A/N: Well, another chapter uploaded.
Not much is going on with me, but I have been taking anti-biotics. It was confirmed some time ago that I have pneumonia. I at first thought it was just a cough and fever, but I didn't think it would be that bad. Other than that, just going through a big Kingdom Hearts phase and I am eager to get into playing KH3. I still need to start playing Red Dead Redemption 2 as well.
Anyways, enjoy the chapter.
Brayden's POV
Earlier...
Night. It's so quiet, yet feels beautiful every night when the skies are clear. Aunt Luna's moon was hanging above in the sky once again like every time of night that it came, and it was a full moon to my own happiness.
I was lying there in bed next to Twilight, her head gently resting on top of my chest, watching her head go up and down each time I took a breath in and out. Her eyes are closed as are her wings, so I can tell that she is asleep safe and sound. My left hand has been holding onto her right front hoof since we have started to relax after a long yet busy day.
What were me and her doing together? Well, we had started on shopping for groceries and bringing them back to the castle. Following that was reading a book together, heading out of the castle for dinner at the Pale Horse in Ponyville and then heading back and taking an opportunity to lie down together and relax. No worries, we didn't even skip out on either breakfast or lunch, as both those we had at the castle.
Spike, I can tell is asleep in his little bed near us in the same room, snoring quietly to himself, but thankfully not loud enough to wake up Twilight. For Starlight, I am very unsure though as I know she is either asleep or taking up a few studies at the desk in her room.
The music player that was set up at the night stand was quietly playing at a low volume that I had set earlier for me and Twi. At this point, any music was better than nothing at all. I'm trying to get some rest, but am unable to. Pretty sure I'm not feeling tired quite so soon, especially after having that coffee this morning so the effects are still kicking a bit.
Trying not to wake up Twilight or Spike, I slowly begin to move myself off the bed starting with my legs. My chest I moved way more slower because Twilight was resting on top, letting it slowly go down onto the bed cushion as I motioned quietly like a lizard or a sloth when they move. A bit of struggle, especially with the blanket but I eventually got up onto my two feet.
I figure some time reading a book in the library will help bring some some weariness from the day to me.
Almost forgetting about Twilight lying there, I turn down, kneeling down a little bit as the smile remained on her face as she slept. "I'll be back soon Twi." I whispered to her as I move forward, gently placing my lips onto her forehead and giving her a kiss.
Once I have released the kiss, I turn around and make my way out from the bedroom. I made sure to be as quiet as I could when I was heading out and going down the hallway to the stairs as the library was on the first floor, a big upgrade from the last time the castle looked. I mean when it first appeared, everything was on the top floor and the first was the spiral staircase that led to the top floor. Thank Celestia for the renovations.
Music from the bedroom was fading away the further I went when my feet are stepping down the stairs. I can hear the sounds of the crickets at night-time still audible, but it isn't as silent.
Everypony today was quite happy to see me today along with Twilight, as every one of my close friends was enjoying their day as well. Alex was there in the early afternoon as I was passing along Sweet Apple Acres and Applejack seemed rather happy to help me and Twilight with packing up some apples for us as part of our groceries. I did see Ann for a bit when stopping at the Carousel Boutique quickly as the white unicorn really needed a book for a certain kind of fashion. Ann was busy with her, but said to me that when I wasn't busy, that me and her should go have some time together which I agreed to.
I step down onto the first floor, my bare feet feeling the crystalline tiles below and my eyes focused on the library to the right near the front doors.
Hmmm... perhaps a read of Starswirl's book of studying the mysteries of Equestrian items will actually help out a bit. I know there have been details about the Song of Order from that book, so I will enjoy getting down into more of its lost history - though the blade most likely believes it has more information from itself than a book, same with Arryl.
The Song of Order is floating there by itself as I step into the library, humming peacefully to itself when I head towards the shelf of magic history and begin to place my figer on the sides of the books, looking for that title.
"Trouble sleeping again Brayden?" The blade's voice spoke to me, making me jump a little which in turn made my head bang onto the top of a shelf's section.
"Ow..." I said, rubbing my head a bit and groaning. I turn and look at the blade, saying "Caught me off-guard again and out of nowhere. I thought it was resting time for you."
"As long as the threat of the Dragon Queen and the Blood Dragons remain, I cannot truely rest peacefully," The Song of Order responds to me, after having chuckled a bit. "Why are you up?"
"It's what you said. Trouble sleeping."
"I figured, but other than that, you keep delaying on your further training for any kind of reason when you could make yourself stronger to stand against the Dragon Queen. Why?" The blade asked as I grip onto the right book and slip it out to read.
"It's personal matters and friendly get-togethers," I respond to its question. "Is there something wrong with that?"
"Nothing is wrong with that," It says to me. "If any, it gives you strength to your Equestrian blood and brings you closer to being that of the species that saved you."
I sat down at the table as its voice goes silent once again, letting myself flip through the pages to get a lead on more information that I know not of, through the words of the all-powerful yet legendary unicorn Starswirl.
"From the looks of the Song of Order, its power is said to have communication for that who takes its mantle. It is as if the voice from inside had spoken to the wielder and had asked him to protect all of the pre-Equestria isle that not even I had seen.
The Song of Order though in its algorithm doesn't seem to aslways communicate with its wielder, but I have discovered from time to time that is in theory... inside the blade itself was said to be that of a lost spirit that once was an alicorn on the lost isle which stays in touch with the higher-ups in the heavens including that of possibly the first Alicorn."
A lost spirit? Well, there is the voice inside of the blade that speaks with me. But in coordination with the heavens? I couldn't quite picture that.
My eyes turned towards the blade that floated there in place that it had been since the last time I spoke with the voice inside. It looks to be quite calm from the way I was looking at it with quite a curious expression on my face. There is the sound of its soft humming, that neither Twilight nor Spike seemed very distracted by when it came to their reading because there was always a different tone that changed after a bit.
I turn back towards the book and continue to read the olden wizard's words.
"Even I have not a clue what the First Alicorn herself looks like, but am very certain that it is not her, but the alicorns from that heaviside layer that gives power to the blade and chooses the mantle for its user when it feels ready for such one. The shining inscription on the silver blade, claims 'A singer with a golden soul'. The last user was only able to handle the mantle in order to stop the Dragon Queen in that incarnation before being driven mad. But it baffles me... why a singer?
From what is also aware, I do have a feeling from what the fellow who told me the legend behind it, has also acknowledged that three other Songs for the users exist. Nature, Aqua and Earth. There was a fourth, Flames... but it had fallen to the darkness and hadn't been found. In my journey around Equus, never have I seen the Songs nor any proof of their existence."
There are others just like the Song of Order? Having talked to the blade, it has never told me anything about the other Songs if they existed and while it would be interesting to see if it knew more back then... it would probably change the topic on the situation.
Takeo? No... couldn't really see him being a wielder or user for any of those songs. Alex seems a little immature, but I can't really see him being chosen to be one of the Song bearers at the moment. Maybe Ann... I can kind of see her gripping a bit onto the Song of Nature and if she were the one, I would be happy to give one of my loves training for fighting those that threaten.
"What is on your mind?" The Song of Order's voice spoke out to me.
I turn towards the blade, now with the question in mind. "I've been reading a bit here on a bit of Starswirl's thoughts for you. There's been a mention that there are other blades like you with one different power for each."
"Yes, those do exist, but they had disappeared long before I had been created," He responded to me with surprise in the tone of its voice. "Legend had told me from if they did exist in these present times, their bearers would be that of human as well. But when the bearers are finally formed... upon meeting us, it would be that of a team. A team with no leader which is what the First Alicorn intended."
"Why would she intend that there be no leader? There should always be one to lead the group in signs of trouble."
"Worry that the leader would turn their back and betray like millions of years ago," The blade responded to my question. "That is why it is a team with no leader. Such power together though can attract one of the greatest threats to all of Equus if there was such unification, breaking his seal and freeing him."
"Who would it be?" I asked. "If he is sealed, then whoever it is shouldn't be a problem. Is it Tirek?"
"Thankfully not, but someone much worse. I cannot look forward into the future, but it is said that should the Songs unite together, the dark necromancer himself would be released from his millennium prison and begin the reign to re-create the dark empire and seek out the Songs to use for his dark plans."
"Dark necromancer..." I questioned. A certain ram did come into mind... Grogar. No... probably not. That was around Generation 1, and even I didn't watch that part having been too busy watching the current generation which I happen to live in.
"He seeks the blades, so that he use his dark magic to combine them all together and form one blade all together. That blade would then be used to grant him strength to be unmatchable for any foe he faces, and would allow him to achieve such dreams. However, with no Song of Flames, that dream of his and the nightmare for all here can never be achieved."
"What is the blade he wants to created, called?" More curiosity came to me the more I asked.
"This blade he seeks to mend together from the other Songs would create a dark silver blade known as the Aria of-"
There is the sound of knocking at the front door outside from the library that had cut him off and got my attention. There is a brief pause, and then the knocking starts again. I got up out of the chair, grabbing the Song of Order which is humming more loudly to give me caution in case it was a foe or someone working for Rebecca.
I move out from the library and in the hallway, kept close to the front door, waiting for them to get burst open by a blood dragon of some sort, ready to chomp at me, Twilight or my other two friends in here. Silence at first, and then there is another set of knocking.
I opened up the door, sliding the blade behind my back and seeing a close friend that I had recognized standing there at the steps with such a saddened expression on her face and the Stetson hat on her yellow mane. Applejack.
"Applejack," I acknowledged her, relieved that it wasn't an enemy trying anything in the middle of the night. "Wha- What are you doing here at this time of night? Is everything okay?"
"Ah... Ah had ta come," She says to me, her green eyes looking up at my brown eyes. "Ah've been thinkin' 'bout somethin', and Ah was wonderin' if ya... ya know, could spend time with me, ta what Ah'm thinkin'."
"Sure AJ," I step outside, closing the front door behind me quietly. "What's bothering you?"
"Ah..." She seemed rather nervous about something. "Can we take a walk to the Everfree Forest?"
"But it's dangerous at that time of night," I said to her, knowing the dangers of when it came to that forest, especially when it came to the timberwolves. "Why would you want to go there?"
"Ah know, it's dangerous," Applejack responded to my concern. "There's a safe route though, walk alongside me and Ah'll show ya the theater."
She was acting a little differently, like she was nervous about telling me something. I know that she doesn't have feelings of love for me, because if she did I would have already seen that kind of nervousness. This kind of nervousness seemed a bit off though.
I head down the steps of the castle front next to her, walking beside her as she begins to direct me down the path into the quiet town, where everypony is asleep and with the time at hoof... I am very certain that the only two locations left open are the Sugarcube Corner and the Ponyville Hospital.
The hospital though? It's always open and has to be. There could be a case where somepony got hurt or had some kind of illness that only they could treat. Still, everypony there does their job really good and they should be proud for being there to save lives.
Going through Ponyville was as I thought it would be, as quiet as ever. Every light in the homes and shops were turned off, everypony in their beds and having sweet dreams with one or few having a nightmare that my aunt Luna could interfere in and help them. The fountain near the town hall still ran as it always did, with only one light turned on at the Sugarcube Corner's second floor.
We left town soon enough and went on the trail in the direction towards the Everfree Forest. The cottage of my closest friend Fluttershy was there, though all the lights look to be turned off. I can assume that she is already asleep, so I don't to abruptly step up and wake her up from some good beauty sleep. No time either, because Applejack really needed me to follow her.
Applejack over the length of our current walk seems to have the expression on her face slowly start to change from being nervous. As of the moment, she doesn't look so nervous anymore. It seems more... guilty. It was as if she was going to do something that she did not want to do.
But it probably isn't the case. I know that my close friend would never want to bring harm to me or even betray me.
"This trail will bring us there." She says to me, directing me to the right sided trail instead of just straight ahead.
Her face started to change to becoming more guilty of what she was doing. She isn't going to bring me to a herd of timberwolves to scare me, is she? No... she wouldn't do that, though she does joke around a bit with Rainbow Dash when it comes to scary stuff. I'm very certain that Dash knows how to scare much worse.
The edge of the Everfree Forest was a few footsteps away, and it gave me memories itself of when I had first stepped into here when I was running away. I didn't expect myself to walk into timberwolves, and I thought I was going to die then, especially after the scratch. The moments where Twilight flew in desperation with me in her hooves, knowing that I would have died if it weren't for the Aloe Vera.
Inside the forest, the moonlight crept through the branches, giving little to see through when it came to the vines and the roots of the olden trees sticking out from the ground, loose over time from no care given. My bare feet kept on the dirt trail, Applejack growing even more guilty.
The walking continued for some time, and we did end up passing a stone pillar that covered in moss, was enough to decipher that we were approaching the lost theater in the forest. With how dark it was here, and the moonlight dim with all of the branches and leaves above, I thought for certain that we were going somewhere creepy.
Finally when the outer walls of the crumbling theater came into view, a lot more moonlight shining around it, I can hear a frustrated groan coming from my close friend who I knew would eventually no longer handle the guilt she was feeling.
"For the love of Celestia, Ah can't take it no more!" Applejack says to me, her volume almost sounding like a yell.
"What's wrong AJ?" I bent down on one knee, taking her hoof and speaking to her with a calm, quiet voice. "Is something frustrating you? You don't have to keep it in."
"Ah... Ah... Ah brought ya here 'cause..." She almost sounded like she didn't want to get out the rest of the words.
"Did something happen?" I asked her.
She sighed for a moment. "It... It was yer past friend Rebecca. She forced me to bring ya here. Ah know Ah didn't mean ta." She explained to me.
"Why? What happened?!" The tone in my voice began to change to sound a lot more alarmed with Rebecca's name mentioned.
"She came to mah farm. Was threatenin' mah sister Apple Bloom. She wanted me to... to bring ya here, so she could capture ya as her prisoner to kill. Ah didn't want to! The threats made me bring ya here! Ah'm so sorry Brayden!"
I was quick to get up on the both of my legs, running down the path and shortly along the theater's outer walls, coming upon stairs that I ran down from. I would fly down, but I am saving the strength of my wings. I turn to the left, running past some columns underneath until I had entered the area under the bright moon with a surprise slightly to my left that made me gasp.
It was Rebecca herself with her blades out and ready. Apple Bloom was right there with her, the blades right at her neck ready if I tried anything. The young filly looks absolutely scared out of her mind, and my heart was in a panic while I grew angry over this.
"Well Brayden, I mean 'old friend'," She greeted me with a mix of fury and sarcasm in her voice. "It's good to see that you have come just in time and that apple pony brought you here as she would. I knew she would be quite an asset to let you face me again."
"Don't hurt her!" I warned Rebecca, seeing Apple Bloom struggling a bit with Rebecca gripping her. I hear the sound of hooves right behind me as it was Applejack there.
Rebecca chuckled to herself, setting the blades down from the young filly's neck and allowing her to go free. "Of course, this was only but a diversion to bring you here to me."
"By threatening to kill a filly?!" Rage in my voice began to grow.
"Cool down there, hothead," She responded to me. "You're quite one to set off... kind of like me. If you thought I was easy to piss off, you're only second best when it comes to that."
"Enough!" I said to her. "First you threaten friends, and then you force them into bringing me here in a betrayal?! You have gone too far with trying to bring harm to my friends."
"Of course, once I am done with you, I'll dispose these two and carry out the slaughter with my blood dragons," She says to me, the fire in her blades visible. "Where is that pathetic princess of yours? You know, Twilight Twinkle..."
"It's Twilight Sparkle!" I corrected her.
"Whatever," She drove that topic away. "My plans for Equestria are long overdue, and it's to get going with it. Chop-chop." She smiled cruelly.
I take the Song of Order off from my back and begin to wield it. "The only thing that's happening is that I'm going to take you on right here, and stop you!" I allow the blade to give me strength and power, giving me the etheral armor around me. "Right now, you are trespassing on Equestria soil!"
"Trespassing?" She acted mildly scared for a moment. "Ooooooh my, I didn't know there was such a rule that you created!"
I hold onto the blade in a battle stance, ready for her first move whenever she was ready. "I'm going to make you wish you never brought harm or did what you have done!" I shouted at her, my teeth gritting.
"By making your close friend there betray you? It was quite an honor!" She teased me.
"Brayden..." I can hear Applejack behind me, Apple Bloom hugging her for her own safety. "Ah'm really sorry..."
"Keep quiet, AJ," I responded to her when I turned to look at her, distracted by Rebecca's appearance. "We will talk about this afterwards."
My close friend looked really ashamed of herself for what she did, her ears flopping and lowering her head while hugging her younger sister. I turn around to face Rebecca again, the blade singing loudly and power drawn throughout it.
"You can make your first move, Paladin," She teases me again. "I won't relent!"
"GRRRAAAHHHHH!" I yelled and run straight towards her, standing there and thrusting forward at her, in hopes that I will strike her in her own heart of hatred. With the smile on her face, I can tell that she was just ready for a taste of my own blood.
Her blades clashed with my own, catching it just in time and then using the force of her strength to push me back, making me fall backwards onto the stone ground.
She laughed for that moment. "Talk about being just a hothead as me," She said to me. "You are still weak from the last time that we fought. Best part is, there isn't any rain to save you this time!"
I can see her throat beginning to glow orange as she prepares to breath fire directly at me. I crawled backwards, and got up just in time, leaping behind a pillar when she had opened her mouth and unleashed a load of fire directly towards my path.
Ducked behind the pillar, I watch as the fire draws around and flies right past me, much bigger than that last time in the rain as it wasn't as powerful. The flames were beginning to die down, and when I looked at my own hand, I remembered that the Song of Order was providing me magic.
I jumped forward out from the pillar, making a forward roll and then turning to fire a burst of magic directly at Rebecca. The magic had hit her, and she stumbled backwards for a few seconds before she finally had a look of rage on her face. I knew that I had really pissed her off now, and she was ready to attack.
(Play Kingdom Hearts II OST - Tension Rising)
I opened my wings and flew directly towards her, clashing my blade directly with the both of hers. She begins to swing directly at me with hers, once again clashing with my own blade again. By the look of her hands, she was beginning to charge up an offensive magic attack.
She jumps backwards, releasing a fireball from her hand gripping the left katana and letting it fly into the nearby tall pillar to fall towards us. I nearly jumped out of the way, the pillar collapsing and rising up dust into the air. I had been caught a bit and was flung to the side where I slowly began to get up, a little bruised on my leg.
I used my free hand, flying upwards into the air, allowing myself to fire another burst of magic towards her. She manages to dodge it this time, flying upwards towards me, clashing blades with me again. Thank Celestia that there is no lightning this time, or she would have given me a great shock again.
With the clashing, I grabbed onto her and tried to headbutt her in the face but ended up missing. She manages to punch me in the chest and grip me, flying downwards to smack me onto the stone floor below.
My wings opened up and built up strength to push her back and allow me to get back in control again, hopping onto the top of a pillar. She jumps up onto the same pillar as me, giving me a cut across my right leg, leaving a cut for a bit of blood to crawl out from, but left a bit of a burn from the blades behind enchanted and made of hellfire. I grit my teeth and swing directly at her again, cutting her left arm, but not enough strength to sever it off.
Feeling pain from the Song of Order's cut on her, she growls and throws her hand towards me, casting another spell to push me off from the pillar. I fall, but I am quick to land on my own feet.
She uses her magic on the pillar and it begins to knock down towards other pillars. She flies upwards, using another spell to bring down a huge orange ball of fire directly towards me. I roll out of the way, tripping over a small pillar before the fireball could hit the ground on impact.
Flames rose up from where the fireball impacted, and I use my hand, firing a beam of magic directly towards her, knocking her back and leaving a burn mark on her right hand. She dives downwards, slamming into the ground with an impact and running towards me.
I brought the Song of Order towards her, her blades catching it before impact and throwing me back again. I was quick to my feet though, hopping over her head and then using a timed magic spell to attach the orb of magic to her.
"Boom!" I shouted at her, flipping her the bird before using the blade's magic to teleport to the stage.
The orb exploded on her, but still she stood and wasn't going down without a fight. With her wings and magic, she leapt upwards into the air, headed towards me. I hop upwards towards her, catching her and slamming her down to the stone floor.
Her fist punched me across the face, and with a burst of adrenaline, my wings flap and drag her along the stone ground, creating a path of the damage. She finally threw me off of her, getting up and clashing with my blade once again with hers.
I can feel her slamming against the blade, until I kept her in a lock between our blades. Sparks were flying off from the sides of the blades in out struggle as my teeth are gritted and so are hers.
"Give up," She says to me. "I will have them wiped out and there's nothing you can do!"
"There's always... a way." I said to her, being pushed backwards and being released from the lock.
With her intentions, she begins to approach, ready to stab me. My hand came forward and brought forward a large burst of magic that probably Canterlot would notice at this time of night. She was knocked down from the sudden attack, but gets up on her feet as I fly upwards into the air.
Taking a piece of rock, she lit it on fire, flinging it towards me. I gasped when seeing it come towards me, but am too late to dodge in time as it hits me, scorching me with quite a nasty burn, falling to the stone ground. I can see Rebecca bringing to approach with the hopes of ending me.
"NO!" I can hear Applejack screaming when she raised her katanas, ready to kill me. Rebecca was interrupted when I can see the gamboge colored pony jump forward, gripping onto her. "AH WON'T LET YA HURT HIM!"
"GET OFF!" Rebecca shouts at her, tossing her to the side. I can only watch as Applejack's back slams into the stone pillar nearby, falling to the ground.
"APPLEJACK!" Apple Bloom was heard after I saw Applejack lying there, bruised from the toss. I can hear her hooves gallop over to her, trying to let her get up.
I turned my head just in time to see Rebecca raising her katanas and used my blade to block them from killing me. With my legs, I kicked her off from me and jump back onto the both of my feet.
"You hurt my friend!" I yelled at her, charging at her and clashing with her blades once again.
"She was a fool to try to interfere with our fight!" She responded to me before swinging once again.
I block her attacks once again, firing a beam of magic at her. I ended up missing unfortunately, as I can see a hole behind the stage, a clean circle made from the damage.
She laughs. "You missed me." She teased.
I raise my hand to the sky and close my hand letting the magic charge. A few moments pass, and I brought my hand forward, releasing a large burst of magic glowing in blue. She was knocked back again, taking cover behind a pillar.
I finish the spell and notice that she is gone. "REBECCA, FACE ME COWARD!" I shouted out loud for her to stop hiding and come out.
A force knocked me onto the ground, dragging me across the stone floor. I can tell that it was her, not giving up. After being dragged through rock, she throws me against a pillar, my back slamming into the grey stone.
I fell off from the pillar, lying there for a moment and slowly beginning to get up. Rebecca walks upwards, the fire present from her katanas as those evil hazel green eyes stare at me, and all I can do is pant to stare right back.
"Awww, is the so-called Paladin starting to get tired?" She teases me again before beginning to mock me by pretending to cry and pretend to be me "Twilight, she gave me a boo-boo!"
What she didn't expect from her teasing was that of a beam of magic firing downwards from the sky above. I wasn't the one who sent it down towards her, because I was standing right in front of her, though my magic was prepared for fighting back. She turns around, looking up as well as I do.
It's Nightmare Moon, one of my loves.
The black alicorn stares down at Rebecca, with quite an angry glare when she saw me battling her with the pendulum swung in her favor of the fight. The black alicorn fires another bolt of magic directly at her, knocking her back.
"Nopony is going to hurt my Brayden!" Nightmare shouted at her, flying down to the stone ground with a slam.
Rebecca growls for a moment, but then turns briefly at me and then back. "Well, I didn't know that the Paladin here loves both Princess Twinkle and Darky Darkness."
Nightmare took great offense to that, clashing her horn with her blades. "NOBODY MOCKS ME! HOW DARE YOU MOCK ME!" She practically shouted at her in the struggle.
"Kind of like how you're supposed to be a princess?" She teased again, to provoke her into an attack.
"DO NOT CALL ME A PRINCESS!" Nightmare screams, clashing at her with every chance she could, hopping backwards to cast lightning onto her.
She was knocked back, and I was given strength to get back into the fight and slash forwards at her. This time, I was able to deliver a cut across Rebecca's cheek. She screamed out a bit from the unexpected pain, turning around with her blades clashing with both me and Nightmare working together.
"Why did you come?!" I asked her, trying not to get stabbed or cut.
"I came to help you! To protect you!" Nightmare says to me, ducking when a katana swung at her.
I jumped backwards, firing a bolt of magic from my hand at Rebecca, knocking her onto the ground. I leapt upwards and then down, entering another lock with her as her blades came forward, blocking my attack.
She laughed in the lock. "Do you actually think that stopping me will complete anything? There are always others that will take my place as long as this pendant around my neck is still glowing."
"Then I'll stop them too!" I shouted back at her, pushing harder with the Song of Order until her grip had loosened.
She has other tricks up her sleeve though as she used one of her magic spells to send me flying backwards. I can hear Nightmare gasp with worry in her heart, turning to face Rebecca, galloping towards her as she was getting up, locking her horn with her blades.
"You really are that aggressive, pony princess!" Rebecca commented to her, using the handle of one of her katanas to grip onto her, headbutting my love in her face.
Nightmare was knocked back from the headbutt, and I figured that she must have a real headache from that. Nevertheless, I get up and run towards the fight. Only thing that Rebecca did was cast a fire spell to the ground in front of me, creating a fire shield around me so I cannot interfere.
Another charge at the Dragon Queen with her horn, she used her magic to strike her in the face that Rebecca had gripped onto, reflecting the beam towards the alicorn. A hop and then downwards on top of her, knocked the human to the ground, with Nightmare repeatedly pounding her to the stones below.
Being pounded into the ground, Rebecca grips onto the hooves of Nightmare, throwing her off of her and jumping backwards from her position onto her feet. Another lightning spell was directed at her, but this time Rebecca caught it, casting it right back at her and electrocuting the alicorn.
Nightmare was knocked back greatly, but still has some courage to fire a few bursts of magic at the charging Dragon Queen. Rebecca gets hit with each burst of magic, stumbling a bit, but isn't swayed or knocked down as the blade came forward, creating a cut across the alicorn's coat.
When Nightmare had screamed from the pain, and her injury now bleeding, I wanted to get loose from the shield spell and fight back, but it was no use. Nightmare, despite the pain, hobbled for a moment and then galloped towards her, clashing her horn again. She began to strike at the katanas over and over, being blocked every time.
A moment of weakness crossed onto Nightmare, and I can see the cruel smile on Rebecca's face again as she slashes at her, swinging the blade at her and missing, but not stopping from moving forward. A shield was created by Nightmare, but it was torn by Rebecca's own magic destroying it.
A few more clashes and I can feel something is wrong with how Nightmare was struggling against her. Rebecca uses the handle of her right katana across her face, knocking her back against the small wall. A few more punches across, and Nightmare finally released a burst of magic, slamming it into Rebecca's face.
Rebecca now looked enraged from the magic attack, growling. "You will pay for that." She said to her, letting me watch as she knocks her backwards once more and then I can only experience horror and great panic in my heart when I had to experience what had just happened before my own eyes. Rebecca brought her katanas forward, driving them straight into Nightmare in the gut.
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" I absolutely screamed out in absolute panic and fear from seeing what Rebecca had done to one of my loves, and one of the most important ones.
The fire shield around me went down, and still with the Song of Order, I didn't go straight towards Nightmare who had been stabbed, had collapsed to the stone floor, her blood seeping out quickly from the blades and being spread out. I approached her, kneeling down towards her, my heart beating faster than ever before.
"NO! NIGHTMARE!" I screamed out, seeing that Nightmare was struggling to stay awake but looked to be drifting in and out of consciousness.
"Brayden... I..." She tries to speak, but is very exhausted and weak, exhaling weakened breaths.
"And this is how the Paladin acts when one of his mares he loves is in mortal danger." She mocked me.
I growl and jump towards Rebecca with a scream, using all of my anger that has now grown inside, clashing with her katanas over and over. I wanted to kill her, that's what my mind was telling me for the first time ever. She hurt somepony important to me, and I wasn't going to let do so.
"YOU BITCH! FUCK YOU!" I was absolutely losing my mind, unable to think of anything else but trying to stab Rebecca in the gut over and over until she was gone. "I'M GOING TO FUCKING KILL YOU!"
She reacted though, using one of her katanas to slice a cut across my leg, then punching me in the face and knocking me down to the ground. I had dropped the Song of Order, and was without magic, but I got up weaponless, running at her and trying to punch or kick her.
All that happened was her sending a burst of fire magic and sending me to the wall of stone behind me, knocking me onto the floor, lying on my stomach. I groaned for a moment, struggling to get up. She was right in front of me though, kicking me down onto the stone tiles again.
"You really did try..." She says to me, her katanas pointed at me, even as my own mouth began to spit out blood.
"Fuck you..." I managed to get out, turning on my side to cough out more blood in the struggle.
She kicks me again, but on my side. I was knocked back onto the floor, and struggled to get up but could find myself falling back down. The Song of Order is right there across behind Rebecca, but I am too weak to fight back, even without me gripping onto it.
Another kick sends me on my back looking up at Rebecca. "It's really a shame. You really did try to kill me. Your alicorn friend there was reckless to try and do the same, but I just wanted you to watch me take away one of those in your heart."
"You could never... understand love..." I said to her.
"That's the point," She tells me with her katanas pointed at me. "I don't need love. Now... let's get this over with."
She raised her katanas, ready to stab me. Nopony is there to save me, and Nightmare is already lying there, bleeding away from what Rebecca did to her. Applejack is knocked out, and Apple Bloom is there, trying to help her. I close my eyes, knowing that I will most likely die here with all the help I know nowhere in sight... or gone from this moment.
I wasn't ready... until there is the sound of a whoosh, followed by the katanas clashing onto the stone.
I opened up my eyes, and I could see myself flying from above the ground. I turn around to see who my savior was and I knew I had recognized the cyan colored hooves and coat, as well as the rainbow colored mane and rose colored eyes.
It was Rainbow Dash.
"You seriously want to kill my best friend?" She said to the now enraged Rebecca below. "That's not happening today."
Rebecca sheathed her katanas, taking a step forward to point at her. "How dare you save him, pathetic pony! He's the only thing that stands in my way from harvesting Equestria!"
"Harvest or not, nopony hurts my friend!" She shouted back bravely at her. "From what I know, Brayden is the most important to keep alive. He's a better human than you're ever going to be!"
"Rainbow Dash... the human word." I reminded her.
She chuckles for a moment. "Sorry." She was quick to apologize.
Rebecca's wings open up. "Then this fight will be for the next time, and I swear to you that when it happens, there will be bloodshed." She says to her in a warning, flapping her wings and taking off into the night.
"Yeah, scram away!" She called back bravely to her.
Her wings were flapping, and I can feel myself heading down onto the stone tiles, placed gently onto them. The sound of her hooves land on them as well and she turns around me to look at her with those worried eyes of hers.
"Are you okay Brayden?" She asked me. "You really had me startled."
The only thing I could really do was glance at those eyes and then throw myself forward at her, wrapping my arms around the pegasus. I was hugging her like no tomorrow and I owed myself a lot to her for saving my life. Rainbow seemed quite surprised to see that I hugged her, but wrapped her hooves around me to share the hug. A few seconds after, both of us release from the hug.
"How did you know that I was in trouble?" I asked her.
"I could see you and Applejack trotting outside, entering the Everfree Forest. I followed along, and I didn't want to interfere in the fight. I... didn't want to be killed either."
I can hear a groan from down the theater close to the stage. Applejack was slowly starting to get back up onto all her four hooves. "That was way too much tryin' to stop her." She let out.
"Applejack! Yer alright!" Apple Bloom said cheerfully when she saw her sister get up.
"Well, not really... Ah committed betrayal..." She sounded let down, remembering that she brought me to the Everfree Forest.
I turned and saw Nightmare lying there against the wall, still bleeding away and breathing weakly. I slowly get up onto my feet, stumbling over towards her. "Nightmare... Nightmare!" I called to her, trying to keep her in conscious.
(Play Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 ReMIX OST - Kairi)
"Br- Brayden?" Her cyan cat eyes looked at me, asking weakly.
"Everything is going to be okay Nightmare," I said to her, my heart still in panic. "We'll patch you up, and you'll be fine in the-"
I stopped when Nightmare exhales another breath, flopping her head onto the ground and lying there, though she is still breathing, but raspily.
"N-NO!" I shouted out loud, tears starting to pour from my eyes. I knew she was still breathing, but I had to do something about it and fast.
"What are you going to do?" Rainbow asked curiously.
I placed my arms around Nightmare and began to carry the heavy alicorn in my arms. "I- I need to get her to the hospital! I have to save her!"
"Brayden, the stab wounds... you might be-"
"No! I can save her!" I shouted at her, only caring about Nightmare being alive as of the moment.
Carrying Nightmare and holding her close in my arms, I started to run out from the old theater, headed up the stairs and opening my wings. I take off into the skies with Rainbow staying behind to make sure Applejack was alright.
I was flapping my wings like there was no tomorrow. I was breathing a lot audibly with each flap that came to be, trying not to let go of Nightmare. Her eyes are opening a bit and then closing repeatedly. She was still alive, but I am greatly scared about what could happen to her.
"Brayden... it hurts..." She is telling me weakly.
I flew over the edge of the Everfree Forest, and over the valley when I began to make close approach to the Ponyville Hospital. Her breathing is getting even more raspier every thirty seconds I was taking to get there. I landed on my bare feet, running towards the hospital, and letting the doors open up with a few of the hospital staff looking rather surprised to see me as well as the possibly gravely injured Nightmare Moon.
"I need a doctor or nurse! Right now!" I said to all of the present staff in desperation from the sound of my voice.
"Oh my goodness! What happened?!" The closest nurse said as paramedics come running with a stretcher.
"PLEASE HELP HER!" I was shouting, trying to not cry at all for what had happened when I placed her on the stretcher.
"We'll do everything we can." The nurse said, wheeling the injured alicorn towards the emergency room. I stayed right alongside her, holding her black hoof.
"B-Brayden..." She weakly said to me.
By the time I got to the front of the emergency doors, I let go of her black hoof, allowing myself only to watch her go through for the doctors to do whatever they can while panic and great worry is filled in my emotions and heart.
Nightmare... please be okay.
An hour has passed and I can only sit there, waiting for an update or something in the waiting room. I had the feelings of frustration inside of me for allowing this to happen. If I hadn't had been so stupid to try to jump back into the fight, Nightmare would still be okay.
The nurses that weren't occupied with Nightmare or any other patient as of the moment were able to help me out with my own injuries. Didn't have to take any needles or anything, just being patched up from all of the cuts that I had received from Rebecca's katanas, though they were relieved that the cut on my leg wasn't too serious. Still, even with this pain patched up, the only thing they can't patch is inside.
The hospital's front doors open, and I turn my head to look and see who it is coming in. I could see that it was Twilight, my mother, aunt and my friends, except for Applejack. I figure she must have gone back to Sweet Apple Acres or is running late.
The expression on Twilight's face looked rather surprised, as she galloped right towards me with Fluttershy right behind her. I got up out from the seat, knowing that expression that quickly turned into a joyful relief and opened my arms a bit. Twilight hopped towards me, wrapping her hooves around me in a caress, with me holding her in the same way.
"I came as quickly as I could! I'm so glad you are okay!" Twilight says to me, almost sounding like she will cry tears of joy. "I should have been there, you wouldn't have got hurt!"
"You are more worth alive than hurt or dead to me, Twi." I said to her, sounding a little down.
"I was so worried, when I heard you were at the hospital. I thought she-" Fluttershy said to me in a concerned tone of voice.
I turned to look at her. "I am lucky to still be here..." I responded, still with my heart hurting inside.
"Brayden..." I can feel Twilight's soft hoof touch my cheek and turn my head towards her. "You sound a little sad. Is everything alright?"
"It's... it's Nightmare," I said to her. "It's all my fault that I let her get hurt..."
Celestia trots towards me. "It's not your fault, my son. You didn't know it would happen..."
"If I hadn't been so stupid with my actions, I wouldn't have followed Applejack and-"
"Actually," Rainbow Dash flew down from behind my mom. "We're relieved that you did follow her. I know you are thinking she wasn't herself, but you are the reason you saved her family and Apple Bloom."
"I have to thank you as well for saving my life. You were the only one to come when nopony else did." I said to her, a little smile beaming on my face.
From the expression on Rainbow Dash's face, I can tell that she really meant it, even when I haven't really hung out with her at the times I've been busy. But I knew that Rainbow Dash had something to say to me. Everypony else was quiet around, even when Twilight had released from the hug I embraced her with. I turned and faced Rainbow Dash, her cyan colored right front hoof touching the top of my left hand and looking at me. I knew she was going to say something to me when she opened her mouth.
"Brayden... I know you and I haven't really hung out, except for the times when Scootaloo is around. But inside here in my heart, I know inside that you are a best friend to me. When you put yourself in danger's way, I get worried and wanted to use my loyalty to help you. I was scared because you would have stopped me from trying to help, but I knew always inside that no matter what, I will always be there to protect you as a close friend should. From the moment that you shook my hoof, I knew there is good in you and that you would never hurt us. I'm grateful to have somepony like you in my life, and I will alway be loyal to help you no matter what. It's the bravery inside you that makes you special."
I felt very touched by the words that Rainbow Dash shared with me, and I know deep down inside with what little happiness I had at the moment from the sadness my heart was going through, I knew what I had to do. I motion my right arm around Rainbow Dash and she motions one hoof around me, as we embrace into a friendly, heartwarming hug together.
Inside, I can feel a bond inside of me...
Another spark had formed during the hug that I was sharing with Rainbow Dash. With her among other close friends in my heart, and just like earning it from my other friends, it was another in the creation. This spark inside shined in the colors of a rainbow, and felt true like all the other four sparks that I had in me. This spark was the Spark of Loyalty. It joins with all the other sparks, forming all but a final remaining to be found... the Spark of Magic.
After the last few moments, me and Rainbow Dash released from the hug. I still look a little sad from what has been going, but I manage to let out a small smile, sharing it with the rainbow maned pegasus in front of me. Somepony I now consider a close friend to me.
"I should have been there when I heard you leave the castle," Starlight says to me. "I wanted to be there so Twilight didn't have to worry."
"You didn't have to do that, Starlight." I said to her, knowing that she had let herself down.
"He's right," Twilight said to her. "It's none of our own faults. It was beyond our control and neither of us knew what was happening behind the scenes when the Dragon Queen held Apple Bloom hostage in front of Applejack."
"But... Nightmare..." I said, the sadness coming back to me.
Twilight comes forward, nuzzling my cheek and doing her best to comfort me. "I know. I'm so sorry about what happened. We hope she is okay." She tells me in a gentle voice.
She knew I was trying my hardest not to cry, as she had gently wrapped her wings and hooves around me in an embrace. I held her back in return, releasing a few tears from all the panic and fear in my heart that embraced sorrow. My eyes were closed, so everypony couldn't look at me. I knew they were there for me, but they have no idea how much I feel inside.
"My heart... it's paining with worry." I said to her.
"I know," She continues to talk to me in a gentle voice. "You really love her, and you would do anything to make sure she is okay and safe."
"We're all worried about her," Rarity says to me, placing her hoof on my left hand. "She's been doing so well now with society after being a lost soul for so long."
"Wait... the Song of Order." I realized about the blade.
Twilight brought her head away to look at me. "Don't worry. Rainbow Dash saw it lying there on the ground, humming to itself. She took it back over to the castle, so it's okay."
"Thank Celestia..." I was relieved a tiny bit to know that it wasn't left behind in the Everfree Forest.
I can hear the sound of hooves entering into the room from down the hallway where I had followed Nightmare to the emergency room doors. I turn around and let go of Twilight, seeing Doctor Stable standing there with a clipboard held in one hoof and looking down at it. He finally looks up and sees all of us.
"Brayden?" He calls out my name.
I approached towards him. "I'm here doctor," I said to him. "How is Nightmare? Please tell me she is alright."
"She's awake, and in a private room on the third floor. She only wants to see you, but I figured I would report to you on the injuries." The doctor tells me.
"Please... tell me. I need to know... please..." I sound absolutely defeated when asking him.
He places a hoof on my shoulder. "We looked at the stab wounds that she had received, and did absolutely everything we could to try... but from blades were used for that situation, there was absolutely nothing that we could do about it. I... I don't know how to tell you this."
My heart began to panic again inside when I knew what he meant. Something bad had happened to her after all, and not even magic or stitching could help stop the bleeding.
"I'm so sorry Brayden..." He feels rather disappointed to tell me. "She's not going to make it... she doesn't have long to live."
"No... oh no..." I said, trying not to panic and start tearing up.
"Head to the third floor, room number 15 at the end of the hall at the left after exiting the elevator. She wants to speak with you alone..." He lowers his head. "I'm sorry..."
"That look of devastation on his face..." Spike says to everypony. "I know that's not a good sign."
"Uh oh..." I can hear Pinkie say with worry.
I can hear footsteps approaching behind me. I turn around and can see Spike approach me. "Hey Brayden? Do you want me to come with you... in case you need some comfort?"
"I really appreciate the offer Spike... but I need to do this alone." I responded to him.
Spike has a sad expression on his face. "I'm so sorry..." He says to me.
"I know Spike, I know..." I said to him before headed to the elevator.
My heart pains inside, as I know what is happening right with what limited time is left for Nightmare. I feel like I am about to tremble into tears, but I need to live through this as I hae before... but the heart is where more harm is drawing in.
I didn't want to say goodbye, but I have no choice...
"My queen?"
"Yes, Arryl?"
"Something bad has happened in Equestria. Brayden... he's in pain. I can feel somepony he loves... about to..."
"Arryl... let him go through the pain. It's the only way to make things better. For Nightmare, I have to talk with her when her spirit comes here."
The human boy with wings was dragged around the ground towards the throne room in one of the darkest realms within Equus, hidden from the time of battle that had been over two thousand years ago. His long black hair covers his face as the donkeys bring him inside to be interrogated by their master who sits on a throne.
In the dark shadow, the master's red eyes is the only thing other than the candles dimly lit that can be seen. The boy's wings are tied and both his legs and hands tied with an anti-magic device covering them like gloves. He is thrown onto the carpet.
"Your Majesty," The donkey next to the throne announces. "The prisoner."
"Leave us Bray..." The voice in the dark commands him.
"Yes, your Majesty." The donkey responds to him, trotting forwards to the door that the prisoner entered. He closes the door behind him, leaving just him and the prisoner in the same room.
The boy looks up at the red eyes in the darkness, seeing him move closer with the sound of the seat shuffling a bit from movement. Though the light is very dim, the prisoner is able to catch only a small bit of the dark lord's appearance. His hooves were not ordinary pony hooves... but was something recognizable... ram hooves.
"So... tell me all about these Five Songs..."