//------------------------------// // Chapter 23: BellBridge! // Story: MLP: Nights Journey Of Dreams // by JusSonic //------------------------------// Chapter 23: BellBridge! At this very moment, bright white lights shine to where we see Rainbow Dash, Rarity and Fluttershy falling gently across the starry night sky. They landed within the center of Dream Gate, just as a blue light appeared to reveal a blue treasure chest. As soon as the ponies landed in the area, they approached the new chest & soon a new mask came out. This golden mask was slender in the form with horns & teal eyes over the cover; in a way, it kinda gave the impression of a Dragon’s mask. Afterwards, the blue chest magically vanished right afterwards. “Hugh. I wonder what sorta mask this is here.” Rarity pondered off to question in seeing this for the first time. “Beats me.” Rainbow Dash shrug off to say in not knowing what new mask they got now. “Oh, I wish Owl was here to explain this.” Fluttershy spoke in wishing the wise old owl could tell them what this is. “Ho hoo, you seem to have gotten a good one, Visitors! That mask is the Dragon Persona, which allows for transformation into Dragon NiGHTS.” Owl soon flew from above & spoke upon having seen what the gang here has acquired now. “Dra-Dra-DRAGON!?” Fluttershy yelped a bit to shutter the name of something ‘Dragon’ related. “Yes, with this mask, the Dragon Persona, you can transform into the long bodied dragon when you Dualize with NiGHTS.” Owl stated off to explain what the Dragon Persona is capable of doing. “Dragon NiGHTS can stop in midair, & is also unaffected by wind when flying.” From the sounds of it, with this new ability for NiGHTS, even strong winds will be unable to push the jester in the form of a Dragon. “Cool! We Pegasus ponies always had trouble fighting against strong wind & this may come in handy!” Rainbow Dash smiled off to say in liking what they have received here. “But-but…what about the…gulp, Dragon part?” Fluttershy nervously asked this while swallowing hard, fearing this might be scary cause she’s afraid of Dragons. “Relax darling, we’re in control, so it won’t be a mean Dragon.” Rarity patted her shy friend to not be worried, if they are the Dragon when they Dualize with NiGHTS, then it’ll be all right. “Oh, right…I guess I forgot.” Fluttershy suddenly started to make a small smile in realizing that. “Well Owl, we’re gonna check out My Dream for a bit, I think after that last fight, we best need our strength for the final Ideya.” Rainbow Dash stated off in where they are gonna go now, after facing Queen Bella, they’ll need to recover before finding the next to last Ideya. “Well, if you are certain.” Owl replied off to hear this while moving to fly somewhere on the other side of the fountain. While Rainbow’s Team was heading towards the Door to take them to My Dream, they fail to see another white light appear in the sky. And soon falling gently across the night sky was…Twilight, Applejack & Pinkie Pie. These three landed outside of Dream Gate upon their arrival & had just started to walk in towards the fountain. Then a blue light shine from there to reveal the same blue treasure chest as before for the group to open. And as Twilight’s Team did, they received the Dragon Persona mask as well before the chest vanished. “Oh boy, wonder what this new mask is!” Pinkie Pie spoke off in liking the new mask, but doesn’t know what it’s for. “Must be like them other types.” Applejack stated in recalling the last two Persona mask they received. “But for what, one was a Dolphin, the other a Rocket, so…” Twilight was thinking in how they discovered two different mask help NiGHTS transform into different things, so what does this new mask do? “Ho hoo, so it stands the next one, to be a Dragon.” Owl spoke from being on the other side of the fountain as he overheard what the others are talking about. “Owl!” Twilight’s Team responded in seeing their wise owl friend was here. “What you have obtain is something called the Dragon Persona, allow one to transform into a long bodied Dragon when you Dualize with NiGHTS.” Owl stated off to explain what the Dragon Persona is capable of doing when NiGHTS is involved. “Once done, you’ll be known as Dragon NiGHTS, a being who can stop in midair & is also unaffected by wind when flying.” From the sounds of it, even if the gang met with strong winds, when NiGHTS transforms into a Dragon, they will be unable to push them. “Neat-o!” Pinkie Pie smiled in liking the sounds of that one about now. “Well now, ain’t dat something’ ta look forward ta.” Applejack smiled off in thinking that sounded like a swell ability to have. “It must be a very strong ability, did we earn it after the defeat of Cerberus?” Twilight pondered to think in what this last mask they gain can do for them. “In a way, yes, & with this, you may be able to conquer challenges against strong wind currents.” Owl nodded off to state the matter of how the Dragon Persona can be a very helpful item. “Maybe it’ll help us with de last Ideya.” Applejack spoke off to say this in thinking about what they may use this new mask ability for. “Wait, shouldn’t there be a Door or something?” Pinkie Pie asked off in noticing, that there is no new Door to a new Nightopia to visit yet? “That’s right, each Door responded to an Ideya we had.” Twilight responded in recalling the events that lead them to this moment. “From the Red, to White, to Blue, they brought three dream worlds.” She stated from the times they had Ideya, a Door responded and brought them to a new world. “So then, where’s the Door for the Green Ideya to respond to & lead us to another one?” Pinkie Pie asked off puzzled in where the next Door is supposed to come from. Just then, before anyone knew it, the Door to My Dream caught some attention in where just beyond the green hill side began to…change. As brilliant light cover over it, it was changed into where long staircases split into two paths between left & right while the My Dream Door was in the middle of the two. But the two paths connect to a middle center while leading up to one more staircase, leading to just a circle stone ring. But there was something else waiting at the very top of the spot, a large yellow sphere orb…could it possibly be what we all are thinking… “I think we got it, but it ain’t no Door.” Applejack slowly responded in seeing this, as this was something to respond without warning. Even those by My Dream’s Door stop what they were gonna do to stare up at this strange new thing that appeared. “Okay, if this didn’t look awesome, I think it was unexpected.” Rainbow Dash replied off to say in looking at these stairs here. “Why, I wonder if it has to do with having collected Four Ideya?” Rarity asked off in thinking this was a sign of what they might have done. “Maybe. But why now?” Fluttershy pondered to think why this was happening now so suddenly. “Oh hoo hoo!” Owl cheered in having seen this to flap his wings to allow him to get a better high view here. “It has been many thousands of years since the stairs on this hill have appeared!” Owl declared out loud to fly up high to say this out loud for everyone to hear him in what they see is a true surprise to appear before them. “It’s a clear response, from all four Ideya are gather in one place.” Owl address in just knowing how this must have happened all so sudden. That alone made all the two pony teams freeze up to now think, if what they heard about these stairs being something special, then perhaps…what they also seek is just ahead. “Come on, let’s check it out!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed to say in raring to go up the stairs without delay. “Should we?” Fluttershy asked in not being so sure if they should or not. “Yes, lets! This must be a sign darling!” Rarity happily responded in thinking this was something they can’t miss out on. Rainbow Dash, Rarity & Fluttershy took the staircase path on their right side to go up the first flank of stairs. At the same moment, Twilight, Applejack & Pinkie Pie were still pondering their thoughts about the staircase here & from knowing of its sudden appearance. “Well girls, if this isn’t a sign, then I don’t know what is.” Twilight shook her head in becoming serious in what they have just seen here today. “I could get a sign shape & help out with that.” Pinkie Pie randomly said this off in wanting to help, much to the weird looks she received. “How’s about we go up them stairs an check wha could be there?” Applejack kindly suggested this to the pink pony of a better solution to perform. Just as Twilight’s Team was coming over to the base of the staircase to prepare to go up, they spot something else was above the stairs. At the very top, there was their other friends, Rainbow Dash, Rarity & Fluttershy. Twilight, Applejack & Pinkie Pie took the left side of the staircase to reach up to the middle spot, & got a good spot to see the back of their friends. “Look, there’s Rainbow Dash, Rarity & Fluttershy!” Pinkie Pie pointed in spotting the backs of their fellow pony pals. “Then let’s meet up with them.” Applejack declared with pride in thinking it’s time they all go together again. “Right, come on!” Twilight nodded her head in agreement, this must be a sign that their journey is about at an end. At that same moment, NiGHTS had flown from above everyone’s heads, passing over Twilight’s Team & over Rainbow’s Team just as the latter reach the top first while the former team was still behind. NiGHTS landed on the ground in spotting the yellow sphere orb before them. And that’s when the jester knew what it was, because it was important. “Hey, girls! Look at that!” NiGHTS turn her head to speak to her friends to notice what they have here. “It’s the last Ideya! The Ideya of Hope!” NiGHTS declared in what they are seeing is the final Ideya has already appeared before them. At that moment, everyone was mesmerized in seeing a spectacular sight; the last Ideya they all needed to help them win the day & get their Dream Spirits back to Equestria was within their grasp. Rainbow’s Team was already on the flat surface to slowly move forward while Twilight’s Team were on the steps while the ponies ahead of them didn’t notice their presence; guess the last Ideya was so important to not notice them, oh well. But just then, the entire area began to have an earthquake shake motion that caused the ponies to yelp, with Rainbow’s Team falling on the floor while Twilight’s Team fell on the rake of stairs when they almost reach the top. Something was going on, but what was it, what was happening here? “Fools! You think to defy a god?” Wizeman’s voice spoke off that shook the very foundation of the area that left everyone in the dark of where it was coming from. And at the same time, an evil dramatic theme was heard in the background that symbolizing what was occurring here. “No…he couldn’t be…not here!” NiGHTS gasped out in fearing of who was possibly here of all places. “Oh no! He’s infiltrated Dream Gate! Hoo hoo!” Owl yelps in sounding worried to flap above everyone’s heads in feeling cautiously concern of what great terror has now come to this place; it’s not even Reala, but someone much….HIGHER INVOLVED! Suddenly, something was seen hovering upwards from beyond the stone circle ring where the Yellow Ideya was. Only when everyone looked at what was coming, they saw something very large, very tall, very much bizarre & very, VERY POWERFUL, especially with size gigantic metallic hands with eyeballs in their palms. “Fool…you cannot defy your creator!” Wizeman announced this issue of authority of holding absolute power over NiGHTS that has defied obeying him. “Wizeman!” NiGHTS issued off to gaze up at the titanic figure form of the one who is Ruler of all Nightmarens & a God for the Realm of Nightmare. “It’s…Its Wizeman?!” Twilight responded off in sounding shock in looking up from below the stairs in who was just in front of the ponies. “Oh boy, I don’t need a Pinkie Sense to say…we’re in trouble!” Pinkie Pie yelps in ducking her head low in seeing that is one enemy that could truly give them nightmares. “I have ta agree there! Just wha de heck is dat varmint?!” Applejack questioned off in not knowing who Wizeman is, but from what they can say….he is more than any foe of Nightmaren they have faced against. “Th-That’s Wizeman?!” Fluttershy shutters a bit in feeling worried & fearful, just standing on the floor to stare at this foe is too much for the shy pony to take. “Goodness Gracious! Look at the size of him, he’s unlike anything we’ve seen!” Rarity gasped in never seeing an enemy quite like this, it’s like jumping into the fire without thinking. “Oh man, this is definitely the worse time to face a seriously powerful villain now!” Rainbow Dash moans to complain in knowing they really got rotten luck when things were going so well up till now. “Your infantile disobedience stops here.” Wizeman spoke off in sounding very furious over NiGHTS for always getting in the way. “Now, you will know my wrath!” Then all six hands moved out to position themselves before everyone. Then without warning, the gigantic metallic hands open their palms to unleash a star dust before purple lasers were shot all around. Everyone yelps to shield themselves as the random attacks are fired around which caused a brightness to blind their eyesight. “Hhooooooo…..” Owl’s voice was heard from which he was caught off guard by the attack & was blasted away to parts unknown. “OWL!” Many of the ponies cried out to look for their other friend, but gasp at seeing something, as did NiGHTS. Much of that light attack completely devastated around Dream Gate to make the Doors, the fountain, everything be laid in waste. “Wizeman! How could you?” NiGHTS snapped off to face up to her former master in being angry; Wizeman has harm Owl & has level Dream Gate; this was unforgivable. “Have you not yet learned to hold your tongue?” Wizeman darkly was speaking with a strict tone voice in seeing & hearing how NiGHTS still does not see what position she is in. “If you refuse to bow to my will, then I have no further need for you.” Wizeman darkly address the matter that if NiGHTS will not surrender to him willingly, then he has not much use for the jester. “I shall take your mind, your consciousness & create a new, more obedient servant.” Soon all six of Wizeman’s gigantic metallic hands move in close to NiGHTS as if about to get her while stating a new plan to be done upon NiGHTS. “Wh…what?!” NiGHTS yelped upon hearing that, was Wizeman saying he was gonna change her personality completely to be something else entirely. Then without warning, the left hand unleashed a pink beam wave to rain down upon NiGHTS’s defenses. “Arrrrgh!” NiGHTS was soon yelping from being bombarded with Wizeman’s power that completely was making her yelp & struggle in midair while screaming in torture. “NiGHTS!” The Mane Six cried out in seeing their friend was being tortured in the most horrific of waves. NiGHTS was letting out loads among loads of screaming cries while yelping, Wizeman was not stopping this, the Nightmaren Ruler continued to pour this pain onto the jester until….it was over. NiGHTS was unable to bear the pain much more before losing all feeling in herself to be unconscious & flat off the ground like a helpless victim. Now Wizeman’s metallic hands moved forward while two of them held their own targets: the Ideya of Hope in the right hand & an unconscious NiGHTS in the left hand. “Oh no…NiGHTS…!” Rarity yelps horrid in shock by what she, Rainbow & Fluttershy seen in being in front of such great evil. “NiGHTS…no…” Twilight gasped off in shock to look down, she, Applejack & Pinkie Pie were still on the steps, but they felt unable to move after what they saw. “And as for you, Visitors from another world…” Wizeman spoke off in noticing the ones left behind here. The ponies yelped in having heard Wizeman speak to them to gasp with worry, what’s he gonna do now? And from what they are seeing, the weather seems to have become a bit more stormy with the way the clouds are looking, is it from under Wizeman’s power. “I consign you to oblivion, along with this eyesore of a world.” Wizeman decree this out as a mighty lord passing judgement of what will happen to those that were within this place. And soon, four of Wizeman’s metallic hands shut & open their palms to unleash another laser blast of a stronger force to blast around everything in sight. “Aaaaaaughhhh!” The Mane Six yelp to brace themselves yet again to duck down from what was coming as it all flashed out in white flash. Then as everything from the explosive force & shaking, did the ponies slowly began to open their eyes, only to see a much greater, more horrifying sight of what was displayed. All of Dream Gate was broken apart & began to fall into the Dark Ocean, only the staircase seem to remain. Even Twilight’s Team yelp from being at the lower part of the stairs to which part of it broke off & they yelp to hold on tight while they watch all of Dream Gate cease to exist anymore. “N…No….” Twilight gasped in being stun, this was way too much; as if wrecking the place wasn’t enough; but destroying it all. “Ah, our Dream Worlds!” Pinkie Pie gasped in shock that the Doors that lead to their dreams, are gone…all gone. “By golly, wha kinda monster is he?” Applejack gasped off in fright, Wizeman is almost like a powerful villain they know from Equestria who is a God, & they are living it here. “Nur-Huh-Huh-Huh-Huh-Huh, Hah-Hah-Hah-Hah-Hah-Hah-Hah-Hah, Haaaahhhh…..” Now Wizeman’s most diabolical laughter is heard within the air as the stun ponies watch as this powerful godly villain slowly descends down towards the dark ocean sea below. Finally, Rainbow’s Team snap out of their stupid phase to rush over & then as Twilight’s Team managed to get on more solid steps to rush up to, but all six of them reach the wreck spot of the circle edge. And they all stood their helplessly in watching Wizeman slowly sink into the Dark Ocean, taking within NiGHTS & the Yellow Ideya away “NIGHTS!!!” The Mane Six screamed out to want to stretch out their hooves, but they can’t go any further as they watch as they lose both the final Ideya & their jester friend…to the villain. Soon the evil dramatic theme came to a close at this moment. Now while the Mane Six maybe united now, they stood on what was the only floating island spot of what was once Dream Gate. Everything was gone, this world, the Doors to their Dreams, Owl, the Nightopians, the Yellow Ideya, & worse of all…NiGHTS. They felt completely powerless, for as they are but only Dream Spirits that had no real power in the Night Dimension as they did back in Equestria. “This is awful! Dreadful! This is the Worse…Thing…EVER…To Experience!” Rarity was traumatizing herself in a dramatic way “I can’t believe it, we froze right there & then! If we only gotten the Ideya, then…” Rainbow Dash was complaining to feel so powerless in what they did. “I can’t believe there was a villain like him, I mean he had SIX DISCONNECTED HANDS FLOATING AROUND!” Pinkie Pie was stating off while shouting off that the villain had six floating hands, what could they do against such a titan of a foe. “We saw Pinkie Pie, we saw. But I can’t blame ourselves, it’s like if we had ta face Grimmore back home.” Applejack nods off in feeling sorrow, it be as if they had to face the War-God, the mere presence of a power THAT large is too much even for mere mortals to stand against. “If we were back home, at least we have a chance to defend better. But, I don’t think we can do much now…not without NiGHTS.” Twilight look down in sorrow & defeat, they can’t do much of anything now, & without NiGHTS, well….what can they do? “What do we do now, is this going to be the end of us? Are we doom to disappear & never seen our friends & family again?” Fluttershy asked off in feeling like this was the end of the line for them, without the last Ideya, they can’t do much of anything much less get home. Now the Mane Six felt like this was their utter defeat. Without NiGHTS, they can’t much do the things the jester has always done; fly, soar, maneuver, perform attacks, heck, they can’t even transform into things without Dualizing with NiGHTS. What can any of them do now, they can’t fight, they can’t get home, what can they do now? Twilight just look down at where they saw Wizeman vanish into, taking all they had with him. In mere moments, sorrow & grief started to faed from Twilight’s heart as she stood up with some focus expression. “We have to go.” Twilight spoke softly at first that earn some attention from the others. “We have to go after them!” She spoke this out louder to look at her friends in stating this matter. “Go after them, but how darling?” Rarity asked off in what Twilight meant by them going after the others. “Right, they all went down, WAY down into the Dark Ocean!” Pinkie Pie nods in knowing what’s down there, an off limits area they can’t go into. “Wait a second! Ye ain’t thinkin’ wha it is I know ye got in dat brain of yours, Twilight!” Applejack suddenly hold everything in thinking she knows Twilight’s plan involves them going after the enemy, but on a risky part on the first step. “That’s right, we have to go after Wizeman & rescue NiGHTS & recover the Ideya of Hope!” Twilight nods off in being serious about what they need to do here, they have to dive in & reclaim their friend & the last Ideya taken from them. “But….that would mean going into…the Dark Ocean! The place no one returns from!” Fluttershy yelps in fear of what that means for them & it all sounds scary. “Yeah, how can we help if we never come back? If we had the elements, we might have a chance, but…” Rainbow Dash asked off in thinking they can’t do much when they are so powerless, & stuff… “Listen to yourselves! While we worry about our own sakes, Wizeman maybe planning to turn NiGHTS into something she isn’t.” Twilight sternly lectures her friends in seeing themselves, while they bicker about the odds against them, they could be doing something. “We all saw what that was like, an evil that made us do things we didn’t want to do. Do we sit back because of fear & helplessness & watch as someone who helped us so perish away?” Twilight was asking this serious form of a question about doing nothing to help when they can make a difference then watch someone suffer. That really left a hit on its mark, as the Mane Five think this through. Ever since they came to the Night Dimension, NiGHTS has help them out & has shown them the wonders of their dreams, & have done some fun things to. To just do nothing while an important friend is in major trouble, it be like they just threw away everything that makes an importance of Friendship that is magic all the more special. And soon many of them started to get some serious faces right about now. “Twilight, ye be right. I honestly think I couldn’t live with myself if I sat on my flank an’ did nothin’.” Applejack nods off with a stern face in agreeing what her friend was giving to them straight & has made up her mind. “Right! I don’t want our fun times to end here, we had so much with NiGHTS, I don’t want us to never do more again!” Pinkie Pie stated off to nod in wanting to continue to have the good times with NiGHTS & never stop. “Here, here! I won’t just turn my back to a friend who did so much for me without asking for any repayment.” Rarity nods in responding in a humble manner to not turn a blind eye to a friend in trouble. “NiGHTS maybe a Nightmaren, but robbing her of what makes her unique, that’s just being mean. She’s a kind person!” Fluttershy spoke off from being meekly to being more serious, they won’t let the NiGHTS they know be taken away. “Well if we’re in agreement, then what say we take a dive & just face whatever is down there, & get back our friend!” Rainbow Dash stated off in feeling her courage come back & was gonna be loyal for them to dive into the face of danger to save a friend. “That’s the way Rainbow, alright girls, on the count of three…” Twilight nodded off to say while having everyone get ready on her mark. “One…Two…” She was giving the countdown of when to rush off the edge, and… “THREE!” The Mane Six shouted together in backing up & began to run with all they got & not stopping for any reason. And with that, they all jumped off the edge of the destroyed staircase & began to fall straight down until…they fell into the Dark Ocean. At that moment, everything went completely dark & black, for whatever happens to the Mane Six….the choice they made was theirs alone to follow through in the dark abyss. ----------------------------- The scene opens towards a swirling dark & gray vortex void, depraved of all light, of all dreams, a world filled with just emptiness. But while that maybe so, the Mane Six were seen descending into it, Twilight, Applejack & Pinkie Pie were drifting apart from Rainbow Dash, Rarity & Fluttershy, but still…even with their shut eyes, they seem to be focusing…As if trying to speak their thoughts to keep them going on strong with some….willful desire of some kind? “I….I understand, now.” Twilight’s voice spoke off in feeling like she understand something. “What it means to trust people & ponies alike…” She stated from learning something that was absent to her. “I feel that…That our friends are the ones who trust you back.” Rarity’s voice spoke in stating a fact about one’s friends to trust another. “I think I finally understand too.” Fluttershy’s voice spoke in feeling like she too, understands something. “I realize what’s most important to me…” She stated in having come to terms of what is important here. “Up until now, I’ve just been running away from everything, feeling too cool to work hard.” Rainbow Dash’s voice stated in what seem like a guilt matter to her of what she did. “But…I won’t run away any more.” She stated in making a new stand as of now. “I’ve been so concern about looking’ up ta my pa & honoring' my family, dat I didn’t look at myself.” Applejack’s voice stated in having realized something she did what was out of being something she ain’t. “Well, from now on I will.” She declared in about to be who she wants to be now. “I know that I can do this on my own, if I really try my best.” Pinkie Pie’s voice stated in what she wants to do & be capable of on her own. As the Mane Six seem to be admitting some truthful, honest, kind, & encouraging words from their hearts, some red particles seem to be seen gathering in the center of the void. “My dreams…Friends that I can trust…” Twilight’s voice spoke off in stating these facts of meaning. “Now they’re relying on us. And we have ta help them!” Applejack’s voice stated in knowing who is relying on them now. “I won’t run away any more.” Fluttershy’s voice stated in what she’s gonna do from now on here. “My dreams…My memories of those I care for…” She stated in wanting to not lose such memories of all things. “I realize what’s most important to me…” Rainbow Dash’s voice spoke off in stating something of importance. “I know that there are some things that just cannot be replaced as simple as that.” Rarity’s voice issued about that there was no easy way to replace something lost. “I want to help save NIGHTS & all the innocent Nightopians.” Pinkie Pie’s voice spoke off as a will in what she wants to do in saving those she mentioned. “Everything that’s important to me….to us…I’ll protect it all with my friends!” Twilight’s voice stated off in what she was gonna do here & what she protects. “Pretty please…give us the strength to do this!” Pinkie Pie’s voice called out as if asking for aid now. “Please, give us the courage…” Fluttershy’s voice called out in wanting some form of courage to get them by. “To protect what’s important…” Rarity’s voice claim that they want to protect something dear. “Fer here…fer anywhere…” Applejack’s voice exclaimed that it’s to be for just about anywhere. “To make sure we are all safe, because of…” Rainbow Dash’s voice was about to make this claim, before… “Friendship!!!” The Mane Six spoke in union on that last part they wanted to make clear here. Suddenly, the red gathering of lights started to flash together in creating some spiral sphere of light. It was rotating at an alarming rate in response to the ponies & it began to slowly come towards them until…all faded out here. ------------------------------------ Meanwhile at the same moment, the scene opens to a strange tower area that we are not able to see or tell its location. But from what can be seen & noted was that NiGHTS was chained up by her ankles & wrists in gold chain designs like the cages, but to the floor & above the ceiling. Someone was seen putting something on the unconscious jester, it was NiGHTS’s Persona Mask that she wore to symbolize loyalty to Wizeman. As for who put that one her, it was none other than Phantom Psycho Pie as she seem to be standing around, looking bored at the job she’s been given.
 “Brother, here I am, with my target in sight & I’m told to not finish her off by Wizeman’s orders.” Phantom Pie rolled her eyes to complain in seeing what kinda task she was given here. “Seriously, I get I’ve been given these final two keys out of the six needed to unshackle NiGHTS, in case those Key Keepers fail to guard theirs.” She explained in showing she had two keys in her possession needed to free NiGHTS. “But come on, I wanted to have my own fun in torturing this goody-two-shoe protector of dreams, & yet while she’s unable to fight back when chained up, just to keep her in chains! No fair at all!” She complains & pouts in not being allowed to have any fun here in what she wants to do to NiGHTS. 
 Then while she was busy with her own matters, Phantom Pie looked back over to the unconscious NiGHTS. Some glimpse of memories from when the two fought, how it was left undecided while the jester was making remarks to her about some weird stuff she never got; things like a heart. Just remembering that stuff was making the evil pony groan to growl in annoyance; even if the enemy is unconscious, she is still being a pain to her. 
 “Ugh, I’m recalling what she told me about having a heart. Like I wanted to be whole, yeah right. What’s wrong with the way I am now?” Phantom Pie questioned off in recalling what NiGHTS said to her when first they meant. “Hmph…her tricky words don’t affect me. So what, I’m after all acknowledging who I am, a piece of Psycho Pie! What’s wrong with just being that?” She asked off in what’s wrong with being one part of someone who is already whole & is now acting as their own. 
 “Is it…really how…you wish to live out?” A sudden voice that sounded weak was heard speaking during Phantom Pie’s ranting. 
 Phantom Pie looks over to where NiGHTS was chained up as she heard what was said & seem to narrow her eyes in not liking what she’s hearing. 
 “Still awake, well save your breath. You’re gonna need it when Wizeman’s done changing your personality to become a new Nightmaren!” Phantom Pie remotely remarked off to tease & taunt NiGHTS in what’s gonna happen to her. 
 “Even so…are you really alright being something else, then being what you are told to be?” NiGHTS spoke off to mention this in wanting to know, from her struggling open eyes, about Phantom Pie’s case. 
 Phantom Pie seem confused, what did she meant by something like that. Ever since she was recreated as a Nightmaren, she hasn’t felt like her old Nightmare Demon Pony self. There was even that time she felt a beat in her chest which she never once heard before…unless she was alive. Ever since she & NiGHTS first fought in Memory Forest, being asked of weird questions has actually started to make her question things she never cared for. When she was done with her deep thinking, she looks back at the chained NiGHTS who even now, continues to be a pain, even torture Phantom Pie instead of the other way around. 
 “You are REALLY starting to dry my PATIENCE! I said I am as I should be!” Phantom Pie snaps off loudly in being tired of being told of such foolish ideas from this good jester. 
 “Do you choose to be this way or was it chosen for you?” NiGHTS asked this question in wondering what the answer could be. 
 “Chosen?” Phantom Pie repeat off puzzled in having been told this as she was not getting it. 
 “I maybe a Nightmaren, but…I felt different from the others…something even Wizeman never foresaw in me.” NiGHTS struggled to speak her words while feeling tired, but was speaking true of every words about herself. “At first, I just followed orders like any Nightmaren was supposed to do…but then I decided to change & start anew.” She stated from wanting to be something else, something more, to stand out for a change. 
 “And was that from, what…your heart? Did it help you grow a conscience?” Phantom Pie remarked off to say this in making more taunts over the issue. “Well, thanks to it, you might not even be the you right now.” She pointed out that very soon, NiGHTS won’t be herself no more once Wizeman is done with her. 
 “Even so, I feel like…I won’t be forgotten.” NiGHTS spoke softly to say this with her head looking down. 
 “Not be…forgotten?” Phantom Pier slowly repeated to raise her eyebrows in feeling confused now. “What do you mean?” She asked off in not truly following that statement at all. 
 “Those who live with a soul & those that have a heart…those that reach out to others…” NiGHTS slowly spoke forth in trying to speak reason with her words here of what she is. “One’s heart connects to another, it is how trust, friendship, & other emotions are made. From them…we feel…free…” She stated off that with emotions, one truly feels like they are free from being nothing. 
 Suddenly a strange vibration wave shook off from Phantom Pie’s presence, & a strange beat sound is heard again as she yelped. Phantom Pie holds her head with one hoof as if feeling something off from hearing such confounded speech lecture from NiGHTS. 
 “What…is this….some kinda…TRICK?” Phantom Pie growls with her gritted teeth in feeling like she’s getting a bad headache or something from all this nonsense. “You’re doing this…admit it! You’re deliberately doing something…even now!” From the moment Phantom Pie glares at NiGHTS with anger & fury, NiGHTS showed no signs of deceiving her opponent, the only one lying…is the enemy pony herself. 
 “The only one being hurt is you.” NiGHTS expressed forth to say this as it was the honest truth. “You’ve been given something you might not have needed if you were only a specter, but you were from a flesh being before then.” She spoke forth in stating what Phantom Pie was before being a specter & then even a Nightmaren. 
 “What…are you saying?” Phantom Pie growls to focus her fury eyes on the chain jester. “You’re saying…that the heart I never had if I was not first flesh has become real when Wizeman gave me new life?” She couldn’t understand it, when she was left inside Pinkamena, she was a specter spirit wanting to take over a flesh body, but after getting a new body of her own, could she now have something she didn’t expect; was such a thing possible? 
 “It wouldn’t be surprising…if he didn’t notice himself…just like…with…me. To…have…a…heart….” NiGHTS slowly was speaking with her words becoming quieter by the second until her eyes slowly shut. 
 Then at that moment, NiGHTS suddenly lost some of her strength to have her head go limp as she passed out now. But Phantom Pie seem to be screeching between her teeth that the one she was having a conversation is now out cold. Just as she stood back up from getting a hold of herself after what she had been through with this irritating chatter. 
 “Uuuuuugh, you really are a pain to no ends!” Phantom Pie growls off to blow off steam in what NiGHTS has gone & done now. “Brother…have a heart. Blaugh! I think I’m gonna hurl!” She stuck her tongue out in feeling like she be sick with such an idea. 
 Suddenly there was a strange sense from the distance that Phantom Pie felt. They were familiar signatures & they vanished into complete blackness; which perk her an evil smile. 
 “The Mane Six…they’re in the Dark Ocean.” Phantom Pie smiled off evilly in stating of where the enemy has gone & landed themselves in; the place of no return. “Heh, well then…guess NiGHTS’s rescue will be…” She was about to say the rescue for NiGHTS will never come if those six mares have been swallowed into the Dark Ocean. 
 But just then, a sudden red jolt zip across Phantom Pie’s senses to snap her eyes awake. She stared in shock to stare up at the cloudy night sky, as if sensing…something came & now it was…coming… 
 “What’s this…the Ideya of Courage…I’m sensing it’s still with them and…” Phantom Pie was stating out all of what she felt, the Red Ideya was helping out the ponies & there was more! 
 That’s when Phantom Pie’s eyes widen in putting the two things together. The Mane Six are about to make a comeback return, but should be impossible for them. Then at that moment, she whistles for something & soon a Goodle riding a blue gigantic bird screech to appear before her. 
 “Get ready to move pal & alert the other Key Keepers! Those ponies from Equestria are gonna arrive to rescue NiGHTS! And they can’t do it without getting all SIX keys!” Phantom Pie was giving the orders out as a First-Level Nightmaren in seeing they’ll be getting some rescuers of NiGHTS & they need to stop them from obtaining the keys if they are in groups of two. 
 The gigantic blue bird screeched in having been told this & was ready to obey it as the evil pony was climbing up to ride in the backseat with this Nightmaren. 
 “I’ll show NiGHTS & those ponies…of what I truly am…I shall use all the powers at my disposal to make them suffer defeat!” Phantom Pie dryly issued off with a dark expression on her face that she’ll end this little battle once & for all. “It’s time to see if having a heart with such strong devotion to those one cares for really is all that or just empty words. Let’s see them survive…The Nightmare Demon Pony!” She issued off the matter to wonder if the heroes can win with the feeling of their hearts over the powers she has & without NiGHTS to protect them. 
 Then without warning, the Goodle riding the gigantic bird took off with Phantom Pie riding on it. When those ponies come & try to take the last keys needed to free NiGHTS, they’ll have to face her to get to them & it won’t be easy. For with the odds against the Mane Six who are nothing but Dream Spirits, Phantom Pie is gonna give them a fight they’ll never forget. And with that, everything goes dark at this time while many are wondering…what sorta battle is about to take place here very soon. ---------------------- Now the scene begins to show dark gray cloud that blocks our view, but soon a familiar ‘red’ shining light begins to light on through it. At that same moment, the background was playing ‘Growing Wings’ during this time. Soon the red sphere of light shine off to bring forth the Mane Six to be above some clouds & were….MAGICALLY FLYING!? This was a struck of amazement if ever seen, the ponies that had no magic from their world here & as Dream Spirits couldn’t use their wings, but it seems…they can fly on their own without Dualizing with NiGHTS. Below them, was what look like a city that resembles a place called London that they heard about from Megan’s world; Course there are a few chunks of buildings that float around like island pieces & such, little black clouds hovered around & the city was sleeping below, the windows lit up in the night as a harvest moon shine gently. “Rainbow, you search that way, we’ll take this way!” Twilight order out in what they’re gonna do here, split into their teams of three to cover more areas. “Roger Twilight, time for our teams to begin our search!” Rainbow Dash saluted in knowing what it’s time for here; search and rescue time. Soon the two teams parted to help cover more ground or air, whichever, it's their search to find NiGHTS. Each of them managed to perform a Drill Dash move to go in two splits to cover ground from left & right. Twilight’s Team soon came across a blue light, & when they touch it, it zoom off ahead of them while they went through some Rings. And just as they were coming near a chunk of a building, the blue light made contact to which it was changed into balloons! “Hey, you see that? It turn that big building into balloons!” Pinkie Pie stated in what they saw look like something that was…just, wow! “Well dat’s some crazy ability?” Applejack remotely stated in what they saw was completely strange indeed. “Heads up girls, something’s ahead here!” Twilight issued a warning in seeing something ahead of them now. Soon Twilight’s Team came near what look like a floating door with stretch chains & a lock in the middle. Once they had to go pass it, they spotted a Goodle riding a pink gigantic bird, as it took the highroad. So the ponies had to fly up after him, & soon got shot out of a jar cannon, & were watching out for some firework display going on. Another building chunk was gonna be hard to dodge while the Nightmaren seem to go through a window, but the gang touch the same floating blue light before it shot out & turn that object into balloons & cleared a path for them. “I think we can safely say we need those building chunks out of our way.” Twilight stated off in knowing what it was they need to do. “Easy, find a floating blue light & make them turn into balloons!” Pinkie Pie happily stated off the simple matter in what to do at the time being. “Sounds so simple, it’s hard not ta agree ta it.” Applejack shrug off to say in seeing this will be something to get by. Twilight’s Team was going through some Rings, as they were not losing track of their target ahead. They came across another blue light where AJ touch it, & it shot off like a shooting star while the ponies flew to collect Rings. The light touch another building chunk, turn to balloons & some of the balloons pop into firework displays. They spotted the Goodle ahead, he was gonna try another slip through a building chunk, but then Pinkie Pie touch another blue light to shoot it off. The light went to turn that chunk into balloons & kept going even pass the Goodle, much to its confusion while unaware of the ponies catching up. With team work, Twilight held AJ & Pinkie Pie to do a combo Drill Dash to toss them & then AJ did the same for Pinkie Pie which the latter pulled off to which then…made contact with the Goodle. “GOT’CHA!” Pinkie Pie shouted out in having caught this tricky little Nightmaren. The gigantic bird yelped before Pinkie Pie toss the bird along with the Goodle downwards to see them vanish, but not before snatching the key. As the Nightmaren vanish into darkness from whence it came, Twilight & Applejack came up to Pinkie Pie who held the first key. As Team Twilight flies together around the area, it would seem that after the defeat of the Goodle that was the Key Keeper, & chunks of floating buildings it would have used were turn to balloons & gave the ponies a chance to soar by & find that lock door they saw before, which from their contact, smashed it to pieces from the use of the key. “Looky here, it unlock this thing while we’re busting’ it.” Applejack stated in seeing what it was that they managed to do here with the lock door. “Maybe it’s connected to freeing NiGHTS, like from her prison cages.” Pinkie Pie spoke off in thinking the two are sorta similar. “I think your right Pinkie Pie, come on, there must be two more Key Keepers to track down.” Twilight stated to say this in figuring out what they need to do here. Now with one door unlock, the gang can only hope it helps them in freeing NiGHTS. And more so, hope Rainbow Dash, Rarity & Fluttershy are doing okay with their own task. -------------------------------- Also around the same moment, Rainbow’s Team was also chasing another Goodle riding the same pink gigantic bird after seeing a strange floating lock door. Rainbow Dash saw a blue light before making contact with it as it somehow flew off to touch a street lamp that expanded its height, which the ponies grab & started to twirl around & around before flying off. And then from coming near another blue light, it flew off while they went through Rings, & soon saw a building chunk that the Goodle flew through, turn to balloons while giving the ponies an opening. “Oh my, that was certainly helpful.” Fluttershy responded in having seen what was just done now with the building turn to balloons. “I know, if that building was in the way, we never make it through.” Rarity nodded to agree to the subject like a big relief on their part. “Good thing we touch that blue light, now come on, let’s get that Keeper!” Rainbow Dash issued off to say while stating they got to catch the Goodle ahead of them. Now Rainbow’s Team did some Drill Dash moves to go through Rings, watch as balloons pop like fireworks & continue to chase the Goodle. Rarity found another blue light to touch it & watch it soar off to touch another building chunk in the air to turn into balloons, giving them an opening to chase the target. They were soon coming near spiky ball rings that were closing down, but they step on the gas & were shot out of two jar cannons. “Ohhh, I wish we could turn into a rocket to get more speed!” Rarity complains in seeing they are still lacking in speed. “I think I got something, you two wanna help out in it?” Rainbow Dash spoke off in smirking under an idea she hatched. “Well, I don’t see why not.” Fluttershy shrug off to say in feeling it couldn’t hurt to try something out. They were nearly getting closer to the target as they were coming near a jar cannon, they did their Drill Dash action. The combination of that speed boosted them enough to get enough speed, & then Rainbow Dash & Fluttershy open their wings. They were getting some extra air flow through them & then at one good moment, flapped them on Rarity to shoot her off like a bullet. The drama mare yelps out a scream while plowing through Rings & soon makes contact with the Goodle. “GIVE ME THE KEY, YOU FIEND!” Rarity screamed out in starting to wrestle her way in fighting this Nightmaren single hoof-combat; well as far as she knows to defend herself. Then from a strange occurrence, Rarity managed to snatch the key & kick the gigantic bird down as it made its screech before it & the Goodle vanish into darkness. As Rarity panted, Fluttershy & Rainbow Dash join their friend to continue to fly until they saw that same lock door ahead. All the building chunks were not in their way as they were turn to balloons. And they soon bash into the door in which unlocked it, as it seem like a familiar technique they know. “Oh my, it seems they work just like NiGHTS’s prison.” Fluttershy spoke off in seeing how this seems to work for them. “Well then, let’s find & break two more & free our friend, shall we?” Rarity suggested this out in knowing what they must be doing next here. “Just as long as you don’t freak out again.” Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes to make a light joke in seeing how Rarity acted; much to the latter’s huff response. Now Team Rainbow was able to unlock this door, & continue to fly off in order to help free NiGHTS. And while they do what they can, they are hoping those from Team Twilight are doing okay as well. ----------------------------- Meanwhile, back with Team Twilight, they are seen diving down from being so high above the city, to go through some thick clouds. And once they pass through, they are seeing many city lights, even more so then what was seen in Delight City. And soon they pass through some Rings, came near a bell tower before being shot out of a jar cannon over a glass dome light to Paraloop Blue Chips & came near the next lock door ahead. And as the ponies saw they couldn’t get through, they spotted a green gigantic bird ahead with the next Goodle carrying the next key. “There he is!” Twilight pointed in seeing the target they are after ahead. “Goodle number two!” Pinkie Pie stated off in knowing which Goodle they are after next. “Time we tussle this here varmint, partners!” Applejack declared off to her pals in what next bad guy they get to wrestle next. Now registering the target, Twilight’s Team follows by going through Rings & diving down them near Big Ben the Clocktower. When they reach down, the Goodle flew up, but Pinkie Pie lead them to grab a street lamp & rotate upwards to throw them faster ahead to catch the Nightmaren. They reach a jar cannon, it fired them forth & AJ touch a blue light that zip by to impact a floating building chunk the Goodle came near to turn into balloons. “Sorry, can’t get rid of us that easy!” Pinkie Pie smiled off to say this in seeing they aren’t gonna lose that easy. “Dat’s right, we’re hot on yer tail, buster!” Applejack declared off to mention this little fact. “We can do this girls, keep on him!” Twilight issued this to boost their morale now. Now the ponies saw two Rings above & below, Pinkie took the top, AJ the bottom, & Twilight went for the center to grab the other blue light that shot off. The ponies flew down to another building to where they watch out for closing spiky orb rings, got another blue light to shot off after where the Goodle was going. Then from being fired from a jar cannon, Twilight & friends grab a street lamp pole to rotate upwards in following the Key Keeper. The went through two other jar cannons between more Rings while diving down, & got shot from another jar cannon before entering a tall building where they were in the middle. “He’s taking de high route?” Applejack stated in seeing what the Nightmaren was doing. “Then we have to go after him!” Twilight stated to say this in what they gotta do. “Time to soar high in the skies!” Pinkie Pie cheered forth in knowing what it’s time to do. Now Team Twilight soon was flying up through Rings to perform Drill Dash moves to catch up to the target. And just as the Goodle adjust to go through an opening, Twilight’s Team got to a jar cannon in the middle before Twilight & Pinkie Pie got behind AJ to press their hooves to her. And from that push boost combine with the jar cannon, Applejack reach the Goodle to tackle the yelping bird. “I’ll be takin’ this here key, ye crazy vulture!” Applejack snapped off to say while snatching the key from the Goodle. And then Applejack kicked the gigantic bird down to where it screech it’s last & vanish into darkness along with its Goodle rider. Soon AJ was accompanied by Twilight & Pinkie Pie before flying off with the key in their grasp to find the door to unlock it with the key. They came near a blue light, touch it for it shot off to make one chunk building turn to balloons while they went through more Rings. They touch another blue light ahead, got shot out of a triple jar cannon, but made it through safely when the next floating building chunk got turn to balloons. They soon dove down through clouds to reach the area they started in & found the lock door before they smash it through with the key they obtained. “That’s the second lock door we destroyed.” Twilight stated in seeing what number of locks they’ve taken care of. “Just one more thing ta go!” Applejack stated to say in knowing how many locks should be left now. “And then NiGHTS will be good as free…wherever she is!” Pinkie Pie humbly declared this off in knowing how close they are now. Now with the second lock door finished, Twilight’s Team began to fly off in hopes to find what maybe the third & final key to help free NiGHTS. Hopefully they believe Rainbow’s Team are doing fairly well & to meet up with them very soon. -------------------------- And speaking of Team Rainbow, we find them flying near a blue light to touch & soon dive down through clouds as well. As they flew down to the bottom to find the many city buildings, the blue light turn one chunk to balloons, as the ponies flew by the Rings, then shot out of a jar cannon from another building before spotting the next lock door ahead. And not only just that, but a green gigantic bird ridden by a Goodle ahead of them. “Goodle at Twelve O’Clock!” Rainbow Dash announced in spotting their target straight ahead of them. “But the clock tower down there reads...” Fluttershy was about to point out the difference the clock tower they saw a while back said something else, but… “It’s an expression darling, for now, we found our next target!” Rarity issued forth in explaining the case while focusing on the mission. Finding the target, Rainbow’s Team quickly go forth after the Nightmaren while touching a blue light that went ahead, & they soon went upwards by twirling on a street tower pole. After being shot off, they went through some Rings, got shot from a jar cannon downwards to do a Paraloop maneuver on a Ring structure. They continue to go through more Rings, shot from a jar cannon & touch another blue light that shot off to turn a building chunk that floated nearby the Goodle went through into balloons. “Well, at least we won’t crash into such things.” Rarity sighs at thinking of the positive issue than the negative effect. “Let’s worry more after catching this creep!” Rainbow Dash issued off to say that they can worry about such things later. “Okay, then let’s do our very best.” Fluttershy meekly spoke with a little form of courage to be seen. Now Team Rainbow was going upwards through Rings, shot from another jar cannon to follow green fireworks that showed the Goodle’s location. They managed to slip through the spike ball rings & touch another blue light during their pursuit, gone through a jar cannon to fire them across more Rings. Wasn’t long till Rainbow’s Team went through a cannon to be shot down to chase their target, Paraloop Blue Chips & touch a blue light that shot off near the next site. And soon the ponies flew after the Goodle going in & going up a tall building that they could see how high up it was. “Oh my, looks like we’ll have to go up!” Fluttershy stated in seeing what they will have to do here. “Well, then let’s not stay down here too long.” Rarity stated off in knowing what they gotta do next. “Right, going Uuuuup!” Rainbow Dash declared in preparing for them to rocket on upwards. So without much delay, Rainbow’s Team was flying up high in the tower to go through Rings, collect Blue Chips, & then when reaching the next exit, shot out of a jar cannon. The ponies were nearly reaching the Goodle target, Fluttershy flew to touch a blue light that shot off before they grab a streetlamp post to twirl upwards & get shot off. This was cutting things close with the blue lights to get rid of building chunks to Rings & jar cannons, but slowly around the next turn, Rainbow Dash did a Drill Dash with Rarity up front & then Fluttershy to give them speed before….the yellow Pegasus finally came in contact with the Goodle. “Oh, sorry, but…I need this.” Fluttershy made a tiny apology before going after the key. Soon after that strange request issue, Fluttershy jumped off while her force was enough to send the gigantic bird screeching downwards to vanish into darkness along with the Goodle rider. And after Rainbow Dash & Rarity join Fluttershy, they flew off through Rings, a blue light they touch to be shot out of a jar cannon while diving down some clouds. Wasn’t long until they found the same door they saw before, & with the key they got, smashed in it to pieces to enter through. “Yes! Two down…” Rainbow Dash cheered in seeing that they managed to take another lock door down. “And one to go.” Rarity stated in seeing what should be left for them now. “Let’s find the last Goodle then.” Fluttershy spoke off in wanting for them to find the last Key Keeper. With another lock door gone, that just leaves one more task to handle & then the gang will be able to free NiGHTS. All that’s left is to just reunite with Twilight’s Team & then they’ll soon work together to find the last Key Rider. ---------------------- And at this time, what we actually do see is Phantom Pie riding on a blue gigantic bird with a Goodle as they were in the center of an area. From two far off sides of east & west sides, two teams were making it over to go pass the railroad tunnels to reach where she was. “So, they managed to get the others, well they won’t be so lucky here.” Phantom Pie scolded off to say this in seeing the situation with a stern look. “Time to spring a little surprise on one of them & watch them fall into the dark abyss! At least it’ll get rid of one annoyance.” She smirked evilly in having one last ace up her tricky little sleeve here. At the moment with Rainbow’s Team entering the area, something unknown was going on without warning. At this moment, the background theme had cease being heard. Now as the night bell tone rang, all the lights began to go out one by one, block by block at a time. “Eeek!” Fluttershy squealed in terror from what was happening all so sudden. “What the?” Rarity yelps in not knowing what was happening. “What’s happening?” Rainbow Dash asked off in looking around cautiously, this didn’t seem normal to do. Twilight’s Team was just further away from the spot before they soon saw something happening ahead with the dimming of lights of the city. And not just that, they also saw their three pony pals ahead getting caught in something. “Twilight, wha’s happening up there?” Applejack asked her smart friend in what was going on ahead of them. “I’m not sure, but it looks like a trap.” Twilight stated in what she could best figure out from afar. “We have to go & save Dashie & the others before we lose them!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed in fearing what would happen here. “Nur-huh-huh-huh-huh, Hah-hah-hah-hah…” Then the wicked evil laughter of Wizeman was heard when the entire city was blanked with darkness. “Murh-Hurh-hurh-hurh-hurh, Hah-hah-hah-hahh….” More of that dark laughter is heard & it seem to be affecting Rainbow Dash, Rarity & Fluttershy who couldn’t figure out where the Nightmaren God was. “Gurh-Hurh-Hurh-Hurh, Hah-Hah-Hah-Hah…” Then within that evil laughter during the confusion, Fluttershy, Rarity & even Rainbow Dash felt something off…red light was escaping their bodies…& realize it was actually their Red Ideya of Courage leaving them. “Oh no!” Rarity yelps to try to reach for what was being taken from them. “The Red Ideya!” Rainbow Dash shouted in trying to get that stuff back, but… “Aaaaaahhhhh!” Fluttershy soon screams when she along with Rarity & Rainbow Dash lost their Red Ideya & began to plunge down into the dark abyss of the city below. Phantom Pie watched this from afar, smirking at watching those that lost their courage, lose their power to maintain flight. “Heheheh, now, to pick off the last bunch & obtain their Ideya. So much for that whole heart of friendship nonsense…they’re done for now.” Phantom Pie let off an evil chuckle in seeing this was the end for the Mane Six, they can’t win now. “Wait, what?” Then she yelped in noticing something off from down below. Suddenly, Team Twilight was diving down at their max speed to reach the falling Team Rainbow group. It look like it was all over when they all disappeared in the darkness beneath, but… “AURORA!” A sudden voice cheer was heard all of a sudden & soon little red light particles gather where the ponies vanish to. At this moment, the background was playing ‘Cruising Together’ in this spectacular display. And soon a bright red ball of light flash into a yellow light that soon push away the darkness & turn all of the city’s lights back on. And soon soaring from below, was none other than the Mane Six, they survived and flew together. “How….how did we make it?” Rarity asked off in being surprise by their surviving such a matter. “Simple, we shared each other’s courage.” Applejack smiled off to state in how they managed to get out of that jam. “Right, if we’re alone, we aren’t that tough, but together, we’re plenty!” Pinkie Pie smiled off to simply state the issue in her way of saying it. “So you dove in to save us, even if it meant you might not make it out?” Fluttershy asked out in finding that was almost too reckless than bravery. “Of course, anything’s worth fighting for, for a friend.” Twilight smiled to say this in knowing that nothing’s more important than helping a friend. “Way to say it Twilight! Now that we’re together, it’s time ta free NiGHTS!” Rainbow Dash smiled to her pal Twilight, & issued that they settle up to rescue one more friend…together. “Yeah!” The Mane Six made a cheer off in all agreeing to that plan & soon flew off together. “IMPOSSIBLE! They shouldn’t have come back from that trap!” Phantom Pie snapped off in seeing this, those ponies shouldn’t have escaped; what even gave them such strength? “What are you waiting for? FLY! Get us far from them while I stall them!” She turn to snap at the Goodle rider to get moving before the Mane Six get them. Soon the Goodle on the gigantic blue bird rode off while the Mane Six flew through Rings to spot it ahead. Then Pinkie Pie touch a blue light that flew off that impacted a rising building from below that turn it into balloons. Phantom Pie fired her Screaming Darkness attack, but when Rarity touch another blue light, the Mane Six grabbed a building’s pole to twirl up at a fast rate to avoid the attack & shot off to follow. Then as the gang touch another blue light, it shot off with the first & stop two more buildings to rise up while they dove down to catch the targets. “Close the GATES!” Phantom Pie shouted off in giving an order for the gates to close. Then as the Mane Six collected Blue Chips & gone through Rings, they saw through a building, that the gates were closing, & so they punch it to make it through. It was a tight squeeze, but they did it & touch another blue light to be shot off to stop another rising building to turn to balloons & show them the Goodle ahead. Phantom Pie fired off her Crimson Mist before she & the Goodle went through another closing gate. “Incoming evil mist!” Pinkie Pie warn her pals in seeing what’s ahead of them. “Then let’s do what we did with Octopaw!” Rarity suggested this out to her friends here. “Oh, I know what to do there.” Fluttershy nods off to say in remembering that experience. The Mane Six work together to dodge around that mist like it was Octopaw’s ink cloud to squeeze through the gate before it closed on them. Then they got shot from a jar cannon through more Rings to approach the Goodle, much to it’s & even Phantom Pie’s surprise that company was nearing them. Then Twilight touch another blue light that shot off to stop another rising building from below to turn into balloons as the heroes went through more Rings. “We’re approaching’, any ideas in how ta get de last key?” Applejack stated in wondering what they do next. “I have an idea, it’s gonna take all of us to perform what we already know, but as a group.” Twilight stated to say that she has an idea in what to do, but it’s gonna take team work to do it. “Just say the word Twilight & we’ll make you proud!” Rainbow Dash smiled off to declare this to her pal. Now Rainbow Dash touch another blue light that shot off to leave a trail of Rings, charging the gang’s Dash Power to quicken their pace to approach the Goodle on the blue gigantic bird. Then passing by a spiky ball ring, the gang got shot from a jar cannon that made them nearly reach the target. But it was from Twilight & Rainbow Dash that from their two teams, perform a double Drill Dash toss & WHAM on the Key Keeper target. “Hey! Get off!” Phantom Pie snapped off to say in wanting these hitchhikers off. “Not until we get the key!” Rainbow Dash snapped off to wrestle this strange pony while not caring much but to keep her occupied. “I got it Rainbow!” Twilight yelled out in swiping the Goodle’s key. Then Rainbow Dash kicked the gigantic bird that soon dropped to fall down & vanish into darkness along with the Goodle. But Phantom Pie stopped her descend to gaze up with a growling face at the Mane Six flying upwards around a giant clock tower. Above the clock tower was a giant gear piece above, that had to be their target to be destroyed, but then….Phantom Pie flew in front of them, stopping the ponies from going further. “Hold it right there, little ponies!” Phantom Pie stops those from going any further. “Wha de hay, yer a pony?” Applejack asked off in seeing this was no mere Nightmaren, but some pony from likely their world. “But how? Who are you?” Rarity asked off in not understanding where this new pony came from to be here. “To make a long explanation short, I am simply know…as Phantom Psycho Pie, but you can call me Phantom Pie for short.” Phantom Pie gave the short intro of what her name is before going on. “And as for what I am, I was once the dreaded Nightmare Demon Pony that haunted & stole the life-force of my victims in their dream worlds.” She smiled off in stating what her line of work was that she’s done in the past. “Hugh…that’s horrible!” Fluttershy gasped in finding such a thing to do was horrible. “Wait, you said once….then that means…you were defeated?” Pinkie Pie cuts in to bring up something that sounded fishy. “Unfortunately, yes…I was. By your other self from another world, that accursed Pinkamena Diane Pie! She destroyed me with her Element Form!” Phantom Pie made a frown to snarl off with grit teeth in how thanks to Pinkamena, she was defeated. “So then you’re the one that Golden Heart said she couldn’t wake up from her coma.” Twilight narrow her stern eyes in having heard from Golden Heart about a strange foe he fought in Pinkamena’s dream that was like a virus trying to take control; Phantom Pie must have been it. “Wait a second, if you were destroyed, how are you even alive?” Rainbow Dash stops to ask a good question…how is this nightmare pony still around if she was destroyed. “Oh, I absorbed the Dark Inferno, a small dosage of it was trapped in Pinkamena’s body that transform me. Even if she age my existence, a small spark of the flames survive with my conscious.” Phantom Pie explained forth that she obtain what was the portion of the flames of darkness used by Grimmore, the War-God himself, to transform her from into her current state. “I followed you all to this worlk & met up with Wizeman, he gave me a body again & now, I’m out to take my vengeance on the ones who defeated me. But first, I’ll start with you all…” She stated off to conclude her story of how he came to be again while plotting her chance to get revenge. “Well we ain’t got time to mess with you, besides, we got our keys to free NiGHTS now.” Rainbow Dash remotely rub off this enemy that they don’t care much to face her now. “Do you, let me give you some insight, what’s holding your jester friend takes SIX keys to break it & you only did four?” Phantom Pie smirk off to mention this little issue that seem to slip the Mane Six’s minds. “Wait, we only have one key here, so…” Applejack spoke off in seeing that Twilight got the only key, which make five, so… “Right, if you want this last key that I still have, then you must defeat me. But be warn…” Phantom Pie showed her key that she held, before summoning her Phantom Blade to get into battle position. “Even Golden Heart stood little a chance to stop me & he was lucky to escape….& you’re all powerless as Dream Spirits. You’re nothing if you’re not back in Equestria!” She stated off that compared to those she fought, these six are chumps to Phantom Pie that’s now a First-Level Nightmaren. “Well be it here or anywhere, we WILL, obtain that key from you!” Rarity snapped forth in declaring this off in what she’ll be doing here along with her friends. “Right, & here’s how…” Pinkie Pie soon flew up to Phantom Pie as the enemy waited to see what was gonna be done… “Baaaaaahhhh….” Then she stretches her faces to make it look goofy with her tongue hang out; it was meant to be a silly face. “Ugh, to think I’m partially related to a simple head like you, what good will making such a face do?” Phantom Pie rolled her eyes in seeing such action from someone she’s related to by Pinkamena & Psycho Pie, what good is making silly faces now. “Distraction…” Pinkie Pie perk up to smile and say this. Suddenly, Phantom Pie noticed that because of Pinkie Pie’s silly distraction, the other Mane Six were nowhere in sight. While she may have the key, it still tick off Phantom Pie that her foes would rely on a clown to do their deed. “Big mistake on that plan, your friends have left you to be torture by me! Psycho Savage!” Phantom Pie sternly stated, before she was swiping her flaming hoof at her target…but Pinkie Pie was doing weird dance-movements. “Hold still!” She snapped off in throwing more flaming hooves to burn her target. “Miss-Me! Miss-Me! Now Yah Gotta Kiss Me!” Pinkie Pie was dodging around & zipping around some floating balloons before popping near Phantom Pie. “Sniff-sniff…Phew, But Try a Breath Mint First. When was the last time you brush?” Pinkie Pie was close enough to sniff Phantom Pie’s breath & said it stink so back, ain’t no way for any kissing then. “Now you’re REALLY getting on my nerves!” Phantom Pie gritted her teeth to snap out loud in what the pink pony was asking for now; pain! “Phantom Slash!” Now she was swinging her blade by vanishing & reappearing to attack Pinkie Pie, but the pink pony still managed to do her random thing to duck, dodge, & hid near some floating balloons. The enemy came in close, preparing to attack when… “Hey, what’s that!?” Pinkie Pie asked in pointing behind the evil pony in seeing something. “Oh please, like I’m gonna fall for the oldest gag around!” Phantom Pie rolled her eyes to point her blade at Pinkie Pie; how dumb can this pink pony think she is to fall for such a stupid gag. Just then, Phantom Pie got a tap on her shoulder which made her turn around…only to get her face kicked by two hooves. When the enemy recovered a bit, she saw that it was Applejack that managed to catch her by surprise with a simple kick method. “Yeeee-Haaaah! Buck her something' else right there!” Applejack cheered off in having dealt some little damage right there & then. “Grrr….” Phantom Pie growls in feeling annoyed by what happened. “Devastate!” She announced her next attack to be performed here. Soon a magic glow appears around Applejack, but just before the bright flash, Pinkie Pie tackles her friend out to avoid the dealt damage of that spell. “You ponies really think you can stop me, then you’re only fooling yourself!” Phantom Pie snapped off to say in seeing these ponies cannot beat her, she is far stronger than them. “Well darling, maybe so, but at least now, we haven’t lost our momentum.” Rarity came from nearby to make this simple remark of the enemy. “Then how about losing your completion, Crimson Mist!” Phantom Pie narrow her eyes to say this in knowing what to do here; melt away her targets. Then the evil pony opens her mouth & spews the same thick red, acidic mist at Rarity. But then Applejack found a blue light to touch, it flew near a chunk building behind Rarity to turn to balloons as she went through while the balloons took on the mist. “Wow, she really needs a breath mint, her breath is killer!” Pinkie Pie stated off in seeing that one breath seem to be a killer move. “I doubt it was much her breath, Pinkie.” Applejack shook her head off in making this statement. “Be burn, Evil Flames!” Phantom Pie shouted before she soon unleashed her dark flames to burn away at her targets. “Girls! Paraloop!” Twilight shouted to her friends in what they have to do here. Soon as the enemy manipulated the dark flames, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rarity & Twilight flew about & done Paraloop moves to which the attack slip by & hit building chunks. Phantom Pie growls in annoyance before firing more of her Evil Flames, but it was strange, the Mane Six are handling themselves in new elements outside Equestria & have learn how to defend & protect themselves in the Night Dimension. “Oh come on, that was supposed to have done something! How can you even be this good at flying?” Phantom Pie complains off in seeing her most evil & dangerous attack, even the smallest of the Dark Inferno she acclaimed is not ending her targets that can fly around like pros. “We can thank NiGHTS for the practice we had, so even without our own magic & wings flight abilities, we used what we’ve learn to better ourselves.” Twilight issued forth in having developed some new skills to depend on while they have been separated from their physical bodies & become Dream Spirits. Soon the Mane Four were showing what they learn to which after by passing Phantom Pie’s attacks, even avoid her Memory Lost Melody to take away their health, they were persistent. But Phantom Pie created her Phantom Wall move to block any more physical attacks or the tossing of Blue Chips to stun her like she heard this stuff does to Nightmarens. “Hey Phantom Pie-tin!” Rainbow Dash’s voice made the enemy look to find the daring Pegasus by a building’s window, just waiting there. “You wanna piece of me, come & get some!” Rainbow Dash was challenging Phantom Pie to come & get some of this if she can handle it. “Oh, with pleasure!” Phantom Pie smiled evilly in about to respond to that invite alright. Then Phantom Pie dives down with the crazy smile intention to have herself finish off Rainbow Dash, as she got closer, & closer, &…strangely the daring pony was not moving. Then she crashed through the building’s window, but unknown to Phantom Pie, the REAL Rainbow Dash was seen hidden by another building in using a reflection trick to fool the enemy. And soon Phantom Pie burst out the other side of the building while looking slightly messy. “Ugh! I can’t believe I fell for the old mirror gag!” Phantom Pie groans in moaning in what had happened, she got set up for a stupid gag like that. “I let those Goodles get us through & I forgot to just go through the open window! Really?” She was so busy ransacking over what happened to her, she didn’t see a quiet Fluttershy flew behind her & try to take the key from her possession. “Almost…almost…” Fluttershy whispered this out in carefully trying to make this work for her, and… “Got it!” She exclaimed in seeing she took the final key, that wasn’t too bad. Just then, Fluttershy was soon meant with the blade from Phantom Pie, who saw that the shy pony had taken what was hers. “Um, hi…” Fluttershy sheepishly responded in a nervous tone in seeing the situation. “Um, I hope you don’t mind, but we need this to help our friend,” She was kindly trying to explain what she was doing with the key, but… “Oh please, like I care about that! For all you know, once I’m finished here, I’ll pay NiGHTS back from our last encounter!” Phantom Pie rolled her eyes in having heard such nonsense to not even care. “I’ll make sure to torture her nicely before her personality is gone for good!” She stated in what she was gonna do the next time she sees NiGHTS. “Hugh, no…” Fluttershy gasped in fearing of such a horrible thing. “And what are you gonna do about it, you can’t do nothing, you’re the weakest, & soon…NiGHTS will be…bye-bye, & it’ll all be on you!” Phantom Pie spoke off in making with the tease & taunts & was even saying that because of Fluttershy, NiGHTS is doom to be gone…forever…. “You….you…” Fluttershy was in a stump state in looking like she was gonna cry until… “Big….Dumb…MEANY!” She started to show her angry side, & in which it broke the camel’s back. Then in a shocking surprise, Fluttershy soon swung her head down, & delivered….A HEAD-BUTT action on Phantom Pie. That action totally caught the evil pony off guard to soon be in a slight dizzy state. “Oooowww?!HEAD-BUTT? Since when could you even do something that reckless?” But just as Phantom Pie open her eyes, she saw Fluttershy was not in front of her, but was now above. “Oh no you don’t, you’re not getting away from me!” She snapped out in refusing to be outdone, especially from the wimp of the Mane Six. Phantom Pie began to chase upwards to catch Fluttershy with the key, she fired off her attacks while Fluttershy seem to have used Drill Dash to avoid them. And then when they reach over a building top, another tall building cut off the shy pony’s escape. “End of the line, pony! Time to say goodbye!” Phantom Pie declared in seeing it’s time to put an end to this little feeble chase. “Wrong! It’s you who’s going!” Twilight’s voice interrupted Phantom Pie in stating a different factor. “Hugh? What?” Phantom Pie yelped in having heard that statement to suddenly check her surroundings. Soon Phantom Pie looks around where Fluttershy took her towards, to rejoin with the Mane Six group. But there was more, each side had one of those jar cannons, & each Mane Six occupied one & managed to turn them to aim right for the center target; Phantom Pie. And then with a Drill Dash motion, the Mane Six got shot out at an executed speed, enough to go fast that Phantom Pie couldn’t counter, & soon got a six-side KO’d crossing star stunt. “Uaaaaugh…Aaaahhh!” Phantom Pie gasped in having been dealt with a blow from six ways that came so fast, it was so unexpected that broke through her unguarded defense to be wounded all over. Once the technique was done, Phantom Pie gently floated down to crash on the ground front first, & seem to be struggling to get up, she was dealt with damage, but it felt so much stronger…why was that? And at the same moment, the Mane Six floated above the defeated foe at the time… “Oh yeah! Instant KO’d!” Rainbow Dash cheered in seeing that they serve it to it to the bad guy from their world. “Even if we are…short on what we carry on.” Rarity shrug off to lightly state the subject that the ManeSix lack their old capabilities, magic & objects from their world, however.. “We’re tough enough ta make it through!” Applejack finished off that sentence that they can get by okay even on their own. “Okay girls, let’s head over to NiGHTS.” Twilight spoke off to her friends in knowing what they gotta do now. “Wait….” Phantom Pie struggles to push herself up from the ground, much to the gang’s surprise. “How can you be this strong…when you’re out of your element? You shouldn’t even…be capable of facing me without NiGHTS’s help, so how can I…be losing to you?” Phantom Pie objected to this result of the battle, it makes no sense, she should have won, these powers don’t even have Rainbow Forms nor Element Forms, so how could she lose. “It’s because NiGHTS helped us that we want to help her out too.” Fluttershy explained the case in point of what they are doing, is to help a friend. “Right, a friend in need is a friend indeed. It’s all about following your heart.” Pinkie Pie smiled forth in giving this proud statement about what they do for another friend. “Haaauugh…Haaaughh…” Phantom Pie was wheezing from her exhausted breath & was trying to stare back at her foes. “You….believe in such strength…even now….how…how…?” She was staggering herself to approach the edge of the building to use her sword to help her move while sounding distorted of her defeat. “How could I lose…with all my power…to…you? Tell…me…” Phantom Pie wasn’t watching her step, as she was too blind from her anger & fury, she lost against Pinkamena in the past, & now she lost to mere mortal ponies that had nothing but friendship to boost their morale; how could it turn out this way? Soon Phantom Pie went over the building & begun to plunge off to be seen falling down in defeat. The Mane Six watch their foe begin to vanish from her fall, but knew that it was her choice & at least that meant an end to another evil enemy. “Well now, at least that’s one foe to not worry anymore.” Rarity calmly spoke in seeing that they have defeated this unexpected foe. “Doubt she can bother us anymore.” Applejack shook her head off to state that how they got Phantom Pie, she’ll be down to not bother them for some time. “Then let’s hurry up towards NiGHTS!” Rainbow Dash stated forth in what they gotta do presently. “Right, let’s go.” Twilight nodded to her friends in agreement, it’s time that they make haste now. Meanwhile, as Phantom Pie descends downwards, she saw above that the Mane Six were reaching the top of the clock tower of Big Ben. And soon they used the two keys obtain & destroyed a big bronze gear above by attacking its lock mechanism. And soon the entire structure of the gear broke off into shattered pieces, giving the ponies a chance to go towards the target ahead on the very top. “So this…is the answer I receive? Even when I should have won…” Phantom Pie muttered off in watching the events unfold before her. “Friendship….from the heart….they used it &…overcame me. The one who rubbish the idea. Heh, heh-heh, pathetic…is what I say, but it’ll come back at me.” She responded to say this while actually laughing at herself in seeing this unexpected karma turn on her from what she’s always done to believe. “I wonder….if they’ll survive…all I can do is watch now. Heh-heh, wonder if this is how ’she’ felt towards her brother…” She looked up to the moon in the sky, pondering her thoughts before something came to her mind from her past… “Pinkamena…” Phantom Pie’s echo voice spoke forth this message while flashes of Pinkamena were seen for only a brief moment. nd with that, Phantom Pie vanishes into the dark abyss depths of the BellBridge world while vanishing from sight. Now what happens next with the Mane Six in freeing NiGHTS & saving all of Nightopia….will their hearts of friendship trumpet or not…? It’s to be seen when that time comes forth….