Darkness Falls
As the darkness faded, allowing light to touch everyone's eyes and code to flow again, the silhouette became clearer. By coloration, it was still Nightmare Moon, but she was no longer as tiny as she had been. Where before there had been a foal, there was now a filly, a young mare. Her frame seemed adolescent, but her power far more vast than it had been. An aura of darkness and magic crackled around her like a living thing. She slowly lifted her head, opening her eyes.
"Well, that was unexpected," Turbo said nervously. "Quite a pretty light show, but hardly something to make me stop! My vengeance is at hand!" As he snarled, one of the Cybugs took another bite out of Ralph, making him scream again.
Nightmare Moon brought her hoof down hard, causing the floor to crack, the sound echoing across the entire game world. "Creatures of Nightmares!" she bellowed, her voice carrying to every corner of the code world of the arcade, inflections unknown to the sprites sending her words straight down into the core of their code. "Obey your queen!"
Every Cybug in Hero's Duty froze instantly. As one, they turned to face Nightmare Moon, wherever they were. The 'beacon hum' filled the air as their eyes filled with the black of night.
Ralph stared, his jaw hanging. "...huh?"
"What is this?" Turbo demanded angrily. "How are you able to just waltz in and-"
"Obey!" Nightmare Moon hissed, rounding on Turbo, her eyes flashing.
Turbo's eyes glowed black, and the hum echoed from his Cybug parts as well. "...my Queen..." he replied in a monotone voice, his higher code functions shoved aside by the sheer force of her power and will.
Turning back to the other Cybugs, she jerked her head to one side. The Cybugs immediately backed off from Ralph, Felix, and Samus.
Ralph managed to push himself up to his one remaining intact leg with his undamaged arm. "...Moony?" he asked fearfully, staring at her in concern.
Her eyes swept over him, taking in his injuries. She then turned to Felix. "Can you fix him?" she demanded coldly.
Felix managed to push himself up, picking up his hammer and looking at Ralph. Desperately, he banged Ralph lightly with the golden hammer. The broken coded segments sparked, but nothing happened. "I...I can't..." Felix whimpered.
"Give me the hammer," Nightmare ordered.
Shivering, Felix held the hammer out. Nightmare Moon's mane snaked out like a living thing, taking the hammer from his hands as a dark blue aura surrounded it. She examined it for a time.
A bolt of black lightning lashed from her horn into the hammer. The hammer flared with light, and a field of gold light erupted from it, expanding to fill the arcade. When the glow faded, the hammer fell, its golden glow now dull.
Ralph staggered back, his feet catching his weight. Staring down, he realized that he was once more whole and healthy. Samus had her arm cannon back, and from what he could see from the tower, everyone else was completely repaired as well, as though they'd never been damaged.
Nightmare handed the hammer back to Felix. "You will need to respawn with it back in Niceland to restore its power," she said simply. She then turned back to the Cybugs.
Every last one turned up to her, completely still, their only sound the beacon hum, as their eyes locked on her, awaiting commands.
"Hear me, nightmares!" she bellowed. "Your queen's will is absolute! You shall not act against other sprites of the arcade unless they are of this game! You shall not act against sprites of this game unless the player is active! You shall not leave this game unless your Queen summons you, and then only to do as she bids!"
Every last Cybug throughout the game world bowed low, showing their obeisance as the Queen of the Night's orders encoded themselves into their programming. The various Cybugs then flew off, scattering throughout the game world and the Tower to await the game's next reboot.
Nightmare then turned to Turbo. "King Cybug," she hissed, "you shall remain in this chamber as the game's new final boss battle. In this chamber only will you have your own mind. If you leave this chamber, the code will assert itself, and you will be my mindless slave...but aware of all I command you to do. This shall remain until such time as I decide you have abandoned your quest for vengeance. Each time the game restarts, you shall respawn, forever caged to a game you will never be remembered for."
"...by your command..." Turbo replied numbly. His eyes then returned to normal. "What..no! You can't!" He lunged towards her, only to be pulled up short. "What?"
"You are of this game now," Nightmare replied. "Your Cybug code will not allow you to do harm to one who is not native to this game anymore, except on my direct order. And you can't inflict direct harm on those native to the game except during a game. Vengeance shall be forever denied you, and you shall be eternally forced to watch the shared joy of others that you denied in your quest for personal glory. This is your fate, Turbo."
Turbo stared at her, his eyes widening in horror. "No..." he gasped out, staggering back. "NO!" he screamed, leaping around the chamber as he desperately railed against her pronouncement.
Focusing her magic, Nightmare Moon teleported herself, Ralph, Felix, and Samus away as one last, despairing, "NOOOOOO!" echoed from the top of the tower.
In a flash of light, the group appeared before the other amassed sprites. At first there was a hushed silence as many of them didn't immediately recognize Moony in her changed form. A single gasp interrupted the silence.
"It happened," Albert Wily said simply. "The first growth stage...she's cleared it."
"That's...little Moony?" Zangief asked in disbelief.
"Not so little anymore," Calhoun commented dryly, walking up to Felix to make sure he was in one piece.
"Then...we won?" Zero asked.
Regally, Nightmare Moon nodded.
A massed cheer went up from the gathered sprites.
"Party at Tappers!" someone called out.
"I'll get Mary to bake a huge celebratory cake!" Felix called out.
Nightmare Moon smiled regally, nodding to everyone as they cheered. She then walked slowly out of the game, every inch of her exuding royal dignity.
Ralph watched her go. Is...is this it? he thought to himself. Is...is she all grown up now? Does...does she not need me anymore? Does she even still...love me? He felt his heart start to shrivel.
Wily suddenly elbowed him in the knee. "Go to her," he all but ordered.
"But-"
"You think I haven't seen that exact same face on my own son dozens of times in his other games?" Wily demanded. "She's showing a brave face now...but she needs you. Go to her." Activating his saucer, Wily grabbed Ralph with a robotic arm and threw him out into Game Central Station.
As soon as Ralph was outside of Hero's Duty, Moony cannoned into him, her forelegs and wings wrapping around him as she buried her face against his stomach, crying her eyes out. "Daddy!" she wailed. "I was...I was so scared...I thought...I thought I was going to lose you...to lose me...Daddy!"
Ralph immediately wrapped his arms around her. "It's alright, Moony," he comforted softly. "It's okay now. It's all over. You're safe. We're all safe."
As her sobs faded, he continued to hold her gently, caressing her back. Without warning, she let out a loud sneeze, and the front of his shirt felt wet and gross. "...sorry," she apologized.
"Eh, not the worst thing to ever get on my shirt," he stated dismissively. "But you seemed so in control back in Hero's Duty after you grew. What happened?"
"I had to be in control in there!" Moony replied. "It was the only way to enforce my power on the Cybugs. If I'd wavered even for an instant while I was in there, they'd have broken free and I'd never have been able to establish myself as their Queen again. Now that I've left the game registered as their Queen, my hold on them all is unbreakable...but I couldn't let out any emotion until then."
Ralph gently scooped her up. "Well, Your Majesty, I think what you need now is a party to put a smile back on your face and a cake big enough for you to swim in. I'm sure Tappers will have that, even if Felix has to smack the cake with his mallet a few times."
Moony giggled, snuggling into his arms as he carried her towards Tapper's. "Umm..." she pointed out as they got there. "I think I should walk in myself..."
Nodding, Ralph set her down on her hooves. "Say Moony...do you think...well, what you did to Turbo...wasn't it...rather harsh?"
Nightmare Moon shrugged her shoulders. "Perhaps...but what did you expect?" She looked up into his eyes sadly. "I'm the bad guy."
In silence, the pair walked into Tapper's letting the celebratory air cleanse their minds of unpleasant thoughts.
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In the memory of my time playing League of Legends... Turbo was shut down.
So... awesome...
...Awesome.
6093370 League of Legends? The Turbo from here is not from that game (I think)
The Queen of Nightmares has established her army. Now, one has to wonder what's going to happen with her appearances in the other games. I'd go with shape changing back into a foal. That would add dramatic flair to games like Marvel vs Capcom when you select the cute little filly that you've selected before, but she suddenly grows up half-way through the fight. Also, her filly form would be best for games like Sugar Rush
Awh.
a great Darkness has been defeated...and with its fall comes a second, greater Darkness, but within the night there is yet a bright shining Hope for things to come. Night must come, but in time must also pass. the Queen of the Night has come into some of her former power, and more shall yet come in time...when she is ready...
6093396 By 'Turbo' they might mean U.R.F. Mode (Ultra Rapid Fire).
6093370 wrong Turbo this Turbo is from a old racing game.
6093472
6093396
...Do I really have to explain this? Being 'Shut Down' in League of Legends means that someone who was on a rampage or killing spree was defeated by another player. Nightmare Moon 'Shut Down' Turbo...
6093482 sorry missinterpretation... I was thinking "shut down" as in take the energy from the game.
Please say she can change back into her "Moony" form at will.
Let's see how cool the comments section.
One post about LoL that causes a few comments to think about it.
Two "so awesome" comments.
Another two praising comments.
And one of these type of comments which we all avoid to read. Right?
10/10 10/10 10/10 9/10
Reminds me of Nyx from Past Sins.
Hurting Twilight Sparkle, or Nyx, or the Cmc is a very bad idea.
I'm bad, but that's good. There's nopony I'd rather be, than me.
img13.deviantart.net/0a3e/i/2011/167/6/0/rainbow_dash_salute_by_atomicgreymon-d3bo0dx.png
6093485 well in the cartoon she had lredy show certain degree of shape-shifting so I don't think that would be a problem
Just awesome so far, I can't wait for the next chapter
6093482
Thanks for explaining. Not everyone plays LOL (I don't) so it was good to have some context to your comment.
the only sound the beacon hum as their eyes
1. Err... I think a word was missing. Maybe you mean: The only sound was the beacon him?
So I guess Turbo got... Moonstruck. He's totally bugging out right now too. Moony broke the game.
Nice update, I look forward to more! On a side note, it could be interesting, if The Arcade owner got an "all clear message" suddenly and mysteriously on his laptop letting him know it was safe to reopen.
I think it would be nice if you could change the story cover along with Nightmare's "growth stages".
6093771
If I had any artistic talent whatsoever - or if anyone were to provide such images for me - I'd consider it.
Moony... is... BADFLANK!!!!
That is all.
Justice was done! But now I have to wonder, what's next?
Well dang... Nightmare Moon has grown, first stage... or second stage?
Awesome job man, awesome job.
Now let us see... what happens next...
Am I the only person that wants to see Nightmare meet Nightmare?
vignette3.wikia.nocookie.net/soulcalibur/images/1/18/Nightmare_Soul_Calibur_V.jpg/revision/latest/thumbnail-down/width/340/height/340?cb=20111020165226
Those feels at the end.
6093990
...
Thank you for plot idea.
6094000 Yer welcome!
Btw, those ideas I pitched to you, transformers and gijoe were occasionally in the same universe, so by combining the two you could possibly have enough timeline and major events to plot around.
Well, that was interesting. I do think that Nightmare Moon's cart is going to need to be revamped. Also, am I the only one who wants Nightmare Moon to get her own cabinet in the Arcade? Perhaps having Discord, Chrysalis, or Sombra take over the role of in-game Big Bad on the days she's in other games?
6093582 that was when she was at her full power, and shes not quite there just yet. sh might have some shape changing ability right now, but its likely to be limited in nature...
6093990 I shall provide you with the simplest of awners
No
6094056 Too bad cause Tatsurou likes it!
Here's another nightmare. Her name us Knight Mare.
vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/skylanders/images/7/79/Knight_Mare_Promo.jpg/revision/latest/thumbnail-down/width/340/height/340?cb=20141218040407&format=webp
Knight Mare
6094064
[youtube=youtube.com/watch?v=cWxh9lGOeqQ]
We need more of these ideas. Just as long she doesn't go to mortal combat, -shivers- I do not need those images in my head.
6094000 Wait a minute, if you're porting games like Metroid to the arcade than do you think it's possible to do this for Advance War (A gameboy strategic game) to be there and make Nightmare a General in the game?
6094222
I'm not 'porting' games to arcade.
I googled specific game franchises to see if they had existing arcade ports - or had been ported from arcade - and used those.
So has this arcade never had a power outage? And for that matter why do they leave their games on at night? Electricity is expensive! Anyway, over analysis complete. Great story so far! Can't wait for Moon to get her own arcade machine!
6094306 Oh, sorry for the assumption than
my bad.
Another enjoyable chapter. Great job.
6094518
Long answer? See the chapter "Telling Stories".
Short answer? Litwak has strange ideas.
As a villain whom, surprisingly often, finds himself doing good things, I know that feel SOOO MUCH. "Yes I just saved everyone, took out the Big Bad and their entire army, and even managed to rescue the 'heroes' collective asses from certain doom. And none of it maters because come the next day I'm still public enemy number one. No matter what I may accomplish with my life, what grand purpose I put my dark powers to for the benefit of others, I am always going to be remembered for that one time I went crazy and tried to kill everyone. After all... I'm The Villain..."
6093370 [youtube=www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSWDzgm0ZBw]
Daaaaaaang! That was in teepees! It was in tents!
I REGRET ABOSOLUTELY NOTHING!
HOLY.... Moony just tamed the Cybugs!!!?????!!!! On one hand I want to see a baby Cybug follow her home... on the other hand they scare me. I do think Foal Moony should be accessible in the games or Moony should revert back to that form to keep the same characterization everyone loves. Or have the data in Sugar Rush manifest as Little Moony to introduce her big sister.
Her punishment for Turbo... That's a Humiliation Conga!!!
6093412 Agreed.
6093990 She'd kick his butt. Or just sic the Cybugs on him until he was worn out.
6094140 Just on looks I want to see them hang out as friends.
6094518 Gonna direct you to the fic I gave to Tatsurou: Mr. Litwack is pretty sharp. The second chapter answers your question.
6094709 great words from you there
I would like to see more of Litwik and him writing out MLP
I actually think it was not that hard...He got exactly what he deserved.
Yay for Anti-Hero style action.
That should also prevent him from causing anymore trouble.
Nightmare Moon? Chrysalis called. She wants her changelings back!
Just a thought, but potentially any NES game could have a character present in the arcade due to PlayChoice-10 being, essentially, an NES board with 10 cartridges plugged in at a time, from which any game could be chosen.
Who's to say Litwak didn't have someone kit bash together a version that accepts actual cartridges? More game variety!