Once upon a nightmare

After the swell banquet and enchanting water ballet the ponies were in a very good mood. Spike still was a bit down and hungry because he wasn't allowed any tasty jewels. Still the followed Helena as she led them back to their rooms. The ponies noticed something new when they saw the Faith Healer. She was carrying a bow and arrow. These were a bit unusual, the bow was made of silver and the arrows were gold with crystal tips. It looked a bit worrying to know someone as caring and helpful as Helena was actually carrying a weapon. It only confirmed their fears that this wasn't gonna be an easy mission.

"Pardon me, my lovely lady, but is a weapon really necessary within the walls of the palace? Didn't you say at ceremonial dinner that those charming flower fairies had cast a potent magical charm to protect us? It just doesn't seem to suit someone as gentle and soothing as yourself to carry a weapon. Are you sure it's necessary?" inquired Rarity causational who had to use her own magic to stop a beautiful celadon vase from smashing when she tripped into it. With a big sigh of relief she summoned some beautiful rainbow colored roses to fill the vase and smiled at her handy work. "There much better now."

"Thank you so much for saving that vase from smashing, Rarity. That particular vase is special in a sentimental way. It was a wedding gift for the Prince's parents. As you can obviously tell by inlay work as it tells their epic romantic tale in such detail. So I'm pleased that it didn't get smashed. Now as for my bow and arrows, you may ask? Yes, I'm afraid it is necessary, for no magic is powerful enough to completely block out the evil of the Nightmare Queen and her daughter. They're a crafty pair and will stop at nothing to ruin as many dreams as possible. So it pays to be prepared."

"From all you told us about those pair I reckon they're mighty powerful and if Princess Jadis does want to kill Twilight, well I just hope we can stop them. Though, I'll admit, that does seem a bit of a problem. We may have done a lot of good, all the same how do we stop them from ruining dreams?"

"Yeah, it does seem that they don't want to be friends and just give us a bunch of hugs and kisses. Maybe if we threw a big party and just had some fun, they'd stop their meany ways!"

"Pinkie Pie? You know we love you, but if you believe any bit of what you just said I say you're a bit crazy. No offence but I think if that Princess wants something she's gonna get it or at least try. I don't think even Daring Do would take her on! Though, come think about that, it might make a great book!"

"Rainbow Dash? Please try and stay focused. This isn't a book, its life and we must do what we can to help. Like we promised. So please don't take this so casually."

"Okay, Fluttershy. We promise to take this seriously. Still, Helena, are you sure you don't have just one teensy wincey gem I can snack on? I'm starving!"

"SPIKE!" they all shouted at the dragon in annoyance. He looked a bit embarrassed but that was still overshadowed by the fact his tummy was growling. He barely touched his food at dinner despite it had been so tasty. A tiny fairy zoomed quickly by them, her silvery blue iridescent wings and wavy pink tresses was visible for a few seconds. She chirped like a humming bird and frowned at the dragon. Her tiny eyes seem to have a few tears, she then zoomed around in a mini tornado, and to the astonishment of everyone a handful of jewels fell into the dragon's claws.

"Thanks!"

The fairy chirped in reply then zoomed after her sisters. Spike then picked up a big opal and tossed it into his wide opened trap and gulped in a satisfied manner. Then he let out a rude belch and rubbed his tummy. "Yum!" However when all the ponies and Helena glared at him he chuckled nervously and said, "Excuse me. I'll just save the rest for later. Let's get some sleep! Hey! Wait a minute! Where's Twilight?"

"The Princess and Prince are in the garden. Now it's my job to protect you. So I want you all to promise me that you shall obey all commands I give you. And for tonight we must sleep. We can really work on our game plan tomorrow but for now I say we must rest. I'll have the fairies and sprits watch over you all tonight. If something dangerous happens send word with a fairy lantern."

"Which is what exactly?" inquired Rainbow Dash as she came in for a soft landing.

Sighing Helena pointed to an old-fashion lantern. It wasn't lit right now. "If and when there is danger call the fairies forth and they shall use their magic to light the lantern. By lighting one all others will be lit and then we'll all know there is danger. But don't play with it! It is not a toy!" she elucidated and glared at Spike when she spoke the last line. He got the message. "Now to summon a fairy all you have to do is whistle a special melody," she continued and then whistled an enchanting tune which everyone practiced with her. Once they're sure that they knew it they're finally allowed to go to bed.

Outside in the gorgeous enchanted garden were Prince Fledge and Princess Twilight. They're strolling slowly under the light of the silver full moon. Fledge was showing Twilight some of the flowers his mother Strawberry had helped plant before her death. He showed her his most favorite flower of them all. It looked like a cross between a lily and an orchid. He used his magic to give it too Twilight who tucked it behind her right ear. It went so lovely with her coloring. She was blushing big time.

"Thank you, Fledge. That was a very generous act. It's exactly something Rarity would do. She's the most generous pony you'll ever meet. A bit of a perfectionist but she can give a lot."

"I know, I know. Each and every one your friends have special gifts, and that why you've got the Elements of Harmony. Which I think will come in mighty handy with the final battle fast approaching. I just wish you could win a war some other way, that doesn't end in carnage and bloodshed. I still can remember once upon a nightmare that night when my parents died died protecting their child and trying to save their home from dying. Ever since then the battle has been like a never-ending game of chess, with neither side winning an edge. It's been a bitter stalemate for a long time. I'd hoped by finding my destined Maiden she could tip the odds in my favor. A last, we didn't find her. And now it looks like Jadis and her mother will do anything to complete their mission and cast a permanent eclipse over the land. If that come to pass and no-pony has anymore dreams to dream about then all is lost in both my world and yours."

"Don't worry, Fledge. We will bring to an end Jadis and her mother's wicked plans. We got the Princesses back in Equestria working tirelessly to encourage more belief in dreams. And I'm sure that the Cutie Mark Crusaders are doing all they can to help the young ones believe in you and their dreams. So don't worry. I know we can tip the odds in your favor. Just trust me and we will beat them together!"

Looking into her beautiful eyes seemed to make all the diamond stars shimmering die down. Like her eyes were glistening more brightly and beautiful then even the stars sewn into the midnight heavens above. She gasped as the rainbow lights began to dance above them. It was so enchanting here, more then she'd ever dreamed about as a child. This was the most romantic and most beautiful sight she'd ever seen. Seeing it through her own eye didn't change how the world looked even more enchanted through Fledge's eyes. It was totally amazing and both could feel their hearts beating in tune with the others and it looked for moment that they might kiss but alas it didn't happen. At the moment before they could give into the moment of pure romance a streak of white lightning blasted through the heavens and they'd to run for cover. They'd heard the insane mirth far-off of Princess Jadis and they thought they saw her coming.

Twilight used her magic to cast a spotlight on the heavens above and Fledge did the same. Looking up they saw the moon was half hidden by the dark magic as Princess Jadis hovered in front of the moon. It reminded Twilight of how Princess Luna used to be the wicked Nightmare Moon. Yet now she wasn't but it looked like Jadis could easily take her place. Twilight tired not to be afraid, nevertheless she was shaking a bit on the inside. Looking into the glowing green eyes of Princess Jadis she'd saw quite without a doubt the look of murder. She watched as the dark princess descended like a ghost, till she was above them enough that they'd saw her clearly, but not close enough to assault them. Still not wanting to take any chances, Fledge whistled loudly and the same fairy that had granted Spike the jewels he so desired appeared. "Sabiya! Alert the rest of the palace! Danger is coming and fast! Hurry!" he ordered. The attractive fairy nodded and headed to one of the lanterns and it lit up like a beacon. All of sudden all the lanterns in the palace lit up as bright day. A weird and wonderful song was also playing and that woke up the whole castle.

The other ponies woke up at once and scrambled to get to the garden. "Hurry up, gals! We need to make sure Twilight is safe! Haul some hoof girls!" Applejack bellowed as she took the lead. She was followed close behind by Rarity, and Pinkie Pie who had Spike riding on her back. Both Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash were busy flying as swiftly as their petite wings could carry them. Though all almost immediately heard almost a deafening sound of a stampede as everyone in the palace seemed to be scrambled to the garden. Helena was in lead and in a dramatic fashion she leapt over all the ponies and her wings were beating faster then a hummingbird. She had her bow and arrows geared up. They in next to no time all made it too the garden where they didn't find anyone in immediate danger nevertheless all of them got in a tight circle around the Prince and Princess and glared at the dark one above them.

All this time Princess Jadis hadn't spoken or cast any spells at all. All she did was just hover dramatically and look at Twilight. She seemed to be laughing when Twilight's friends gathered and didn't even show a twinge of fear when that stupid Faith Healer aimed her bow and arrows at her. She just grinned wickedly and just laughed at them all. Adjusting her black tiara on her head she finally spoke. "So this is what they mighty Prince Fledge Dreamwings, brings to try and defeat us? A few stupid little ponies and a fat stupid dragon? Fledge I knew you're desperate, but you could've done so much better. There no-way to stop the coming eclipse. Don't you get it? More and more ponies are giving up on their dreams. And in next to no time a sufficient amount of them will have given up that your pathetic little Crystal won't have any magic left. Why don't you just make things easy on yourself and just give in. Toss aside this garbage and we can rule this world and Equestria! Come on! You know I'm the most beautiful and most powerful mare around! C'mon, my darling, why don't you just give up this pointless fight and be my husband? Just give up and give into your destiny!"

"Jadis, you've got a lot to learn about love, and you've a great deal more to learn about life and what really matters. The day you'd be mine is if hell froze over! I'll never give up on my dreams and neither will my friends! Just you wait! More dreamers are coming!"

"I wouldn't show such a false bravado, my Prince. Even if you think you're showing some spunk for your new little girlfriends, but the sad truth is this. Dreams are dying and when enough die, you die. Not that I want a handsome steed like you to give up the ghost. So just marry me! Then we can create a new world order! What do you say?"

It was at this time Twilight got back her courage. Tossing back her own mane dramatically she flew up enough that she and Jadis were seeing eye-to-eye. Narrowing her heads she spoke without a hint of fear. "Princess Jadis! You may think yourself as beautiful and powerful, yet as Fledge just said you've got a LOT to LEARN! There is more to life just power or beauty! I know magic more powerful then all your blacken spells! It's a power greater then yours will ever be! The Black Nightmare Crystal will never have a power as powerful as the one my friends and I share!"

"You think you know magic I do not? Well, Princess let me tell you something you might not know. I've lived far longer then your pathetic life as ever been around. I'm immortal and you aren't! I've study all the magic in the universe, and believe me the more powerful I become the weaker your so called magic is. So I doubt that you and your stupid little friends can do anything to stop me and my mom! So I thought that warning I gave you was enough to let you know who is the real princess here!"

"The name is Twilight Sparkle! And I'm not afraid of you! Nor are any of my friends!"

"That's right, Twi! We ain't frightened of you! You're nothing but a spoiled little brat! Why don't you and your big ego get out of here! You're not welcomed here!" Applejack shouted with the others giving whoops of encouragement. They all had a serious look to them and seemed to show no fear.

"Yeah, you big meany! Leave poor Princey boy alone! You are just a stupid party-pooper! There's no room for your meany ways here!"

"Well, said, Pinkie Pie!" complimented Rainbow Dash as she threw a big golden apple at the dark princess and knocked her tiara off a bit. Laughing gleefully she did a figure eight and gathered more ammo just in case things got worse. She also dropped some of the ammo to the other ponies so she'd have some backup.

"You are totally spoiled and ill-mannered! You're not a princess or a lady! You're just a self-absorbed diva! At least our princess Twilight has manners and a heart! Something you've neither of! You only care about yourself and that makes you one of the most selfish ponies I've ever met!"

"The way you've tainted the beauty of the Crystal Forest and killed all the sweet innocent animals is sick and wrong! The way you try to snuff out the hope and faith of children is equally wrong! I almost never speak ill of anypony, nonetheless I must say you're one of the wickedest ponies I've encountered ever. So we cannot forgive you for your crimes!"

"Leave now, Princess Jadis, you as well as your evil spirits no welcome here! You're not welcome at all!" Helena commanded sternly as she aimed an arrow at the eclipse pendent she wore around her neck. Helena being half centaur was an excellent archer. That went without saying. Still they worried that this standoff would be more then anyone could handle.

All this time Princess Jadis didn't so much bat an eyelash. She merely gave the group an uninterested look. Unmistakably the way those glowing jade green eyes looked at them, she didn't find any of the Mane Six a threat to her power. Still she looked right at Twilight and it was loathing in her eyes. The two Alicorns just had a staring match for a few minutes which Jadis lost at. She finally spoke to them but it seemed she was more addressing Twilight and Fledge then others. Glaring hatefully at the Princess she spat once before speaking.

"You might think you all posses a power greater then my magic, but I'm here to tell you the truth. The truth is the coming battle will not end in your victory. There is nothing you ponies can do to stop my mother and me from winning this war. Therefore I'd recommend all of you to go back home and await your fate there. For once we annihilate the last of the dreamers, then the Crystal will die, and the only way you'll live, Prince Fledge, is if you marry me! So just so you know when the eclipse comes in three days time, it will be end of the Era of Dreamers, and the Beginning of the Era of Nightmares. So I hope you little ponies enjoy what time you've left! For come sunrise in three days time will be the Black Sun! And with the Dawn of Black Sun shall begin the new reign of Queen Jadis and King Fledge! So get use to it!" she spoke in a malicious tone with each word she said dripping with her out-of-control ego.

It was at this time that the Mane Six and the rest of them had enough. Several pieces of fruit were thrown as hard as possible at the evil Princess. Spike bellowed some flames at her, and Helena launched many golden crystal tipped arrows at her. Twilight sent a magical blast of energy at her and wasn't holding back at all. Only the Prince didn't fire off any magic. When all the dust and ashes of the magical assault had faded away they saw to their sorrow that Princess Jadis hadn't even gotten so much as her mascara running. She just laughed once more her wicked laugh. "I'm merely amused at your lack of power. Nothing can hurt me! Still it was a funny try. Now I'm leaving but I shall return on the Day of Black Sun and then this war will finally end in my favor and I shall be Queen of the Universe!" with a gloating smile she flew back to her own domain and the rest of them just fired off another round of ammo.

"She's so full of herself! I've never seen such selfishness!"

"Yeah, I'm surprised that they've got a tiara big enough to fit on that big ego head of hers!"

"Yeah, she's an absolutely bully and sourpuss!"

"Even the animals would agree with you on that one!"

"I reckon she's never got the butt whooping she needed as a child!"

"I totally agree with all of you! I cannot believe she called me a fat stupid dragon! I'm plenty smart!"

At the same time as all her friends continued to talk Twilight flew back down to Fledge's side and looked at him concerningly. He did look a bit shaken by Princess Jadis words and she remembered how he'd faded and weak he'd been when a pony had given up on their dreams. So this Plague of Disbelief and the evil nightmare ponies had to be stopped!

"You gonna be alright, Fledge? Is there anything we can do to stop this? We've got three days left to help tip the odds in our favor. What are we gonna do? What needs to be done to stop the Black Sun? What is Black Sun, anyway?"

"The Day of Black Sun, my princess, is another way of saying a solar eclipse is coming. Solar and Lunar Eclipse are very deadly days in this world. For it's the only time when night and day are one and it makes the dreamers their most vulnerable. We must figure out how to stop them or this Day of Black Sun will only issue in the Dawn of Nightmares. My Prince? What do you want us to do?" inquired Helena as she led the others back into the palace.

"We prepare for the worst and hope for the best. I don't know how this battle is gonna end. But I refuse to believe that Jadis and Belladonna will win the day! We'll figure something out! We got to! Or it will be the end of everything!"

The Mane Six nodded and looked at each other hoping that they did have a power great enough to defeat this evil.