alicornparty | (no subject)

THE NIGHTMARE MEME

Congratulations! Whether through trickery, temptation, or plain old possession, your character has been corrupted by an ancient darkness, previously known only to the Princess of the Night. The Nightmare has just begun.

♦ Your character is now a Nightmare! How did they get to this point, and what do they plan to do with their newfound power? Doubtless, power is on their minds...and maybe eternal night wouldn't hurt either? Just a little bit?

♦ Oh no! Your character's friend is now a Nightmare version of themselves! Will you fight back or try to talk them down? You should probably avoid doing what Celestia did - unless you've got a thousand years to spare.

♦ You know what? Friendship IS magic! Being evil would be a lot more fun if your friends were with you - maybe you should try to lure them over to the dark side as well. Hint: try baking some cookies!

♦ Don't forget the aftercare! If you do manage to snap your friend out of Nightmarehood, you had best be on hoof for a whole lot of comforting afterwards. These things are never easy. Ask Luna, if thou hast doubts.

♦ Villain song. Do it.

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"Hmmhmmhmmhmmhmm." The mare tossed back her head, letting the cold monochrome mane swoop out in a long curve. "You misunderstand, Applejack. You're not talking to Rainbow Dash. She no longer exists."

"Now you're really talking nonsense," Applejack swore, squaring her jaw. "I don't know what you are or what you did, but I'd never believe that. You can't keep her down forever!"

"Oh... can't I? Hmmhmmhmmhmm. And I expect you intend to do something about it?"

"You got that right."

The problem is that Rainbow can easily get away with just a flap of her wings, so she needs to act quick. Act like she's walking up...then, in the blink of an eye, she lets her lasso fly.

The evil pony didn't so much as twitch as the lasso spiraled around her, then snapped tight around her. She merely waited expectantly, patiently, for Applejack's next trick.

She yanked on the lasso without hesitation, then jumped into an attempt at a tackle.

"Nopony loves a challenge more than you! You destroy us all and you know what'll happen to you? You'll be bored outta your mind."

Rainbow, as always, had a full stack of Ultima Junctioned to Strength, and her possessed form did as well. She lashed out one wing as Applejack leaped forward, putting powerful muscle behind it. "There already ARE no challenges left for me."

"Now you know that's a bunch of hooey!" Applejack hollered even as she went down, though she didn't stay there. She pushed through the pain and charged for a tackle.

"Life's full of surprises---ending it all won't do a thing for you and you know it. What good is it if you've got nopony to share it with?"

This time, a blow with the other wing. It wasn't enough to beat her down physically -- she had to punish Applejack emotionally, by showing her just how far the nightmare was out of her league.

"Silly pony, Applejack. Rainbow Dash already was entirely alone. Now I'm with her."

It takes her longer to pry herself out of the dirt this time. Her bones are screaming in protest, she thinks something might be broken, and it sure looks hopeless. But it never is.

"Now that's the biggest whopper of a lie I've ever heard," she ground out, eyes narrowing. She trudged forward, hoof outstretched. "Nothing'll stop me from sticking with her---not ever!"

Turning away was never an option. She pulled her remaining strength into speeding up, desperate to reach her.

Nightmare Moonbow took off into the air with a sweep of her wings, the better to hover just out of reach. "Stick with her? You couldn't keep up with her, not after what she became. Faster, stronger, more capable than you or anypony else could ever be. Even Princess Celestia has a sister, to ease her loneliness..."

"She's got sisters too! Five of 'em, to be exact," Applejack insisted, standing her ground. "Well, six with Scootaloo. Point is, she's got family right here!"

Applejack crouched low, surveying the surroundings---and raced at the nearest boulder, leaping off with her lasso between her teeth. She wasn't about to let her go.

"And how many of you have been through what she's been through? How many of you can match up to her? She left you behind long ago, Applejack. She raced so far past you that you can't see her any more!" The nightmare seemed more interested in trying to hurt Applejack with words than avoid her attacks, at this point.

"Of course I can!" Applejack roared, desperately swinging the lasso from midair in an attempt to snag her. She reaches with all her strength, tears pricking her eyes. With that comment about distance...she's finally starting to understand. This isn't hate. It's fear, and somepony needs comforting---her soft voice is a total contrast with the strain in her expression.

"You're still part of us and you always will be! No matter how far you go or what you see, you're still Rainbow Dash. We know you. We love you. And we'll listen do everything we can to help, 'cause that won't change. Ever."

The nightmare lifted a hoof, practically begging the lasso to ensnare her. As the rope tightened around her chest and back, she smirked.

"You know Rainbow Dash? Very well... then tell her something about her you understand. Anything. Go on."

"Easy," Applejack shot back, strengthening her grip.

"She's the most loyal friend you could ever ask for. She's real talented at what she does, yeah. She could tour all over the world with the skills she's got! But she's here for us here in Ponyville, 'cause she's our loyal friend. And we love her the way she is."

Her voice takes on a pleading tone. "And I know you're gonna say she's had enough of all that and wants a world without us, but I don't believe that for a second. 'Cause the thing about flying high is? It's not so fun when nopony's cheering you on from below.

And you know what else? She doesn't want that---I know she doesn't. 'Cause friends who help you and believe in you are the best thing a pony could have going. And no matter what you say about her taking it all on alone, I know the truth. She loves a good adventure story and she'll take us along---even if she has to teach a bit, 'cause picking on me's part of the fun!"

She smiles shakily. "C'mon, Rainbow. You know you'll miss making fun of a blubbering old sap like me."

"And what do you know of everything she has been through?" the nightmare snapped, such force in her voice that it rang off the ground and hummed through the air like a chiming bell. "Unrequited love? Imprisonment in a city, unable to escape? The constant knowledge that none of you were there? Training to be a mercenary? You do not understand! YOU CANNOT UNDERSTAND!"

"How do you know that if you haven't even tried?" Applejack countered. "Look, it might take me some time to get it, but I know what it feels like to be alone! Like you've messed things up, like there's no going back, like life as you know it's over. I've run away a time or two. And maybe it's not the same, but..."

She shook her head. "You don't have to be alone anymore. We're always open for you! Maybe it's not quite the same as your home, but you're back with the ponies who love you!

And we'll always love you, no matter what you throw at us," she finished.

"An Apple claiming she knows what it's like to be alone," Nightmare Moonbow said with cool humor, tossing her head contemptuously. "A likely story. No doubt heartbreaking to your siblings and your matriarch to know you feel that way."