Drury Lane: Chapter 15 -Nightmare Night-

>Day 1,068 in Equeastria

"So, a thousand years?"

>"Yes."

"Doesn't that seem a little... excessive?"

>"What does this one mean?"

"I mean, all you really wanted was for your subjects to appreciate you. You just wanted the same adoration they gave to your sister. And because of that, she banished you for one thousand years? It just seems like too harsh a punishment is all."

>"Maybe. We did not think clearly when we stood up to our sister. We were brash, impulsive."

"...Sometimes you have to be impulsive to get things done. Rationality is great and all, but there are times when you just have to go with your gut."

>The dark mare brought her face closer to yours.

>"Is this... one of those times, Anonymous?"

>You bring a hand to her cheek, caressing it softly.

"I suppose so."

>"If it is, then we think that being impulsive isn't all that bad."

>You wanted to say so much more to her.

>You wanted to tell her how much you cared for her.

>But then the sunlight splintered into your vision.

>Sounds of blue jays singing tumbled lightly through the air.

>A dream.

>The same dream you've been having for some time now.

"...Dammit, Anon, get your head together..."

>You roll out of bed and stumble your way to the bathroom.

>You spot the clock on the wall.

>3:41PM

>Your nights were getting worse and worse for some reason.

>Sleeping had become somewhat of a chore for you now, and you knew you were worrying Pinkie with your sudden bouts of insomnia.

>The easiest thing you did was sit on the roof, and count the stars.

>But she seemed to be in the back of your mind.

>She always was, after all.

>You look to your reflection in the small mirror on the wall.

"Hmph... I wonder what she saw in all of that?..."

>You rub your eyes, and then take a shower, getting ready for the day.

>Once done, you get dressed and head downstairs.

>You spy all of the festive decorations that cover the walls of Sugarcube Corner.

>Fuzzy spiders and cobwebs hung from the ceiling, jack-o-lanterns stood on the counters and shelves.

>And the candy corn.

>Good GOD the candy corn.

>Tonight was Pinkie Pie's favorite night of the year.

>Nightmare Night.

>You had spent the past few days helping around the town, making sure everything was set up for the special night.

>You stepped into the kitchen and spotted Pinkie Pie.

"Evening, Pinkie. How are you feel-"

>Pinkie stumbles about the kitchen, her steps disorganized and shaky.

"Pinkie?"

>"Oh, evening Anon! I'm just- hogod..."

>Pinkie thrusts a hoof on top of her mouth, her face turning a sickly green.

"Woah okay, you're not looking so hot."

>Pinkie shakes her head vigorously, and you make your way over to her.

"Alright, deep breaths."

>Pinkie takes quick, deep breaths, trying to calm down.

"You alright?"

>Pinkie's face slowly returns to it's light pink hue.

"You gonna be okay?"

>Pinkie lowers her hoof from her mouth, and sighs in relief.

>"Yeah... yeah I think I'm gonna be oka- HUUUUUUURK."

>Suddenly Pinkie is vomiting frosting all over you.

>Sweet jesus what the FUCK

"Pinkie, Pinkie STOP!"

>"I can't! HUUUUUUGUUUUUURK!"

>More frosting, this time with sprinkles.

>By Odin's BEARD.

"STOPPIT STOPPIT STOPPIT!"

>"HURRRRRRRLKGH"

"NO GOD DAMMIT NO."

>You scoop Pinkie into your arms and begin to flail your way to the bathroom upstairs.

>Pinkie continues to throw up frosting and sprinkles the whole time.

"PINKIE WHAT IS HAPPENING?!"

>"I think- I think I have food poisoningggGGGGGGGHUUUUUUURGH"

"FUCKING QUIT IT."

>You kick down the door to your bathroom and thrust Pinkie towards the toilet, allowing her to continue spewing cake toppings without coating you in a thick layer of the stuff.

>Like a gentleman, you hold back her mane for her.

"Okay, what the hell? If this is food poisoning, then why in the world are you vomiting FROSTING?"

>"I don't know, it's just always been like this for me! I puke sweets!"

"I would think this is adorable, if it weren't for the fact that it TOTALLY ISN'T."

>"HUURRRGGKGKGHURRR"

>This was going to take a while...

 

-------

 

>You return upstairs to Pinkie Pie, who is now in your bed, snuggled into the covers.

>You brought a glass of water for her to drink, as well as a bucket or two just in case she had to puke sugar again.

>Pinkie always looked in peak condition, but tonight...

>Tonight she just looked like hell.

>"Okay, I brought you some water and a few buckets. Hopefully, you won't have to use any of them yet."

>Pinkie gives you a smile and coughs a little.

>"Thanks Anime-moose."

>She giggles at her joke, and you can't help but laugh as well.

>It had been a long time since she fucked up your name, but at least now it was in jest.

>Pinkie takes a sip of water, and then puts on a face of sheer seriousness.

>"This blows..."

"Watch your fuckin' language."

>She laughs some more, but then cover her mouth again very quickly.

>You dash over to her, bucket in hand, and wait for the inevitable.

>...nothing happens.

"Well, that was a close call-"

>"HHHUUUUUURRRR"

"IN THE BUCKET FOR THE LOVE OF GOD IN THE BUCKET!"

 

-------

 

>A few more hours pass, and you've been taking diligent care of Pinkie Pie.

>You're bringing her a tasty tomato bisque, and even more water.

"Alright, don't eat this too fast. Take your time. I'll be here all night for you."

>"All night?"

"Mmhmm."

>"Oh Anon... ARE YOU LOCO IN THE COCO?!"

>wat

>"It's NIGHTMARE NIGHT! You can't just sit here and feed me soup all night long! You need to go out and *hurk* oh god bucket get me the bucket."

>As Pinkie fills another bucket with... frosting... ew... she continues her rant.

>"Nightmare Night is the best night of the year! It's full of scares, and games, and most importantly, CANDY. And if I can't go because I'm to busy coughing up sweets, then you should at least go out and have fun!"

"I don't know Pinkie, maybe I should stay here and help y-"

>Pinkie gives you her patented Pinkie Pie Pout.

"Not fair."

>"Pweeeease?"

>...

"...okay, fine. But only because you asked me to."

"Yaaaaaay!... bucket please."

>You oblige.

"Just make sure you get plenty of rest, okay? I want you back to your old self sooner rather than later."

>"Okie-dokie!"

>With that you go over to your closet, and peer into your stash of "Costumes for Every and All Occasions."

>You were digging the Indiana Jones outfit, but you think you would have to go with Batman for tonight.

>Hopefully, things would go better than expected.

 

-------

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ie9ng9mCuZU

Meanwhile, universes away...

>The night was cold, the wind sharp and uncaring.

>The icy winds from the mountainside shot through the hills and valleys of Equestria.

>This was the coldest winter in many cycles.

>Somewhere beyond the Everfree forest, a dark blue alicorn stood with a number of her best guards outside an old, crumbling cave.

>The princess sat at the mouth of the dark chasm, her gaze fixated on a patch a grass stained a dark, faded crimson.

>This had been where she had found him...

>"My Lady."

>Luna looked at one of her guards, exiting the cave.

>"We've found it."

>Luna nodded, and followed the Night Guard into the dark, shadowy abyss.

>The walls of the cave slowly began to change the further they went down, going from rough stone, to smooth walls with intricate designs and patterns carved into them.

>Luna lit the way with her horn, bright blue light illuminating the shadows.

"Did your men find anything?"

>"Yes, m'lady. It seems that your old compatriot was telling you the truth. We indeed find ash within the chamber ahead."

"And the orb?"

>"Yes. We have instructed all personnel to not engage with the artifact, as per your orders."

"Good. You've done well captain."

>"Thank you, my princess."

>The two stepped into the massive chamber, the light form Luna's horn cascading onto the large murals along the walls."

"By the night... what is this place?..."

>He had fought in here?

>He had nearly died in this place?

>Luna spotted the dark orb at the far end of the chamber, as it slowly pulsated with a faint red light.

>Suddenly, the orb stopped pulsating, and simply shone with a crimson tinge.

"This place is... not of this world. This is a place of corruption. Captain, tell your men that we need to seal this place off. For good."

>The captain nods, and begin his way to the exit, but stops in his tracks.

"Captain?"

>"I... I can't... move..."

>The Captain of the Night Guards struggled to press on, but something was keeping him in place.

>A faint whisper of a laugh crept through the shrine.

>Luna turned to the orb, and instead saw dark, ink-like smoke rising from it.

>Slowly, the smoke took shape.

>The shape of a human, with a gaping hole where one of its eyes should have been.

<And the princess finally arrives. Isn't that just precious? What, were you hoping to find more clues about him?>

"What...you... you're the thing he fought within this place..."

<Fought? Me? Oh, your highness, that's just too rich, let me tell you.>

>He's gone in a flash of smoke, and then appears directly in front of Luna, his one red eye shining brightly in the darkness, his white teeth flashing in a sickening grin.

<Your little pet did not fight us... to fight us would mean he stood a chance. We BROKE him, and tossed him about this chamber like a child's play thing.>

>Luna gathers magic into her horn, readying herself for whatever this abomination might do.

<Our favorite part was when we heard the pathetic thing's spine snap like a twig under our heel. I wager the pain he felt was unbearable, don't you?>

>The shadow lick its lips and smiles from ear to ear at Luna, his eye still the size of pin-pricks.

<Tell me, when you found its corpse, did you weep for it? Did you mourn the loss of your beloved little pet?>

"He survived."

>The shadow pauses, his toothy grin receding into a thin white line across its face, his one red eye slowly growing.

"You failed, demon. A simple, crippled human bested you in your own domain. He lives, and you will remain here for the rest of eternity where you belong."

>"Princess Luna, you need to leave!"

<SILENCE>

>A loud snap echoes through the chamber, and the Captain of the Night Guards' body crumples limply to the stone floor, his neck broken and his form lifeless."

How... how DARE you! We will not stand idly by while you->

<WE SAID SILENCE>

>Luna freezes, her body frozen in place and her horn's magic fading back within itself.

>The creature approached her, the hole in it's right eye swirling into itself like a black hole.

<Tell us where it is.>

"Never."

<WHERE IS IT>

"You will not find him, foul creature! He is far from your grasp, now."

>The shadow bares his teeth at Luna, all of them razor sharp and blisteringly white.

<Then we will MAKE you tell us>

>It raises a finger to Luna's forehead, and presses it within her mind, fondling her memories and thoughts.

>The creature finds what he is looking for, and smiles wide at the princess.

<Thank you, your highness. We have to leave now. We're just so anxious to meet back up with your precious little human...>

>The dark figure evaporates into the air in a burst of inky shadows, and Luna collapses to the floor, panting, cold sweat forming on her face.

>This wasn't good.

>There was no time for planning.

>Luna had to act, and act now.

"...I suppose this is one of those moments..."

 

-------

 

>"Anonymous!"

>Trixie stands by the town square with Hush, as the small filly bobs for apples with more young ponies.

>"What... ARE you dressed as?"

>You reply with the deepest, manliest voice you can muster.

"I'm Batman."

>"Your a bat man?"

"Batman."

>"What, ah... what does Batman do?"

"Justice."

>"...he does justice."

"Batman does justice."

>"Why do you insist on speaking like you have gravel in your throat?"

"Because I'm Batman."

>"Uh-huh... well alright then."

"Trixie."

>"Yes?"

"Why aren't you in a costume?"

>"What do you mean? I'm dressed up, see?"

"That's what you always wear."

>"Indeed, because who wouldn't wish to be the Great and Powerful Trixie for Nightmare Night?"

"...You're dressing up for Nightmare Night as yourself?"

>"Correct."

"I should punch you right in the face with all the justice I can muster."

>Trixie just rolls her eyes at you, and you walk over to where Hush is.

"Hey there, midget, enjoying Nightmare Night so far?"

>The small filly looks up at you and smiles, but you can barely tell, what with her being covered from head to toe in white bandages.

>You were dressed as Batman.

>Hush was dressed as a mummy.

>Oh sweet, SWEET irony!

>She's left a space for one eye to poke out so she can see, as well as a spot for her mouth to be free to eat candy and bob for apples.

>As she looks up at you though, her ears swing down and she cowers.

>Lightning streaks across the sky, and you turn to see-

>... oh god...

>From the dark, cloudy sky enters Princess Luna, flaring her wings out and landing triumphantly in front of you and Hush.

>"Ooooh, it's Nightmare Moon! Quickly Hush, you have to give her candy, otherwise she'll GOBBLE YOU UP!"

>Hush silently shrieks in delight and dashes to the feet of Luna, dropping a small pile of candy where she stands, and quickly darts behind your legs.

>You can't help but just stare at the dark mare in front of you.

>You wanted to reach out to her, to see if she was even real.

>Trixie is over to you in a flash, and whispers.

>"Anon, I know how you feel right now, but you must remember that this is not the SAME Luna that you... "befriended" once before. This Luna has no idea who you even are-"

>Luna: "Anonymous? Is that you? Why are you dressed like a large bat?"

>Trix: "...or, maybe she DOES know you. But still, remain CALM. She isn't the same one from before. She has no idea about the feelings you and the other Luna share for eacho-"

>Luna rushes towards you and embraces you, giving you a deep kiss.

>Trix: "...what just happened?"

>Luna: "We knew it was you! Is... is it Nightmare Night here in your world?"

"Uhm, yes? I'm dressed up as Batma- Wait wait wait, stop."

>You look into her bright teal eyes.

>"...Luna? Is that you?.."

>The alicorn nods.

"But... why? You helped me come back to his Equestria. Why are you here?"

>"Something has happened. We need to prepare."

"Prepare? Why? What happened, what's going on?"

>"My guards and cleared out the cave that you-"

"What? WHY?! Luna, I told you what was in there! Why would you-"

>Light cracks through the sky, and thunder ripples through the town.

>You spin around to the source of the light, and see a dark silhouette standing within it.

>The black shadow steps onto the ground, sanguine smoke trailing off of its form.

<It... SURVIVED?!>

>Oh no.

>No no no no no.

>Not here.

"...I thought I killed you..."

<I COULD SAY THE SAME THING ABOUT YOU>

>Trix: "Anonymous, what is that thing?"

"It's a long story.."

<One that you will never tell to another living soul ever again.>

>The creature begins walking towards you.

>Hush darts out in front of your legs, and begins scribbling with chalk on the ground.

"Gremlin, this is NOT the time for hopscotch."

>Trixie produces two... gloves?

"What are those for?"

>Trix: "They're for Hush."

"But Hush has hooves, she can't wear gl-"

>Hush finishes her circle of runes and jumps into it, bright yellow light blasting forth from where she was.

>In her place rose a small girl, no older than ten, dressed in mummy garb.

>Trixie tosses the gloves to Hush, who slips them on.

>They have intricate patterns and glyphs printed onto them.

>Luna: "She appears to be a very skilled magister."

>Trix: "Princess, you have no idea how right you are."

>The creature stops in his tracks, and eyes the now human Hush.

<...More of them?... Perfect. We're going to enjoy feasting on your magics, little girl.>

The four of you, Trixie, Hush, Luna, and yourself, stand to face the demonic force before you.

>You stretch your cast iron arm, getting it ready for the brutality it would have to endure.

"You ready for this, squirt?"

>Hush gives a cocky smile.

>"Let's fuck 'em up, dad."

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tltYB4NJqC4

 

>Luna turns to you, and says something she told you as you careened from the moon.

>Luna: "Succeed."

>You nod, and with that, the battle is on.

>You rush the shadow, tearing away your Batman costume to reveal your normal outfit below, and bring your fist across his face.

>His head snaps backwards, then flings itself forward and into your face, sending you spinning back.

>Luna shoots upwards into the air, and rains down bolts of dark energy at the shadow, pelting him with bolts of magic.

>Trixie fires away her own brand of magic, providing Hush cover as she weaves through Luna's torrent and straight for your shadow.

>She clasps her hands together and slams them onto the figure's face, bright neon blue streaks of lightning cascading from the impact point.

>The creature flinches back and recoils in pain, casting dark crimson lances of magic hurling at Hush, who dances away from them with grace and ease.

>You burst from the ground and signal Hush to come to you.

"Luna, give her some cover fire!"

>Luna: "We shall do better than that!"

>In a whirl of black and blue, Luna swoops dows at the figure, impaling him onto her horn, his high pitched shriek roaring through the air as Luna flings him back and away from you, casting more spells as she does so.

"Hush, get your chalk. I need you do doodle on my arm."

>Hush nods, and begins drawing intricate wards and glyphs on your cast iron fist with speed you'd never imagine.

>She finishes, and smiles at you.

"Thanks, mime. How do I use it."

>Hush simply punches forward.

"You simplified the magicky shit for me? You glorious mother fucker!"

>The two of you begin sprinting maddeningly toward the beast, his body crackling with crimson and black sparks.

<YOU URCHINS DO NOT KNOW POWER. NO HUMAN DOES. I AM POWER AND DARKNESS INCARNATE. YOU CANNOT BEGIN TO COMPREHEND MY VERY EXIST-

>RENEGADE INTERRUPT!

>You slam your fist into the shadow's face once more, but this time he rockets back when lightning bursts from his face from where you decked him.

>Hush teleports behind him, slamming her palm into his back, yellow streaks arcing from his body as she too sends him flying past you, towards Trixie.

>Trixie casts a large intricate design into the air, catching the shadow.

>Light bursts forth from her horn, lighting and fire enveloping the demon as he is flung high into the air.

>You leap from where you stand straight at your shadow, bring a boot down onto his face, cannoning him to the ground.

"LUNA!"

>Luna swoops down and catches you, and your ride with her straight up into the sky, climbing with incredible speed.

>Luna knows exactly what you have planned, and begins to envelop you with blue and violet magic.

>You leap from the alicorn princess and rocket back towards the demon, as he struggles to his feet.

"REMEMBER ME, BITCH?!"

>The shadow looks up.

>And you bring an enchanted metal fist directly into his one good eye.

>Energy ripples forth from the impact, shaking the very ground below you.

<NO. NO. I AM ETERNAL! YOU CANNOT DO THIS! I WON'T ALLOW YOU TO->

"You talk too much."

>With one final push, your fist dives through the figure's head, his body exploding in a sea of blue, shimmering light.

>You're left standing, bloodied and panting after the longest fight you've had since coming to this fucking place.

>You adrenaline is still speeding through your veins.

>That's why, when Luna lands next to you, you do what you do.

>You clasp your hands onto Luna's face, and kiss you like you've never kissed a pony before.

>Writing that kind of hurt.

>Trixie lets out a gasp, and cover Hush's eyes.

>Hush just moves her head out of the way to see.

>At first Luna is taken aback, but quickly returns the kiss with one of her own.

>It is at this time that you realize that the entire town is watching you.

>Kissing the princess.

>In the middle of a smoking crater.

>This... was going to be difficult to explain to Pinkie once you got ho-

>"Ahem."

>You spin around, and see Pinkie Pie, bucket of frosting at her side, staring right at you.

>Oh.

>Well.

>Fuck.

 

~End of Chapter 15~