The rising of Greedmoon.
By Storiesatrandom.
Rarity was delightedly picnicking with the ponies she cared for "If you'll pardon me ladies, I'll check the basket for second servings!" Coming closer to the basket suddenly Rarity’s surroundings got darker, she was encroached by a sudden nightly lighting. "Oh for goodness sakes, you don't suppose Discord came back, did you?” Rarity complained with annoyance. “I mean, really, the immaturity that Discord is capable of!” As the baffled pony looked around she noticed her friends absence. “Girls? Girls?!"
"Girls? Is, is, is this another Pinkie Pie prank she included you all into?” Rarity’s voice quivered with fear, “If so, I am not laughing! I mean really, this is low, even for Pinkie's line of work, I mean-” She gasped as two shiny red eyes glowered over her, “WHA-HA-HA!”
"Hello, Ms. Rarity, or, should I say, Greedmoon?" A mysterious voice opened itself to be heard.
Rarity screamed and made a run for it, though running as hard as she could the giant eyes loomed near. Flailing and screaming she screamed in desperation, "SOMEPONY, ANYPONY, HELP ME!" A shadow began to swallow the fashionista, she screamed as the evil voice laughed aloud.
Rarity awoke screaming, It startled her cat, Opal arousing a hiss. "Oh, sorry about that, Opal. I was, plagued by the same nightmare again." Rarity has been getting a reoccurring nightmare about unspeakable evil consuming her. She also had nightmares about the same darkness attacking Canterlot. It overthrew the Princesses to enslave Equestia with a black dragon and an army of Diamond Dogs. Rarity had been fairly concerned about these nightmares, it isn't normal for her to experience, that is not what a lady should dream about.
Then again, ever since Sting-Ra, an infamous flying serpent, she has started to experience these relentless dreams. "I’ve made up my mind,” Rarity declared to Opal “first thing in the morning I am seeking out Twilight." She had a look of determination, but inside, she was afraid of what force could be tormenting. Rarity could not help but to feel this strange evil in her dreams was something she dealt with before. Rarity had this sense of uneasiness in her heart.
Morning came.
At Twilight's library Twilight was experimenting a special potion while Spike was gloomily organizing the books. Just then, Rarity burst in. “Twilight, darling, it's awful!" Rarity said with greater drama than usual. Twilight lost her focus and dropped concentrated oils into the potion, causing a small explosion. Twilight groaned as a cloud of smoke blew into her face like a cartoon.
"Just wonderful,” Twilight said heavily laden with sarcasm “countless weeks of hard work down the drain."
"I, I'm sorry for interrupting your usual experimenting, Darling."
Twilight shook her head, and came closer to Rarity. "Oh no, Rarity, you didn't. It’s okay, I could always start all over. I made notes for such an occasion. Now, what's the matter?"
"I have been plagued by a series of recurring nightmares and similar counterparts."
Twilight winced "Nightmares? Like what?"
"Well,” Rarity began reluctantly “first there was this dream about you, me, and our friends having a picnic in the woods. I went to the basket to get seconds, but then everything went dark, these soulless blood red eyes appeared and called me "Greedmoon.” I ran,” she sniffled as a tear ran down her cheek, “suddenly I flouted in midair, I screamed for somepony to help, but no such thing occurred. Then I was engulfed in a horrid shadow vortex, and, all I heard was evil laughing!”
Rarity cried harder, spike reached from his place across the room as if to console her, though she only cried harder and he went back to work. “Then, and then, there was another dream, where I looked like Nightmare Moon but with my own mane and tail, and had a Diamond Dog army, this huge black dragon, and, and… Laughed an attack on Canterlot, and, and, and…” A whimper broke in with her sniffles and she cave a depressed shriek “and overthrew the princesses?!"
Twilight was in a shock, her friend had extreme nightmares terrorizing her. Rarity interrupted Twilight’s thought "Twilight, it doesn't stop there, every time I wake up, I see a pile of gems by the side of my bed, or the corners of my room, or, even all over my home, which occurred just this morning. Also, this one time, after we defeated Sting-Ra, I awoke, not in my home, but, in a diamond mine. But, it gets worse, I, I, I, I found dead miners there!" Twilight made a horrified gasp in the middle of the monologue. "I, I never been so scared for my life, what if there was a killer there, or, if there was a Diamond Dog or a bandit raid."
"Or maybe even, Bandit Diamond Dogs!" Spike exclaimed, only worsening the situation.
"But, the way the miners died, it wasn't by blade or claw. It, was the work of magic. I, I don't know for sure, but, I think, I may had been processed to kill those miners."
Twilight made a very shocked face, Spike as well who appears to be tearing.
"Twilight, again, I said I may-"
"Rarity, I know, I believe you. But, this is a serious matter, the Princess must be informed, this might not be an everyday problem."
"But, darling, what if the Princess punishes me greatly for this scandal?"
"Don't worry, she won't punish you. She might even know what the cause is. I promise, you won't face a great punishment."
Rarity trusted Twilight wanted what's best. She knew Twilight won't lose faith in her.
"Spike, get a latter!" Twilight demanded. Spike saluted and went off.
"Twilight, you’re such a good, wonderful friend. I… I have a great deal of luck to have you by my side. Please know, I, I, I am sorry for not reporting it sooner. I was afraid of the scandal that would've followed."
"Rarity, you can trust me, heck you can trust your other friends,” Twilight smiled to try calming her friend “we only want what's best. We would never, ever, betray you, Rarity."
Rarity smiled at her friend's kind words. Spike came in with a letter and quill. Twilight breathed heavily. "Ok, here it goes." Twilight said to motivate herself.
At Canterlot, Celestia was reading the message she got from her student. Celestia was deeply concerned, and knew exactly what's wrong with Rarity. Luna came in to see Celestia, "Sister, I have sent Writing Glory to griffin Mania on her first ambassador trip. I also had the griffin Gilda to aide her to prevent some, uh, unpleasant upsets."
"Luna, we are facing a different problem now. It's Rarity, she been experiencing dreams involving a dark evil. I think I know who, is causing this."
Luna gasped, "No, you don't mean…"
"Not important right now, I'll send a letter saying I am coming, and granting the help Rarity needs. Nighttime Misery will not repeat that horrible history long ago." Celestia began to walk off. "Come Luna, it's off to Ponyville." Luna hastily nodded and followed.
Twilight and Rarity waited outside of the Library. "Twilight, incase this may be for some time, I want you and Pinkie Pie to take care of Sweetie Belle for me. You see, Mom and Dad are out of town for a few weeks, and I have to care for Sweetie Belle, and-"
"I’ll promise Pinkie and I will care for Sweetie Belle. She'll be in capable hoofs." Rarity smiled at the kindness and forgiveness of this Purple Unicorn before her. Suddenly, the royal Chariot with Luna and Celestia landed before them.
Luna said in a normal voice, purged of the ‘royal voice.’ “Writing Glory is attending Royal business with the griffins right now, incase anypony is curious about her absence."
"Rarity, I think I know what your problem is,” informed Celestia “but I insist you come to Canterlot with us."
Spike came out with a huge suitcase. Struggling with the case spike grunted” "I'm, umph, coming, gruh, too, oof, your highnesses." Spike grunted loudly one last time as he hoisted the suitcase to the floor.
Twilight walked up to spike and told him more privately "Spike, Rarity needs to go alone, I think this is a problem only the Princesses know how to solve."
Celestia interjected "Twilight is right, Spike. What we may be dealing with, it is best you stay put and hope for the best."
"But-"
"I'm sorry Spike, but it's for your safety” Twilight levitates Spike back up the stairs. “It is something only they know how to face."
Celestia looked to Spike with hints and glints of compassion "Fear not, Spike, you'll be kept posted on Rarity's condition."
Rarity climbed on the Chariot which flew off hurriedly. Twilight and Spike looked on sadly as the Chariot containing a good friend is flew off. Spike began to tear up, this was a heart breaking moment to have the one he desired the most taken away, and it certainly didn't help that he's a baby dragon. "Spike, she'll be fine, I promise." Twilight spoke on a promise she was not sure would be kept. The heart-broken dragon only nodded, and slowly went back in the house after Twilight let him go.
Later, at Canterlot...
Celestia escorted her nervous companion to the room she stayed the first time she came to Canterlot, but that was under better circumstances. "This is where you'll stay, until the finest wizards we have are ready to start the experiment." Celestia said as a pony set down Rarities luggage
"Celestia, do you think, my nightmares have something to do with,” Rarity paused thinking of the name, “Nighttime Misery?"
Celestia sighed. "I wish I could tell you no, but we don't know if Misery has something to do with this or not, or that if this is a work of a Nightmare wizard. Perhaps a dream eating Night-Pterodactyls. We must not be quick to assume the worse until answers are reveled."
"Your right, Princess, it's just the dreams, the dark presents, it seems, more dark than any nightmare, wizard, or night pteranodon."
Celestia concluded before she closed the door, "By next week we'll find out for sure, I promise."
The door closed as Rarity released a heavy sigh. Rarity knows the princess seeks to help, but she could not help to question if it was Misery doing this? And what if drastic measures had to be taken to safeguard Equestia? She knew what became of Luna when she was processed by Misery, Luna ended up banished to the moon for 1000 years. Rarity didn't even want to think about what will become of her if Misery is behind this. Rarity began to shutter at the thoughts of whatever punishment may await her. Rarity shook her head and realized even if Misery was involved the Princess would not be quick to resolve rash punishment, rather she would do everything in her power to keep Rarity safe from danger. Rarity went to her bed, getting ready for sleep. "By the next week, the Princesses will know what to do… I hope."
The next week came.
Rarity was standing before to a counsel of unicorns in an ancient room she never knew existed. Once upon a time there were a series of spooky and angry looking Alicorn statues, hieroglyphics of Alicorns fighting Dragocorns, and various other unappealing pieces anypony rather not speak about. The wizard perched in the middle of the council yelled, yet did so with control "This is a special room, Rarity. Long ago, in the very old days after Luna's unfortunate banishment, this room was made for a lab for Celestia's finest wizards to root out possible new hosts of which the Dragocorn Nighttime Misery would try to control. It holds a dark, and ancient test: the study of the soul."
“A, study for souls?” Rarity said, petrified.
The wizard on the right spoke next "According to old documents, the test works like this: any pony, Unicorn, Pegasus, or Earth, claiming to be recurrently haunted by dreams of becoming a dark form or usurping must stand under the light. The light of the giant gem of creation!"
Rarity stood shocked, "G-g-g-g giant gem of C-Creation?"
The wizard on the left asserted his voice again, "It's not your typical gem, not even truly similar to an enchanted gem; it is a magical, powerful gem. It possesses remarkable powers, but its purpose is simple, to see if one is a chosen host."
"I'm, afraid to ask, what will happen if, I was, a chosen host?"
A sigh huffed into the air "I think you might find it preferable if you do not find out,” Bluntly stated the unicorn in the middle. “Let's just say Celestia insists that the gem will be place back in its hiding place if you are. Celestia also requested you are not faced with prolonged exposure to the gem."
Rarity gasped, horrified by the words. She didn't need a proper explanation having a good idea what the wizard explained.
"Bring down the Gem of creation!" Said the group of five ponies currently accompanying Rarity. The roof began to open, at first reveling a blinding light, then a ginormous white gem of incredible beauty. The gem-loving equine was in complete paralysis and awe at the beauty of the marvelous gem. "It's beautiful." She whispered to herself in envy. Suddenly, the fading light shrunk and began to focus on Rarity. She struggled to keep her eyes open. The wizards looked on, after years of studying the gem they know it's capable of such feats… but… studying it is one thing, witnessing its powers in action was certainly another.
The white light suddenly turns to a blood red color, as well did the gem. The angry eyes on the Alicorn Statues began to glow in hellish fire, the hieroglyphics began to bleed. The glow began to feel hot on the victim’s fur. Rarity suddenly felt a horrible burn throughout her body. A screech like the wind howling of metal and chalk boards emerged from Rarities excruciating pain. The wizards grew with deep concern. This mare, this truly unfortunate mare, was definitely chosen. The wizard on the right shouted for the second time, "CLOSE THE ROOF!" The roof closed hastily, the blood on the walls vanished, and angry eyes on the statues returned to normal. Rarity was on the ground hurting thoroughly. She barely could stay conscious, she began to lost consciousness, black engulfed a world of pitch black. She had fallen into the horrid sleep where every hour is felt and nothing is dreamed. What she last heard was incredible shouting, a horrid thing to hear before fainting.
Rarity awoke on a bed. She looked around, it seemed to feel as though she's was in the Medical ward. Suddenly, a voice came out and cried wholeheartedly, "Rarity, you're ok!" It was Twilight and Spike.
"Twilight darling, you're here, but where are the others?"
"I, couldn't bear to tell them myself. I'm lucky I was able to keep myself from being ‘Harsh’ towards the princess."
"Darling, you, you know you must inform them eventually, you can't leave them in the dark." Rarity at Twilight glared with concern.
“The princesses, I mean, what if they don't want you to live in Equestia anymore? It could very well break the current chain of the Elements of Harmony."
"Twilight, they'll understand. They know that neither Celestia nor Luna would intend harm towards me. You know that."
Twilight smiled now with more comport "Maybe, if I could find a way to put them in a pleasant enough mood first. You know, pleasant enough that even Rainbow Dash won't, ‘Lose her cool.’ Rarity, I want to know… since the test showed positive on you being chosen by Misery… what's going to happen?"
“Well, I guess I'm going to remain in Canterlot, that is until the Princess can find a way to get rid of Misery."
Spike jumped into the conversation with freed anticipation “Rarity, I want to stay with you, and help you though this! I won't leave you!"
"Spike I don't think-" Twilight was interrupted.
A voice came out. "Twilight, we shouldn't deny Spike his wishes again." Twilight looked over, it was Princess Celestia. "If Spike wishes to stay, then his wish will be granted. After all, even as a baby dragon he has rights.” Celestia looked down and closed her eyes “Rarity, I am sorry what I did caused you pain, I never meant any harm-“
Twilight shook her head "Princess, as long as it wasn't intended for Rarity to be harm, I think there are no hard feelings."
Celestia smiled and looked back up "Twilight, of all the ponies I met in my continuous existence, you have the kindest heart and the most forgiving personally I met."
Twilight hugged Celestia. "I got it from the best."
Rarity let loose a tear of happiness of the moment before her. In times of such sadness the smallest bit of light can enlighten a sober heart. Spike, though normally annoyed and disgusted by sappiness, this let slide without a complaint. He had serious respect for Twilight and Celestia that calmed him this once.
Celestia broke the hug. "Spike, your welcome to stay for as long as you need. Twilight, one thing I ask that you, hold off on Friendship reports for a while. Until this matter is resolved they are far from paramount. If you find a lesson write it down on a note and hold off until then. Is this, understandable?"
"I should get back, the others are probably worried." Twilight nodded.
Celestia nodded back "One thing, Twilight, don't be afraid to say what occurred, your friends will understand. Yes, it will be a shocking truth, but it's better than deception."
Twilight gave no indication of understanding, though she stayed intent on what Celestia was saying.
"I'll escort you to the chariot. We will find a method of communication shall the need arise." With that, Celestia and Twilight left.
Spike stood by the side of Rarity's bed with a strong look of a concern. "Rarity, no matter what happens, I'll never, ever, ever, never abandon you."
Rarity smiled at this young youthful dragon. For someone oh so few in years he displayed strong maturity and decisiveness. "You’re in safe hands, Rarity." Rarity began to close her eyes. "Safe hands…." Rarity closed her eyes. Spike voice was heard echoing into Rarities dreams, "Safe hands."
Night came.
Spike fell asleep by the medical bed Rarity rest on. This situation was probably close as Spike would get to sleeping on the same bed with Rarity. Suddenly, a scuffle was heard from outside, various sounds of screams and growls were heard outside. Spike awoke with a startled gasp and a jump. He got off the bed and went to investigate the disturbance. The curious reptile quietly peaked over a partially opened door and was horrified by what he saw. A myriad of guards and armored Diamond Dogs were fighting in the hallway outside of the medical ward. Spike could not believe it. He felt it was important to protect Rarity by helping her escape. He would hate himself if Rarity got captured by Diamond Dogs again. Spike turned to see, to his horror, Rarity being picked up by three familiar faces: Rover, Fido, and Spot. Spike was angry to see those abductors again, the nerve of them bothering Rarity, he felt a dragon's fury crawling up his spine. He was ready to cause a fuss, a ruckus, a hoos-cow, to rubble, to go where no dragon's gone before, to save- Rarity, now he’s done it.
Spike scrunched up an angry face "Alright, I think they earned it now!"
How rude of the Diamond dogs.
Spike began to charge the intruders when a huge fiery vortex appeared. Spike stopped with whirling arms trying to regain his balance. Spike had no idea what was happening, but what he could figure out, it definitely wasn’t good. The vortex began to form into an Alicorn… no, a dragocorn. It was Nighttime Misery, infamously known as Nightmare Moon.
"N-n-n-n-n-n-n-n-n-n-n-n-n-n-n-Nightmare Moon. O-Or, is it Nighttime Misery now."
Misery said laughing, "Yes, it is Nighttime Misery now, Nightmare Moon was a stage name I took in back then, sounded much more intimidating than ‘Luna,’ but I am not here for that useless weakling this time around, no, I am after a more gracious prize. One of your Precious Elements of Harmony. You know her as Rarity."
Spike gasped as Misery continued more amused "Yes, I figured out the perfect loophole for your accursed Elements, young dragon, without Generosity the other elements will be powerless, and we already know the princesses will be rendered useless cause of their disconnection. As for Writing Glory, I suppose she'll be dealt with in good timing. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to see my new host. Or, perhaps you would like to work by my side?"
Spike got angry again and cast from his lungs something bordering a scream and a shout, "I won’t join you, AND I DEFINITELY WON'T LET YOU TAKE RARITY FROM ME!"
Suddenly two Diamond Dog soldiers grabbed Spike, "RARITY!"
Rarity began to wake, soon fully awakened she saw, to her horror, that she had been captured by three of the diamond dogs again… and to see Spike captured by too soldier dogs and… NIGHTIME MISERY! Rarity screamed louder than spike had. She became even more fearful that this was real, not another bad dream!
Misery came towards the captured mare. "Hey, bitch. Guess what? I decided to give conquering Equestia another go, and this time as Greedmoon!"
Rarity struggled to get free, but Misery got closer as her horn glowed. Misery began to lean closer towards a helpless Rarity! Spike was horrified that he could not protect Rarity. Misery's horn touched Rarity and A huge shadowy flash surrounded the two. Rover, Fido, and Spot stepped back as well as the two soldiers present. The shadow flash ended, reveling Now, Misery's new form: Greedmoon. Greedmoon was like a Nightmare Moon with Rarity traits and features: Rarity's tail and mane still present ,yet longer, now black, taller, with wings, a larger horn, wearing white shoes, a white necklace with a green gem in it, a white crown on her head, and Nightmare Moon's trademark eyes, only now purple.
Spike was both shocked and strangely turned on by this new form.
"Ah yes, the combine force of Misery and Rarity has brought form a greater, powerful form! I process Misery's memories, so technically I am her, but Rarity's controlled personality makes me more, well, behaved and lustful." She turns her attention towards the Diamond Dogs.
Rover was the first to come over. "Glorious Greedmoon, the transformation was a success! Now, we will enslave all the ponies of Equestia to collect endless gems and other forms of jewels for us! Like her mistress promises!"
Greedmoon smiled with a greater evil than ever before "All in good time, darling, but first, I just need to collect, one more little helper. Bring the dragon hatchling to me." The Diamond Dog Soldiers brought Spike towards Greedmoon. Spike struggled to break free, but it was too late. Greedmoon's horn glowed and she leaned towards Spike. Spike closed his eyes, not wishing to see his incoming fate.
Celestia and Luna were at the throne room. Celestia towered high from her throne, "Something happened, Luna. Somehow, those Diamond Dogs broke into Canterlot. I don't know how, but they did."
"Maybe they dug their way in." Luna thought aloud.
"Or maybe, it was all part of Misery's scheme." A voice came out, "You don't know the half of it, Dearie." The door burst open, it was Greedmoon and a large group of Diamond Dogs.
Celestia scowled "Rarity? What happened to- wait a minute, I know exactly what! Rarity, I am sorry we failed to protect you from Misery, but we'll make it up to you, we'll fight the spirit out of you!"
"Pray tell, darling,” Greedmoon lost her ominous grin and replaced it with a serious glare. “How you are going to do that without the Elements? Generosity has fallen, I'm afraid."
Luna turned exposing her flank, "There's more than one was to exorcise a demon like you out of the body of the innocent!" Celestia closed her eyes briefly thinking, "yes, so surrender while you can still stand properly, Misery."
Greedmoon said with a regal narcissism, "It’s Greedmoon now, darlings, I adopted another stage name."
"I refuse to stand by and let you ruin Rarity's life!" shouted Luna.
Greedmoon laughed and warped right in front of Luna’s face. "Darling, you're not the only one that's just going to stand there and not do a thing.”
A set of huge dragon eyes appeared from behind Greedmoon. Greedmoon and the Diamond Dogs stepped aside.
Celestia jumped to protect her sister, "Luna, get at my side."
Luna warily complied. The door and scaffolding around it crumbled when a huge black dragon with spiky green scales piled through. The Dragon roared fiercely. Celestia gasped then abolished her anguish with a stunned glare. "No, it’s spike!"
"What?" Luna crouched in fear.
“He must have had been captured and tainted by ‘Greedmoon.’"
“Now Thorn, attack!" Spike, apparently named thorn by Greedmoon, made a sonic roar! Celestia and Luna were sent flying, slammed into the wall, and knocked out.
"Now, may a new and glorious reign, begin."
Fido cautiously approached Greedmoon in her fury, "But, what of the Celestial Sisters, my queen?"
"Have them ready for a cage. I am having a habit of imprisoning my enemies, as trophies, dearie. Now, gather some ponies to the front entrance of the castle, I believe they deserve to be, more aware of the new management of how Equestia is going to run."
Spot saluted, "Aye-aye, boss." The Diamond Dogs left. Greedmoon went towards the throne, and sat upon it with Thorn laying aside her. A dark age fell upon Equestia. Greedmoon closed her eyes as she sat upon the throne, and as she slowly opened them a blood red glow engulfed the castle and the screaming of lost sprites echoed through the royal ballroom.
To be continued in: The Reign of Greedmoon
