Chapter 20 – A Calamity of Nightmares

Nightmare Moon

I didn’t have to wait long for his first attack. The glow of his horn was a less than subtle hint that I was going to be facing a magical attack.

In a way, I was disappointed.

My alicorn host could crush a regular unicorn, no matter how gifted he may profess to being. I also knew that his villain story was a lie. There was no way he personally killed Midnight Stalker. A unicorn being taken over by a darkness similar to herself might extend the life of the host, but it would in no way make the host immortal. Calamity might be a few hundreds years old, but he couldn’t be nearly a thousand… Could he?

He had to be strong to wear that armor, so he wasn’t elderly. Clearly a paradox.

In my musings, I almost forgot to put up a shield to block his first attack. The beam of magic launched forth from Calamity’s horn and I was taken aback slightly by it’s pure black colorization. The only unicorn I had known with that aura had been Midnight Stalker… but then… there were only so many colors that magic could be. Even in a one in a million shot of a villain having a black or dark magical aura, surely a thousand years would be enough time for such an occurrence to have happened again.

My shield held effortlessly against the magical onslaught. I mean… it felt as if there was no pressure on the shield at all…

Crap… it’s an illusion. The attack is an illusion!

Before I could get my bearings, I was attacked from behind, from inside of my shield. Calamity was on me, and he broke both of my wings with his bear hooves and with a tearing of sinew, proceeded to rip both wings completely off of my back.

I screamed as the pain racked my mind and he jumped off me, carrying my wings in his magic as if it was a grand prize to be had.

He spoke darkly. “Ha! Now you’re just an overpowered unicorn. Without the ability to fly… this just got easier.”

I didn’t want to cry but the pain was horrible to overcome. I focused my magic on healing the stumps of the remains of my wings… only to find that there was nothing to heal. With a refocus of my horn, my wings returned to my back, leaving me completely uninjured… but still feeling the pain of what I had just endured.

That attack was an illusion too? What the buck?

Calamity laughed at her confusion. “Can’t figure it out? I’ll clue you in… a few centuries ago, I crafted a unique illusion spell that let me do anything I wanted to a pony as an illusion that also allowed them to feel the pain of what was happening to them. Kind of a combination of illusion with a pinching of nerve endings. It works great as torture for when I need answers or when I just want to have a little fun without killing my target. Curious… I thought you’d have higher mental fortitude. I guess you don’t. That’s ashamed. I don’t think Luna would have fallen for that.”

I gritted my teeth. “I won’t fall for it twice! Give me your best shot!”

I braced myself for his response.

Only the best mages can craft new spells or combine two or more different spells. This unicorn is at least as dangerous as Starswirl the Bearded… if not Midnight Stalker himself.

Calamity

I chuckled at her. “No need… it’s boring to use the same trick twice. While you are recovering from the pain of your recent experience… tell me something… does that armor have a tail hole or do you need to take it off to answer nature’s call?”

Her response was interesting. Her ears folded back, she took two steps back and her tail tucked between her legs, as if to hide her plot.

My laughter echoed throughout the throne room. “I thought so… brace yourself Nightmare… swiggity swooty, I’m coming for that booty.”

Nightmare’s eyes went wide. “You wouldn’t dare…”

I launched a series of teleports. But unlike the normal ‘pop’ sound created from the displacement for both magic and the pony, I used more magic than necessary to create a brighter flash and a boom that some war mages referred to as a Flash Bang. It tended to disorientate the enemy, although, it did require significantly more magic to cast the spell in that fashion. A normal unicorn might have been unable to do more than 10 in a battle, but I didn’t have that problem.

Boom. Boom. Boom. BOOM!

I was on her and behind her yet again. She froze as her disorientation faded and she felt my hoof under her tail.

“Hmm. You flank is softer than I would have imagined for a military mare. I’m afraid that this flank only warrants a 6 out of 10.”

She turned to face me, enraged. “How dare you take such liberties and then give me such a low score! My flank is not a 6 out of 10!”

I shrugged, given that she wouldn’t be able to see a raised eyebrow. “I’ll take every liberty you’ll give me and then continue to take what I want. That’s how villains work. Now. If you want a higher flank score, turn around and lift your tail. Maybe it looks better than it feels…”

Nightmare snorted and turned around, lifting her tail and showing me her assets. I hummed in appreciation. “Hmm. Very nice. I know Luna wasn’t a virgin, but this plot is pristine. Definity a 10 out of 10 on appearance… but the softness still bugs me. I’ll meet you halfway and give you an overall score of 8 out of 10. Final offer.”

Nightmare lowered her tail and turned around smug. “8 out of 10 is acceptable and I… what the buck am I doing! How dare you!!! I don’t even know why I just did that.”

Calamity snorted. “Do you not have access to the memories of your host? I think a quick look would answer that question quickly. Go ahead… I’ll wait.”

Nightmare frowned and closed her eyes, looking for the answer.

Nightmare Moon

I was intrigued enough by the offer to take him up on it, if only because I didn’t understand my own actions. Thinking about my situation did bring up a memory of Luna’s that seemed to explain this.

1,050 years ago

Luna

“This night is prefect and yet ponies won’t go out and enjoy it! Am I wasting my time doing this every night? The stars… the moon… Gah!”

Luna paced back and forth within the throne room of the Castle of the Pony Sisters. She had no guards present… only a single Lunar Knight attended her this night. The doors to the throne room were barred for no interruptions, not that any pony came to castle at this hour anyways.

The Lunar Knight, Midnight Stalker, sighed. “With respect, your majesty, the night is perfect and you are not wasting your time.”

I turned to him. “You say that and yet… nothing! They are all inside their homes! Why is that?”

Midnight looked up at the stars through an open window. The stars were reflected in his eyes, and they were very captivating. “Because it’s too romantic to be outdoors, majesty.”

Too romantic? Is that possible?

I cleared my throat. “Can you show me what you mean, Sir Stalker?”

He froze. “I can show you… but it would require me to take some unusual liberties. I’m afraid I may have overstepped my boundaries. You have my apologies, majesty.”

I pursed my lips. “I’ll grant you leave to do whatever you need to, but I want to understand.”

He nodded. “Very well. I’ll be right back.”

He teleported away only to return moments later with firewood for the fireplace set in the throne room. He placed the wood and used a spell to start a roaring fire. He then teleported again and returned once more with several pillows and a few thick blankets which he used to make a comfortable pallet bed on the floor. He turned to me and issued a soft request.

“Would you lie down, majesty?”

I nodded and got on the pallet bed. “Please call me Luna. I want to fully understand the reason and feelings behind staying inside on a too romantic night.”

He sighed. “Very well. Are you comfortable, Luna?”

I nodded. “Yes. The fire is warm and the bed is nice, despite being hastily made. What now?”

He leaned in and was hoovering over me. He whispered in my ear. “Look at the stars.”

I looked up from the position of laying down on the bed, and they did seem more romantic than they did before. Odd how a change of angle could do that…

He whispered again. “Lift your tail for me…”

I froze and gulped. I did give him permission to take liberties… but even I know what he’s asking for. Should I do it? Can I do it? Do I care about what tomorrow will bring?

I lifted my tail and I felt his shaft rub on my plot while he settled over me. His thrusts were inconsistent… as if he wasn’t sure he should be doing this, despite permission.

Good. We’re both nervous and that makes me feel better.

A deep thrust found purchase and he pushed in. We both gasped at the action, as if it had surprised us both. He pulled out almost all the way and thrust back in, taking his time and enjoying the moment. I closed my eyes and enjoyed the moment with him when I heard him speak in a husky, lust filled voice.

“No… open your eyes. Look at your stars and your moon. Take them in while I take you.”

I did as he asked and I gasped at how much more beautiful they seemed while making love. His thrusts got harder, and we moaned together in time with each other’s breathing. I watched the stars and they seemed to explode when my pleasure overcame me.

He stopped abruptly at my completion. “And there you have it… the stars and moon are too romantic not to enjoy from indoors. Preferably, watching them from a bedroom window while making love. With your permission, I’ll clean you up…”

I looked up at him. “No… you didn’t finish. I can’t let you stop!”

Midnight smiled down at her. “I am a noble and a knight… but I am not worthy of you Luna. I showed you the answer you seek, but I can’t join you in such pleasure. I am not worthy.”

I almost cried. “You are my first… please don’t stop until you finish… I want to feel it… all of it… no matter where else this may go afterwards.”

He nodded and sighed deeply as he settled back down on top of me again. He didn’t hesitate to reenter me and I watched him watching the stars and moon as he thrust harder, and harder and harder. The stars reflected his passion and his own completion filled me with a warmth that I could never describe other than that it felt right. Watching the stars in his eyes while we made love gave my night new meaning.

Did all ponies do this?

He stood up again, now finished. “Now… if you will allow me to, I’ll clean you up.”

Luna pursed her lips again. “How about we take a bath together? We can clean each other up.”

His smile melted my heart. “I would be honored, Luna. Lead the way.”

Nightmare Moon

The memory faded and I could almost feel Luna buck my brain.

How dare you enjoy such a private memory! Buck you, darkness.

I shook off the rebuke and turned back to Calamity. “I think I found my answer, but I don’t know how you knew how to provoke it.”

Calamity snorted again. “My own host possesses a fair number of memories that explains things that I seem to do out of his habit rather than my own nature. It is important to understand yourself, is it not?”

I found myself nodding. “Shall we finish this? I think I’m ready.”

Calamity teleported a short distance away and renewed his battle stance. He then teleported again and then again. I couldn’t figure out what he was doing until I remembered the magical warm up routine that Lunar Knights used to use before a battle.

Right. Left. The next one is center!

I charged my horn and fired a second before he reappeared. But this wasn’t ‘Calamity.’ What appeared before me was Midnight Stalker. No armor. Just a large black coated unicorn with slate grey hair and silver eyes… wearing a familiar smile…

1,005 years ago

Luna

“I’m going crazy, Midnight. This darkness seems to be slowly over-taking me. One day I will lose control and I’m afraid of what I will do.”

Midnight Stalker snorted. “My love will anchor you. As long as we have each other, you will never lose yourself.”

I bit my lip. “What if you’re wrong? This darkness knows how good you are at keeping me stable. If I lose control… surely, she will kill you.”

He nodded. “I could never lift a hoof to you, Luna. If the darkness wants me dead, then I’ll stand there and let her kill me with a smile on my face.”

I gasped. “What! No! How could you say such a thing?”

He walked over to me and nuzzled me. “Nothing you want could ever be wrong. If my death is necessary, then I will die for you. My only regret that I have but one life to give you. Maybe my death, freely given, would let you break the darkness’ control. I would welcome such a sacrifice for the good of the kingdom. Don’t cry for me, Luna. I was born to die.”

I stiffened… “Marry me.”

It was Midnight’s turn to stiffen. “Pardon, majesty?”

I stood taller. “Marry me, Midnight Stalker. Love me until death.”

He bit his lip. “Can we marry? My noble status and military rank are decent, but you are a ruling princess. Your sister would have to agree, and we don’t know what she’ll say. It could take years to work out the details and I’m not getting any younger.”

I nodded. “I’ll take care of it. Please say yes…”

He nodded. “I will marry you… and I will love you forever. Even after my death, I’ll always be here in your heart and while you may someday forget me, my love will always remain.”

I nuzzled him. “I love you…”

He smiled a familiar smile… “I love you more… and I’ll prove it someday. Come Tartarus or war or rebellion… I will serve you until my death and love you for eternity. I will save you, my princess… never fear.”

Nightmare Moon

My magical beam hit Midnight Stalker and bore thorough him, leaving a smoking hole in what used to be his chest, causing him to collapse dead unto the throne room granite floor.

Luna cried out into my mind. MIDNIGHT!!!

I hushed her. He died a millennium ago. This is just a stupid illusion. Give it a second and the illusion will fade and will reveal the real pony.

Luna calmed within Nightmare’s mind and within moments, the effects of the illusion started to fade, as was normal with the death of the pony casting the spell.

All that happened was that a pair of large black wings appeared on the now dead alicorn…

Luna screamed within Nightmare’s mind. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nightmare’s control broke as the facade of Nightmare vanished, restoring Luna to herself for the first time in 1,000 years.

Luna reached down and clutched Midnight to her, rocking back and forth, and sobbing.

The potion worked. It bucking worked and he kept his promise. He died for me… unable to raise a hoof to me… and he saved me… Stars above… I can’t live with myself. I’ll let the elements of harmony ‘defeat’ Nightmare Moon. If I’m lucky… it’ll kill me this time.

Author's Note

Edited: All typos have been corrected