiGHTS were Wizeman’s first and probably only Level-One Nightmarens, the strongest at the time to serve…before NiGHTS turn traitor to them. “Really? Well, you better hope such old ties don’t get you down.” Phantom Pie raised a sly eyebrow in having heard this with interest while making another claim. “Especially when I get their guard down, I will enjoy ending NiGHTS & you’ll get those six ponies.” She address the matter in what she’ll do to personally finish things where they stand. “Be that as it may, Wizeman has ordered that you accompany me, but that does not mean you get to order me around!” Reala pointed off that Wizeman said for this pony to accompany him, but that won’t mean he takes orders from her. Even if Wizeman has given her the same rank as what he and the former member NiGHTS hold among all Nightmarens. "Fine, be that as it may. But I have my own plans to finish off NiGHTS to which, even Wizeman wouldn’t mind her being finished off.” Phantom Pie shrug off her shoulders to say this in not caring, and turn away from Reala. “I’ll make NiGHTS suffer, then break her will & her Spirit, and then…deliver the final blow to end her. Won’t that be an end to her futile suffering once the Ambush is all set and made?” She looked back in showing her darkest expression in what shall happen next once she handles NiGHTS with an ambush. “And how certain are you that this plan ambush will work for you?” Reala raised an eyebrow in pondering in thought about Phantom Pie having planned things that far. “They say Friendship is Magic from the pony’s world, but that strength can also…serve as a weakness. Exploiting it is the key, just follow the lead, you too will play a role too.” Phantom Pie smirked darkly in stating how by using the term ‘friendship’, they can get away with almost anything… Then Phantom Pie hovers off while laughing cruelly and darkly on what she’ll do; preparing her plan ambush for NiGHTS. However, as she was gone, Reala was left to think of his own thoughts and about Phantom Pie herself, and of what she’s doing. “Hmph, while it is not my place to judge my master’s choice, but it seems this one is going to be giving us as much trouble as NiGHTS did when she betrayed us.” Reala huffs a bit to cross his arms in stating his own thoughts about having to deal with Phantom Pie. “From her actions, she may even plan something for the ponies and NiGHTS.” He thinks back to the day NiGHTS suddenly betrayed Wizeman, but then he growls to shake it off in feeling this matter about NiGHTS is distracting him. “Hmph, I’ll show her that I’m not soft…even for NiGHTS.” He huffs off to make this claim to Phantom Pie that he will show that he has no soft side for NiGHTS. With that, Reala soon vanishes off to do his own thing at the time before setting out for…other matter means. It appears things in Nightmare are really about to rumble when NiGHTS & friends come across their next set of trouble…Will they be able to handle it when it appears, that remains to be seen…