CHAPTER TWENTY SIX: Goodnight Sweet Prince

“Ah, I see you're all here. Splendid!”

“Where are you?!”

“All around you!”

“Show yourself then!”

“My pleasure.”

Breaking Dawn turned to me.

“You ready?” He asked.

“You kidding? I was born ready!” I changed into Xaxas.

“Ah, Dorchester, it's nice to see you again.”

The Nightmare formed into his cloud.

“A cloud? What happened?” I asked grinning.

“Oh, I won't be using this form to fight. My bad.” The cloud slowly descended and became his wolf form. He towered over the rest of us.

“How do you like me now?” He slipped forward and knocked me back.

“Gah!” I exclaimed as I was thrown back.

“And that was just a start.” The Nightmare grinned. He snapped his fingers and rose into the air.

“You can choose to fight me, or The Darkness. That's right Dorchester, we're taking that risk.”

I snorted.

“You kidding?” I laughed.

“I kicked their sorry asses! I'll do it again!”

“Very well.”

The Darkness began to arrive and approach us. Before I knew it, large vines shot out of the ground and killed all of them.

“AHA! You call that a challenge?” Vinetion smirked.

“No, that was just a warm up. Now, we can really begin. I'll give you a small chance. Send forth your best fighters. After I deal with them, I'll deal with the rest of you.”

Everyone left me, Darksteel Edge, Violent Inferno, Breaking Dawn, Vinetion, and me alone with The Nightmare. He smiled, showing his long sharp yellow teeth.

“Really? That's your best? This is going to be easier than I thought.”

“You underestimate us! You'll be very sorry if you do.”

“I'm not worried in the least.” The Nightmare continued to smile. “Hey Lance, you know what I'm going to do when I've won?”

“I don't care, because I know you're not going to win.”

He still smiled... reminded me a lot of Killer Jeff.

“I'm going to kill your family, and I'll take extra time on your wife!” He snarled.

“Lance don-!” I was pushed back as I tried to barricade Lance as he shot forward at The Nightmare.

“YOU BASTARD!”

“No Lance! He's trying to get you close to him!” Darksteel yelled out.

But it was too late. Lance had already sprung forward and was now pounding on The Nightmare. When he finished, Lance backed up.

“My turn.” The Nightmare sneered as he twisted his neck, popping it a few times.

The Nightmare blasted Lance back, that was enough for me to see. I charged at The Nightmare, but he caught me and grabbed my neck.

“Oh, little Dorchester... such promise... in such a weak body!” He roared as I was flung back like a pebble. My head slammed into a tree, but I was able to get up and shake off the pain.

“Not... Today...”

I went after him again, but Darksteel beat me to it. He began to work on Nightmare, and was soon joined by Killjoy. But both failed as The Nightmare tossed them like tooth picks. The Nightmare was then knocked back unexpectedly but a large vine.

“Not so tough now, are you!” Vinetion boasted.

“Nice try.” One of The Nightmare's claws slashed the vine with ease, and he grabbed Vinetion.

“Ah, now I remember you.”

“What do you mean?!” Vinetion gasped out.

The Nightmare disposed of her quickly. Violent Inferno and I where the last two left. The Nightmare raised his hand and pointed at me.

“Play time.” He snapped as I was slashed across the face. Blood splattered everywhere as I fell at least ten feet behind Violent Inferno. When I forced myself up, I just fell to the ground, unable to fight for much longer.

“No one hurts my friends.”

“I just did.”

Before Nightmare continued, he was suddenly attacked by Violent Inferno.

“You're a tough one, aren't you?!”

“YEP!”

I watched as Breaking Dawn regained his footing and joined Violent Inferno.

“You get him?”

“No.”

“Hmmmm, you are tougher than the others. No matter.”

He grinned at Lance, why? My question was answered when Nightmare bounced forward, aiming for Breaking Dawn. But he was intercepted as Violent Inferno bumped Breaking Dawn out of the way, and a sickening slicing sound pierced the air. Violent Inferno had been slashed. Bad.

“I knew that would work...”

“You asshole! You used me as bait!”

“No! Lance...!” I gasped out. But Breaking Dawn had already begun his assault. Nightmare easily countered, sending Breaking Dawn far back. I could see Alexander watching.

“Oh man, he doesn't look that good!”

Cody appeared.

“Why do you always get your self hurt?”

Twilight ran up to Lance and kneeled down to him. I suddenly thought of Silvermoon, I wasn't going to die! Not today at least!

“Stop your talking and fight! Or, I could just attack you all right now!” Nightmare growled.

Lance glanced around.

“Guys, just do your best to distract him.”

“That, I can do. Come on Cody.”

“I may not want to kill, but I can fight at least!”

What I saw next made me grin.

“Not today...” I snarled.

“I love you.”

“I love you too. Don't worry, give me ten minutes and I'll have you up and ready to fight again.”

Lance smiled at Twilight.

“Thanks Twi.”

I saw Cody and Alexander work their way down on Nightmare. Impressive portal shots had been fired and it seemed we had got him weakened a bit. But I was wrong.

“Any last words!”

“Fuck you...”

Nightmare bared his fangs, and sank them into Cody's shoulder, ripping it, tearing muscles and tendons.

“Get off of him!” Alexander yelled. He bucked Nightmare in the side, but he didn't move. He let go of Cody and glared at Alexander.

“You're a pest!”

“I know.”

More impressive- fuck! Nightmare caught Alexander by the face!

“No...” I groaned as I attempted to stand up straight.

“ALEXANDER!” Trixie had appeared, but Drax and Octavia fought her back.

“Who's next?!”

“I AM!” Darksteel yelled, he slammed his horn into Nightmare's back. His long horn breached his back and popped out his chest.

“Rule number one, don't forget where your enemy is!”

“I didn't forget. I was merely waiting.” Nightmare's body began to move around Darksteel's horn. He put Darksteel in a headlock.

“Rule number two of fighting, never stab a creature made of dark magic.”

Nightmare raised his claw and slashed it across Darksteel's horn, cutting it clean off near the base. Darksteel Edge turned back into Frederic as he screamed out in pain.

“Nighty night Prince Frederic.”

Frederic began to thrash around, choking. He soon ran out of breath and passed out from lack of air. His limp body released onto the ground.

“Next?” Nightmare asked with a grin.

“Okay then, I'll just pick.”

He began to approach us. He winked at me with an evil grin. When he approached us, he suddenly turned around, and grabbed me by the neck.

“I won't let you hurt The Master...” He snarled.

I gagged for air. Memories began to swirl around my head, memories of My Favorite, The Return, The Banishment, and Corruption.

“Not today you soon of a bitch!” I gagged out, and slammed my bottom hooves into Nightmare's chest. He flew back. I grabbed my neck, choking for air.

“Very well then.” He began to approach us again with an evil smile on his face. Next Chapter: The Final Curtain Call Estimated time remaining: 27 Minutes