The Nightmares Return

Chapters

The Gathering
What happened here?
Jester's New Trick
Meeting the Nightmare
Subdueing the Nightmare
Back in Canterlot
His Secret
What Have I done to Deserve?
Finding a Replacement
Back at the Palace
The End
Royalty meets Peasantry

The Gathering

“...And, DONE! Wow, that took longer then I expected.” The purple unicorn had just put the finishing touches to her ‘artistic venture’. She stepped back. It was a bottle, but within the bottle was a brilliantly made ship, complete with a sail and steering wheel. She set her miniature hammer on the table top. She rubbed her chin. “Where can I put this? SPIKE!” A young purple dragon came running from the upper region of the library. “Yes? Twilight?” Twilight looked back at him. “Where do you think I should put this?” Spike thought for a little bit. “How about right next to the wooden sculpture of the horse head?” Twilight looked over. Using her magic, she lifted her art over onto the table. “Yes, I think it looks good there. Thanks Spike!” Spike walked over to the ship in the bottle. “Wow, how long did it take you to make this?” Twilight thought. “just about three hours.” Spike looked at her. “That’s amazing! Only you could make such a nice ship inside a bottle!” Twilight blushed. “Any pony could have...WHAAA!” Twilight ducked in time to avoid a messenger flame from Spike. “Warn me next time please?” Spike kicked the floor. “Sorry, I can’t control that kind of thing.”

Twilight lifted the scroll with her magic. “The royal seal? What could be so important?” She removed the seal and unrolled the letter.

Twilight Sparkle,

Come to the castle quickly. Bring the Elements and your friends. Bring Jester as well.

Captain of the Royal Guard

Twilight scratched her head. “Sounds urgent. Spike, stay here and guard the library.” Spike nodded. “Don’t I always?” Twilight smiled, and opened the door, and fell back in surprise. “HI Twilight! Where are you going?” Twilight picked herself up. “Pinkie Pie, what are you doing here?” Pinkie Pie jumped on the spot. “I just thought I’d drop by to say hello.” Twilight brought the letter out from behind her. “The captain of the Royal Guard has summoned us to the castle. Can you help me get the others?” Pinkie Pie read the letter. “I’ll go get Rainbow Dash and Jester. I know where they are anyway.” Twilight nodded. “I’ll go get the rest. Meet you there alright?” Pinkie Pie nodded. “See you there!” and she hopped away.

Twilight went to Rarity’s first. The bell rang as she opened the door to the Carousel Boutique. “Welcome to the Carousel Boutique! May I help you?” A white unicorn with a beautifully done purple mane came from around the back. “Oh, it’s you Twilight. How may I help you?” Twilight pulled out the letter from her saddlebag. “Hello Rarity. The Captain of the Royal Guard has summoned us to the castle.” Rarity read the letter. “How about I go get Fluttershy? You go ahead and get Applejack?” Twilight nodded. “Alright, we’ll meet back at the library. I told Pinkie, Rainbow, and Jester to meet us at the castle.” Rarity flipped her open sign to closed as she left the boutique.

“Applejack!” Twilight called out to the orange pony carrying apples on her back. ”Oh hey Twilight! What brings you here?” Twilight pulled out her letter again. “The Captain of the Royal Guard has summoned us. Rarity and Fluttershy will meet us at the library. Come on!” Applejack set her apples down. “Alright let’s go!”

Twilight and Applejack arrived to find Rarity and Fluttershy already there. “You kept us waiting Twilight.” Twilight sighed. “I’m sorry about that. Fluttershy, are you sure your animals can take care of themselves?” The yellow pegasus turned to Twilight. “Angel will keep them safe.” Twilight smiled. “Everyone have your Elements?” They nodded as they donned their golden necklaces. “Alright, let’s get going!”

What happened here?

Twilight, Rarity, Applejack and Fluttershy arrived at the castle. “I don’t see Pinkie or Rainbow anywhere.” “Hi girls!” They all turned around to see Pinkie Pie. “Hello Pinkie, where is Rainbow Dash?” Pinkie Pie giggled. “Don’t worry Rarity, she’ll be here soon. There she is now!” Something struck the ground, raising dust. A mysterious wind blew away the cloud, revealing a blue pegasus with a striking rainbow mane and a brilliant golden necklace. “HAH! beat you Jester!” As if on cue, a black cloud with six orbiting diamonds flew in and touched down. When the smoke cleared, a dark yellow earth pony appeared. “Yes, yes you did Rainbow Dash. Brilliant speed! So, the Royal Guards summoned us?” Twilight looked at him “They mentioned to bring you along too.” A dark figure flew down. It was a gray pegasus with a yellow mane. She had on an intricately carved golden armor and an eye patch over one eye. The mare surveyed the group. “You must be the Elements of Harmony.” She looked back to Jester. “You must be the one with the Preludes of Chaos.” Jester nodded. “Captain of the Royal Guard. Call me DD. Follow me, there is no time to lose.” And they all followed the DD.

Twilight walked into the room to find Princess Celestia and Princess Luna, the Alicorns that brought the sun and the moon up when they were needed. But Princess Celestia had Princess Luna under a spell, and Luna’s eyes glowed a dark color. Twilight looked on in horror. “What’s happening DD?!” Twilight looked to the Captain. “I honestly have no idea. I do believe that Princess Celestia would explain, but apparently the spell has taken all her concentration.” Twilight looked at Celestia. She walked up beside the white alicorn, and applied the same spell to her target, relieving some of the pressure that was on the Princess.

“Thank you Twilight, my faithful student.” Celestia turned her eyes onto Twilight. “Would you please explain to me what is going on here?” Celestia’s eyes turned back to Luna. The midnight blue alicorn was struggling against their spell. “Do you remember Nightmare Moon?” Twilight could only respond, for the spell had also taken her concentration. “Nightmare Moon? I thought we defeated her!” Celestia frowned grimly. “You did. Look on Lunas’ flank.” Twilight was slightly reluctant, but looked anyway. “Do you see that blotch of black?” Twilight looked closely. Yes, there was a strange spot of black that looked as if it doesn’t belong. “That blotch marks a host of a Nightmare.” Twilight was confused. “A Nightmare?” Celestia nodded slightly. “You know that when Nightmare Moon was defeated, Princess Luna was left, but Nightmare Moon was only suppressed.” Twilight frowned. “So wait, we only kept Nightmare Moon back?” Celestia nodded again. “Yes, and a very good job of it as well. But the Nightmare is acting up inside her.” Twilight was confused. “What does that mean?” Celestia frowned. “I’ve thought of everything, but I came down to one conclusion. And it isn’t a good one.” Twilight frowned. “But what is it?”

Celestia staggered a little bit in her effort. “The Nightmares are appearing again.” Pinkie Pie perked up. “Wait. There’s more then ONE Nightmare?” Celestia nodded again. “And they are quite powerful if they are not bound to a host.” Twilight was even more confused. “How were we able to conceal Nightmare Moon then?” Celestia breathed sharply. “Fortunately, Nightmare Moon already appeared inside a host, Princess Luna.” Twilight took this in slowly. “So who or what ARE, the other Nightmares?” Princess Celestia frowned. ”There are four nightmares in total. Each represents an emotion in a pony. Nightmare Moon represents resentment. The three others are Nightmare Pyre, Nightmare Frost, and Nightmare Terra. Each represents Rage, Mercilessness, and Arrogance respectively.” Celestia paused to catch her breath. “As Nightmare Moon takes the form of an alicorn, each Nightmare takes the form of a pony race. Nightmare Pyre is a pegasus. Nightmare Frost is a unicorn, and Nightmare Terra is an earth pony.” Twilight intensified her spell to let her teacher relax a little more. “Thank you Twilight. I know it must be difficult to keep the spell up.” Twilight simply smiled. “It’s nothing. Go on.” Celestia smiled. ”There used to be a prison where the Nightmares were kept. It is high up, close to the dragons lair in the Everfree Forest.”

Pinkie Pie scratched her head. “EVERYTHING important is in the Everfree Forest.” Twilight shifted. “Alright. Thank you Princess Celestia. I’m going to release my end of the spell. Are you ready?” Celestia breathed a few times, then nodded. Magic faded from Twilight's horn, and Celestia closed her eyes in concentration. “So there’s a prison in the mountain ranges?” Twilight nodded at Jester. “That could take forever to find on hoof!” Applejack was discouraged. Twilight agreed. How were they supposed to find a discreet cave in the large mountain ranges of the Everfree Forest. “You girls really haven’t tried out the Elements of Harmony?” Twilight looked at Jester. “And how does that help us?” Jester nodded at the door. ”I think the Preludes of Chaos can do everything the Elements can and vice versa. follow me outside.” Pinkie Pie hopped. “He’s going to teach us something! COME ON!” And she followed Jester out to the court yard. “Come on. It couldn’t hurt to try.” Applejack went out, followed by everyone else. “DD, stay here and keep the Princess safe.” The Captain raised her hoof in salute. “Will do miss Sparkle.”

Jester's New Trick

Jester looked at Twilight as she came out the door. “Everyone here? Good.” Jester turned to Rainbow. “Remember when you challenged me to a race back in the Everfree?” Rainbow Dash nodded. “Yeah, but what does that have to do with anything?” Jester willed the Preludes of Chaos into an orbit around him. “I normally would not be able to keep up with you. But in taking this form...” The Preludes of Chaos spun around him faster, releasing black smoke. The cloud lifted off the ground, with the Preludes following it. There was nothing on the ground beneath him. “...I was able to keep up with your speed.” Twilight gasped. “Did you just turn into a cloud of black vapor?” The cloud moved up and down in confirmation. “Yes, and it’s still me, Jester.”

Pinkie Pie was wild with excitement. “Oh! Oh! I wanna try!” Pinkie Pie closed her eyes. the Element of Harmony that hung from her golden necklace sparked. The girls fell back as she exploded into a pink flame. “WHHHHEEEEE! This is so much FUN!” The flame floated off the ground and sped around the expanse of the courtyard. “That may speed up the progress, but how do you turn back?” Twilight was fascinated, and a little worried. “...I guess you’d do something like this?” The pink flame that was Pinkie Pie reared up into the sky and slammed into the ground, blowing up a small cloud of dust. A pink hoof reached over the edge of the small crater she had made, and she pulled herself up, holding her head. “There’s got to be a less painful way...” She said as she fell over. The black cloud that was Jester floated down to the ground, and dispersed, leaving the earth pony standing there with the Preludes of Chaos floating around. “Hehehe... actually Pinkie Pie, you just have to tap the ground. you don’t have to crash into the ground...” Jester chuckled a little, then he turned to the girls. “Alright, now you girls give it a try.” They looked at each other, then closed their eyes. They each burst into their own flame, a different color of the rainbow. Applejack a traditional orange, Rarity a blue. Rainbow Dash burst into a brilliant red, and Fluttershy a light yellow. Twilight had a beautiful purple flame.

Twilight was having a hard time adjusting. Teleporting was easier then this. She felt awkward, like she had a body and yet, she did not have a body. “Do you have any idea how to navigate?” Twilight heard Jesters voice. She turned to him. “I don’t know how to move. A little help here?” Twilight leaned a little bit forward. Jester quickly jumped to the side as she careened into the ground. “Careful Twilight. I can’t catch you if your like that.” Twilight struggled up off the ground. She had her body back. “HOO WEE! I ain’t never had so much since the Sisterhooves Special!” The orange flame that was Applejack was already soaring around the sky. “How do they do it?” Everyone else was soaring around, like a light show in the sunlight. “Don’t worry Twilight. It takes a little practice.” Jester looked over to Pinkie Pie, who was picking herself up. “Why don’t you ask Pinkie Pie? I can’t really explain it.” Twilight nodded, and went over to Pinkie Pie.

“Pinkie Pie, are you alright?” Twilight looked at her. “I’m fine. Wow that was FUN! I have to do that more often.” Twilight looked at Pinkie Pie. “I’m still having trouble steering myself around as a flame.” Pinkie Pie giggled. “It’s really not that hard Twilight. All you have to do is...hmm... what do you do?” Twilight sighed. “Umm... oh wait.” Pinkie Pie turned to Twilight. “You were a flame right?” Twilight nodded. “You noticed how you could change your view? and how you were able to lean?” Twilight nodded again, rubbing her chin. “It’s kinda of like walking sideways. Or is it backwards? Or is it floating?” Twilight tapped Pinkie Pie. “On topic please.” “Oh right. Anyway. If you look a certain way and lean forward, you go in that direction. If you lean backward, you go away from that direction.” Twilight nodded again. “Okay let’s try this...WHOA.” Twilight yelped a little as Pinkie Pie burst into flames yet again.

Twilight breathed in and out. “Okay, I can do this.” She burst into a brilliant purple flames again. She looked towards the sky and leaned forward. She felt herself move. “okay, so far so good, wait what.” Twilight looked down to see she had flown several feet into the air. “Looks like I flew too high.” She looked at the ground and leaned ever so slightly. She saw the ground slowly easing up on her. “That’s it Twilight, you got it. Try going a little faster now.” She looked over at Jester. “Alright, I can do this.” Canterlot, where the castle was situated, was located on the side of a mountain. She aimed at the empty air, and put her full weight forward.

She was easily going as fast as Rainbow Dash. She flew circles around the mountain, and a variety of aerial tricks. She had never felt so exhilarated in her life. “This beats teleporting ANY DAY!” Twilight was thrilled. The fastest she had ever gone was on a chariot led by pegasi. “Twilight! Get back here!” Jester’s voice sounded out. Twilight floated gently back onto the ground. “That was some great flying, but let’s stay on topic here alright?” Twilight nodded. “I think we should split up to look.” Rainbow Dash looked around the group. “I agree, that would be better then the whole group going together.” Applejack nodded. Fluttershy spoke up. “Uhm.. but how will let each other know where the cave is once we, you know, find it?” Pinkie Pie spoke up. “How about once we find the cave, we soar into the sky and fly in circles?” Jester nodded. “Yes that sounds good.” Twilight nodded. “Okay. everyone ready?” The girls nodded. Jester had the Preludes spinning around. “Okay, GO!” Each girl flew off into the mountain ranges, a rainbow of shooting stars.

Meeting the Nightmare

Twilight was not even sure what to look for. Princess Celestia had only stated that there would be a prison of some sort in the mountain ranges of the Everfree. That was not much to go on though. Then she remembered that the princess had mentioned it was near the dragon lairs. So she decided to look there. There were several dragon lairs scattered throughout the forest, but a few were in the mountains. But to no avail. She searched every dragon lair only to find countless riches, but no prison.

She touched down. “This is getting hopeless. How am I supposed to find something so small in such a large area.” She scratched her head. “The Nightmares are powerful. A normal prison would not be able to hold them in, much less for who knows how long.” Twilight perked up. “That means there must be a magical enchantment on the prison. And no doubt a very powerful one.” So she cast a spell, and a light wave of magic spread out quickly from her horn. She waited. There was a small source of magic, and a large source of magic located in opposite directions. “Huh. But which one is it?” She burst into her violet flames. “Guess i have to check.”

Twilight decided that the large source of magic would be the location of the prison. “It should be right around here...” She looked over a peak. She saw a blue flame darting around the mountain side. “So it was Rarity. Impressive.” Twilight turned and headed towards the smaller source of magic. “The magic must have worn off after time. Maybe that’s why the nightmares were able to escape.” She landed at the mouth of a cave. “So this is where it is”. She looked inside. There was a small altar, with three open chests. They were red, blue and green. “This must be it.” Twilight went back outside and flew up into the sky to signal the others.

“So this is the prison?” Rainbow Dash walked up to the three chests. “They’re kind of small for a Nightmare, don’t you think?” Applejack nodded in agreement. ”Nightmare Moon was easily five times as big as those small boxes.” Twilight walked up to the chests. “The only reason I was able to find them was because of a magical residue that was left on them.” Pinkie Pie tilted her head. “So magic allowed them to squeeze inside? No wonder they wanted out!” She looked inside a chest. “That so small! I almost feel sorry for them.”

“You should be.” A deep voice resounded through the cave. “Who said that?” Rainbow Dash looked around. Fluttershy was quaking. “You wouldn’t know me. But then again, why would you?” Suddenly, a great pillar of earth struck up from the floor, just in front of Rainbow Dash, who jumped back in surprise. It cracked, revealing an earth pony. The mare was as tall as Princess Celestia, and had a black coat. Emeralds sprouted from her neck where her mane should have been. Her eyes though, her a dark green, with slit pupils, like a cats’. “You must be Nightmare Terra.” Jester walked up to the front. “Ah, you do know me. Are those the Preludes of Chaos? astounding. Quite the personality there. Especially since your standing with the Elements of Harmony, correct?” Twilight spoke up. “If you’re Nightmare Terra, then we will have to but you back into those chests.” The Nightmare looked up. “I told my brothers that some will come and imprison us again. But no, they would not listen, and now here you are.” The Nightmare lowered her head. “I am NOT going back into those boxes.” And she reared up and slammed her hooves into the ground. Three pillars shot up from the ground, crushing the chests. “Now to eliminate YOU!” She rushed them, bent on crushing their bones. Jester stood still, at the front. “You are stupid.” The nightmare was blown back with a quick sweep of a black blade. Jester stood still, holding his Crescent Wave up. “You are crazily out numbered. It would be foolish of you to try and attack.”

The Nightmare got back up. “Heh. You maybe right. SEE YA!” With that the Nightmare jumped up and disappeared into the ground. “Great. Now how are we going to seal them again?” Twilight was worried. They could defeat them, but then they could just get back up and start again. “I don’t know Twilight. But first things first. We have to defeat them.” Twilight sighed again. “And how are we going to find them?” “We don’t have too.” Pinkie Pie pointed out towards the horizon. There was a raging fire, and large iceberg and mountains building themselves everywhere. “Well that’s... interesting.” Rainbow Dash was all prepped up. “This’ll be easy. We’ll just pick them off one by one! No problem!” Rainbow Dash was about to jump when Fluttershy spoke up. “Excuse me Rainbow, but there’s one small thing I was thinking about.” Rainbow Dash turned to her. “Well, what is it?”

“You know how Nightmare Moon was made from the resentment in Princess Luna’s heart?” Rainbow Dash just stared. “What does that have to do with anything?” Fluttershy backed down a little. “I was just wondering that they draw power from certain emotions?” Twilight nodded her head. ”Yes that would make sense.” She pondered a little longer. “Going at them all at once would probably make them stronger then they have to be when we fight them.” Rarity flinched. “Are you suggesting that we go alone?” Applejack looked over at Rarity. ”Nah, she probably just means going in smaller groups.”

Jester nodded in agreement. “So we should go separately against the Nightmare we would have the least problems with.” Twilight nodded. “Applejack, I wouldn’t recommend Terra. You’re quite stubborn.” Applejack narrowed her eyes. “Alright Twilight, don’t have to spit it out.” Twilight sighed. “Sorry Applejack, but it’s for the sake of necessity.” Applejack nodded. “Fluttershy, you should probably go with me to fight Nightmare Frost. Being the Element of Kindness should come with mercy.” Fluttershy nodded meekly. ”I..I guess...” Rainbow Dash was bored. “But what about ME? Who do I get to fight?” Jester looked over to Rainbow. “You’d probably do well against Terra.” Rainbow Dash wheeled on Jester. “What? That weakling? I could take her out and send her to the moon with my right hoof tied behind my back!” Twilight turned to Rainbow. “You know you’re only proving him right, right?” Rainbow Dash looked at Twilight, then back at Jester. “I guess you’re right.” she sat on the ground.

Rarity looked around. “I don’t think I’ll go well with Terra either.” Twilight nodded. “I think you’d fight well against Frost.” Twilight thought a little longer. “But who will fight Nightmare Pyre?” Jester looked around. “I’ll go.” Twilight turned to Jester. “Rage is a difficult emotion. Are you sure you can handle it?” Jester nodded. “I’m pretty sure I can handle him.” “I’m probably going with you.” Pinkie Pie walked up to Jester. “Alright. The teams are settled?” The group nodded. “Alright. When everyone is finished, bring them to the castle where Celestia can find a suitable holding place for them.” Rainbow Dash spoke up. “I’ve been itching for another fight. LET’S MOVE!” and with that she exploded into a furious red and flew off. Applejack looked around. “Ah shoot can’t let her fight her by herself. WAIT UP!” And Applejack flew off the edge of the cliff, soaring after the red flame.

“WAIT!” Twilight rushed out to the edge. “Let them go.” Twilight turned to Jester. “They should be fine. Applejack is stubborn, not arrogant.” Twilight sighed. “I hope so. We should get going anyway. Ready Fluttershy?” The pegasus was a little hesitant. “A...Alright. Let’s go.” Three flames flew off towards the great iceberg. “Alright. Ready Pinkie Pie?” Jester looked around. “Pinkie Pie?” he looked out the cave to see a pink flame heading towards the fire. “Pinkie Pie...” Jester flew off, blending in with the smoke coming off the flame.

Subdueing the Nightmare

“I HAVEN'T HAD THIS MUCH FUN IN FOREVER!” Great pillars of stone rose up everywhere, flinging innocent ponies everyplace. “HA HA HA HA HAAA HA HA!” She was so busy having ‘fun’ she did not notice a red flame closing in on her. “BEHIND YOU!” Nightmare Terra turned around to meet a flying hoof, hitting her square in the face. She flew back a couple of yards. “Foals! Two simple ponies to fight me? You’d better prepare for a beating.” Rainbow Dash landed on the ground, followed by an orange flame. “I thought I was going to fight her by myself.” The orange flame blew out, revealing Applejack, next to Rainbow Dash. “Come on. You and I both know you can’t take her by yourself.” A bead of sweat ran down Rainbow’s forehead. “I guess you’re right. Look what she’s done to the place.” Cracks and boulders ran along the streets of Fillydelphia. Applejack rubbed her necklace and pounded the earth with her front hooves. Cracks raced towards Nightmare Terra. “Another with power over earth?” She leaped into the air. “Turn around.” Terra turned her head. A heavy red gauntlet pummeled her in the face. Terra rolled backward. “LOOK OUT BELOW!!!!” Nightmare Terra looked up and bound out of the way just before a rainbow blur struck the ground followed by a magnificent lightning bolt. She looked over. Applejack wore a pair of heavy red gauntlets. Rainbow Dash pulled her pole arm out the erupted ground, which was sizzling lightly. “Impressive.” Suddenly the nearby mountains began to rumble. Boulders flew towards Nightmare Terra, assembling themselves upward. When the dust stopped blowing, Rainbow and Applejack looked up. Their jaws dropped. A giant earth pony of stone stared down on them. “BUT IT WON’T BE ENOUGH.”

“What happened here?” Twilight was racing throughout Manehatten. It was frosted over, covered in a thick layer of ice and snow. Ponies lay everywhere, steaming breath coming out slowly. “Fluttershy, help them out. Rarity and I will go find the Nightmare.” Fluttershy nodded, and, rubbing her necklace, summoned a golden staff from the earth. Light poured out as she began healing each pony, and helped them to their hooves.

Twilight found Nightmare Frost standing over a helpless pony. He was a midnight black, like Terra, but a black horn grew from his head. The black stallion had large ice fragments growing along his neck and spine. “Stop right there Nightmare Frost!” The Nightmare turned his head. “They send minor unicorns to stop me.” His horn lit up a frosty blue. The pony he was standing over glowed and flew against a frozen wall, cracking it. The innocent mare fell to the ground, unconscious. Twilight gasped, and turned to the Nightmare with anger in her heart. “Just so you know.” The Night mare looked at the pair. His horn glowed again, and two icicles broke themselves off an overhang, each as sharp as a butcher’s knife. “I don’t take prisoners.” Twilight donned her tiara. Her horn glowed, and the Element of Magic sparked. Magic spouted off her horn like a geyser, forming a staff. She grasped it, pausing. “Rarity, prepare yourself.” Rarity nodded as she rubbed her necklace. A deep rumbling could be heard. “Take THIS!” Twilight swung her staff just as the comet came within range. The flaming meteor flew at the Nightmare. He swung his blades, deflecting just to the left. The meteor returned to Twilight, alighting itself atop Twilight's’ staff. “Amazing power.” The Nightmare stepped into a battle stance. “Now let me show you mine.”

Jester landed in the burning town of Hoofington. The villagers were fleeing, and rightfully so. Everything was falling apart, burning to the ground. “HEY YOU! YOU MEANIE!” Jester looked over to see Pinkie Pie pointing at Nightmare Pyre. A stallion the color of charcoal turned to Pinkie Pie. His mane was a raging flame, and his wings were ignited as well. His hooves sprayed sparks where ever he stepped. “An EARTH pony dares speaks up to ME? Prepare for my WRATH!” “This is not what ponies mean when they say burn the club down!” She pointed over to a sign that read ‘Disc Jockey Haven: Burnin’ clubs down for a livin’!’ The Nightmare blinked. “what.” He shook his head. “IGNORANT PEST! AWAY FROM MY SIGHT! BEFORE I TURN YOU INTO ASHES WHERE YOU STAND!”, and the Nightmare let loose a flaming breath from its mouth. Pinkie Pie held up her hoof to defend herself. When Pinkie Pie looked up, she saw a large black blade stuck in the ground, shielding her from the heat. “You really ought to know better then to provoke a Nightmare Pinkie.” Pinkie looked at Jester, who had appeared next to her. “I’ve got an idea!” and she leaned into Jesters ear, whispering. “Got it.” Jester pulled his blade out from the ground. “Quite the power you have there Nightmare Pyre. But see if you can keep up with my BLADES!” The Preludes of Chaos froze in an arc above Jester. Each generated a black, floating blade. Jester charged forward. The Nightmare breathed another stream of flame. Jester held up his Crescent Wave to block the fire, but the Preludes continued their advance. The Preludes started slashing low at the Nightmare, causing him to look as if he were dancing. “Hey Nightmare!” The Nightmare turned to find Pinkie Pie on his back. “WHAT! HOW?” Nightmare Pyre was enraged. Pinkie Pie giggled. “You really need to pay more attention.” She pointed forward. The Nightmare looked in front. “HA!” Jester was a blur as he accelerated towards the Nightmare. The Nightmare only had enough time to be surprised before he was struck across the face with Jesters broad sword. Nightmare Pyre flew backward. Pinkie Pie landed next to Jester. “Wow, you’re fast! Thankfully I’m FASTER!” She rubbed her necklace and leaped into the air. Suddenly, Pinkie Pie’s shadow leaped from the ground, holding a pair of chakrams and two sheathed katanas. Pinkie Pie’s shadow got into a bucking position, and when Pinkie Pie landed on her hooves, she was launched forward. The shadow then threw the pair of chakrams after Pinkie. Pinkie Pie was a blur as she soared towards the Nightmare, holding her blades. “SURPRISE!”

Applejack and Rainbow Dash were in a somewhat neutral position. The giant pony of stone that was the Nightmare was pretty much untouchable. But at the same time, it could not move quick enough to strike the two small agile ponies. “Any ideas Applejack?” Rainbow Dash called out. “Just keep dodging! I’ll think of something!” Applejack dodged another hoof stomp from the giant.

Sparks flew as staff met ice. Twilight Sparkle was doing her best to keep up with the twin icicle blades that the Nightmare wielded. “Stand aside Twilight!” Rarity called out. She raised her thrice accented bow, made from diamonds and magic. Twilight quickly blocked another blow and disappeared, reappearing next to Rarity. Rarity let loose. Flaming arrows released itself from the bow, as quick as a river flowed. The Nightmare easily kept up with the firing rate, deflecting the arrows off to the side. Suddenly lightning arced across the sky, striking and stunning the Nightmare, leaving him open to a dozen exploding arrows. Twilight and Rarity turned to find Fluttershy, with her staff smoking slightly. “Sorry I’m late.”

Nightmare Pyre blocked slash after slash from the consecutive cuts from Pinkie Pie and Jester. “What is he MADE of?” Pinkie Pie was astounded. He was using his front hooves. Nightmare Pyre smirked. “Good question. It’s made of HELLSTONE!” And with that struck his front hooves together, casting a large blast of flame towards the pair. “Pinkie Pie! UP!” Jester placed his blade on the floor. Pinkie Pie landed on the broad side and Jester launched her into the sky, lifting the blade to shield himself from the fire. Pinkie Pie’s shadow rushed in just after the flame dispersed, coming into a clash with the Nightmare. “Foal.” The Nightmare knocked the twin katanas away and brought his hooves up, just to be crushed by Pinkie Pie. “Thanks for catching me! That would’ve hurt!” As she jumped away just before the Nightmare burst into a furious inferno. “YOU’RE MAKING ME VERY CROSS!”

Applejack was running out of breath. She dodged stomp after stomp from the giant earth pony. Rainbow Dash was also noticeably slowing down. Applejack dodged another hoof, and rushed towards the hoof, pounding it with the force of a speeding train. The giant pulled back its’ hoof, shaking it as if it were in pain. ”Cursed pony, you DARE harm me?!” Applejack smiled. It wasn’t a particularly weak point, but it was something. Her mind raced as she continued dodging. She pounded the earthen hoof again. The cracks spread further. “Rainbow! I may be on to something!”

Twilight was swinging her staff around quickly. But she was getting tired, and could only keep up blocking. “Keep it up Twilight! Fluttershy is preparing something!” Fluttershy had her eyes closed. Two orbs of magical energy circled her in a slow orbit. Her eyes suddenly flashed open. ”Here!”, she pointed her staff at Twilight, sending both orbs flying towards Twilight. One hit her and restored her energy. The other casted a light blue aura around her. ”It seems I’ll have to work a little harder with you.” And the Nightmare proceeded to swing his blades at ridiculous speeds. Twilight was energized, but she just couldn’t keep up with the Nightmare. Rarity released a flaming arrow, but realized it would arrive late. The sword made contact with Twilight broadside, only to have it bounce off harmlessly. Everyone stopped. “What.” The Nightmare looked at Twilight. Twilight blinked, then smirked.

“I thought he was always cross. Does that make him crosser?” “PINKIE PIE I DON’T THINK THIS IS THE RIGHT TIME FOR THAT!” The Nightmare was flying around, trying to skewer Jester and Pinkie Pie. “HOLD STILL PESTS!” Jester was dancing around in an attempt to dodge. “Oh! I wanna dance!” And Pinkie Pie swung her arms back and forth, stepping to the beat of whatever she was dancing to. “WATCH OUT!” Jester flung himself towards Pinkie Pie as Nightmare Pyre rushed past them. Jester was on top of Pinkie Pie. “Oh. Thanks Jester!” Pinkie Pie giggled and blushed a little. Jester stared a little, and then turned his head. “Not now.” He quickly turned over and launched Pinkie Pie into the air, narrowly dodging the flaming Nightmare.

He picked up his blade. The Nightmare roared. “HOW DO YOU PLAN TO HIT SOMETHING YOU CAN’T TOUCH?” Jester dodged out of the way, dragging his blade. Pinkie Pie landed next to him. “Okay, how about this weekend?” Jester just looked at her. “Um... sure?” They both jumped away from another charge by the Nightmare.

Applejack had put major fractures into the four legs of the giant earth pony. The giant was struggling to stand. “FOALS! You CANNOT harm ME! I am Nightmare Terra!” Rainbow Dash saw this. “Oh YEAH? Then how come your having trouble just standing?” With that Rainbow Dash flew into the clouds. Applejack smiled, “Bet you won’t see THIS one coming.” Applejack pounded one leg, dropping the enormous earth pony to one knee. “RRRRAAAAAAA!!!!!” A faint multicolored blur dropped down onto the Nightmares’ back. A brilliant rainbow shock wave exploded from the nightmares back. Cracks and fractures flew across the body of the earthen giant, and rocks began to fall. Applejack ran towards the body of Rainbow Dash, dodging falling rocks and boulders. “Gotcha RD.” She scooped up Rainbow Dash and jumped just before a large boulder came crashing down. Rainbow Dash rubbed her head and opened her eyes. “I really need to remember to wear a helmet while doing that.” They both turned to watch the crumbling remains of the giant fall to dust.

Fluttershy had somehow enchanted Twilight to make her invulnerable. Twilight knew the effects would not last long. “Better put it to good use.” She spun her staff in a circular motion, leaving a purple outline. She swung her staff towards the Nightmare, sending a buzz saw of magic towards the Nightmare. He jumped out of the way. Twilight met up with him in midair, her staff crackling with purple magic. She started spinning violently, and a black twister crackling with purple energy struck the Nightmare. The Nightmare was struck to the ground with a pounding force. Twilight landed on the ground, and teleported. She reappeared opposite the Nightmare, holding a black pearl of magic. She placed it and quickly teleported. She placed six pearls around the Nightmare, each floating just above the ground crackling with energy. She floated above the Nightmare on magical platform. The Nightmare looked up. “Good night!” She fired a lightning bolt towards one of the pearls. All the pearls immediately flared up, arcing black and purple lightning back and forth between them. All the while the Nightmare struck with lightning. Twilight stopped when the Nightmare lay still. “All right.” She lifted the unconscious Nightmare up with her magic. ”Back to Canterlot.”

Jester stopped and turned to face the Nightmare, a fireball hurtling around at great speeds. “YOU’RE MAKING THIS EASY!” Jester held up his blade. “3...2..1..” The flaming blur was struck to the ground by a perfectly timed swing of his blade. The ground exploded again. “YOU WILL PAY FOR THAT!” A dark blur moved towards the Nightmare. Pinkie Pie’s shadow had stolen up to the Nightmare, and struck him just behind the eye with the hilt of her katana. He fell to the floor, small eyed and frozen. “Impressive.” Jester looked down at the unconscious Nightmare. “Thought that could have been done much sooner. Saved us some time too.” The shadow shrugged. “I couldn’t have. Did you see that fire?” Jester shrugged. “Hey, where’s Pinkie Pie?” Pinkie Pie came out from behind the shadow, holding a small slip of paper. “Add a few finishing touches...” to Jesters surprise, she cut herself on her leg, letting her blood drip down to her hoof, which she used to draw a strange symbol on the paper. “Done!” She stuck the paper onto the Nightmare’s forehead. The Nightmares eyes flew open, frozen as a small pupil. “How...?” Pinkie Pie giggled. “It’s a little something I thought of. It’s a binding charm. He can’t move.” The Nightmare lay there limp, with the charm stuck to it’s forehead. “Didn’t that hurt?” Jester pointed to the small cut on Pinkie’s leg. “Oh, it’s nothing. Just a minor cut.” Jester tapped his chin. “You think you could make one for the others? The Nightmares.” Pinkie Pie promptly held up three similar charms. “Way ahead of you! Let’s get this guy back to Canterlot!”

Back in Canterlot

The group arrived at Canterlot, only to find DD on the ground. Twilight gasped. “DD! WHAT HAPPENED?” The Captain struggled to look up. “I’m sorry Miss Sparkle. There was nothing I could do.” The Nightmares were left on the ground as the group rushed inside.

Princess Celestia was struggling to keep standing. Twilight gasped. “Nightmare Moon.” The black alicorn turned to the group. “Ah. I remember you.” The Nightmare wore several pieces of blue armor. Her mane was flowing magic that replicated the night sky. “The Elements of Harmony.” She spat the words out. “Come here to put me away again? It won’t be so easy this time.” A bolt of lightning shot from her horn at Celestia. She fell to her side. “PRINCESS!” Twilight teleported over to Princess Celestia, and whisked her away to a safe area. “While you’re at it, take her too.” She kicked the unconscious Princess Luna over to the group. The dark blotch on her flank had disappeared. Fluttershy carried Princess Luna away. “She’s still alive. That’s good.”

Twilight reappeared back in the room. “You will pay for this.” Nightmare Moon cackled. “Trust me. When I’M through with you, you’ll be running back to the home that I destroyed!”

“You mean US.” Jester walked up to the front. The Preludes of Chaos swirled furiously around him. “YOU?” The Nightmare snarled. “I thought I knew you.” Jester closed his eyes and lowered his head as all eyes turned to him. “I thought I knew you too.” Black flame erupted around him in a black twister.

Thick heavy obsidian armor covered him now. Black flames came from his neck and rear. Red energy streamed from his blood red eyes. But something was different. Only three Preludes of Chaos were in his armor. The remaining three disappeared into the ground. A great crack echoed through the room, and fire shot from the crack in the ground. A great staff rose from the ground. On one end was a wicked spike, sprouting from the diamond at it’s base. On the other end sprouted three spikes, each burning black, with two diamonds at its base.

“Prepare for your defeat Nightmare Moon.” He grasped the staff, and held it out in front of him in a battle stance. Red lightning arced back and forth across the staff. The Nightmare frowned, and with a small flash from her horn, more armor appeared, and attached itself to her. A bright light flashed from behind Jester. Twilight walked up, her white magic radiating off her back in majestic wings. Her staff held at ready, she spoke. “You can’t win this fight alone Jester.”

A hollow chuckle echoed from Jester. “I know.” He spun his staff in the air. When he swung towards the Nightmare, a blast of black and red energy shot forth. The Nightmare held up her wing and deflected it off to the side. The explosion was heard for miles around. “Is that all the wielder of the Preludes of Chaos can do? I almost feel bad.” Jester rushed forward, sweeping his staff low and powerful. The Nightmare simply dodged. Jester continued the spin, leaving the image of a lotus flower in the trail of magic his staff created. Still the Nightmare weaved to and fro. Jester struck out quickly, successfully hitting the Nightmare square in the chest. The Nightmare slid back a few feet from the blow. Twilight flashed in, and struck the Nightmare across the face, sending her reeling towards the wall.

The Nightmare turned to see Applejack flying in with her gauntlets. Applejack pulled a successful strike to the face, blowing the Nightmare and herself straight through the wall. Both were sent flying down the mountain. The Nightmare kicked Applejack off her and righted herself with her wings. “Enough of this nonsense.” Rainbow Dash flew down through the hole and caught Applejack on her large pole arm. “Ready Applejack?” Applejack nodded. Rainbow Dash swung her pole arm, launching Applejack at incredible speeds towards towards the Nightmare. Applejack collided with the Nightmare, and both flew over into the royal garden. Applejack flipped away before the Nightmare exploded in a blue flame. “ENOUGH!” Lightning struck, and Applejack flew backward. The Nightmare looked up in time to see Rainbow Dash coming down with impossible speeds. She cracked the ground with the force, striking lightning down on the Nightmare. Rainbow Dash was blown away from the crater, electricity sparking across her. “Pitiful. Simply pitiful.” The Nightmare walked out of the crater and smoke, seemingly unscratched.

“RAWR!” two shadows darted in close. Nightmare Moon held up her front hooves to block Pinkie Pie and her shadow. The pair flew around Nightmare Moon, striking wherever they could, but to no avail. Nightmare Moon struck out at Pinkie Pie, only to have her disappear. “Strange.” Bright chains of pink energy suddenly wrapped around the Nightmares neck. “What?” The Nightmare flew backward from it’s pull. “surPRISE!” Pinkie Pie released a relentless string of strikes upon the Nightmare. Each one hit home, but still the Nightmare remained unfazed. Pinkie Pie escaped with a quick twirl around just before a fast jab struck out.

Rarity pulled back on her string. “Stand still for a moment longer...” Her bow glowed, and magical white wings appeared on the frame of her bow. She released the string. Arrow after flaming arrow flew from the bow, seemingly endless. The Nightmare turned in time to get struck by the first of many of the explosive projectiles. Fire and smoke filled the air as arrows continued to fly into the cloud. Rarity fired arrows for as long as she could, for each arrow drained her magical energy. Finally Rarity let up, and the smoke stopped rising. When the smoke cleared, Nightmare Moon stood there, her wing held up. It was mangled, but Nightmare Moon remained still untouched. “Foals, thinking they could best me.”

White chains wrapped itself around the Nightmare. “WHAT?” She was yanked from her position towards Twilight Sparkle, who was standing nearby. “Remember me?” Twilight struck out with her staff, crackling with purple white magic. Blow after blow the Nightmare took, and blow after blow Twilight threw at her. The Nightmare skidded away. Nightmare Moon ducked to avoid a large magical razor. Twilight rushed in and struck a powerful blow to the Nightmare. She flew backward. “Curses, how powerful ARE they?”

“RAAA!” Jester charged the Nightmare and struck with a resounding pound that rippled the air. The Nightmare was blown away from the impact. Jester rushed again. Blow after blow he struck, hitting the Nightmare every which way. With an earth splitting force he struck the Nightmare down into the ground. “Pinkie Pie! Ready those charms!” Jester swirled his staff around, and red lightning crackled and arced across it. He jabbed the Nightmare square in the front, sending the lightning leaping across the Nightmares body. She froze, paralyzed from the shock. Pinkie Pie dropped in, charms in her hoof, three in total. She stuck one on her forehead, and one on each wing. The Nightmare froze, and her eyes grew small from the effects of the charms.

The Obsidian armor that clung to Jester disintegrated into black ash. The powerful staff that had been wielded by Jester cracked and shattered leaving the three Preludes of Chaos floating in the air. Jesters blood red eyes faded back into a deep brown. The Preludes came to him, and orbited lightly around. Fluttershy rushed to aid the others. They had been injured in battle, and some more so then others.

His Secret

Rainbow walked up to Jester. “Man that was a tough fight.” She looked to the Nightmare, then back to Jester. “So what did she mean when she said she thought she knew you?” Jester just lowered his head. “She met me in the Everfree Forest.” He turned to the Nightmare. She was frozen. “She embodied resentment. Something that I have experienced, or brought upon myself, depending on how you look at it.” Jester shook his head and chuckled lightly. “We were alike, and got along really well, but alas, it was short lived.”

Applejack perked up. “So you say you ACTUALLY knew her?” Applejack squinted her eyes. “How could you be friends with such a... a...a bad pony?” Rainbow Dash nodded her head in agreement. “Night time eternal! She wanted that!” Jester pulled back from their reaction. “To be honest, I find the night better then day. More peaceful, more quiet, and...”

“WHAT?!” Rarity walked up. “Night time eternal? Unthinkable! and you agreed to such a prospect?” Jester dropped his head. “That was then. This is now.” Rainbow Dash shook her head. “I can’t believe you. To think that I was interested in you.” Applejack just shook her head. Rarity pointed her hoof. ”Do you realize what atrocities lay in the dark? You, sir, are unforgivable.”

Jester looked around. He hung his head, a frown hanging heavily from his mouth, eyes closed. Twilight walked up. “Nightmare Moon is down. Now we need to find a place to imprison her.” Rainbow Dash turned to Twilight. “Well the chests are gone, and we only had three in the first place.” Applejack turned to Twilight. “Maybe we can get Princess Luna to host her again? You know, like before?” Twilight nodded. “Yes, that would make sense.”

Twilight was suddenly knocked to a far wall. “How can you speak of imprisonment when you have yet to achieve VICTORY?” Nightmare Moon stood, free from the charms that bound her. Applejack and Rainbow Dash turned to the Nightmare, but turned too late as they were struck as well.

Rarity had her bow up as the Nightmare raised her head to strike again. “oh Shut UP!” An obsidian hammer, the size of a carriage, struck the Nightmare head on, blowing her to the mountain side. Rarity turned to Jester. His eyes had turned deep blood red, black lightning flickering from it. his brow was furrowed, and his frown was an angry frown. He suddenly disappeared. The Nightmare staggered up, struggling to stand up right. All the effort was in vain when the large black hammer fell upon her crown. Three times the hammer was raised, and three times the ground cracked. When the dust cleared, the Nightmare lay on her side, eyes closed, unconscious in the crater.

Jester breathed heavily from hefting the large weapon, and his eyes again faded back to the usual brown. He looked and gasped. “aw geez.” the ground had split in several places, like there had been a major earthquake. Jester turned to the others. they stared in shock and fear. Jester could see that they were surprised at such a sudden outbreak. He turned, and he whisked away, dropping two objects into the grass.

Fluttershy rushed to heal them. Applejack righted herself slowly. “Ah hope don’t see him for a while.” Rainbow dash got up. “Yeah.” Rarity straightened her hair. “I’ve never seen anyone like him.” Twilight was speechless. Jester had just lost control of himself. And he was in control most of the time.

Pinkie Pie appeared nearby. “Wow! She was able to break my charms! Good thing we had Jester here!” They all just looked at her. By the way, where is he?” Rarity pointed towards the cliff. “He just flew off.” Pinkie Pie looked over. “Aww... Where’d he go?” she hopped over to the edge. “Ooh! shiny!” a sparkle in the grass caught Pinkie Pie’s eyes. She picked them up. “What is...” Her smile flew into a frown, and her mane dropped to a straight line. She quickly darted off towards the Everfree Forest, taking the shining objects with her. Twilight saw this, and quickly ran after her. “What happened?” Twilight asked herself as she darted down, following Pinkie Pie.

What Have I done to Deserve?

Jester was leaning against his blade, dug deep into the ground to provide a back rest. He looked into the sky. It was a dark night sky, stars blinking in and out of sight. Few tears, but tears nonetheless, ran down his cheek. “You’re a fool Jester Klyde Cross. A stupid fool.”

Twilight caught up with Pinkie Pie. They were galloping through the thick growth of the Everfree Forest. “What happened Pinkie Pie? Why are you in such a hurry?” Pinkie Pie turned to Twilight, and she could see tears running down her cheeks. “If what I think is true...”

Jester looked to the ground. “Just when you thought you belonged, you get kicked out.” Jester let another tear fall, and he looked back to the sky. “It hurts.”

Twilight looked at the two gems that Pinkie Pie produced. “They’re beautiful! Where did you find them?” They glowed a light blue from its core. It was smooth as a river pebble, and shaped as a rain drop. Pinkie Pie tossed them to Twilight, and she caught them with her magic. “The last time I saw them,” Pinkie Pie choked on her words. “The owner killed himself.” Twilight gasped.

“Forget it Jester, you don’t belong. You’re thrice accursed blank flank.” It was true. despite his age, he had yet to earn a cutie mark. The Preludes of Chaos floated gently around him. He looked at them. ”Denial, Frustration, Paranoia, Greed, Indifference and Magic. That’s me.” Another tear fell.

Pinkie Pie sniffed as Twilight watched. “They are beautiful. Rarity won’t find another like it.” Twilight looked sadly confused. “Why is that?” Pinkie Pie choked again. “It’s one of those ancient legends.” Pinkie Pie looked back forward. “There’s an old saying, ’The joy of others, the pain of one. Jewels of ones eyes, that never see the sun.’” Twilight frowned. She looked back at the beautiful gems. It was just like the saying. It’s beauty was unrivaled, and yet, it came from the depths of self-loathing.

Jester looked down to the floor again. “You will never have a place. You never have. The Preludes just kicks you even further.” Jester dislodged his blade from the ground. “No reason to live, no happier alive.” He started swinging the blade in a circle. “I shall be my own reaper.”

A distant thud startled Pinkie Pie and Twilight. “NO! JESTER!” Pinkie Pie wailed as she immediately darted off towards the sound. Twilight followed quickly. How could Jester feel such a way? What had happened?

Jester opened his eyes. A partially split instrument lay between him and the blade that would have removed his head. He looked up. A gray mare clung to the neck of the cello that was now broken. “What do you think you’re doing?” Jester dropped his blade in surprise. The earth pony quickly leaped off before the cello and the blade fell to the ground. “You weren't trying to kill yourself, were you?” she walked up to him. Jester looked down. “So it was true.” She backed up. “Why would you try to do that?” Jester had no reply. “Look, I can never help if you don’t let me help.” Jester looked up. “What help can you provide?” She looked surprised. “I don’t know. I can’t know until I try now can I?” Jester looked to the floor again. “I am Octavia. It’s alright if you haven’t heard of me.” Jester looked up. “The Octavia? You are Octavia?” The mare nodded. “Yes I am. You’ve heard of me?” Jester nodded. “You are only the most brilliant pony ever to play the cello! I love your pieces.” Octavia blushed. “Do you really? No pony really listens to classical anymore.” Jester shrugged. “I agree, but classical is very... how do I put it? Very... soothing.” Octavia smiled. “What are you doing here anyway? A pony such as yourself should be in Canterlot, mingling with high class ponies?” Jester watched as Octavia pulled the Crescent Wave from her cello. “I usually come here to practice. It’s very calm around here.” She looked hopelessly at her broken instrument. “Here, let me help you with that.” Jester called the Preludes to him. The diamonds swirled around the broken cello, spreading a light glow to it. Suddenly they dug themselves into a nearby tree. The tree collapsed, leaving behind an instrument. A cello. But it lacked the polishing and strings. Taking the strings from the old instrument, the new instrument was restrung, and tested. It had a beautiful quality. The diamonds swirled around the freshly fallen tree, extracting the sap from the trunk. It poured over the new instrument, shining it to a light reflection. Octavia took a hold of the new cello. “Wow. How did you do that? You’re an earth pony!” The Preludes floated back to Jester, and resumed their orbit. “These diamonds. They’re called the Preludes of Chaos.” Octavia scratched her head. “That name rings a bell.”

“JESTER!” Jester turned to see Pinkie Pie crash into him. “Pinkie?” She was sobbing. “JESTER! JESTER I WAS SO...!” Her voice was lost in a fit of sobbing and tears. Twilight burst from the undergrowth and looked around. “Jester, there you are! We were looking for you!” Pinkie sniffed. “Why did you do it?” Octavia spoke up. “I stopped him. I don’t understand why though.” Pinkie Pie looked over to Twilight. “Oh! Right.” She produced the two shining gems. “Wow, those are beautiful! Where’d you find them?” Twilight looked at Jester, who was gazing at the gems. “They’re yours Jester. These are your tears.” Jester gaped. “How...?” Octavia looked over at the gems. “Ah, memories.” She reached behind her and produced a pair of almost identical gems.

Pinkie Pie looked up in surprise. “Tavi, you have them too?” Octavia nodded. “I was just a little filly.” She looked back at her gems. “My mother had sent me to a music school.” She looked back up. “Everyday it was the same thing. I’d pick up an instrument, and everyday I’d be lectured for being such a bad player.” Jester looked at her quizzically. “I was stupidly stubborn, and so it came to one day, while I was being lectured, these two fell on the floor.” She promptly held up the gems. “Vinyl Scratch happened upon them, and found me on the floor, a cut in my neck and a bloody bow.” She pulled her collar down. Sure enough, there was a small scar on the side of her neck. “If Vinyl Scratch had not been there, I wouldn’t be here right now. I owe my life to her.” a few tears fell from Octavias eyes. “Anyway, that’s it. Funny how the instrument that almost killed me pulled me out of it, huh?” She chuckled. The rest of them just blinked. “Yeah I guess...” Jester looked up. Pinkie was still on top of him and her mane had puffed up back to normal.

Pinkie Pie looked back at Jester. “Oh! Sorry!” She got off of Jester. “No problem.” suddenly Fluttershy burst through the undergrowth. “Pinkie Pie! There you are!” Jester looked up at Fluttershy. “The Nightmare is waking up, isn’t she?” Fluttershy blinked. “How did you know?” Jester looked off to the side. “Something like that isn’t going to keep a Nightmare down. Let’s go.” Jester blazed off. The others took off after them. Octavia just stared. “So, Jester. We will meet again.” She looked at her new cello. “It still amazes me.” She hefted it onto her back, and set off.

As they were heading back to Canterlot, Jester turned to Twilight. “After the Nightmare is subdued, I probably will be going back to the Forest.” Twilight looked back. “Why? We still have to find a way to seal the Nightmares away.” Jester sighed. “I know. But I might upset the others.” Twilight was confused. “Why is that?” “Let’s just say they aren’t in the best of moods right now.” Twilight was confused again.

“Twilight! There ya are! She was becoming a handful.” Applejack struck the Nightmare again, blowing her back a few feet. “FOAL! That isn’t enough!” Jester rushed in from above, wielding the Crescent wave. He became a blur as he struck out at the Nightmare. The Nightmare struggled to keep standing. Jester became visible as he slid back. His blade crackled with red lightning as he struck against the ground, sending a large black and red shock wave towards the Nightmare. It engulfed her, launching lightning and igniting flames on the Nightmare. When it finally stopped, the Nightmare collapsed, unconscious, electricity arcing across her body, smoking heavily.

“Jester? I thought you were gone for GOOD!” Rainbow Dash walked up to Jester. Applejack looked at him. “We don’t need no traitor here.” Jester simply sighed, and he turned to the Nightmare. “It was YOU GUYS!?” Pinkie Pie looked at both of them. Rainbow Dash pointed at Jester. “I can’t believe him! He was friends with Nightmare Moon!” Applejack nodded. “Eternal Night? Only him and Nightmare Moon can agree to that!” Pinkie Pie looked at Jester, and looked back. “That doesn’t mean anything! The only thing it can mean is a difference in opinion!” Rarity spoke up. “How can you support such a bad pony?” Pinkie Pie turned on Rarity. “Because I know him!” Jester looked back at Pinkie Pie. “Just because he was friends with Nightmare Moon doesn’t make him a bad pony.” Twilight nodded. “That simply means that they shared a common interest at one point or another.”

Fluttershy spoke up. “He’s gone!” Everyone turned their heads. There on the ground where Jester had once been, was a simple black scroll, bound in a blood red ribbon. Twilight picked it up.

I knew this was bound to happen one day or another. I knew I would be rejected from this group as with all the other groups. Who do I call a friend? Where can I call home? Where else but the place where all are rejects? If you seek me, you may find me where the clouds float free, where the animals care for themselves, and where the plants grow to their hearts content...

“...The Everfree Forest.” Twilight finished the letter. “My my MY what a drama queen.” Rarity spoke.Twilight frowned. How did he know? Was he expecting this all along? Did it just catch him off guard? “Never mind him. We still have the Nightmares to seal up. How do we do it?” Rainbow Dash looked hopelessly at the Nightmares. “Like ah said before, why not get another host for them?” Twilight nodded, putting the letter away. “Let me see if Princess Luna has woken up yet.” Fluttershy followed Twilight to where the Princesses were resting. “Princess Luna, are you alright?” The princess of the Night looked up. “We have seen better days.” Twilight nodded. “The Nightmares are loose. We have them contained, but we need a host to secure them.” Princess Luna nodded. “Where is Nightmare Moon? We will see to it that she never wreaks havoc on this land again.” Twilight smiled, and led the princess to the Nightmare.

Finding a Replacement

“Restoring a Nightmare to a host is no simple task.” Twilight nodded. “Let me look in the royal library for something about it. Keep her detained while I’m gone.” Princess Luna promptly conjured magical chains around the Nightmare. “Consider it done.” Twilight quickly ran indoors to the library. Twilight looked high, and Twilight looked low. She looked low and high, and high before she realized that such a book would be old. “I’ll go check the ancient records for it.” She shuffled quickly through the ancient documents before coming to a peculiar sheet. “Is this it?”

The sheet showed the Elements of Harmony and Nightmare Terra. In the diagram, The Elements of Harmony were portrayed to be revolving around the Nightmare. Further down the page, the Nightmare had turned into a cloud of magical smoke. The Elements of Harmony then siphoned the cloud into a chest.

“We no longer have the chests.” She sighed. “I guess this will have to do.” Twilight rushed back outside with the scroll.

Princess Luna turned her head as Twilight ran out of the castle. “Did you find anything?” Twilight sighed. “It was the closest thing I could find.” Twilight showed the Princess what she found, and she looked at it. “I guess we have no choice. Start the ritual.” Twilight was confused. “What?” Princess Luna looked over to Twilight. “If this was all thou could find, then we will simply have to make do.” Twilight looked at the sheet. “Alright Princess, whenever you’re ready.” Princess Luna smiled. “We await your preparations.”

“Alright girls. Formation!” Twilight and her friends formed a circle around the Nightmare. The Elements of Harmony began glowing, and the Nightmare was lifted off the ground. The Elements of Harmony suddenly shot out brilliant rays of light. The Nightmare began smoking, turning into a cloud. “Princess Luna!” The princess trotted underneath the cloud. Suddenly cloud enveloped the Princess. Slowly, but gradually, the cloud shrank, until it left nothing but the Princess standing there. The dark blot on her flank had returned, and when she opened her eyes, they were slits, like the Nightmares’. The Elements of Harmony continued to glow as the Princess twisted this way and that, the Nightmare within, fighting the restraints.

When the Elements of Harmony finally stopped glowing, Princess Luna collapsed. The group immediately ran over to the Princess. “Princess! Are you alright?” The princess stood up, and when she opened her eyes, they were large and round, as a normal eye should be. “Yes, we are fine, Twilight.” The Princess turned to the other Nightmares. “But what of the other Nightmares?” Twilight looked over. The other Nightmares lay there, paralyzed, harmless, and yet intimidating. “We need to find proper hosts for them too. We can’t just leave them here.” Pinkie Pie tapped her chin. “We should just get everyone in one place so we can find a proper host for the Nightmares.” Applejack looked around. “Anypony seen Princess Celestia?”

“Ah, There ya are Princess. We’ve been looking for you.” Applejack kindly bowed. As did crowd of ponies in front of her. “Twilight, please remind me what is going on.” Twilight nodded. ”The Nightmares had broken free, but Nightmare Terra had destroyed the chests in which they were prisoners. Now we’re looking to find a proper host to hold them.” Princess Celestia scanned the crowd. “What are we looking for?” Twilight looked around. She brought the three Nightmares to the crowds view. They all flinched in fear. “Here you see the three Nightmares that brought such devastation to our beautiful cities.” Twilight spoke loudly and clearly. “They represent the three evils of the pony: Rage, arrogance, and mercilessness. We seek proper hosts that can counteract these traits.” The crowd flinched at the word ‘host’.

“OH OH! Sounds COOOOOL!” Everybody turned to the small orange pegasus at the front. “...what? It does!” Princess Luna stepped forward. “Do not be reckless young filly. Being the host of a Nightmare is worse then being...whatever it is you are called these days.” “Huh?” A small white unicorn turned her head. “She means chicken, Scootaloo.” The fillies eyes narrowed. “How many times do I have to tell you, Sweetie Belle? I’m NOT a chicken!”

Princess Celestia stepped forward. “Is there anypony willing to serve as a host to prevent this evil from threatening our peace?” The crowd was silent. “Anyone?” the crowd looked at a single hoof raised. “Please come up.” The crowd parted for the pony. Applejack gasped. “Apple Fritter? What are you doing?” The green maned pony chuckled nervously. “Sorry cuz. Someponys gotta do it.” The pony turned to Nightmare Terra. “This one here’s for arrogance? I’ll take ‘er.” Twilight nodded. “Are you sure?” Apple Fritter nodded. “No goin’ back!”

The crowd gasped as another hoof was raised. The unicorn trotted through the parted crowd and looked over to Apple Fritter, who smiled approvingly. “I’m Romana. My friends call me Colgate.” She trotted over to Nightmare Frost. “This ones the nasty one right? Leave him to me!” She and Apple Fritter bumped hooves and giggled.

The crowd fell silent. Princess Celestia scanned the crowd. “I understand if no pony wishes to host Nightmare Pyre. Rage is probably the most difficult. But please! We need a host to contain this terror!” The crowd was silent, until a voice broke the stillness. “Aw, heck with it!” A pegasus flew up from the crowd and onto the stage. To everyone surprise, the pegasus wore a Wonderbolt uniform. She removed her mask and goggles and threw her blazing orange mane from her face. Rainbow Dash gaped. “Spitfire?” “Hey Rainbow. You recognize me!” She trotted up to Nightmare Pyre. “Rage, huh? Nothing the leader of the Wonderbolts can’t handle.” She smirked. “Alright girls. We’re all in this together.” Spitfire smiled at Romana and Apple Fritter.

Princess Luna walked up to the three. “Now, you three do realize what you are doing, correct?” Spitfire, Romana and Apple Fritter nodded in unison. “You are about to bear a heavy burden upon your shoulders. Hosting a Nightmare is no simple task. Believe me, I know.” “We are prepared to do whatever it takes.” Spitfire spoke confidently. Princess Luna smiled, then turned to the crowd. “We suggest that you take your leave now. We must release and subdue the Nightmares. It is for your safety.” It was surprising how quickly the crowd cleared.

“Alright, Nightmare Terra first. Stand back Apple Fritter.” The pony stepped back as Pinkie Pie removed the charm. “FOALS! RELEASING ME WILL BE THE BIGGEST...!” She stopped the moment Twilight struck over the head with her staff. “Concussion spell. Huh. Useful.” The Elements of Harmony formed a circle around the Nightmare. “Apple Fritter. When the Nightmare turns into a mist, you have to get under it as soon as possible.” The earth pony nodded. The Elements of Harmony shone brightly, reducing the Nightmare to a smokey cloud. Apple Fritter ran in as prompted, and the smoke disappeared around her. Apple Fritter struck out this way and that, beating down the Nightmare within. When the Elements stopped glowing, Apple Fritter stood unsteadily, legs shaking and breathing heavily. She opened her eyes, and they were round as a ponies should be. Princess Luna walked up to the earth pony. “Congratulations, Apple Fritter. You are now the host of a Nightmare. Look upon your flank.”

Apple Fritter turned to her flank and looked in surprise. There was a strange mark on it. Though her three apple fritters cutiemark was still visible, there was a striking green design that looked not unlike vines growing from the earth. “Hmm... Ah could git used ta this!” The design matched well with her green mane and yellow coat.

Romana looked unsteadily at Apple Fritter. “So how was it?” Apple Fritter tapped her chin. “It’s like...drinking rotten milk. Ya drink, then yer sick. Only thing is, it’s short.” Romana laughed nervously, and swallowed. “Alright. Let’s get this over with.”

Nightmare Frost went down without much trouble. The Elements of Harmony glowed again, and the Nightmare smoked up, turning into a cloud of hail and snow. Romana swallowed, and ran into the storm that was the Nightmare. When the cloud disappeared, Romana stood there, shivering. Her eyes were small, but round. Romana chuckled nervously and looked at her flank. A deep blue pattern had formed under her hourglass cutiemark. It was jagged, like sharp icicles.

“Hmm... it appears to be different for every Nightmare.” Applejack looked at Twilight. “How’s that?” Twilight tapped her chin. “Apple Fritter was shaking after receiving Nightmare Terra. But Romana was shivering, as if she just came in from a snow storm.” Spitfire sighed. “Let me guess. Unbearable heats?” Twilight nodded. “Probably.” Spitfire chuckled. “Let’s do this.” Twilight held up her hoof. “Wait. For the sake of precaution.” Spitfire stopped, then frowned. “You want me to take off the costume, don’t you.” Twilight sighed. “This spell is still very new. It’s just for now. You can put it back on afterward.” Spitfire sighed. “Alright.” She went behind a far tree. Some rustling could be heard. Then Spitfire returned. Everyone stared. “THIS is why I try to keep it on.” How could they help it? Such a sleek, slender body she had. What great, powerful wings she bore. Though a pegasus was built for flying, none more so then she. “...Can we please get on with it?” Spitfire was blushing through her brilliant golden yellow coat. Twilight shook her head. “Sorry about that. Girls! one last time!”

When Twilight removed the tag, Nightmare Pyre roared. “I WILL DESTROY YOU!” Twilight quickly knocked him over the head with her spell. The Nightmare promptly fell over unconscious. “Ready Spitfire?” The Wonderbolt smirked at Rainbow Dash. “Ready as I ever will be.” The Elements glowed for a final time, and the Nightmare disappeared into a swirling rage of fire. Spitfire stared fearlessly into the flame, and flew in. The fire storm flared, and suddenly shrunk around Spitfire. She was standing erect, eyes wide open, wings flared out. Her teeth were clenched tightly together, and her eyes were the slit eyes of the Nightmare. She twitched and shook, fighting the Nightmare within. Finally, She stopped, panting, and closed her eyes in exhaustion. Her eyes opened revealing bright, round eyes. She turned to her flank. A brilliant burning orange streak had appeared. It was like the burning pyre of a flame. “So how was it?” Spitfire turned to Twilight. “I could go for a glass of water.” They shared a laugh.

Princess Luna walked up to the three. “Now that you three are hosts of the Nightmares, you must now be more diligent in your self control.” Spitfire, Romana, and Apple Fritter nodded in unison. Pinkie Pie thought for a moment. “Spitfire, would you mind trying to, you know, spit fire?” The Wonderbolt looked strangely at Pinkie, but nevertheless, threw her head back in preparation. When she exhaled, a powerful orange flame flew from her lips. Spitfire immediately covered her mouth and looked around nervously. “Heh heh...oops.” Princess Luna was surprised. “Interesting. Spitfire, we’d encourage you to spend the night here in Canterlot. Romana, Apple Fritter, I suggest you two do the same.” The three looked at each other. “Sure why not?”

Twilight raised her hoof. “Just to be safe, can we six stay here as well?” Princess Luna looked over to her. “We don’t see why not. Were one of the Nightmares to rampage, it would not be a pretty sight. Yes, you may stay the night,”

Rainbow Dash nudged Twilight. “Smooth, Twilight. Got us a room in the palace. I heard they got beds softer then clouds!” Rainbow Dash snickered to herself. Twilight looked at her strangely. “I didn’t do it for the beds.”

Back at the Palace

Twilight walked into the suite that she would be staying in that night. It was small compared to Canterlot standards, but regardless, it was large. Twilight made herself comfortable for the night. She couldn’t help thinking of Spike. He was probably alone at the library, with no one there to keep him company. She took a sheet of parchment from a nearby shelf and a quill. She wrote a short message to Spike. She rolled up the parchment and looked about the room. She rang a nearby bell labeled “messenger.” a small red dragon came into the room. “Your message miss?” Twilight gave her letter to the dragon. The dragon took the letter. “To whom miss?” “Make it out to the dragon Spike.” The dragon bowed. He then breathed a red flame onto the letter, sending it off towards Ponyville. The dragon promptly left.

Twilight yawned. She was tired. She just wanted to fall into her soft bed. But something stopped her. “Friendship lesson. Right.” She turned and reached over to the shelf for another sheet of parchment.

A wise stallion once said, ‘When the character of a pony is unclear to you, look at his friends.’ My friend Jester is very unclear to anypony really. But I cannot simply look to his friends. He has not only befriended me, but Nightmare Moon as well. How is one to seek his character through such a dark being? You cannot always judge by a pony’s company. Sometimes one is himself when his company is his own.

With that, Twilight set her pen down. She dragged herself onto her bed and fell into a welcome sleep.

Princess Celestia opened the door slowly. “Twilight? I just wanted to let you know that the others are sound asleep.” She found Twilight asleep on her bed, clutching the Element of Magic closely to her. She smiled. “...as are you.” Princess Celestia’s eyes fell on the parchment. She walked over and glanced over it. Her eyes widened a little. “Really?” Princess Celestia looked over to Twilight, then back to the parchment. “Jester didn’t take me for...” The princess smiled. “You learn something new every day it seems.” The Princess looked out the window. “I only hope Jester can hold his own.”

The End

It was a beautiful night over the Everfree Forest. Jester just sat there, staring at the blinking stars, listening to the chorus of the parasprites echoing around. He sighed. “Ah, the night. Your beauty cost me everything. I hate you for you, but still I love you.” The Preludes of Chaos floated gently around in orbit, glowing softly. Jester glanced at them. “Everything has its’ cost, so it seems.” He beckoned, and the Preludes flew again. The Preludes of Chaos held themselves together, lacing magic back and forth like string on a frame. Jester grasped the guitar the Preludes had formed. He slid his hoof across the magical strings, one at a time, taking in each of the six notes. Jester looked down, and started sliding his hoof along the instrument, playing a slow melody, joining the chorus of the chirping that surrounded him.

Then he stopped. The chirping had ceased long before he had ceased. As he turned his ears, he noticed another sound, a simple, bright melody. Such as Jester never heard before. “Who?” Jester followed his ears as he went into the brush. Jester pushed aside the undergrowth as he walked through the increasingly louder sound. He parted the final bush and stared. There stood Octavia, her black mane falling on her side whilst she held her cello upright. The bow sliding back and forth across the cello that he had made, producing such an attractive melody.

Jester walked up slowly behind her. He took a hold of his enchanted guitar, and listened to her melody. Slowly, but gradually, he took it in, and he began to play. Octavia stopped, and turned to find Jester strumming the guitar, smiling at her. She smiled back, and beckoned to him. Jester slid up towards Octavia, playing the guitar all the way. Octavia stared at Jester as she listened to regain her timing. Then she resumed her playing, sliding her bow back and forth, making the music. Neither of them noticed that the parasprites had joined in, their chorus following them. Nor did they notice the magic that curled up from their instruments, brilliant displays of light floating up towards the sky. It was as if the stars had come down from the sky to hear the wondrous duet. The music resounded through the forest, echoing off the mountains and passed through the rivers.

And the Everfree Forest knew peace that night.

End

Royalty meets Peasantry

Jester sighed. He was sitting in a nice secluded area of the Everfree Forest. The sun was setting over the horizon. “Too bad not everything could be as nice as this.” The sky was a deep red orange, the forest spread out over the ground from the cliff that Jester rested on. A great mountain range threw shadows over the forest, and the chirps of the parasprites could be heard, ringing clearly around.

“What are you doing all alone out here?” Jester turned his head to see Princess Celestia. “Your majesty.” Princess Celestia trotted up alongside Jester. “Quite the view, don’t you agree? What with the sunset and the scenery?” The Princess sat down alongside Jester. “Marvelous. Simply marvelous.” She looked over to Jester. “So you are the new wielder of the Preludes of Chaos?” The Diamonds floated gently around Jester. “That is correct, your highness.” “Please, there is no need for such an address.” She sat down next to him. “Out here, we’re just two ponies enjoying the view.” Jester sighed again, and pulled out the tear gem. “Interesting...” Jester looked over to Princess Celestia. “You know what they are?” The Princess giggled. ”Jester, I’m over a thousand years old. Of course I know what they are.” She suddenly frowned. “What happened?” Jester laughed. “I was just being a fool, that’s all.” She stopped. “No I’m serious. What happened?” Jester looked at her. He looked back at the sun and sighed. “Just when everything goes your way, life just kills it for you, you know what I’m saying?” Princess Celestia sighed. “Being as old as I am doesn’t come without its ups and downs. I know how you feel.” She looked at him again. “Is there anyone who uses the Preludes with you, or it’s only you?” Jester looked at the Princess. “It’s only me.” Princess Celestia blinked in surprise. “Wow, you are quite the pony aren’t you?” Jester just kept staring at the setting sun. “Yes, I guess I am.” “To cause such a rage in Twilight, usually the calmest pony I know!” Jester looked down. “That’s not something one should be proud of.” Princess Celestia sighed. She turned to Jester. “Stop beating yourself up. Do something other then regret.” and with that, she turned and walked away, leaving Jester staring after her.