Did somepony say nightmare...?

[mareinblack]

Who: Luna and YOU
What: Nightmare plot
When: Right now?
Where: Her dream
Rating: PG???



[It's a meadow; a beautiful one, illuminated under the light of the full moon, large and low on the horizon. The coolness after the heat of the day is refreshing, as shyer creatures make themselves known. The fireflies dance, even as the stars above seem to hum their own stories.

It starts off with whispers. Kind ones, even. "Oh, there's no need to trouble yourself. We're just waiting for your sister." "What a magnificent job! You'll catch up to your sister in no time!"

It gets darker and it gets louder. Pity, chuckling little laughs. Hesitance. Questions about Celestia's approval or the lack thereof. Loudest of all are the silences. The silences broken only by whimpers and cries, the sharp scent of fear that only goes away with the rising of the sun.

It becomes impossible to see and there is nothing to hear, beyond the sound of your own breathing, magnified in this absolute nothing.

And then after an interminable amount of time, there are vividly green, slit-pupil eyes in front of you. The contours of the fully grown alicorn mare can barely be seen in the dark, if not for the glow of her mane and tail. That smile is nothing short of insane.]

"'Will you walk into my parlour?' said the Nightmare to the dreamer." [and her grin grows wider]

Comments

[huffythedragon]

[It takes Spike a moment to realise exactly what's going on, why is Luna acting weird? It's not Nightmare Night yet. She doesn't need to do her gig right now.

Except that smile doesn't look like she's acting. He'll give a nervous laugh and back away a little]

"Uh...Princess Luna? You feeling okay?"

[mareinblack]

[that smile disappears and she takes a step forward]

Do not call me that.

[huffythedragon]

[Uh oh. Spike gives a nervous laugh, stepping back and trying to keep the distance between them]

Are you practising for Nightmare Night? You know, perfecting the creepy thing?

[mareinblack]

[there's a raucous laugh in response to that. And yup, that smile is back.]

Practicing? For that farce? [aaaand she lowers her head to Spike's eye-level] Perhaps I am feeling a bit peckish...

[huffythedragon]

[Spike gives a nervous laugh, reaching up to pat her on the nose]

Ahahahaha...ha. Good one, Princess. You'll knock 'em dead this year.

[mareinblack]

[he gets an arched look, and then she lunges, suddenly sharp teeth closing with a snap a hair's breadth (or scale's breadth) away from his face.]

My intentions exactly, foal.

[huffythedragon]

[Yeah no. This was not right. Spike yelps and jumps back. First Twilight and now this? What was next? Discord showing up?]

Luna! Aww man, don't tell me this castle turned you back. You don't have to do this any more.

[mareinblack]

[there's a hissing intake of breath and somehow, it gets darker. And possibly colder.]

Do not call me that.

[huffythedragon]

[Ohhhh snap where are the Elements of Harmony when you need them? Oh right. Back in freaking Equestria :| Well, except for Twilight's crown thingie, which is totally useless without the other Elements.

He raises his claws, trying to placate her]

Okay, okay, Nightmare Moon. But listen, okay...just listen. Everypony loves you now, for real. You don't have to do the rawr rawr nightmare doom deal any more.

[mareinblack]

[Spike. She's crazy. That shields her from things like logic and reasoning.]

Lies, all of it. [at least she's opting to pace now, instead of being all up in his personal space] Rather convenient, is it not? I would have never guessed that they would suddenly decide to care now that I've decided not to.

[huffythedragon]

[That's good. That means there's less chance she'll murder him]

But it's not a lie, I promise. You returned to normal and everypony was so glad to see you again. And Princess Celestia missed you so much.

[On hindsight, he realises, that was probably the worst name to bring up, OH WELL]

[mareinblack]

[She goes completely still at the mention of her sister. And suddenly, she's right in front of him. Again.]

Because she's tired of ruling both night and day? Or because I'm not there to be her shadow so she can get all the credit when I cared just as much as she did??

[huffythedragon]

[Oh Spike you moron why do you say things?!!]

No. No nothing like that! She missed you because she cares about you, Luna. You're sisters and that sort of thing is really important.

[Stop talking stop talking stop talking]

[mareinblack]

[and she's mad enough that she ignores the use of 'Luna.'

Snarling.] I hate her. She is no sister of mine.

[huffythedragon]

You know you don't mean that. Okay, so she trapped you on the moon for like a thousand years. But that doesn't mean she doesn't love you, and it doesn't mean you don't love her.

[It just means you're batshit insane and something had to be done]

[mareinblack]

[there's a flash of lightning overhead, followed by the loud rumble of thunder. Who knew that dark voids had weather?

Shouting now.] She never cared! And I. Do. Not. Care.

[at least whatever remains of Luna is keeping NMM from actually killing anypony (or anydragon).]

[huffythedragon]

[Spike jumps at the thunder. He will not pass out this time. He CAN'T pass out this time. He's one of the few residents in the castle who'll know what's going on]

Okay, okay, you tell yourself that, but it doesn't stop it being true. Just... just think for a moment, okay? Think really hard and try to remember.

[mareinblack]

[deep breaths. She cared so much it hurts and -




She shakes her head, as if dislodging a thought, and then. Well. There's that crazy smile again.]

Why yes! How could I ever forget how patronizing she is? How everypony would look at her with slavish adoration for the perfect, beautiful, kind, benevolent princess who would only ever have Equestria's best interests at heart?

[she stomps a hoof in anger] How could I ever forget that?

[huffythedragon]

[Uh oh. He really thought he was getting through to her for a minute there]

But Luna, you know it's not like that at all. We love you, too. After all, the night is good for uh...

Well parties for one! And fireworks! And meteor showers, everypony loves those.

[mareinblack]

[yeah, well. Gathered Elements of Harmony? Uncheck.]

Why, I do love it when somepony compliments mine night. [heh] You'll be able to enjoy it forever - or until everything dies.

[huffythedragon]

[...Yeah good job Spike, you moron]

I...no. I didn't mean it like that! I mean, it should be a shared thing. You and Celestia ruling together.

[mareinblack]

[nasty laugh] Yes, because that worked out so wonderfully, did it not?

[huffythedragon]

But it works now, you just don't get it.

[mareinblack]

[there's a very ugly look on her face. Inhale, exhale.

She lies down gracefully, wings flapping once or twice before settling snugly against her sides. Forelegs are tucked underneath her. The nebulous cloud of mane and tail settles down a bit and now bears a closer resemblance to the steady flow of her usual mane. And that look is replaced by a solemn expression that wouldn't have been out of place on Luna's face - if not for the malicious glint in her eyes. ]

Shall I tell thee a story, young Spike?

[...]

[huffythedragon]

[That malicious glint sure is worrying. Still, Spike sees this as some sort of progress and moves to sit nearby. Not as close as he normally would, no. He keeps his distance]

Sure. I like stories.