//------------------------------// // Ready for Battle // Story: Everlasting Night: If Nightmare Moon Ruled // by Violetkat //------------------------------// "Okay, so, we need to plan," Rainbow Dash spoke up. "Any ideas on how we could best fight Nightmare Moon?" There was a long silence. Eventually, Pinkie Pie spoke up. "We could throw tomatoes at her." "Not a good idea, Pinkie." Applejack replied. Pinkie flattened her ears. "I suppose we could use magic," Melody Jayheart murmured. "...but I don't really know. You guys are pretty stupid, thinking that any pathetic plan could take down that crazy mare." "You talking about me?" Pinkie asked with huge eyes. "No..." she answered quietly. Amber rolled her eyes. "Nightmare Moon." "Heh, I knew that!" Pinkie bounced slightly, then shook her head. "I think that Melody and Glittering are the key," Fluttershy decided. "Their powers are strong, and will shock Nightmare Moon." "But I don't like transforming!" Melody protested. "Maybe you are crazy!" "Melody," Glittering Moon spoke seriously as she placed a hoof on her friend's shoulder. "This is our chance to save Equestria. To do something special. To leave our mark. I'm... I'm scared too. But what do we have to lose?" "A lot," Melody replied bluntly. "I can't do something special, if I'm not special." "You could be a hero." Amber Glimmer contributed very slightly towards the tense conversation. "And we all have faith in you." Twilight added. "Do we?" Rainbow asked. Twilight glared at her. "Maybe Rainbow is right..." Melody whispered unhappily. "N-no!" Rainbow Dash stammered. "I'm... right behind you, ready to support!" "Melody, Glittering," Fluttershy whispered. "Nightmare Moon will most likely be back in Ponyville now. You know I hate fighting... but I don't think we have a choice at the moment." Melody sighed softly. "So, what's the plan?" Amber asked anxiously. "We don't really have one." Rainbow Dash replied sheepishly. "We just have to go out there and fight." AJ added. "And get ourselves dirty." Rarity complained. "But the idea is, you two will lead us," Twilight said. "Amber... I'm sorry, but I think you should stay with us. You're more our equal than Melody and Glittering's..." This is so awkward. "Okay!" The night blue pony did not seem the slightest bit hurt, but it didn't make Twilight Sparkle any less guilty for somewhat excluding Amber from her own group of friends. "I think we should go now," Applejack whinnied. "The longer we stand around here, the more nervous we'll get." The golden land pony was sweating with fear. Then again, so was everypony. "Then... let's go." Glittering spoke doubtful, as she and Melody led them outside. Twilight wondered where the evil mare was. She was about to speak when a pair of hooves kicked her, right in the head. She just had time to see her friends suffering the same fate before she blacked out. The purple unicorn awoke in a huge room. She had no idea where she was. Rainbow Dash had already regained her consciousness. She was fighting a dark blue and white pegasus, and by the looks of things, winning. Then a purplish and pink unicorn shot a scary looking laser at her, and Rainbow tumbled to the ground next to Twilight. "What do you think you're doing?" Rainbow Dash snapped. "Heh," the unicorn replied in a deep and booming voice. "Just helping out my dear friend. You had no right to be disagreeing with her, threatening her or fighting her." "Friend!" Rainbow snarled. "Likely story! You ponies wouldn't know friendship if it flew up to you, introduced itself, and smacked you right in the face! Which is exactly what I plan on doing!" "Calm down," Fluttershy had awoken. "We're not going to win that way!" "You're not going to win either way," Twilight froze with terror as she heard Nightmare Moon's voice. The ponies around her were now all stirring, with minor injuries. "My little ponies." Nightmare Moon appeared from the shadows. Using the mysterious, dark power from her horn, she lifted Twilight up. "Hey! Let her go!" Rainbow yelled. She was restrained by a skinny, red and white stallion. Nightmare Moon clearly did not treat him well. "You escaped, I see," Nightmare Moon sighed. "I must admit - that was quite a simple thing to do... traitor. Anyways, I do not wish to severely hurt you. Your magic is powerful, and I still have use for it. In fact, the ponies of my interest are these two." She pointed a hoof at Melody and Glittering. She levitated the rest of the ponies, and locked them in a cage in the corner of the room. Twilight began to tremble, and attempted using her magic on the bars. Nope. "We could try working together." AJ suggested. It didn't take long, however, for them to realise that that wasn't working either. Meanwhile, Melody Jayheart and Glittering Moon were crouched to the floor, horrified. Nightmare Moon smirked. "You two are quite well known throughout Ponyville," she spoke darkly. "Especially you, Melody. So, I think it's time to test your skills. Be aware at what's at risk if you lose." She pointed with her horn at Twilight, and the rest of the imprisoned ponies. "You can do it!" Amber called out unexpectedly. Twilight saw both ponies shake their heads at her. "Now," Nightmare Moon growled. "Come at me!"