> A Midsummer Nightmare > by Globalnet > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > 1 - Gambits and Exploits Await > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 1 - Gambits and Exploits Await. The quiet mystical air of a midsummer’s night. The moon begins its descent carefully directed by the mare of the moon. Amongst the delicious calm and still of the dark, broken carefully and calmly by the chirping of the insects. The clopping of hooves gloomed slower and slower as the inhabitants prepare for their night. For dreams undreamt in the ever marching realms of time. The princess began to scour the landscape, quietly spectating her subordinates. Drifting towards the untainted night sky. However, not even she can sense what lurked in the darkness. What foul beast entered the realm of existence, preying on the weak and insolent. Slowly cruising through the forest of the Everfree, it’s paralyzing aura preventing it’s inhabitants from taking a gander at it’s splendid form. Floating just a couple of inches above the ground, suspending itself with it’s natural magical prowess. It had come from beyond the realm of this world’s existence. Hunting for something worthy. Something worthy to pass the time. It had been engaged in a war that lasted eons, until growing tired and weary of it’s opponents. Of course, the battle was far from easy. It faced beings of tremendous power, even a being with control over the very fabric of time and space itself. But the entire arrangement became monotonous as it went on. Battling for victory or for glory was never one of it’s intentions. Rather, it battled because it was drawn to it. It was something to distract itself from the boring churn of time. It’s mind droned on the possibilities. Perhaps this world would yield something of interest? It’s memory lapsed back to the time it first came across an Ancient. It was not easily enticed or blinded by it’s deceitful attributes, but as it observed how the mortals danced around, doing it’s bidding, it was amused. Eventually, it was overcome with morbid curiosity and decided to battle, choosing the Radiant Ancient, as it reminded it of the Undertree. Oh, how it remembered the euphoria of striking down lives that were foolish enough to come across it’s path, how it remembered the adrenaline of nearly escaping the grasp of death from circumstances it failed to judge correctly, and it felt the sting of death as it awaited the Ancient to revive her. The rustling betwixt the trees stunned her thoughts. She adjusted her gaze ever so slightly. Much to her excitement, she was surrounded by a pack of Timberwolves. The pack closing in, like a noose to it’s victim. The consistent stream of growls and howls, a pitiful attempt at intimidating her. A simile overcame her, as the Timberwolves made their move to attack her. They lunged at her at top speed, closing the distance in a matter of seconds. They poised for the attack, only to be met by a stream of dust and a missing victim. Their momentum forced them to collide with themselves. The entire pack was loitered from confusion, attempting to find their meal, who disappeared from their grasp. “Did you mean to elude me?” The pack leader, aggravated by the creature, ordered for another attack. They began at full gallop towards the creature. The creature simply smiled and released a large yet slow floating orb. The wolves, instantly avoided the orb as they closed the distance with their prey. As they were in range for their attack, the creature simply disappeared. This time, caught on with it’s tricks, they did not collide nor did they waste time organizing back into formation.  The slow floating orb dispersed and revealed the creature in it. The pack leader ordered for another attack. “This has gone on far enough.” Then, all of a sudden, the Timberwolves collapsed into the ground, shrieking and raging. A small orb was floating out of the ground, a magical beam of light attached itself to every single one of the predators. Each and everyone howling at the terrors and the nightmares that continue to invade their minds. Unable to move and unable to understand or decipher what was happening to them. The creature smiled mischievously and floated away. “Short-lived creatures.” > 2 - I Have Much To Impart > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 2 - I Have Much To Impart Fluttershy was a busy pony. It was hard taking care of all the woodland creatures that scurried to her shelter. She acknowledged each as it's own individual, taking note of each and every quirk, needs and wants. Most ponies don't realize how stressful such occupation entails, keeping her composure was her best kept secret. She just finished measuring Angel's midnight snack, chopped carrots at exactly one thousand two hundred and sixty eight milliliters seasoned with a one tablespoon of salt . She poured the graduated cylinder into the bowl. Calling her beloved companion to eat his snack, she departed for her nightly stroll around her front porch. She enjoyed unwinding outside at midnight, especially since Princess Luna came back. While most ponies barely noticed the difference, she saw the elegant alignment of the stars, the skillful ascent and descent of the moon. She began to observe the Everfree forest. It was calm and peaceful during the dead of the night, at least from her perspective. She then inhaled the cool summer breeze, before returning to her house. That is, until she heard the disgruntled howls of Timberwolves. Springing into action, she took her emergency critter saddlebag, and dashed into the Everfree forest. Of course, before changing the paddings, brushed and tucked Angel into bed and locked the front door. After which, she took for the Everfree forest. She quickly navigate the dimly lit forest and everglade trees to arrive at the source of the noise. She saw the pack of Timberwolves writhing in the ground, attached to each of them seemed to be a magical light beam that connects everyone to the center of a small orb. She quickly rushed to the nearest wolf, slowly caressing the suffering creature. “Ssssh.. Don’t worry... Fluttershy’s here to help.” She cooed the poor creature, slowly moving dragging the fallen wolf back to her cottage. Suddenly, the line snapped as she went farther out. She shrieked as the magical energy dissipated and caused the wolf to shriek in terrible pain. The wolf then began to limp towards the floor. Her pupils shrank in horror of the spectacle. The shocked pegasus was in turmoil and panic. She did not have experience to whatever cast such spell. She began to dart out of the Everfree, and flew directly to the only pony she knew could help. ---- “... Your faithful student, Twilight Sparkle’. The door rung. “T...L... E Aaaanndd.. Period.” The young purple dragon penned the last symbol in a fairly lengthy letter. The door rung slightly louder than before. “Yes, Spike! However in some countries, they are known as full stops.” “Yeah.. Yeah.. Yeah...” Spike answered back. “ Ya know, Twi. It’s getting awfully dark.” The door rung for a third time, with an increasingly aggravated sender. “Yes! A baby dragon needs his sleep!” Twilight kissed Spike’s forehead before sending him to sleep. “Goodnight Spike!” “Goodn-” Fluttershy, unable to contain herself, forced open the front door of the Library. Both Spike and Twilight were caught surprised, immediately jumping up. “Fluttershy!” “TWILIGHT! Oh Twi It’s terrible! Terrible! Oh! I’m.. Uhm..” Fluttershy shrunk at the realization of breaking down her friend’s door.” s-sorry..” “No.. no.” Twilight waived her hoof dismissively. “It’s fine. More importantly Fluttershy, What’s terrible?” “Oh Twilight! Come quick! There are a pack of Timberwolves in need of your assistance! I- I.. mean.. Of course... if you’d like...” “Uhm.. Sure? I mean, you’re much better at taking care of Woodland creatures than I am” “But Twilight! They’ve been the victim of some horrible horrible spell!” With that, Twilight look determined. She took her saddlebags and notepaper. Something casting magic spells in the Everfree was worth a midnight expedition. “Lock the door, Spike. I’ll be back.” ---- They arrived at the scene of the crime. Two more Timberwolves died due to the pain and some were being eaten alive by bears. Fluttershy force the predators out of their feast as Twilight took her notepaper. Twilight has never seen this kind of magic before, and with each probing with her horn the more and more interested she gets. She wrote franticly whatever feedback or feelings she got from her tests. She seemed confident that she could tap into whatever this was spell was. So she slowly lifted her horn to make contact with the orb. “Twilight... Uhmm... are you sure that’s a good idea?” “Of course, Fluttershy. The magic of whatever creature lives here couldn’t possibly trump whatever the Princess herself has assigned to me!” With that, she moved forward to make contact with the orb, immediately causing her to jolt back in pain. She was horrified as time slowed down and everything slowly went black.