Masks Lie and Nightmares Never Die

/

Canterlot Castle, one of the most notable places in Equestria is in a contained uproar, but not because it was under attack. No, it was the fact that Princess Celestia herself took dead skin that fallen off a nightmare. Needless to say the surprise was well warranted as everypony in the room yelled in surprise and disgust. This lasted for about a few seconds before everyone calmed back down.

“Sister I know you may collect odd objects time from time, but this is simply the most bizarre you obtained so far,” Luna said while trying hide her disgust.

“I agree with Luna. Princess, why in tarnation would you want Fear’s skin?” Applejack asked.

“It’s…not easy to say, but I can show you instead and see it for yourself,” Celestia said as her horn glowed in magical energy. A few seconds later a glass jar floated into the room covered in Celestia’s magic. Most of the ponies in the room prepared their breakfasts for a disgusting sight, but when they took a look at the jar they were surprised. Inside the jar was a pile of shining powder almost too bright to look at.

“Oooooo… shiny!” Pinkie said while staring at the powder.

“What the?!? I wasn’t expecting that!” Applejack said in surprise.

“Are you sure this is that’s horrible monster’s skin? Because to me all I see is some dazzling powder,” Rarity added.

“I’m confused now how did burn skin flakes become this powder?” Shining asked with a confused expression on his face.

“I would like to know as well,” Cadance added curiously.

“Please explain sister,” Luna also asked with a raised brow.

“Honestly, I’m still trying to figure it out myself. When I initially took the pile it was all burned skin, but later after fighting Fear the skin I took started to glow brightly before becoming what you see before you,” Celestia explained.

“Really, that’s it?” Applejack said confused, expecting to hear more information.

“Unfortunately, yes.”

“Well that’s…disappointing,” Shining said.

“However, I think we have just found our solution to our current problem,” Celestia said with a smile.

“What do you mean?” Applejack questioned.

“As I recall we needed something that belonged to one of the Nightmare Brothers in order to create a portal to their world, and considering what’s presented before us I think we have that covered.”

“Oh right! The powder! We could use that to create a portal to the Nightmare Brother’s world!”

“Exactly, but it will take while to get the portal set up. While we do that its best you get prepared for the hardships ahead. The world of Nightmares is not a place where the waking travels to, ” Celestia said as she faced the remaining mane six.

“Wait they’re going in alone?!?” Shining exclaimed.

Celestia shook her head, “No, my sister and you yourself Shining will aiding them in their travels.”

“I am? Uh great!”

“To be fair Shiney, I don’t think her Highness would let you sit this one out knowing what is at stake, but it also makes sense that Princess Luna is coming along since Luna knows more how the world of dreams works,” Cadance added.

“Actually, I’m not sure their dream world works the same as ours, but I will offer as much help as I can,” Luna said.

“That’s great considering what we been up against. We’re gonna need all the firepower we can get,” Applejack said.

“Don’t be so hasty Applejack. We must be smart, for the Nightmare Brothers are much more intelligent than they appear and additionally this is their home territory which means they know the terrain as well,” Celestia explained.

“Well shoot, they how do we get to Twilight if we can’t take them on?”

“Since their world is unknown to us, the best course of action is to sneak into their base of operations.”

“Sneak into their base of operations? But what would their base of operations look like?” Rarity asked.

“If I had to guess…it would probably stand out from the environment, but that is all I can think of.”

“Great…so we have no idea what to expect then,” Shining said annoyed.

“I’m afraid so…but for now prepare yourselves, we will call for you all when the portal is ready,” Celestia said somberly.

With this said the remaining mane six bowed and thanked Celestia and Luna for their help and left the Throne room leaving the remaining four ponies in the room.

“Princess Celestia, are you sure it’s okay for them to go?” Shining asked with concern.

Celestia lightly laughed, “Even if I told them that it is too dangerous to go. Would they have listened? Even telling you to not go wouldn’t have stopped you.”

Shining rubbed the back of his head, “Oh yeah…heh heh, well an older brother got to do what they got to do.”

/

After his brief brain damaging encounter with an unknown nightmare in his head Fredrick decided to rest a bit on his couch in an attempt to gather his mind, “Ergh…why must she pick odd times to give me a headache? I know she means no harm by it, but I can’t help feel that she is enjoying our talks a bit too much, and not because she called me her love.”

“Well despite your masked appearance, I heard you’re a hit with many female nightmares in our world.”

“Must you always pop up out of nowhere like that?”

“It’s simply what I do brother, but it would seem that certain nightmare has shown up again.”

Fredrick sighed, “Yes indeed it was her, always popping up when she wants to and without question. It worries me that she is capable of such feats despite what you done to help me.”

Paranoia said nothing for a moment before responding, “Has the medicine I gave you worked at all?” he asked.

“It worked for while brother, but ever since she started talking to me I started to hear the whispers of those I damned.”

“I see…how unfortunate…looks like I need to work on a stronger dose,” Paranoia said as he stroke the beak of his mask.

“I don’t think that will be necessary Paranoia…” Fredrick responded causing Paranoia to twitch again and appear suddenly in front of him.

“What do you mean brother?” he said in a slightly menacing tone.

“What I mean Paranoia…is that I already have been given enough borrowed time.”

Paranoia sighed in frustration, “You really have put all your faith into this mare haven’t you? Even though we just recently kidnapped her, and basically forcing her to help you find the Machinus Solaris.”

Fredrick sighed before responding, “Forcing…how I detest hearing that word, but sadly it rings true. Honestly, I don’t want to force her, but I can’t let her leave either”

“It’s quite a clash of personal morals if you think about it, but if it makes you feel better I managed to get a scan of her thoughts which happen to be about us.”

“How would listening to the thoughts of a kidnapped Princess make me feel better?” Fredrick said in an annoyed tone.

“You never know brother. Besides it’s not like you have much else to do.”

Fredrick sighed, “You got me there… alright then, enlighten me about our guest of honor thoughts about us.”

“Okay…First her thoughts on Panic. Right now she really doesn’t like him due to his aggravating and provoking personality.”

“Not surprising, he did leave quite an impression on her and her friends.”

“Now her thoughts on Fear. Currently she is quite fearful of him and not much else.”

“That is to be expected. Fear is by no mean the master of subtlety, he simply do what is required of him.”

“As for her thoughts on yours truly. She is mixed as my actions give way to both malicious and pure intent.”

“To be fair, you’re hard to read sometimes.”

“Called it the fruits of my training, strangers and my enemies are not allowed to read me.”

“Says you.”

“Anyway…onto to you now. The man who started this mess in the first place.”

“Like I had a choice…”

“Hmm…interesting”

“Huh? What do you mean interesting? Explain brother,” Fredrick demanded.

“She also has mix thoughts about you brother.”

“Mix thoughts? I wasn’t expecting that.”

“Apparently at first she thought you would be a heartless individual, but after meeting you for the first time she became confused. As of now she is still wary of you brother, but she doesn’t hate you.”

“That’s good to hear I think…”

“That’s not the end of it. Most of her confusion stems from your general kindness and polite mannerisms towards her.”

“That’s not too surprising as kind behavior creates a safer space if done right.”

“Thank Alpha, for your kindness toward the opposite sex,” Paranoia muttered, loud enough for Fredrick to hear.

“Huh?! Just what are you implying Paranoia?”

“What I’m saying brother is thanks to your kindness towards her. She is open for further conversation from you, which means, that if you want her cooperation you have to convince her to our side. Right now she is leaning on helping us thanks to you telling her that you’re dying.”

“That’s good to hear. I knew she wasn’t the type to let somebody die.”

“Should I schedule another conversation with her brother?”

“We should…after dinner of course.”

“Alright, I shall inform her after dinner, but first,” Paranoia trailed off before grabbing hold of Fredrick’s wrist.

“Paranoia! What are you doing!?!?”

“You need check up brother…” Paranoia said in a menacing tone.

“I told you I had enough living on borrowed time!”

“Yes you did, but as your brother I don’t plan on letting you die and as your Doctor I plan on helping you until you’re cured of your affliction.”

Fredrick sighed one last time before feeling the grip around his wrist loosen, “Fine…but please go easy on the needles this time?”

Paranoia snickered, “I’m not making any promises brother…”

“Bastard.”

/

After returning to Ponyville, the remaining Mane Six return to the hospital to check up on their friends who are currently in a comatose like state. When they got there they asked the attendant which room their friends are in. The attendant told them that they are currently placed in room 10 along with Dr. Grey Suture and Nurse RedHeart. They thanked the attendant and made their way to the room. When they entered the room they immediately heard the soft breathing of the inhabitants inside. Each the slumbering victims had their own bed to sleep on while hooked up to a heart monitor to check their stability. Applejack, Rarity, and Pinkie Pie separated to check up on each of them.

Applejack walked to the bed Applebloom is sleeping in and stood at the side of the bed. Seeing her younger sister again brought a small smile to Applejacks face along with threat of falling tears, but she continued to hold them back. Applejack then slowly brought her hoof to Applebloom’s head and begun to stroke her mane, “Your back home Applebloom…your finally back home…” she said with relief, “Once I find the varmit who did to you. Ah’ll make him or her regret ever putting you through this mess, I swear it on my hat.”

While Applejack was talking to the sleeping Applebloom. Rarity made her way to Spike’s bed all the while going over the thoughts that dominated her mind. She already knew that Spike has a crush on her, but she remembered the times the baby dragon put himself in harm’s way for her sake. The most recent being their encounter with Nightmare Brother simply named Fear. Spike gave himself up to the horrifying nightmare when he saw that Fear was threatening to kill her. She didn’t want Spike to give himself up so easily, but at the same she knew that he didn’t have much of a choice considering what happened to her and Twilight that forced the dragon to give in. After staring at the baby dragon’s sleeping form for a few moments she finally spoke in a soft tone, “Spike…you done so much for me…yet you never asked for anything in return. Sometimes I think you’re more generous than I am, but that ends now. Because now it’s my turn to repay that kindness and generosity you have given me,” With this said Rarity softly kissed Spike’s forehead only to laugh slightly after seeing a small smile appear on his face.

Pinkie Pie despite the heavy atmosphere in the room bounced her way to Rainbow Dash’s and Fluttershy’s bedside with a silly grin plastered on her face, “Hellooo Rainbow Dash, and Fluttershy too!” she said excitedly while low enough not to disturb Applejack’s and Rarity’s emotional moments, “So…what have you two been doing besides sleeping?” Pinkie asked not expecting an answer from her sleeping friends. After a few moments Pinkie spoke again, “Interesting…so you can’t wake up because some black inky dark thing is preventing you from waking up, and it also happens to be comfortable as well?” The sleeping forms again didn’t respond to what Pinkie said, but Pinkie simply nodded her head as if she heard something, “Okay, so this guy who looks like a crow whispered a phrase into both of your ears then a few seconds later you fell asleep. Interesting…very interesting, but how am I going to wake you guy’s up?” After another moment of sleep filled silence Pinkie tilted her head in confusion “What do you mean you don’t know? I mean you’re the one’s put into deep sleep. Which means you should have found a way out by now right?” After a short moment Pinkie recoiled slightly “Ow! You don’t have to yell Rainbow Dash!”

The three ponies continued to stand by their friends and love ones sides until strange noise is heard.

*Groan…*

The noise caught their attention and caused them to look around the room hoping to find the source of the noise. They looked around to see Dr. Grey Suture rising from his while holding his head, “Ow…what happened?” he asked.

“Dr. Grey Suture! You’re Awake!” Pinkie exclaimed gleefully.

“While I’ll be…”

“But how?”

“Huh? Oh hi there everypony, what did I miss?” Grey asked as the three ponies rushed to his hoping to have their questions answered starting with Applejack.

“Hey Doctor, how did you wake up? The other doctor’s said that you wouldn’t wake up along with our friends and my little sister.”

However, before the doctor could answer her question Pinkie cut into the question, “Oooh…ooh…I can answer that!” she said ecstatically.

“Pinkie no offense but I don’t think you could answer this question,” Applejack doubted.

“But I do know! Well…somewhat,” Pinkie shot back annoyed.

“Then us what you know Pinkie,” Rarity said.

“Okay…while you guys went to Applebloom’s and Spike’s bedside. I was talking to Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy, and they told they couldn’t wake up because some dark inky black thing is preventing them from doing so. They also said the one who caused this is the crow looking guy named Parasol,” Pinkie explained

“Parasol?” Applejack questioned.

“Wait not Parasol…Para…Parania?...no…oh wait! Paranoia! His name is Paranoia!”

“No surprise there, considering he was sent to take Fluttershy, but how can that dreadful nightmare put ponies to sleep so easily?” Rarity said with a hint of concern.

“Rainbow Dash told me how he did it. She said that he whispered phrase that went something like ‘Would you kindly, go to sleep?’ Fluttershy even confirms that he said the same phrase to her too!”

“What the hay!? That’s all it took?!” Applejack exclaimed in shock.

“Yep.”

Applejack and Rarity turn to each other both wearing an expression of dread, “Applejack how are we going to beat these nightmares?”

“Honestly Rarity, I’m not sure anymore. First, I thought we were dealing with a bunch of yahoo’s who think they could beat us, but after losing my sister to that wily snake Panic. I had a feeling that guy was just the icing on the cake, and unfortunately I was right. Panic’s brother Fear managed to find us even after Celestia and Luna gave it their all just to stop the guy, but even that wasn’t enough. Then there’s this Paranoia fella. He managed to sneak into a heavily guarded hospital and put to sleep not just the guards, but Rainbow Dash as well with nothing but a single phrase,” Applejack said, “But what I do know is that we all are diving into a snakes den with snakes that aren’t hesitant to sink their fangs into us.”

Pinkie gulped at Applejacks words, but a certain doctor made a cough which caused the three mares in the room look at him in confusion, “Excuse me ladies, sorry for interrupting your serious conversation, but…I’M STILL HERE YAH KNOW!!!” Grey shouted in anger while unwittingly catching the attention of other doctors walking near the door to the room he’s in.

“Was that Dr. Grey?” asked one voice.

“He’s awake! It’s a miracle!” shouted another.

“Not even sleeping could keep the legend down!” commented another voice as cheering can be heard outside door.

Grey furrow his eyes in frustration, “Oh perfect…this is exactly what I need after waking up from a sleeping curse spell” he said sarcastically. However, no sooner then he said that the door burst open and a mob of doctors and nurse barged into the room grabbing Grey and then carried him out of the room cheering and celebrating. Once the mob exited the room and slammed the door behind them shut the room became quiet once more.

…

“Well…that happened,” Pinkie said plainly.

Sadly, as soon Pinkie said that a pair of Royal Guards barged into the room while unintentionally shattering the glass on the door in the process.

“Applejack, Rarity, Pinkie Pie…The portal is ready. Are you all prepared?” Spoke one of the guards.

The group sweat dropped a bit from the guards’ rash entrance, but they all of them already knew each other’s answer.

“We sure are,” Applejack answered.

The guards nodded their heads in conformation and told the three to follow them. The guards lead them to a chariot where four more guards were waiting. The remaining mane three stepped into the chariot while the two guards who brought them outside took their positions. Once the guards were ready they took flight bringing the chariot into the air and en route to Canterlot castle.

/

As the remaining mane six arrived at the castle a small conversation was going on in the throne room. It was between the two Princesses Celestia and Luna with the latter explaining her concerns to her older sister.

“Sister, I’m still worried that we might run into Fear again. I still might be able to hold him off on my own, but I’m not sure Shining and the others have a chance if they run into him,” She said worried.

“I know Luna that The Nightmare Brother Fear has you worried, but please remember that he isn’t the only nightmare you should be worried about. The other two Nightmare Brothers are just as powerful as he is. If anything this is stealth mission which means you should avoid running into them as best as you can, but if push comes to shove please do everything in your power to keep them safe,” Celestia explained.

“I will sister,” Luna said with determination on her face.

“And one more thing Luna.”

“Yes sister?”

“Please take this,” she said as she used her magic to bring an odd looking necklace into Luna’s view.

“What is it sister?” Luna asked confused.

“It’s an alarm necklace. When you find yourself overwhelmed Luna focus some of your magic into it. This will cause it to send a signal to other necklace,” Celestia explained as she put it over her sister’s head.

“Other necklace?”

“I have one with me as well Luna. When mine’s picks up the signal it will start flashing telling me that you’re in trouble.”

“I see it’s nice to know that you’ll still be within reach once we cross through that portal,” Luna said with relief.

“I’m just doing what I can Luna.”

Their conversation continued for a few more minutes until they heard the door that leads into the throne room open. They turned to the door to see Applejack, Rarity and Pinkie Pie being led into the room by Shining Armor and Princess Cadance.

“Looks like everyone is here and accounted for,” Celestia said.

“Yes we are Princess, and we raring to go,” Applejack said with a smirk.

“I second that feeling,” Rarity added.

“Third!” Pinkie shouted enthusiastically.

“I’m glad to hear that, for your journey will take you to a world far from our own. I cannot guarantee your safety fully, but measures have been taken.”

“Well that’s good to hear,” Applejack said while adjusting her hat, “But I have a question.”

“Yes Applejack?”

“I just want to know how the heck we are going to get back home after we find Twilight”

Celestia chuckle slightly “That’s easy Applejack you use this” she said as she pulled out the jar of bright dust, “For you see this same dust that helped make the portal before you,” Celestia added as she pointed to the color shifting portal, “Can also be used as a catalyst to create a portal back to Equestria just by telling it where you want to go”

“Wait if it could do that can’t we just tell the dust to make a portal that lead directly to Twilight?” Pinkie questioned.

“Sadly, no. The portals that this dust creates can only lead to locations not individuals.”

“Oh I see. Just checking if we’re making our problem needlessly complicated that’s all,” She said causing everypony to look at her in confusion.

“Okay…any other questions you like to ask Pinkie?” Rarity asked.

“Nope.”

“Well that’s good to hear…anyway should we get ready to go through the portal?”

Everypony, in the room nodded as Applejack, Rarity, Pinkie, Shining and Luna walked, and stood in front of the portal. However, as Shining took his place Cadance walked up to him and spoke.

“Please be careful Shining I don’t want to lose you as we lost Twilight,” she said with concern.

“Don’t worry Cadance I’m going to get her back and come back in one piece along with everybody else,” Shining said with a confident smile.

“Just don’t get reckless” she said as she kissed his cheek, “I’ll give something nice when you get back if you know what I mean…” she whispered into his ear causing him to blush.

“Uh…sure thanks for the extra motivation,” he said while rubbing the back of his head sheepishly.

After a brief silence Cadance walked back to where Celestia is leaving the others puzzled at what Cadance whispered to Shining, but decided not pry.

“So…should we count to three first or just jump straight on through?” Asked Luna

“That depends, do we jump on three or say three then jump,” Pinkie asked.

“How ‘bout we just jump on three,” Applejack said.

“Okie Dokey!”

“Ok y’all ready?”

“Ready!”

“One…”

“Two…”

“Three!”

Once everybody heard the magic number they all leapt into the portal that will lead them to the world where the Nightmare Brother’s have taken Twilight not knowing what horrors and secrets lies ahead.

/