Trotting Towards Nightmare Night: Nightmare Rarity Arc (My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic Issue # 7 - Issue # 8)

Hello & welcome back to Trotting Towards Nightmare Night.  And we continue our look at Nightmare Moon with Pt. 2 of our look at IDW's Nightmare Rarity arc with a double review Issues # 7 and Issues # 8.  Now, seeing as we've already looked at the first two issues, I will not be looking at the staff.  That'll save time and we can get right into the review at hand.





Covers




Issue # 7

I love the A cover for Issue # 7 as we see The Nightmare Forces encroaching on our heroes and you see the different expressions.  Rainbow Dash is ready for action,  AJ looks inquisitive, Twilight is ready for action,  Pinkie is just being Pinkie and poor Flutters is afraid.   This cover does a great job of showing all the different emotions of the Mane Six.


Cover B

The B cover is okay as it shows off Nightmare Rarity in armor and her full glory but it's nothing too special.




Issue # 8


Cover A

Yeah, that cover is beyond awesome as we see Luna leading dozens of ponies from Big Mac to the Wonderbolts to Derpy, Doctor Whooves, Vinyl and many more in action to protect Equestira.   This cover does a great job of getting you excited for the final entry in this arc as you go into it.



Cover B

The B cover is alright but I feel that's too similar to the B cover if Issue # 7 with Nightmare Rarity standing in front of the moon ready for an attack.



The Plot



We open in Ponyville with Princess Celestia  prepping the town for whatever nightmare may be coming their way. And the Crusaders are ready to offer their help and Sweetie wants to know how they can save her big sister.  And Scootoo has this line.

Scootaloo: A "Saves Ponyville From Certain Doom" Cutie Mark would be so cool!

Apple Bloom: Not Now Scootaloo... but it would be awesome!

And the Princess tells the littlest of the ponies and just then Nightmare Moon makes her return but it's not Luna. And back on the moon,  Nightmare Rarity makes her presence known to the friends of the fashionista.

It's true, your powers defeated me before, little ponies, but what will you do now that I've taken one of you? Without ALL of you, your Elements of Harmony are powerless. Bit of a pickle, isn't it?

And you were doing so good with your evil villain speech and Rainbow Dash is having none of it.



You think your'e so cool and spooky? Well, a storm is comin' for you! A Rainbow storm!


But the Nightmare will not back down.

"A Storm's Coming? Ha! What do you think this is? A Sigh Stallion Film?....   You ponies are dense, aren't you? Remember those Nightmare Forces you all "destroyed" with your little Elements of Harmony when Luna was around? Well, guess what? You didn't do such a super job after all-- they now control your friend...me, I suppose,  Rarity is gone!  Do I need to make a diagram or something with pictures so you can understand?

Now, that's a wee bit better but not by very much.  But the big villain moment is brought down a bit by Pinkie sharing a story about the time Rarity farted in a hot tub at the spa.  But there is one little guy that is almost able to get through to Rarity.

Spike:  Rarity? It's Spike. You know, your little Spikey-Wikey?  We...I... your'e the best. Please come back.

Rarity:  Spike... 

This almost does the trick but it's not enough and we then see the Nightmare confront Luna and how much of a fool that she was for giving up power but Luna isn't having any of it. Nightmare tries to play a mind game on the Princess of the Night but our main heroines are having none of it and stand by her side.  Though Nightmare Rarity seems to brush it off as though, it's nothing and says that it doesn't matter as she'll be taking Ponyville and that no one can stop her. And this is when we get an awesome fight between the heroes and the Nightmare Forces.  But it isn't enough as our heroes are defeated and taken prisoner.  Twilight Sparkle tells Luna to go back to help the citizens of Ponyville but Luna doesn't want to leave the heroes alone. But Rainbow and AJ tell her to go as Ponyville will not stand a chance without her.   And it is after this that Nightmare Rarity tells her forces to take the heroes to the dungeon.   The ponies try to find a way to evade escape but it's not of any use.   And this is when we get the ponies feeling defeated as they have no idea on how to get out.  Meanwhile, our little dragon has to try and prove himself and wants to save his friends.   He tries to hold up the bravery for a while but he starts to get worn down.   And this is when we go over why Nightmare Moon explains why she chose Rarity.

Shadowfright (Larry): Supreme One, may I ask why you chose this pony in particular? That yellow one seemed like an, um, easier option.

Nightmare Moon/Nightmare Rarity: Oh my dear Larry. Dear simple, unamusing Larry. I picked this pony vessel for a reason– to render the Elements of Harmony powerless!

Jerome: It was her mane, right? That pony Rarity had great hair.

Nightmare Moon/Nightmare Rarity: I chose Rarity specifically. She had, shall we say, self-esteem issues?

Jerome: Don’t we all?

Nightmare Moon/Nightmare Rarity: I needed a being that was… pliable. Rarity was so eager to help. So generous with her gifts, but she had a deep dark secret. I was sure she would cave.

Shadowfright (Larry): She was a bit stronger than we had hoped.

Nightmare Moon/Nightmare Rarity: Well, sometimes a little force is necessary

And this is when Spike overhears that his friends are in the dungeon.  And now Spike realizes that he has to find a way to save his friends.  And this is when Nightmare Rarity tricks Spike by tricking him into thinking that he can be Rarity's king but Spike isn't having any of it, when the not Rarity tells him to forget the past. But Spike doesn't want to forget the past. But he really snaps outta of it, when he asks the not Rarity, what he thinks of his ruby and she just calls it cute.  Spike realizes that he isn't dealing with his Rarity. And that's when we learn that Nightmare can create dreams just as well as dreams.  And the Nightmare has just begun.  Now, onto the final issue of this arc.



Luna returns to Ponyville downtrodden and feeling defeated.  Luna informs the ponies of the capture of others and wallows in self-pity that she will not allow any other ponies to get hurt.  Luna lets her older sister know that the Nightmare Forces are on their way and Tia tells Luna that they'll be ready for them.  Meanwhile, back in the dungeon where our heroines are being held,  they start to lose hope until Twilight realizes that the happiness of their friendship  is lighting them up.  The Nightmare Forces try to get Spike to work for Nightmare Rarity but he won't back down.  And apparently,  they need his help because there is a still bit of Rarity left in their queen. This is when Nightmare Rarity reveals that it's time for the nightmare to rule!  Spike realizes that he's not the only one because he isn't the only one that loves Rarity.   And that his friends will save her. Spike sneaks down into the dungeon to save his friends.   And after Pinkie does some wiggling, a key for the prisons falls out and this is when the girls realize that they have to fly back to Ponyville to save Rarity and the towns.  But they have to deal with the Nightmare Forces and leave it to Pinkie to save the day by making a friend with the Nightmare Force.  Back in Ponyville, we see everyone prepping for the arrival of The Nightmare Forces and when they arrive, we get an epic fight featuring everyone from The Cakes to The Apples to Spitfire to Zecora and much much more.  And even the pets get in on the action and take down one of The Nightmare Forces and we see Nightmare Rarity and Luna fight and it seems like Luna is about to lose but everyone shows that they'll still stand by her side even after that they've been through.   We get a great moment where Luna is ready to give up but her friends won't let her.


Luna: My bitterness and anger transformed me into Nightmare Moon before. I fear it could happen again.  I'ts my  burden.

Celestia: It isn't your burden to bear alone. Believe me.

Scootaloo: Like we'd let that happen? Your'e one of us now!


Luna: One of you?

Apple Bloom: Well, sure! You are as much part of Ponyville as Mr. & Mrs. Cake, or Joe or Twist-

Well, you guys get the gist of it from here.   And this gives Luna the encouragement to continue on and fight back. But Nightmare Rarity will not back down because she tells Ponyville that they have nothing left but it's right at that moment,  where Jerome hits it and our heroes show up and Pinkie has one of the best lines.

Pinkie Pie: Silly scary lady, friendship is stronger than fear will ever be!

And this is when we see Rarity's friends fight back against Nightmare Rarity of their friend.  And at first, it doesn't seem to work as Rarity isn't able to fight against it but she doesn't want to go back and with the memories of Rarity, they are able to fight back and free their friend. And the comic ends with Luna flying off and delivering a line that I like and sums up why I like Halloween/Nightmare Night.

Nightmares are nothing but fear that lives inside of you. You've shown me that we ALL have the power to defeat them if you just shine a little light of love on them!

To expand on what on I said up top, I'm someone that gets scared easily but I look at this time of year as a way to face your fears and prove that your stronger than them.  And to me that's why I love this holiday so much.




Characters




Main Characters



Rarity/Nightmare Rarity


I do have my issues with how this arc handled Nightmare Moon but the last issue really seemed to get more into the internal struggle that Rarity felt.  The arc could've done more with this but for what it's worth, it wasn't bad.




Luna



While I didn't care too much fro how the first half handled Luna, she was handled a bit better as I felt more weight put into her situation here than in issues # 5 - 6.  It felt more genuine and real.



Supporting Characters



Twilight Sparkle, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, & Applejack


The girls had a bit more action in this second half.   And it felt better here than in the first two issues. While the rest of the arc focused more on Nightmare Rarity and Luna,  the second half of the arc didn't slack off with them either.



Spike


Spike really stepped up his game and we really see how much he cares for Miss Rarity and how far that he's willing to go to save his crush.





Villains



Shadowfright (Larry) & Jerome



The Nightmare Forces took a backseat in these issues but that was in large part because of the arrival of Nightmare Rarity. They really seemed to be pushed to the wayside here and while that is a bit disappointing, these issues had a lot going on.




My Thought On These Issues



I think that these two issues are the stronger half of this arc.  They still have some glaring problems but everything seems to be better put together here.




My Overall Thoughts


When I first read this arc, I considered it my favorite of the IDW MLP arcs and I don't know if I'd go that far nowadays but I still do enjoy it on some level, I'm more aware of it's problems such as how it seems to contradicts the lore of Nightmare Moon from the show but I still love this arc a lot and it was a pleasure to go back and read it again.   Well, this brings our Nightmare Moon celebration to a close.

Trotting Towards Nightmare Night: Nightmare Rarity Arc (My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic Issue # 5 - Issue # 6)

Hello & welcome back to the Nightmare Night celebration.  Well, we've already looked at the character of Nightmare Rarity in our Villains Profile on the second Nightmare Moon.    And here starting today, we begin our look  at the second arc of the IDW My Little Pony comic series as we dive into a double review of Issues # 5 & # 6 in this double  review.  With that outta the way, let's begin with Issue # 5.

Covers

Issue # 5

Cover A

Cover A is okay. It's nothing too special and doesn't really apply anything about the story at hand.  It's just the girls posing. Kinda reminds me of the Equestira Girls cover from the first annual and also the old photo from the first 3 seasons of the show.

Though do keep in mind that this arc was released before the Annual.  I'm guessing that this may be one of the go to poses for the Mane 6. 

Cover B

Cover B is a bit better as it focuses more on Miss Rarity and lets us know that something is amiss, will happen to the fashionista in this comic.



Issue # 6



Cover A

Issue  # 6's  A Cover is a bit better as it actually takes an event from the issue.  The ponies walking on a rope to get to the moon after they lassoed it closer to Equestira.  You see, how much  weight the situation has with this issue.



Cover B

Now, this is a much better Rarity cover than Issue # 5's as  we see Rarity looking on in distress on the moon, wondering if she'll ever get back home.  And in many respects,  both of these covers work wonderfully together to give you a preview of what's to come for both parties.

 



Yeah,  both of these work well off one another.




Staff


Writer - Heather Nuhfer


The writer for this arc would later return and write the Nightmare Moon comic that I reviewed.  Which is great  as that is able to set up a strong sense of continuity between Nightmare Moon's time on the moon and the events that take place here in this arc with Rarity being turned into the second Nightmare Moon.   The writing is pretty strong but does tend to lean on  the more dramatic but I think that can be understandable given the situation.   Perhaps, the biggest problem that Nuhfer had was her handling of Pinkie Pie.  Now to be fair to Ms. Nuhfer, Pinkie isn't the easiest character to write for and we've even seen the show mishandle her (I'm looking at you, season 4).



Artist -  Amy Mebberson


The art is pretty good here.  While I wouldn't say that it's as dark as the Nightmare Moon comic, it still does serve the tone of this particular arc rather well.



Letterer - Neil Uyetake



The lettering for this arc was handled quite well.  And there really isn't much more to say on that front.




The Plot



Now seeing as we have two issues to look at, let's get started.




We open Issue # 5 with all of the Mane Six having nightmares and we learn that  they've been having these bad dreams, all week. Twilight questions, how all of them could be having nightmares all week.  Though, Pinkie  seems to be handling things fine and later that night, they throw a slumber party at her place.  And well, this seems to be going better than the last slumber party that I looked at.     The girls are having fun but the fun doesn't last as the girls fall asleep and we get a look into their nightmares. Which I think they seem to showing the greatest fears of the girls.  Twilight's nightmare shows Princess Celestia dismissing Twilight as her student.  Applejack's nightmare shows her failing the apple farm and there being no food and water.  And everything is dry and barren.  Fluttershy's shows her animals friends all leaving her.  And perhaps, one of the most haunting of all is Dash's as her shows her unable to fly as her wings have been torn.   Pinkie's, I get as it is her bombing a comedy routine but it doesn't have the same weight as the others.   And then we come to Rarity's  and the comic shows  how Rarity fears that her friends will move on and forget about her, once someone else comes along.  And for some reason,  it's a pony version of Mabel from Gravity Falls. The nightmare affects Rarity greatly and this is when we see the Nightmare Forces taking Miss Rarity.

Because the dream gets worse as the dream versions of Pinkie Pie, Applejack, Twilight Sparkle and Fluttershy turn their backs on Rarity and tell her that they never need anything from her again.  And by letting the nightmare engulf her, Rarity is easily taken.  Soon, the other ponies and Spike wake up and try to save her. Pinkie tries using a butterfly net to attack the black air that is engulfing Rarity and you can imagine how  well that worked out.



This is when they realize that they realize that Rarity is being taken  to the moon and Twilight tells Rainbow Dash and.... Fluttershy to go get Rarity and while Rainbow Dash does get close to saving Rarity that she causes a Sonic Rainboom.  It seems that Dash will be able to save the fashionista as their hooves are about to meet but alas it is to no avail as Rarity is taken away.  The rest of the girls regroup at Golden Oak Library to discuss what to do next with Spike in tears at his crush being taken away and Twilight writing a letter to Princess Celestia as she figures that she'll know what to do.  Twilight realizes that there is a link between all of their bad dreams and the black smog and that they'll  need the aid of Princess Luna.  Because as Twilight states.

Princess Luna! She's the protector of Dreams. And she was taken over by Nightmare Moon.  She can help us interpret our nightmares and find Rarity!  

Okay, I've got a bit of an issue with part of Twilight's dialogue here. This line in particular.

And she was taken over by Nightmare Moon.

That's not exactly how I remember it, happening in the show.  If I recall correctly,  Nightmare Moon was born out the spite and jealousy that Luna felt over nopony staying awake for her beautiful night and giving Celestia, all of the attention.  Now, they could be implying that Princess Luna was taken over by her jealousy but with the way that this arc presents Nightmare Moon as a symbiote like creature as discussed last week, I don't think that's the case. Perhaps, I am reading into it too much but this arc in terms of the lore of Nightmare Moon really seems to go against what the show set up.



Back to the review at hand,  lo and behold after that is said, who should show up but the two  royal sisters show up.  Princess Celestia informs us of what we already know, that a dark energy has been going into their dreams and that her younger sister may be able to help.  And then Rainbow and AJ bombard her with questions on what's going on and how to save Rarity.  Girls, give the princess of the night, some space.  We learn that these evil forces have taken Rarity and this surprises Twilight Sparkle as she thought the evil had been destroyed after they freed Princess Luna.  But as the Princess of the Night soon informs our heroes, that is not the case.  Of course, Rainbow Dash just wants to go up there and blast them but Luna informs our heroines that it isn't that simple.  And after some prompting from Fluttershy and her older sister, Luna gives in and tells us the tale that we need to hear. Skipping the annoying question gag from Pinkie that goes nowhere and only bogs down the issue, this is what Luna tells the others.

Thank you Fluttershy.... Something is happening. Something, I had hoped would never come to pass. .....



When I was trapped as Nightmare Moon, I thought I could show everpony, how special I was by making them fear me. The Nightmare Forces somehow knew exactly what to say to convince me... To give me their energy and hate. After my curse was broken by The Elements of Harmony, I believed the forces of Darkness would wither and die but I was wrong. Legend says that if the Nightmare Forces can harness enough strength through the cycle of the new moon, they are granted one more chance....

Okay, once again I have to call this issue out on the handling of Nightmare Moon.  This comic is trying to have ti both ways by showing Luna feeling guilt over her actions as Nightmare Moon but at the same time,  a line like this...

 The Nightmare Forces somehow knew exactly what to say to convince me... To give me their energy and hate. 

Seems to want to absolve Luna of any misdeeds from her time as Nightmare Moon.  Which, you can't have a line like this and then spend the rest of the arc presenting Luna fighting her guilt over her past.  And lest we forget that according to Nightmare Moon's Fiendship issue,  she created The Nightmare Forces.  But this comic seems to be implying that The Nightmare Forces are the ones that brought Nightmare Moon to life.  Looks, like I need to take back what I said about this and the Nightmare Moon comic having a good sense of continuity because this seems  to contradict one another.  I understand that issue came out a few years after this arc but considering that both that comic and this arc had the same writer.



Getting back to the comic,  Twilight questions, what Luna means by one more chance and we learn that years ago,  Nightmare Moon promised The Nightmare Forces, a kingdom of their own.  And Rainbow Dash is ready for action but none of the other ponies are paying attention to the Element of Loyalty.   Then we learn of why The Nightmare Forces want to deal with The Elements of Harmony.

Together, you possess The Elements of Harmony, which have defeated The Dark Forces before. Now, they will come after all of you-- the only ponies who can defeat them... and destroy your home---
PONYVILLE!  

This prompts the girls into getting into action but Luna doesn't want them to go as she feels that this mission is too dangerous for regular ponies but Rainbow Dash awesomely rebuts that.

"Regular" ponies?  Excuse me, but that ain't flying.  

Twilight tells the Princess of The Night that if they need to face their fears to save Rarity, they are up for the challenge. And Tia agrees with our heroes but Luna worries about Ponyville but Celestia informs our younger sister that she'll help prepare Ponyville and stop the attack.   But Flutters asks, how they'll get to the moon.  Rainbow Dash has a rather silly idea that goes nowhere.  But Celestia goes nowehre and we get a panel of Pinkie Pie as a cheeleader, which reminds me of Genie from Aladdin.

Where, we see Pinkie cheering on Rarity and AJ realizes that Pinkie is right but she questions how they'll get to the moon.  And Rainbow suggests another way but she is ignored and AJ says that they have to be strong for Rarity and Twilight says that they have to move fast.  And then the next panel cuts to Rarity, who appears to being tortured.   And it doesn't appear to be much until the Nightmare Forces have tied Rarity to the throne of Nightmare Moon and Issue # 5 ends with the Nightmare Forces ready on the attack.   While, I do have some issues with  the start of the arc, it's still a good set up for what's to come but there are a lot of big problems with how it contradicts the lore of Nightmare Moon.  Which, granted are hard to look past and does bring down the issue some but not enough for me to dislike it.


Alright, let's now move onto Issue # 6 and see if maybe the second issue in this arc is a better outing or now. We open with the ponies looking at the moon and Fluttershy being worried about Rarity but Twilight comforts by reminding her that Princess Celestia has a plan and we soon learn that this plan involves a lasso of Applejack's.  And the Cowpony informs them that it's just a regular lasso but that is until Celestia uses her magic on it to enchance as Luna uses the rope alongside our heroes to bring the moon closer to Equestira.

Which I gotta say that is just awesome. Though Pinkie doesn't seem to be pulling her weight all the way through as she's just there in the last panel playing drums.    And after some hard pull, it appears to be a success.   Pinkie, why are you wearing sunglasses?

It appears to be a success as we see our heroes walk on the rope heading up to the moon.  Rainbow Dash seems to be excited about it and Pinkie Pie provides us with an Alien reference.

In space, no one can hear you squee!

Which Flutters isn't a big fan of.   But it looks like Spike may have packed on too much weight. Not like that. The little guy showed up in a suit and armor with a sword and a shield.  Which Applejack questions, if he's afraid that the weight might be too heavy.  And just as he's about to answer, the the rope snaps.  And it looks like the journey for our heroes has gotten harder.   Spike has the ruby that Rarity gave him as memento with him but he's about to lose as ti appears that our heroes are going to fall to their deaths.  But the ponies, dragon and the ruby are indeed saved.   Sometime later, our heroes arrive on the moon and Luna warns them of the nightmare energy.  And we learn that the inhabitants of the moon became victims of the nightmare energy.  And Fluttershy is disheartened that they could have done something so terrible to sweet little animals.   Meanwhile, on another side of the moon, we see The Nightmare Forces trying to make an offer to Rarity but Rarity is being strong and she isn't budging but The Nightmare Forces play on the fear that we saw in Rarity's nightmare  and Rarity's generosity by saying that without her, their existence is meaningless but Rarity says that her friends need her.   But Shadowfright, the leader of  The Nightmare Forces replies with this line.

Do they?  Or will they reject your gift once somepony new comes along? Somepony with a bit less, attitude, maybe? 

And this causes Rarity to have another vision of her friends leaving her behind.  And this is the thing that does it.   Rarity tries fighting it some more by saying that her friends would never forget her but she is noticeably shaken and scared.  And The Nightmare Forces use Rarity's need to help and that is what they use to turn Rarity into the second Nightmare Moon as she is engulfed by the black clouds.


On the other side of the moon, our heroes try to  focus on the mission ahead of them and Pinkie decides to help ease Fluttershy's mind by playing a game of I Spy.  And this is when the heroes have to face their fears as we once again seem them face their nightmares but this time, they fight back.  Twilight's has her back  at Celestia's castle with one of the most chilling moments from the comment.

Celestia:... And you, Twilight Sparkle have no respect for the power you have--your'e careless and dangerous!  You are dismissed forever.

Twilight Sparkle: What!? No!

Celestia: You have failed me, Twilight. Your lack of knowledge has killed friendship.

After getting some aid from Spike telling her that it's just a nightmare and Luna informs the bookworm that it's a facade to keep you trapped in your fear.

Friendship is not dead and nightmares aren't real!

Luna informs Twilight that they must save the others from their nightmares.  And we get to see them, starting with Rainbow's and it's one of the most haunting as the Wonderbolts is flooding and Spitfire that they need Rainbow's help but in her nightmare, Rainbow has lost her ability to fly.  And I gotta be honest, I prefer this to Rainbow's nightmare to what we saw in Do Princesses Dream of Magic Sheep as while that one was played more for jokes, this is really haunting and scary as it plays on the psyche of Rainbow Dash.  And most the nightmares in this arc seem to be doing that.   Seeing Rainbow Dash scared that she'll never fly again as her wings appear to be clipped are quite haunting and scary.  But Luna has to let the flyer know that it is just a nightmare. And this gives Rainbow Dash, the courage that she needs to fly once more.  And she is able to out fly the slow smoke as she calls it.


Pinkie's nightmare is once again her bombing on stage with Twilight in the crowd holding a sing that reads..

Yay Pinkie Pie!  Please wake up now!

And this gets the Pink Party Pony going.

Are you not amused?!  Guess what, Nightmare- Scmitemare?!   I am the most laughter-giving, fun-having, friend-making pony ever! You have no power over me!

Go Pinkie!   The next nightmare that we see is of Fluttershy's and while I get that Flutters hadn't fully developed as a character at this point, I kinda take issue with the fact that Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash do most of the saving in Flutters' nightmare.

And then we come to Applejack's nightmare and we once again see that it's her thinking that she has failed her family.  But her friends convince her otherwise and Applejack realizes that she would never let this happen. And then after our heroes are saved from their nightmares, we see them face the Nightmare Forces for the first time.   And Flutters does get one funny moment her.

Applejack: Um, a little critter help here, Fluttershy?

Fluttershy: Sorry, I'm out of bravery for the day...

And we learn of the past that The Nightmare Forces and Princess Luna share with one another.  And they say that they'll save her friends, if she comes back to being Nightmare Moon but the ponies will have none of that.  Rainbow Dash informs Luna that they aren't going to let some goth-loving bunny take her after they already took Rarity.  Luna is surprised to hear that she is considered their friend.   Which Pinkie responds to  with a duh and Fluttershy knows that they can trust her.

We all trust you.  We know you would never to us. 

Which is just a set up for Luna's line here.

But you have lied to them, Luna. 

The Nightmare Forces are surprised to see that these ponies won't be worn down. And they give Luna, one last chance but she doesn't take it but The Nightmare Forces say that they'll get the kingdom that they've been promised as Issue # 6 ends with the introduction of Nightmare Rarity.

Issue # 6 is so much better than Issue # 5.   Issue # 5 spent so much time on set up that the story got bogged down with everything that needed to be set up but Issue # 6 got right into the action and actually does a good job of showing the biggest fears of our heroes.  But it also shows that we have to be able to fight our fears and that while it may look tough and hopeless, given the situation,  there is support and it's okay to rely on that support.



Characters


Main Characters


Rarity


Admittedly, Rarity didn't get a whole lot to do in Issue # 5 as she was taken out of that issue pretty early on but in Issue  # 6, we actually saw her putting up a fight against The Nightmare Forces. One that she would ultimately lose but she put up a valiant effort nonetheless and showed us how brave she is, even when the cards are stacked against her and she's scared to her wits.  And her fear is what causes her to give in and make such a big mistake.


Princess Luna


While I  do have some problems with how this arc handles the lore of Nightmare Moon.  I do like see Luna going on a journey to try and help our heroes save Rarity. And in turn,  she is saving herself from her past because these events were a step towards her freeing herself from her past as Nightmare Moon.




Supporting Characters


Twilight Sparkle, Fluttershy,  Rainbow Dash, Applejack, & Pinkie Pie



You really got a sense about  how much these friends care about Rarity and how they'd go to the end of the earths for her.  And seeing them face their biggest fears, not once but twice was rather haunting and Issue # 6 showed them being able to overcome their fears.  It wasn't easy for them but with the help of their friends,  they faced their fears and were able to escape from them.




Villains



Shadowfright  (Larry) & Jerome


While, we don't get much of a sense of The Nightmare Forces in the first issue, we see how threatening they can be, when they force Rarity into becoming their new Nightmare Moon.  And while they don't seem that scary in the beginning, we see how much their leader, Shadowfright is willing to stop at nothing to make sure that The Nightmare Forces get their new queen and by playing on the fear that Rarity had experienced in her nightmare of her friends leaving her behind and Rarity's generosity,  he is successful.   Which just shows how determined,  he is.




My Thoughts On These Issues



Issue # 5 got this arc off to kind of a rocky start with how the build up and I have a bit of a problem, the way that issue presented some things and that is mainly to due with Nightmare Moon and the handling of her in that issue.   And while Issue # 6 does still have that problem, once it gets going,  Issue # 6 is so much better than Issue # 5 as it allows to get into the story and action of the arc.  With the best part, easily being seeing the heroes face their nightmares and the fear that they'll be trapped in them, if they don't fight against them.    Join me next time as we conclude our look at the Nightmare Rarity Arc by looking at Issues # 7 and # 8 of IDW's My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic comic series.

 

Trotting Towards Nightmare Night: Villains Profile: Nightmare Rarity

Hello & welcome back to the Nightmare Moon celebration here on Trotting Towards Nightmare Night.  Earlier, this year I did the Rarity Retrospective looking at all the episodes from season 1 - 4 starring my second favorite pony along with some of her comic book appearances.  But there was something that I left out as I felt it was more fitting for this time of year. Join me as we look at the second arc from IDW's My Little Pony line as we see what happens, when one of the Mane Six become Nightmare Moon as we take a look at the Nightmare Rarity arc. Starting with a Villains Profile on Nightmare Rarity.  Now things are going to look at a little differently as we are looking at an established character. We'll still be looking at First Appearance but seeing as we've already met Rarity on the show, this will only refer to Nightmare Rarity. And before we can dive into the usual categories such as Personality, Lackeys Grand Desire, Most Evil Deed, Demise, and the answer to the all important question, Is Nightmare Rarity A Good Villain?  There is one other category that must examined, the Why of Rarity becoming the second Nightmare Moon. With that outta the way, let's begin.

First Appearance

Rarity makes her debut as Nightmare Rarity on the last page of the sixth issue of IDW's My Little Pony comic.

Rarity's part of this comic deals with the Nightmare Forces convincing Rarity to become their new queen.  They play into a nightmare that Rarity had earlier that effected her psyche saying that her friends will forget her once someone nicer and with a bit less attitude comes along.  Rarity puts up a valiant effort resisting giving into what the Nightmare Forces are saying.  Thinking that her friends would never forget her but the Nightmare Forces use this  against her as they tell her that if she stays with them, her kindness would never be forgotten.  Hmm, that makes me wonder why they didn't use Fluttershy instead (Well, I do know the answer but we will hold off on answering that for now).  And it as this point that Rarity gives in and allows herself to become the second Nightmare Moon as we see her engulfed in black clouds.  Now, it's interesting to see what the Nightmare Forces are doing to Rarity.  They're using her need to help others against her. Sure, this doesn't always come through in the show but it is a key aspect of her character.   And also,  I believe that Rarity gave in as she was stuck on the moon with these creatures that to us the reader that don't intimidating but they just kidnapped Rarity and took away from her home. So, she's scared and when people  err ponies is placed in a tense situation, they can be broken down  and that is we see with Rarity.  And while Miss Rarity is indeed a strong character and has a lot of will.  But again, some ponies when scared, let their guard down  and I feel that's what happened with Rarity here. This doesn't make me think any less of her because I completely understand her situation.  I think the trolls from Frozen can sum up what was happening with Rarity here.

People make bad choices if they're mad or scared or stressed

But you also have to take into consideration that the Nightmare Forces really weren't giving Rarity an out.  They were going to find a way to make her the second Nightmare Moon, no matter what it took. And I'll admit that the first time, I saw Nightmare Rarity, I was both intrigued and disheartened.  Intrigued to see what the IDW team could do now that one the Mane Six was Nightmare Moon and disheartened to see one of the Mane Six (not mention, one of my favorite characters) become Nightmare Moon.



Why


This is perhaps the one thing that bugs me with Nightmare Rarity as according to this comic, Nightmare Moon isn't born out of a pony's emotions such as spite and jealously with Luna but is rather something akin to the Symbiote from Spider-Man.     Nightmare Moon does go over why she chose Rarity, when asked by one her Nightmare Forces, she chose her.

 Shadowfright (Larry):  Supreme One, may I ask why you chose this pony in particular?  That yellow one seemed like an, um, easier option.

Nightmare Moon/Nightmare Rarity:  Oh my dear Larry. Dear simple, unamusing Larry. I picked this pony vessel for a reason-- to render the Elements of Harmony powerless!


Jerome:  It was her mane, right? That pony Rarity had great hair.

Nightmare Moon/Nightmare Rarity:  I chose Rarity specifically. She had, shall we say, self-esteem issues?

Jerome: Don't we all?

Nightmare Moon/Nightmare Rarity:  I needed a being that was... pliable. Rarity was so eager to help. So generous with her gifts, but she had a deep dark secret. I was sure she would cave.

Shadowfright (Larry): She was a bit stronger than we had hoped.

Nightmare Moon/Nightmare Rarity: Well, sometimes a little force is necessary 

This is perhaps my biggest issue with this arc as it seems to go against everything that we learned of Nightmare Moon from the show. Which granted wasn't very much but the show presented it as Luna's jealously, anger and spite consuming her.  Whereas here,  Nightmare Moon is presented as a sentient symbiote like being that needs a host to function. Which in turn means that anyone can be Nightmare Moon, which while an interesting thought does somewhat take away from the fact that Rarity is serving as the host for Nightmare Moon.


I think what would've worked better is if  the arc had kept the idea of Rarity feeling shunned and as though her friends were forgetting about her and using that to have her become Nightmare Moon without the aid of Nightmare Forces could've worked better.  The Nightmare Forces aren't bad but their inclusion really lessens the impact of one becoming Nightmare Moon.  As we explored with Luna, an important aspect of her becoming Nightmare Moon was us feeling sympathy for her as the transformation happened.  This arc does try to build sympathy for Rarity as she becomes Nightmare Rarity. Now, sympathy  is already partly built in with the audience as we know Rarity and have some of  have grown fond of the fashionista.  Especially ones like me that are Rarity fans.  And while I do feel bad, when Rarity becomes Nightmare Rarity and I'm scared for her as the decision is forced upon her.   But at the same time,  I think there could've been more weight given to the situation of it were just Rarity on her own becoming Nightmare Rarity.  I understand that the show and comics are aimed at a young audience.  But the IDW comics aren't afraid to tackle darker story-lines than that of the show. And this arc does take steps in setting up a darker path that could be taken but it doesn't fully commit itself to this idea.




Personality

Going by the Villains Wiki and what is presented in this arc,   it is clear that Nightmare Moon has taken over and that Rarity is just nothing more than a skin for her to wear.  She is very cruel , somewhat sadistic and enjoys toying with her enemies. Which is seen when she creates a warped  scene using Spike's crush on Rarity against him.  Though perhaps the biggest attribute  applied to Nightmare Rarity is that she's really vain.  And sure Rarity has been accused of being vain in the past but it is truly amped up here.  The only part of Rarity that is truly left intact is Rarity's love of fashion.  Now, we do see later in the arc, that Rarity tries to fight and break through Nightmare Moon's hold.  The rest of the Mane Six do try and help her.  And it takes some work to get through to Rarity.


Lackeys

Now, we've already mentioned Nightmare Rarity's Nightmare Forces but there are two in particular that we need to focus on.


Shadowfright & Jerome

Now, we have already met Shadowfright aka Larry before.   He was the Nyx that scolded Doran in the Nightmare Moon comic.

Which considering how long ago, Nightmare Moon's arrival took place, we can see how this time as a Nightmare Force has truly corrupted him and made him devious and a willing subject to Nightmare Moon.  Out of the two, Shadwofright is presented as the the evil smart one.     Whereas Jerome is shown to be  nothing more than the mere idiot. Now, at the end of the arc, they're redeemed and reverted back to the way, they were before.

Grand Desire

This wasn't easy to figure out, if I'm to be honest.  But it seems to be that she wished to reinstill the fear of Nightmare Moon in the citizens of Equestira.  And Nightmare Moon realized that by breaking up the Mane Six, that this could make her task somewhat easier.   

Most Evil Deed

I'd have to say that Nightmare Rarity trying to use Spike's crush on Rarity and offering him a spot as her king. Thankfully, the little dragon was able to see through this and realize that he wasn't dealing with the real Rarity.

Demise

It takes quite a bit for Rarity's friends to break her free from the hold of Nightmare Moon.   They even need the help of Luna.   After Luna uses the elements' light magic to purge the Nightmare Forces of their dark magic and that reforms them.   She then showers it on Nightmare Rarity as she is covered in Dark Magic.  But Rarity doesn't have enough faith in herself that she can break free.  Thus making Nightmare Moon's hold to powerful.  Then the rest of the Mane Six  think of the things that they love about Rarity and the love that they hold for their friend breaks her free from the hold of Nightmare Moon as Rarity reunites with her friends in tears.

I like this ending here and I like how they are able to get Rarity free of Nightmare Moon's hold. It's a touching finale for the fashionista.   And a reminder for her that her friends will always love her and she will never be forgotten.

Is Nightmare Rarity A Good Villain? 

I think that I like the concept of Nightmare Rarity more than the execution. It's an interesting idea to see what happens when one of the Mane Six becomes Nightmare Moon.  As Rarity was never really in control here as Nightmare Moon and I find that a bit disappointing.  I' would have rather seen what would've happened if Rarity became Nightmare Moon without the push from the Nightmare Forces.  But having said all of that, I still do like Nightmare Rarity quite a bit.   Just not as much as I use to. Join me next time as we look at the first two issues of the Nightmare Rarity arc.