CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN: The Final Curtain Call

“I said. Who's next?!” Nightmare challenged.

I looked over to my side, I could see Lance trying to get up with Twilight standing over him. The scene before me broke my heart.

“No Lance, please, stay down. You're not healed properly yet!”

“Ha ha ha ha! Really? You're still going to try and fight me?”

“No, I'm going to fight you!”

Omnius has appeared and slammed into Nightmare, knocking him back.

“Pathetic.” Nightmare spat as he slammed Omnius off him, sending him skidding back.

“Now, to finish you off.” Nightmare bared his fangs, and roared. Yet no sound emitted from his mouth, but Mr. Bleak and Omnius fled to the ground, covering their ears and closing their eyes.

“What did... you do...” I asked.

“Just making them relive their worst nightmares, but with much more detail and effects. By the time they even move, your bodies will be scattered around them, what a sight to wake up to!” Nightmare boasted.

I watched the entire scene fold out. The rest of the bronies going after Nightmare, getting their asses handed to them. I saw Twilight healing Lance.

“Two minutes Lance.”

“Ah, a punching bag.”

POW

CRACK

“Just a few more to go, then I can begin the real fun!”

“Don't hurt your...”

“Do what you want.”

“Did I win?”

I was able to force myself up, and Lance got up as well.

“If he's still alive... we will fight him. Together.” I said.

“Yes.” Lance nodded. A large claw appeared out of the crater.

“Ah, I see you're still able to fight. Let's get this over with, I'm itching to slowly kill your family.”

Lance became Breaking Dawn, I was still in Xaxas form.

“Not today.” We speared forward, knocking Nightmare back. Nightmare reared up, slamming his claws into my face, but not for long. I summoned my wing tenticles which wrapped around his body. Surprised, Nightmare released me, while Lance came up behind him and began to pound on Nightmare's back. After a few seconds, Nightmare grew tired of our domination.

“ENOUGH!” Nightmare roared, a deafening boom sent me and Lance back. Lance got up, screaming in agony.

“Why? Why are you so persistent? Just give up, accept faith. I'm going to kill you and your friends, and there's nothing you can do.”

I watched, my body as heavy as the sun. At least that's what I felt like. I felt myself weaken even more as Xaxas slowly faded.

NO!

We where so close! I could feel it!

I watched in horror, unable to move.

“I have a purpose, a reason to fight. I will not let you hurt my friends, or family, anymore. We're going to end this, here and now.”

Nightmare smiled.

“That's what I like to hear.” He turned to face me.

“Realize, after I'm done with Lance, I will make you watch as I kill your wife as well.”

“No... I won't let you...”

“Accept the truth. You cannot win.” He was unexpectedly bucked in the side of the face by Lance, who retaliated by swiping his claw across Lance's face. Lance held his bionic eye in his hoof as it dangled out of his eye socket.

Nightmare was encased in a bright purple light.

“Really? You should know that most magic is useless against me. That pest over there only got lucky.” Nightmare broke free of Twilight's grasp and charged at her. He grabbed her neck, and lifted her.

“Now, what should I cut off first?”

Lance slammed into Nightmare's back, he dropped Twilight who hit the ground with a yelp and jumped back.

“What are you doing?!”

“I love you Twilight, with all my heart. Always remember that.”

Is he...

NO!

He can't activate the self destruction right now!

“Lance! No...” I gasped out.

“What do you mean?”

“Twilight, you've made my life worth living. I'll always remember...”

“NO!” Me and Twilight yelled at the same time.

“You know what? I'll just kill her while your back there.”

“Twilight! Please, you have to teleport me and him to that mountain top!”

“I CAN'T DO THAT TO YOU!”

“Trixie, please, teleport me to that mountain top!”

“NO!” Twilight cried out.

Nightmare sighed.

“Emotions, I'll never figure them out. You, Dorchester, should know that very well.”

“Hurry!”

“Lance! NO!”

“Twilight! I'll always love you! And Dorchester! Do what is right!” Lance yelled out. Nightmare and Lance vanished, I turned my head over to the mountain top. A few seconds passed...

There was a sudden blast, and smoke covered the top of the mountain.

“No... Lance... Don't... leave...” Tears flowed from my eyes as I watched the smoke slowly vanish.

“LANCE!” Twilight cried out.

I forced myself up.

He left so much behind... his family... his home... his future... his entire life.

“I WON'T LET IT END LIKE THIS!” I transformed into Xaxas, and teleported myself up to the wrecked mountain top. I began to search around for any sign of Lance.

“Lance! Where are you?!”

“Lance? Lance!”

“Don't go! Lance!”

“Lance...”

Cough cough

“You...” I sneered. Nightmare was laying on his back, chuckling to himself.

“You little pest... I merely await my death. Will you spare this life, forever damned to a merciful passing?” Nightmare coughed up blood.

“Tell me one thing before I kill you...” I demanded, slamming my hoof into Nightmare's chest, causing more blood to erupt from his mouth.

“What?”

“When will he rise?” I hissed.

“Who?” Nightmare raised his eyebrow.

“You know very well who I'm talking about!”

“All will be revealed in due time.”

“TELL ME NOW!” My voice echoed through the mountain.

“Lace will rise... when you finally come to face the truth.”

“I'm not killing you until you tell me! That or pass through a painful death! One that I will make worse if you don't tell me!”

“Oh Dorchester, you where never the brightest soul. But I will tell you this. Life is a curse... we are all Tythol's puppets... cursed to run through this land. Where humans tread, pain, sorrow, hate, anger, and war are sure to follow. Forever is the curse of mankind. Forever is your destiny, and the destruction you leave behind your wake.”

“Shut the fuck up with the speeches! TELL ME!”

“The answer lies within yourself. Don't let what was in the past, come to the future.” Nightmare coughed again, and died with my hoof on his chest.

“WHAT?!” I set Nightmare's body aflame and left it lying, burning on the mountain top. I returned to my house, calming down enough to get rid of my Xaxas form.

“Twilight sent me a tear stained letter about what happened... I'm so sorry.” Silvermoon said, wrapping herself around me.

“No... it wasn't your fault... it wasn't anyone's fault...” I released myself and went out onto the balcony.

“Anyone but mines.” Next Chapter: Brink of Corruption Estimated time remaining: 23 Minutes