Becoming the Nightmare

by Masters-of-the-Elements

Rating: teen
Tags: Trixie, Comedy, Lightning Dust, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Dark, Human, Nightmare Moon, Original Character
Length: 11088

Five Score Divided by Four side-fic starting some unusal side-characters

I have never thought that I was special, even today, my birthday, wasn't anything important. That all change when I gain the Cutie Mark of a certain villious mare. But instead of freaking out like my friends, who are having the same problem, I choose to keep myself composed, and take this entire experience differently. Now, I can only hope that I would be able to figure something out before things get worse.

A Five Score, Divided by Four side-fic, starting some unsusal characters.

Published 2013-05-27 02:20:01 UTC
Last updated 2013-06-14 23:44:12 UTC

The Episodes that Started it all

Becoming the Nightmare

Prolong:

The Episodes that started it all

I’m a meek man at best, despite how I look. When people see that I stand about 6 foot, 5 and half inches tall, and my big bone body, they immediately become afraid of me. But I’m just a big teddy bear really; I even work at a daycare center part time. Outside of my massive body, I’m no one special. My sandy blonde hair is usually kept short and parted to my right. My brown eyes are usual covered by glasses due to my poor eye sight. I’m actually saving up for corrective surgery so I can be rid of these things for good. My face is a little wide, again due to my big bones. Currently, I’m wearing a gray sweat suit, with a numbers of holes in them.

Like I said before, I’m no one special. I don’t even feel special on this day, my 25th birthday. Then again, my birthday had always happened after summer break had started, so most of my friends always wanted to spend those days having fun instead of coming over to my house to celebrate my birthday. But I had long since gotten over that bitter pill, being a grown up after all.

Well, maybe my birthday is somewhat a big deal, after I meant my two best friends in the entire world, that is. In bit of ironic twist, my friends and I share the same birthday, and a few common interests. So we decided that on our birthday, we will go to a local pub, get ourselves hammered, and then pass at one of our apartments. The one to get up first is consider the looser of our odd little game, and thereby the others’ slave for the day. Unfortunately, for me, I’m always the looser. I believe it’s because of my body‘s size. It able to handle boozes more easily then my friends and I never been a lightweight with that sort of thing.

Still, I take in with good humor, and I always know how to get even in the end. I always laugh when I add some ground peppers to my friends’ coffee, no matter how many times I pulled that trick. And it’s all the sweeter when my friends fall for it all the time.

Speaking of my friend…I looked over at the clock hanging on the right wall in my apartment, and couldn’t help but frown slightly. I was going to meet my friends at Eddie’s Pub around seven, and it was 3:15, so I had time to waste. Normally, I would be working at my main job at the factory, but I always take the week of my birthday off, mainly because of my little game with my friends, and plus I like to relax on my birthday. So, I popped in the third disc of “My little Pony: Friendship is Magic: season four”, and got comfortable in my favorite easy chair.

I couldn’t stop the frown as I think back to when this season was first airing. This season had drawn in a lot of controversy, much more then season-three-finale but no way near as much as the series end did. Still, when the season was airing, there was a lot of talk and debut about the themes in certain episodes.

The season premiere is still source of internet debut, despite the show ending five years ago. In it, Twilight Sparkle’s first task as a princess was to go the border of Equestria, to settle a small debut that had erupted over a colony of ponies and griffins; all who wanted to have the same patch of land. Twilight, for the first time in her life, got a swelled head, and believed she could handle things on her own. Things didn’t work out as she hoped, and soon the two colonies were at war, and this wasn’t the pie-throwing, buffalo-stomping we were treated to in that season one episode, either. No, this was a near hooves/claws show down that could have ended badly, if not for the timely entrance of the rest of the Mane Six.

Twilight, with her friends’ aid, was able to pull herself together and resolve things peacefully before thing truly got out of hand. Twilight, however, come out of this event with some humbling, if not embarrassing lessons. She realized that while she has the skills of a leader, she lacked the refinement needed to use those skills in the best possible way. So, with her teacher’s blessing, Twilight renounced her crown but kept her wings, and moved back to ponyville to continue learning about friendship and how to be a true leader.

A lot of fans, myself includ, have predicted something like this to happen, and while a lot where a little upset for the reused plot, it wasn’t what cause the debut eruption. No, the real source of the debut came with the last minute and half of the second episode. The audience learns that a mysterious pony was behind the entire thing, trying to make Twilight Sparkle looked bad in the eyes of her teacher.

Following the premiere, episode centers around Twilight had gained a certain theme. She would try her hoof at becoming a better leader, such as running for mayor or opening a small side-business. They always ended in nearly the same way, but Twilight has always learned something from it, and felt she was one step closer to become a true leader.

These episodes, while MLP standard, always ended with the mysterious pony having a hoof in sabotaging Twilight, trying to make her look bad in the eyes of Princess Celestia. A lot of fans were outrage by the direction that the show was being taken in. A lot felt that Hasbro had reached a new low by introducing a cardboard cut-out villain who only purpose was to ruin Twilight Sparkle’s life. The fan outrage was made worse when, in the middle of the season, the identity and history of this mysterious new pony was finally revealed. This also led to what I believe to be the highlight of season four.

The mysterious pony was revealed to be a unicorn name Sunset Circle. She has been the personal student of Princess Celestia before Twilight, and like Twilight, was talented in magic, just not on the same level former unicorn. That’s where the similarity between the two personal students ended, however. Sunset was shown to have an ego bigger then Trixie, if that was possible. She believed herself prefect, and thereby incapable of making a mistake.

While Sunset explained her past to a mysterious group she had gathered, we, the fans, were treated to a flashback of how thing truly happened. It turns out that Sunset was sloppy in lot of her work, and made small mistakes that not even a unicorn filly would make. We also learned that Sunset tried to use her position as Celestia’s personal student to her own advantages. She would often try to get free stuff by telling ponies that she was Celestia’s student, and thereby could have something nasty done to them if she doesn’t get what she wanted. Celestia was disappointed in her student when she learns what she was doing, but didn’t take much action against this behavior.

The straw that broke the alicorn’s back came when Sunset, with her ego in high gear, tried to cast a high level spell. The spell, we learned, was meant for high level unicorns, with years of experience, and could be disastrous if done wrong. Things didn’t work out like Sunset had hope, and an entire block in Canterlot was sent flying due to the unicorn’s mistake. No ponies were injured, thanks to the quick actions of the royal guards.

It was this act, however, that pushed Celestia pasted her limits, and she was forced to do something that she never had done before. With a heavy heart, the sun princess was forced to renounce Sunset Circle as her personal student. We then learned that Celestia had taken on Twilight as her student a few mouths later.

Sunset, thank to her ego processing her ex-teacher’s words differently, thought that the princess was just taking a long break from teaching her, and continue her studies on her own. When Twilight had made Ponyville her new home, Sunset had approached Princess Celestia, thinking it was time to study under her again. Celestia didn’t have the heart to tell her former student the harsh reality. Princess Luna, however, didn’t have the same reason to hold the truth back, and use the Royal Centerlot Voice to tell Sunset this horrible truth.

Sunset, instead of being crushed by the news, was furious, and all that rage was directed at Twilight Sparkle. She believe that Twilight, an inferior unicorn, had stolen her glory, and became determined to prove herself the more talented unicorn. She decided then and there, to do everything in her power to discredit Twilight and prove to Celestia that she was the better choice. To that end, she has been secretly following Twilight since her early days in Ponyville, studying her to find any sort of weakness to exploit. She had used Twilight’s swelled head to try and get her ex-teacher to see that Twilight wasn’t right as her personal student.

When fans learn of this, they were outrage, probably more so then when Twilight became a princess, and I could see why, too. Through this simple act, Hasbro has changed an entire series that focused was on life’s hardship made easier with friends by your side. The fan felt that adding Sunset, a single-minded character, whom only appeared recently but has been watching Twilight since the show beginning, was taking two steps back.

But I believe I’m getting off topic here. Let me tell you what Sunset did after failing to make Twilight look bad so many times. After learning that her plan weren’t doing what she wanted, she change things up, and formed a group for a dangerous task. This group had a few familiar faces; including the disgrace inventors, Flim and Flam, as well as the Wonderbots’ dropout, Lightening Dust and Gilda the Griffron. The final member of the group was Trixie, surprisingly.

It was during this time that we learn that Lightening Dust, and Trixie are cousins through their mothers. But…more on that one later.

With her group together, Sunset led them on a mission that would consider suicidal; they were going to sneak into the castle and pony-napped Princess Luna. It was then that secret about the younger princess was learned, and like much everything else in the season, caused outrage among some fans.

We learned that lunar princess was fighting against her dark half, Nightmare Moon, and winning. I believe the writers of the show used this to explain why Luna didn’t have much screen time during the first and second season. Sunset learn about this, and believing this would put her back on top, had gathered her group, and used their skills to do the impossible and pony-napped Luna. She planned to do rid the lunar princess of her dark half, and thereby do what Twilight Sparkle had failed to do, and that should put her back in favor with the princess.

Sunset then use some sort of ritual to removed Luna’s dark half. Unfortunately, Sunset had made a mistake, and the creature that they got was nothing more then a beast, and went on a rampage on a nearby town. Sunset’s group got lucky and was able to capture the best again. The failure of a unicorn, in a moment of poor judgment, transferred the memories and feelings that Luna had when she was Nightmare Moon into the current Nightmare. It was at this point that Sunset made her true plans known. She wanted to control Nightmare Moon, and make Celestia acknowledge her talent, and turned her into an Alicorn Princess. Sunset’s group realized the fault in this plan, and tried to stop her. But it was too late, for all of them. Nightmare Moon was back, and ready for her revenge.

The new nightmare, no longer want to make the night last forever, but still wanting to rule all of Equestria, rejects Sunset‘s commands, and attacked her and her group. She made short work of the group, and even sent Sunset to parts unknown. Her next target was Luna, who she turned into a simple unicorn. From there, she took out the “lesser” princesses, reducing Twilight to a Pegasus, and Cadance to an earth pony. Her final target was Celestia, and while she put up a good fight, she fell in the end, and was turned into a crystal pony. Her final act was took Fluttershy hostage, and kept her close so the Elements of Harmony couldn’t be used against her. She then took over Equestria and gave the ponies this one law; submit to her rule and continue to live in the sun. Rebel and the night will be the last thing ponies see.

But Celestia wasn’t done just yet. Before Nightmare Moon had fought her, she had sent a message to her student, and fellow princess, telling her about an item that could defeat the new nightmare. This item, ironically, was the Alicorn amulet, and Twilight learned a little more about its history. The amulet, while able to get powers to unicorns, it can take power away from Alicorns. This is also the reason behind the items corrupting nature, as the power that was taken, was all from Dark Alicorns.

Twilight got the item from her zebra friend and went to challenge the nightmare. Unfortunately, Nightmare Moon had learned of this, and was ready for the former unicorn. The fight was short, and the new princess was defeat and the amulet was destroyed. It was at this point that it was discovered that Twilight was merely a decoy and the amulet she had, was a hastily constructed fake. The real one was with Rainbow Dash, who used her speed to fly in through an open window, and stick the amulet around Nightamre’s neck.

Nightmare Moon tried to get the amulet off of her before her magic could be drain, but like how the rules were different when worn by an Alicorn so to was the rule that kept it on a pony’s neck. In short, only the pony who put the amulet on an Alicorn’s neck could take it off. Soon, the item had drained Nightmare’s power, and she was turned into a “lesser” princess, with magic slightly above powerful Unicorns. And with her magic weakened, her spells were cancelled, and the four princesses were restored to normal.

With the threat over, Princess Celestia had gathered her fellow princesses to discuss what to do with the weakened Nightmare. In the end, the princesses were kind, and offer Nightmare a chance to change her ways. She would live with Twilight for a mouth, and if she could truly change, she would be pardon. If not, then she would suffer imprisonment.

The next three episodes after this large story were devoted to showcasing Nightmare’s transformation from a villain to a good pony. This show how she interacted with the Mane six and what they taught her. Slowly, she went from a rage-filled pony to a pony who loves to dance and love candy apples. She even became a sort of advisor to the Cutie Mark Crusaders, even becoming an official member. The final episode dealt with the awkwardness between Princess Luna and the reformed nightmare. In the end, the entire episode was one big slapstick fest as the two tried their best to avoid each other. It took the might of Twilight and her friends to get the two into the same room. Things were still awkward for the two, but like all children show, they eventually worked it out. They both came to realize, in a strange way, they were family, and Luna acknowledged Nightmare as her daughter. Nightmare Moon was then given a new name to complete for reformation. She became Princess Night-Flare, and would one day take over for her mother in controlling the stars when the time was right.

To me, this is where the fourth season picked up and regained some of it lost steam. Plus, Night-Flare became a regular character, choosing to return to Ponyville to continue studying friendship alongside Twilight. Still, this caused some outrage from fans. Some felt that Sunset wasn’t given a proper ending. I often found this ironically, when I think about it. Almost everyone in the fan base didn’t like Sunset, and yet when she didn’t just reappear when it was all said and done, and face the music for her crimes, they were outraged.

“…There’s no pleasing some people,” I mused softly, as I looked at the clock on the wall.

I suddenly gasp as I felt like I was about to have a heart attack. It was 6:15! I couldn’t have daydreamed for nearly three hours without noticing it, could I? I looked back at my TV and saw that DVD menu was up, meaning that I have somehow had daydream for nearly 3 hours.

I must have sat there for nearly three minutes just thinking things over. I never had just zone out like that before, and it sent shivers up my spine. Maybe I was trying to come down with something, and if that was the case, I probably shouldn’t drink tonight. Out of habit, I began to check myself out, looking for any abnormal sighs. Heart rate…normal, check! No fever…checked. Throat not dry…check! Nose not plugged up…check. In the end, I couldn’t fine any sigh that I was sick, and this was good. Still, I made a mental note not to drink too much tonight, just in case.

I got up, and stretched, stretching out some muscles that had fallen asleep on me. I don’t care most people say; you get stiff muscles even when you’re in an easy chair. I walked over to my set, and turned off, smiling slightly as I turned away from it.

“Man, I turned 25, and I go weird,” I muttered to myself.

I then walked over to the bathroom. I was planning on taking a quick shower before I head over to the pub. Unfortunately, this would make me a bit late, as the pipes in my apartment complex suck bad, and usually takes about 7 to 8 minutes for the water to get hot. Still, I knew my friends would understand. If anything, being a little late would save me for their usual debut that those two liked to have on our shared birthday.

“…Those two would be married in the next few mouths, but they acted like siblings…or close knitted cousin,” I muttered whimsically to myself.

I turned on the water, and stripped to my birthday suit as I waited for the water to get hot. I passed the rest of the time humming the extended theme sing of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic. Suddenly, my hips began to itch and I scratched them without a second thought. Soon, the water was ready, and I adjust it to the right setting. I was about to step in when spotted some on my hip from the mirror out the corner of the right eyes.

Frowning, I turned my head toward my mirror, and studied the strange image. I think my eyes nearly rocketed out of my sockets as I get a good at the thing that suddenly appeared on my hip. It was an image of a crescent moon on an indigo backdrop. I recognized it immediately, though my brain was having trouble processing what I was seeing.

It was right then and there that I decided that I was sick, but not in the way I first thought. I’m thinking that I’m had some sort of small head cold, and it was messing with my head, making me see things that clearly wasn’t there. Still, I slowly reached for it, and felt sooth skin. Ok, now I was certain something was wrong with me. But the real question is this; just what is wrong with me?

Still…I couldn’t stop the faint blush cross my cheeks as a shy smile appeared on my lips as I said, “I have Nightmare Moon’s Cutie Mark…”

My Friends and I

Becoming the Nightmare

Chapter One:

My Friends and I

Wait a damn minute, why the hell am I smiling? And why do I look like some shy school girl who just got her panties exposed for the first time? I gave my head a violent shake, and lightly rubbed my left knuckle against my temple for good measure. I frown slightly as I looked at the mark that mysterious appeared on my hips. I touched it lightly, and this caused my frown to deepen.

This thing wasn’t a tattoo that I’m can be certain of. I had felt tattoos before; hell my aunt dated a tattoo parlor artist once. Most artists claimed that they do such a good job that no one would able to feel anything different about the skin that the tattoo rests on. I knew that to be mostly a lie, however. You can’t run a needle, filled with thick ink across soft flesh, and not expect some part of the skin to get damage.

So, trust me when I say I know what I’m talking about.

Still…something about this image seemed off. The skin’s to smooth when I touched it, like the skin around my thighs and hips just morphed into the image I was looking at right now. But that’s just silly, not to mention, impossible. Still, I know I wasn’t dreaming, and the mark on my being was proof that I wasn’t just seeing things either. So that means either one of two things. I was going crazy, or someone was going to the trouble to play one big prank on me.

“Remember, Adrian, when everything else seems unlikely, there’s only one truth you can count on, and that’s the truth you find for yourself.”

I gave me head another shake, just to get the words of my soldier grandfather out of my head. Adrian…how I hate that name! Oh, I get I forget to give you my name, didn’t I? Well, it’s Adrian…Adrian Monk. Before you break out into a giggle fit, like me clarify one thing. I’m not like that fictional TV detective, who has a list of phobias so high, it has it own zip code. No, I was born before that show was an idea in someone’s head. Unfortunately, that didn’t stop people from teasing me when they learn my name, back when the show was still on.

I gave my head another shake, to try and clear it. I didn’t have time to be thinking about names and silly TV characters.

I looked at the Cutie Mark, brow narrowing as I began to think. The mark covered most of hip and thigh, so if I wear long shorts or pants, it should be hidden easily. And since the skin isn’t rough or anything, no one would be the wiser about the mark if they touch my side. The only thing that I had to fear was if I somehow loose my pants, and that shouldn’t be a problem due to my big bone body.

“…Still, maybe I shouldn’t drink tonight and tell the others that I will be their slaves tomorrow? Not that it mattered; I lose each and every year.” MY eyes suddenly snapped opened as I realized the weight of my own words.

Here I have been wasting time with worrying about how a silly mark appeared on me when my friends were probably waiting for me, right at this moment. I didn’t have a clock in here, so I don’t know much time I have wasted worrying over a silly mark I could easily hide.

So, I jumped into my shower, and nearly tripped on the slippery floor. I began to wash myself as I mentally recounted my outfits, and which ones were the best to hide my new mark. Hopefully, I wouldn’t be too late, and my friends would understand.

(…)

…And I’m 30 minutes late. After the showering, I scramble to find some cloths that would hide my new Cutie Mark, and wouldn’t make me look like some sort of fool. Unfortunately, I had let my wash slide this week, and it took me a while to find some cloths that didn’t smell like rotten tuna or eggs. I found a nice pair of kakis pants, and a white tee-shirt, in the end. It’s not the fanciest of outfits, but it’s prefect for a night of drinking. Plus, the venation at Eddie’s Pub is horrible. Even in the middle of a blizzard, the place is hot, hotter then any other place I have even been in. One of my friends thinks that is done on purpose, just so people in the place would buy more to drink.

I would normally have smiled at that little running joke, if I wasn’t running at the moment. See, my friends and I have another tradition related to our birthday drinking. Usually, the looser from last year would arrive at the pub somewhat early, and get the usual table we all sit at. And since…well I don’t think I need to go into that again, do I? And because of everything that has been happening I was now late, and would have sit through an ear full from one of my friends.

I made it to the pub, and stopped outside the door, to catch my breath. I also used this time to compose my thoughts, and try to think up a good lie as to why I was late. Once I was sure I was ready, I stepped into the building. Eddie’s Pub wasn’t anything special, just your typical pub. There weren’t a lot of people today, either, due to it being a work day. I scan the room, and spied my friends, ironically, at our usual table. I tried to put on casual smile as I walked up to them.

“Take you long enough,” I cringed at the sharp tone of my friend, Jennifer Gale.

Jennifer was your fair normal girl; say for one thing…her explosion temper. She’s not one girl I would want to meet in a dark alley when she had a bad day. I had to resist the urge to rub my chin as a painful memory surface in the back of my mind. I didn’t want to relive that experience, so I pushed the memory back as I took a seat.

“So what do you so long?” Jen asked curiously.

Count on that girl to get straight to the point…she hasn’t change since middle school. Oh, guess I forget to mention that I have known Jen since middle school. We even dated our entire senior year. We broke things off two months before we graduated, or as Jen had said “We just weren’t right for each other”. We parted on good terms, and remain friends when we entered the same college.

“Sorry…took a longer nap then I wanted,” I said weakly.

I narrow my eyes slightly, trying to get a good look at the only female in our small group. Jen’s short hair is as black as a moonless night sky. My eyes narrow a bit more as I concentrated on a patch of gray behind my ex’s ears. Jen has been prematurely graying since she was 20, but she’s not bitter because of it. In fact, she thinks her graying hair adds volume to her ember red eyes.

When people first see Jen, they think she some sort of petite little thing, with little meat on her body. But boy, would they be wrong once they actually knew what was in store for them. She’s a fourth degree black-belt in karate, and adds her temper, and you got a bomb just waiting to go off.

Today, she’s dressed casually. She’s wearing a pair of navy blue summer pants, sandals, and a white sleeveless blouse. Jen’s figure could be considered plain as best, with small but noticeable breasts and was just a little wide at the hips. She wouldn’t turn heads, that’s much I can tell you. Still, she not bitter about it, and anyone who make a rude commit about her figure…well you can guess the rest, right?

“Give him a break, Jenny. It’s not like anything bad happen from him being late. Besides, Eddy held our dinner for us. You rock, Eddy!”

That person who just talked is Devlin Macleod, my other best friend, and Jen’s so-to-be husband. Like me, Devlin shares his name with a fictional character. Unlike me, he only shares his last name with a movie character, and probably wasn’t tease about it like I was. And no, he’s not from Scotland. He was actually born in New Jersey.

Devlin was my college roommate, and we become friends immediately. It was me who introduced Jen to Devlin, and though they had a very rough start, they had since grown to love each other greatly. Devlin’s just a big kid at heart. He’s always smiling, and ready with a witty comeback. He also likes to tease Jen to no end, no matter how many lumps he gets because of it.

“Don’t encourage him, Devlin!” Jen said angrily, slapping him on the shoulder. “Remember, we’re following your stupid rules!”

Devlin just gave his future wife a cheeky smile and wrapped his arm around Jen’s shoulder. Jen blush slightly, but didn’t shy away from the embrace. I looked at Devlin and lazily study him. I sad that my male best friend was a kid at heart, and I meant it! He dresses like he still a 16-year-old. Today, he’s wearing a pair of baggy black jeans that has many holes in them, and a neo green ‘tip-out’ shirt.

Man, I feeling the heat just for looking at my friend. How can he not be sweating with all of that heavy stuff on?

I sighed lightly and resume my study of my friend. Devlin has an earring in his right ear, and it was one of those big hole-kinds, the one you can put a finger through. Man, how could anyone wear that sort of thing, it looks so uncomfortable. Devlin’s red eyes sparkle with mischievousness, and with a joking smile on his face, looked ready to tell a joke. That was a typical look for my friend. His keep his golden brown hair long, and in a ponytail.

Wait a minute; is there something different about Devlin’s hair? I blinked twice, and narrow my eyes, focusing all of my attention on my friend’s hair. Did it look…lighter? I study my friend’s hair, trying to determine if I was seeing things or not. Unfortunately, my staring drew Devlin’s attention.

“You’re just going to sit there, staring, or are you going to kiss my lovely face?” Devlin asked teasingly.

I would have frown at my friend’s humor, if I wasn’t already wincing when I heard Jen’s punch connect with Devlin’s shoulder. I swear, if Jen put more power into her punches, she could shatter bone easily. If it wasn’t for the fact that Devlin shot his future wife a teasing grin, I would have said that his shoulder was broken.

“Can we just start, already?” Jen asked, clearly irritated. “I had a touch day at work, and I need something to unwind.”

Devlin and I looked at each other, a silent message being exchanged between the two of us. You see Jen just got a promotion at her job, the daycare center I part-time at. Devlin and I wanted to take out friend out to celebrate, but Jen had insisted that we save our money for our birthday celebration. Still, we had gotten together a few nights ago, and agreed that we would pick up Jen’s tab this time. We even meat with Eddy, the owner of the pub, and said that we will pay Jen’s share of the booze in advance.

I looked away from Devlin and called to Eddy. “Eddy…I will take my usual turkey club on wheat!”

“And I will have your spicy meatball special!” Devlin shouted to the owner.

I snapped my head in friend’s direction, a look of pure horror appearing on my face. “OH, no, no, no, no, NO! We’re going back to my place, and I’m not spending the rest of my week off airing out my apartment after you stink-it up with your titanic farts!” I said sharply.

Devlin looked at me, his face stoic. I first I thought I won, and then I saw my friend flash his trademark goofy grin. I had to bit my lower lip to keep myself from groaning so loud that I shattered the windows in the entire pub. I knew what that grin meant, and I wasn’t looking forward to it, either.

“You know, A, you came in late, and I think you at least deserve a little recap before my lovely wife-to-be and I get things started again,” Devlin said slyly, his grin turning a little devilish.

I needed to bit my lip again to keep myself from groaning out loud as my friend began to talk. You probably remember how I told you that the minor characters of Trixie, and Lightening Dust were cousins, right? Well, what I forgot to tell you is that after the Nightmare Moon/Night-Flare saga, the two moved to Ponyville, and opened up a small magic/trick shop. Trixie would teach showmanship, and Dust would offer some flying lessons to the Pesagi around Ponyville. The reform Nightmare Moon even began helping the two around their shop when she wasn’t helping Twilight out.

This was consider standard from the show, and no one thought much about it, until the end of the forth season, that is. During the finale, Twilight, her friends, and the princesses all were put into an enchanted sleep by some strange beast, and that’s how the season ended. The season five premiere resolved this by having Night-Flare enlist the aid of the cousins, and three others to go on a dangerous quest to find an artifact call the crest of unity so the spell could be broken and the beast could be defeated. They succeeded, of course, and the main cast was awoken at the two-part episode end.

A lot of fans, my friends including, thought this was Hasbro attempt to try and created a spin-off of Friendship Is Magic. The premiere was met with somewhat good reviews, and positive fan commits, and it looks like a My Little Pony was about to get a spin-off. Sadly, no spin-off was produce before the series ended, and this spark even more fan outrage then the whole Sunset Circle thing.

My friends were even more outrage about this then any other fan I had met. They would often launch into childish arguments about whose the main character would be if the spin-off was ever created. Devlin thinks that Lightening Dust would have been the star, or as he once said, “she was just as awesome as Rainbow Dash”. Jen would usual give a much longer reason why she thinks that Trixie would have been the main character, and the future family would argue until they stalemated. If I was with then when they had one of their arguments, I would often be asked to settle things. I choose to remain neutral when they ask me to take sides, and I would say their arguments are silly. Of course, I just used this as an excuse, as I didn’t want to tell my two best friends that I think Princess Night-Flare would have been the main character.

I look around the pub as Devlin continue to recount his wife-to-be and his latest argument. I was looking for anything to take my attention away from my friend’s voice. Unfortunately, there wasn’t much going on, being a weekday, after all. So, I didn’t have much to work with, and my friend’s voice was starting to get to me, making a bit irritated.

“Alright, alright!!” I scream in defeat. “You can have your stinking sub! Just make sure you air yourself out before you go into my place. Got it?”

Devlin’s grin turned into a triumphant smile, and to my shock and growing irritation, ordered another spicy meatball special with his first order. I couldn’t stop the loud groan that escaped me this time, and I bang my head on the table. It was official, the rest of my week is going to suck, and in big way, too.

(…)

“Kneel…kneel before the great and powerful Trixie, and her amazing drinking skills!” Jen screamed before finishing off her latest mug of beer.

I shook my head slightly at my friend’s antics, no matter how many times I see it. Jen’s usually a humble person, but gets a couple of boozes in her and she does a 180. And she just finished off her filth mug, and was going in for her sixth. I frown a little as I watched her down the entire mug in one go, and then do something I was half expecting her to do. She took off her shirt, and began a short dance.

“…At least she’s wearing a sports bra this time,” I muttered under my breath.

I watched as my ex-girlfriend go over to the bar and ordered another beer. I frowns a little as I watched Jen down the entire mug in one go again, and go to get her eighth mug. Jen’s not the best at holding her beer down, and seven is usually her limit. So I wonder what change this time, and why she’s having such a better time at holding her own.

“Do you think we should stop her?” Devlin asked, leaning in so he could whisper. “We did agree to pay bill, remember?”

I looked at him with my eyes, keeping my face forward. Of course I remember it; I was the one who suggest it in the first place. I turned my head so I could get a better look at my friend. I noticed two things when I looked at him. First, he had ordered a third spicy meatball special. I frown a little at this, and made a mental note to buy some strong air fresher tomorrow.

The second thing I noticed was Devlin’s hair. It might be the three beers I had, but I swear Devlin’s hair look different again. I narrow my eyes, and tried to get a better look through the poor lighting. It seems more golden, and there wasn’t any trace of brown left in it. And was it longer, or was that my eyes playing tricks on me?

Wait…did Devlin’s eyes look different as well? I leaned in to get a better look at my friend’s eyes. They were different, probably a shade lighter. I looked away from Devlin before he caught me staring, and looked at my half-empty mug of beer. I could normally handle four beers before I felt anything, but today I think I should cut back. I was serious starting to think that something was wrong with me, if it took only three and half mugs of beer to get me wasted.

I moved my right hand to my thigh, and though I didn’t feel it, I knew that the mark was still there. I couldn’t stop the feeling that something was about to happen. I’m not a paranoid man; still something wasn’t sitting right with me. Or maybe the beer wasn’t sitting right with me, and I was just getting nervous over nothing.

‘Hey Nightie!” Jen shouted, appearing from behind, and wrapping me in a tight hug. “Dance with me!”

“I don’t know, T,” I said nervously. “You know I’m not that-”

“Oh, don’t be such a stick in the mud,” Jen said cheerfully.

Before I could protest any farther, Jen had grabbed me by my hand, and forced me out of my seat. She then led me to a small clear area, usual kept clear for dancing, and before I could stop her, she began to dance wildly. I almost chuckle nervously when I saw my ex bust a move or try to at least. Jen was a terrible dancer when we were dating, and she hasn’t improved either. I almost felt sorry for my best friend, who would get settle up with her during her wedding dance.

“Uhhh, Dust, you want to take over for me? Dust…?” I looked at our table and found my friend wasn’t there anymore.

I looked at the bar, and saw, to my horror, Devlin ordering another spicy meatball special. I scowled a bit, and was about to go and stop him. Jen put a stop to that when she dance up to me, and wrapped her arms around my neck. Jeez, I always forget how strong this girl is when she’s drunk. I think she would hurt my neck if she put any more power behind her hold. I knew I wouldn’t be escaping anytime soon, so I wrapped arm around my ex’s waist, and began dancing with her, leading the way so I could avoid having my toes stepped on.

I spin her around, and saw that Devlin had order two subs not one. I groan inwards, and wanted nothing more to go and threw those subs into the nearest trash can. Unfortunately, that plan was put on hold when I felt a sharp pain in my right foot. I didn’t need look to know that Jen had stepped on my foot when I was distracted with my friend’s drunken eating habits. I spin my ex around again, so I could position myself so I could see the only clock in this entire place. I groan again when I saw it was just a little past nine. I had been here for only 90 minutes, and I was ready to leave.

“…somepony, puke already, so we can leave,” I muttered off-handedly.

(…)

Unfortunately, it took nearly 40 minutes for someone to puke, and that was me. Jen kept me dancing for nearly 20 minutes, and the little boozes I had in my system was enough to get my stomach a little upset. And Devlin, with all of those spicy subs in his stomach, started to cut the cheese something fierce, I couldn’t handle the smell, and I upchucked around 9:45. And by the rule set up by my friend, whoever upchucks first, have to stop drinking, and wait for the others to finish. That wasn’t a long wait, thankfully. Jen’s stomach was also a little upset due to her dancing, and took only one more beer to send her running to the bathroom. Devlin wasn’t far behind her. He may like spicy stuff, but his stomach can’t really handle all that spice and alcohol, and he did himself in when he got a seventh spicy meatball special.

So, the night was official over. We paid our bills, and stumble out of the pub, clumsily making our way to my place. Now comes the tricky part. I may be somber enough to know where I’m going; my friends were a different story, however. They couldn’t take two steps without tripping over their own feet. Plus, they both had gotten a bottle of cheap beer before leaving, so they were still getting drunk while I was trying to lead them to my place.

This wouldn’t have been a problem for me on a normal day, given my size and mass, but whatever was wrong with me was giving me added trouble. Anytime I would help one of my friends up, they would pull me down and keep me on the ground for a good minute. Man, whatever illness was effecting me was also making weaker then normal. I finally manage to get them to my place, after nearly 20 minutes of tripping, and tipping, that is. Unfortunately, once we reached the door, I found another problem.

“Don’t tell me I lost my keys?” I muttered under my breath angrily.

“Hey Nightie!” Devlin screamed, at the top of his lungs, too. “Hurry it up; I’m freezing me tail off here?”

I looked at my friend and frown bitterly. Of course he was freezing; half of his shirt has been torn open. It happened during his last fall, when the article of clothing got caught on a side railing. I guess I should be thankful that he wasn’t seriously hurt during that one. All he really had was a small rash that probably would bother him all day tomorrow.

My frown turned a little curious as I looked back at my door. It was unseasonable cold tonight. Then again, this past week had seen some unique weather. One day it could be hotter then hell out here and the other it could be colder then winter. And there was the fact that the moon was acting up to. There was a day when the thing didn’t even appear in the sky.

It has been a freaky week, I realized.

I give my head a quick shake, to clear it, so I can get back to the matter at hand. Finding my apartment key, and getting my friends into my place before they pass out from all the boozes in their system. I patted all the pockets I had, to be sure that I didn’t miss it somehow. I groan and slapped my forehead hard when I realized something. I then pulled my shirt away from my chest, and took out a small silver chain, which had my apartment key hanging from it.

I often put my spare key on this chin, just because I’m paranoid I might lose it when I’m out with my friends. I let that old memory fad as I use the key to unlock the door. I open it and place a small doorstop in front of it, so I didn’t have to fight it and my friends at the same time.

“Okay, you two, time to go bedie-bye,” I said as I turned to them.

I frown when I notice that Jen had fallen asleep while I searched for my key, and was snoring lightly. Devlin wasn’t too far behind her, either. He was close to finishing off his beer, and I knew once that was gone, he would be out in a matter of seconds. So, I sigh lightly as I walked up to him, and hoisted him up. I frown as I notice something odd about my friend. Devlin seems…taller tonight? I quickly shook that feeling off. No, he wasn’t taller I was just crouching down so I could carry him. Yeah, that has to be it.

I tried to shake off the uneasiness I felt as I half-drag, half-carry my friend into my place. I leaned him against the couch and quickly placed a light blanket over him. I would normally set up some sleeping bags for them, but I forget today because I was running late. They would have to just make due with some blankets.

I walked outside, and readied myself for what was coming next. I stepped in front of my ex, and lean down, trying to pick her up. Jen stir slightly, and fall forward, covering her arms with her body. One thing I have always hated about Jen is that when she gets drunk like this, she’s heavier then a lead brink. With sigh of slight frustration, I worked until I was able get Jen upright, and grab her by the arm.

I felt uneasy again as I brought Jen into my place, kicking the doorstop out of the door’s way in the process. I then brought my ex over to the couch and set her down next her future husband. I then hurried off to my room, and got an extra blanket. I made sure my friends were comfortable enough before decided to hit the sack myself.

“Now, it’s time to put this little princess-GAHH!!” I never got too finished as someone grabbed my legs and pull them out from under me.

I landed on the floor with a small thud, and was dazed for a moment. I looked behind me once I regained my senses, and saw that Jen had grabbed onto my legs, causing me to fall. And boy, it was ever uncomfortable, with my legs began bent at the knee and all. I tried to free my legs but it was useless in the end. Once Jen had a hold on something, there’s usually nothing that can break that hold. Still, I tried for nearly five minutes, until all my struggling caused my ex to fall forward, right onto my legs. Well, at least my legs were bent anymore. So with a sigh, I got comfortable, or as comfortable as someone could get when they have their ex-girlfriend on their legs, and try to get some sleep.

I fell asleep surprisingly easy, and that’s when the dream began.

(…)

I let out a light sigh as I began to move around my bedchambers, gathering up the items I needed. Map…check, scroll with the only clue on it…check. That should be everything I need on a dangerous journey to save my closest friends, and my family from some sort of timeless beast that had put everypony I care about into an eternal sleep. So, now all I needed to go is go and meet my friends. Hopefully we would able to find this artifact and use it to free everypony from this beast’s spell.

I was about to leave, when I saw something out of the corner of my left eye. I knew what it was, but I still turned my head and looked at the full body mirror. I lazily studied my own appearance, more out of habit then anything use. My coat is entirely black, nothing new there. I turned slightly so my cutie mark could be seen. It was a crescent moon, in front an indigo sky, again nothing new there. I stood about the average high a pony, maybe a few inches taller then a full-grown mare. But that’s to be expected, after all, I’m just a lesser princess, like my mentor and good friend, Twilight Sparkle.

I scowled slightly at that term. I hated how some of the more snobbish ponies had given princesses like Twilight that title. She had save this land more times then I could count, and yet some ponies only acknowledge her with a turned up head, and a belittling title. I shook my head to get rid of these thoughts, and focus on my mane and tail.

I had style my mane and tail like Rainbow Dash’s, only with one big difference. A large section of my mane completely covers my left eye. I had started to wear my mane like this when I was introduced to the citizens of Equestria, and not a lot were thrilled when they saw my left eye. I was almost tempted to lift my mane up and looked at my left eye. I quickly decided not to, and turned away. I didn’t have time to waste looking in a mirror, after all. I began walking out of the room when I felt something in the air chance.

“Oh, Night-Night...where are you going?”

My entire body tensed up as a bitter scowl appeared on my face. I knew who that voice belonged to, and I wasn’t looking forward for who was coming next. Discord, or as I like to call him the biggest pain in my tail, appeared in his usual fashion, wearing that annoying teasing grin he likes so much.

“And where did you think you’re going, young mare?” Discord asked in a mock scolding tone, and put his hands on his hip, if he had a hip that is.

“I don’t have time for you, Discord,” I said coldly. “So, please move.”

I tried to walk around Discord, only to have him appear in front of me, his teasing grin seemingly wider. I glared up at him, and that just seemed to make his grin that much wider.

“Discord, is there something you want?” I asked my voice colder then before, if that was even possible.

The misshapen creature frown playfully, twisted at the mid-section and got close to my face, to close for my liking. “OHH, I just wanted to make sure you were ok, Night-Night. After all, I don’t think I can face your mommy if I let anything happen to her wittle moon-dancer.” Discord said before, and pinched my right cheek.

I scowled angrily and batted Discord eagle claw away from my cheek. In typical Discord fashion, the claw came straight off the dragonequus, and hit the mirror I was just looking at. I ignore this, instead looking at Discord with a hard glare.

“Discord, if you don’t have anything useful to say…GET OUT OF MY WAY, uuhh,” I moan slightly as I gingerly held my left eye.

Great, just great! I let Discord get to me, and now my eye is starting to sting. That was never a good sign. I needed to get away from him and calm down. It was never a good thing if I get to angry. So, I began to concentrate, and my horn lit up indigo. I then disappeared in a flash of indigo light, and reappeared in a hallway far from Discord. One of the perks of being the personal student of Twilight Sparkle is that you pick up a few neat tricks here and there.

With a light sigh, I began walking, having made sure that I teleported myself near a chariot landing pad. If I could make there, I could leave the castle and not have to deal with that pain in my tail any more. I could also use the flight to Ponyville to calm down. I don’t want to get to angry and have a repeat of what happen with that noble I meant a few months back.

“Oh Night-Night, why must you wound your poor uncle Discord like that...?” I heard a voice asked teasingly from my right.

I looked quickly to my right, and saw that Discord had turned himself in the brinks of the wall, and was now following me, his grin still on his face. I looked forward and tried to ignore the chaos master the best I could. Unfortunately, Discord’s annoyance level seems to be stuck on high today, and he wasn’t going to leave me alone either.

“So…you even wonder what you did with that Sunset Circle pony?” the dragonequus asked casually.

I needed to bit my lip to keep myself from groaning out loud. Ever single time we’re alone, Discord always brings up my aunt’s only known failed student. It was starting to get annoying, and it was also making me angry. I moaned as I held my left eyes again. It had gone from a mildly painful sting, to a dull throbbing. That wasn’t good, and I quicken my pace, hoping to get out of here, and away from Discord faster.

“C’mon, you can tell me, it only us reform good ponies here…well one pony, and a dragonequus, but who’s counting,” Discord said whimsically.

I tried to ignored Discord as I quicken my trot again, nearly breaking into a gallop in the process. Discord, unfortunately, decided to get serious, and teleported in front of me. And to insure I didn’t teleport out myself, he uses his power to close off the hallway around us. I look at the misshapen creature, and while he was still grinning, the like in his eyes were deadly serious. I would admit it was that look that made me a little scared. When he next spoke, the being of chaos was unusually calm, almost eerily calm.

“Oh come, you can tell me. I wouldn’t tell any other pony, scouts honor.”

I snapped at that moment. I didn’t care how much he scares me looks at the moment. I was pressed for time, and he was bringing up useless things like what happen to my aunt’s former student.

“DISCORD, I DON’T HAVE TIME FOR THIS!! AND I DON’T CARE WHAT HAPPEN TO THAT STUPID SUNSET CIRCLE, GAAH!” I screamed as I felt the pain in my left eyes intensify.

I could feel her, it, trying to work its way to the surface, and worse of all, Discord was at the core of it. I looked at him and his smug face, and felt my temper rise, and with it, I could feel that dark creature stir deep within me. I close my eyes, as I tried to suppress my anger, and the creature that was feeding off of it.

“Discord, can you let me pass?” I asked through gritted teeth, opening my eyes part way. “Beside, don’t you have to lower the sun, and raise the moon?”

Discord put his eagle claw to his chin in an obvious mock gesture of thought. He then waved his lion’s paw, and made a clock appear. He looked at it, again, only pretending to think and that made me that much madder. I felt the pain in my eye get worse, giving me a small headache.

“Oh, you’re right, Night-Night,” Discord said whimsically, and looked at me with a teasingly grin. “I wouldn’t want to disappoint your mommy and auntie, now would I?”

And with a snap of his eagle claw, the misshapen pain in my tail disappeared in his usual fashion, and the hallway returned to normal a second later. I remained there for nearly three minutes, allowing my anger to cool and the pain in my eye to subside. I was about to move on, when my coat suddenly tingle intensely. I knew what that meant, and I could feel my temper returning with a vengeance.

“Oh, and Night-Night, I would watch that temper of yours. I think I felt a little of Nightmary in you just now!” Discord said teasingly.

I snapped my head around in all directions, trying to find that misshapen pain in the tail. Unfortunately, he was casting his voice using his magic, and I doubt he was anywhere close. I looked at the floor, and tried to control my raising temper. I tried every calming method I knew, and none help, I could feel my anger, and the creature tripped in my left eye, peeked.

“GGGGGIIIAAAHHH!!” I screamed with all of my might, as my mane and tail exploded into a mess of indigo energy, and causing massive damage as it spiral outwards.

(…)

I bolt straight up, gasping for my air, as I began to look around. I was in my apartment, and it was light out, meaning that day had come. My mind quickly caught up with my body, and I remember what happened last night. I looked at my friends and saw that Jen, in the course of the night, had released me, rolled over and now have her arms wrapped around her future husband. I couldn’t help but smile at this sight. They did make a cute couple, when they’re not arguing like a bunch of middle school kids, that is.

I looked at the clock, and saw that it 8:29. Hmm, that’s a new record for me. When I drink, even a little, I usually don’t get up until around 10. Still, I wouldn’t look a gift horse in the mouth, and decided to get up and fix breakfast. I got up, and began walking toward my kitchen. I stopped and held my head as I moan lightly. Now that I was more awake, I was feeling the effect of last night, and I realized I had a small hangover. I tried to ignore it as I walked into my kitchen and began making breakfast. Nothing fixes a hangover like a plate of eggs and bacon.

I frown when I opened fridge and found it mostly empty. I should have expected as much, shopping day was this Saturday. I did had eggs, and some bread for toast. Sadly, my bacon was spoiled and I had to throw it out. And there weren’t any peppers left, either. That would mean that I would never hear the end of it from Devlin for the rest of the morning. So with a small sigh of defeat, I began working on breakfast.

As I cooked the eggs, I thought back to that dream I had. I know it wasn’t just episode I have seen, and projected into my dreams, it was just too realistic to be a mere dream. Plus, I felt the emotion behind Princess Night-Flare’s words; it was clear that the former villain didn’t like the other reform villain. I frown a little as a thought cross my mind. I don’t ever remember seeing the two former villains interacting that much pm the show.

So how did my mind come up with that crazy little dream when I have never seen them cross paths on the show?

I sigh faintly as I let the memory fad into the back of my mind, and added cheese to make a cheese omelet. I lean in and took in the heavenly smell of the cooking food, feeling like my hangover was lifting already. I pushed my hair away from my left eye so I could a better look at the food I was preparing.

I was about to flip the omelet over, when something clicked in the back of my throbbing head. I normally keep my hair short, and I just had a hair cut last week. So, there should be no way that my hair had gotten long so quick that it would get into my eye. Plus something else seemed off about my hair as well. I turned off my stove and grabbed the patch of hair I just brushed away. I couldn’t see it clearly enough, but something was wrong with it.

Warning bells were starting to go off, irritating my hangover, but I choose to heed the warning, and go check out my hair. I grabbed the toast as it popped out the toaster, and put them on a nearby plate as made my way to my bathroom. I walk carefully around my friends, trying to let them sleep a little longer. My body tensed up when I heard a faint cracking sound, and felt something under my right foot. My immediate thought was that I had stepped on one of my friends’ hands, and broke it. It wouldn’t be the first time something like that had happened.

Yeah…Sometimes it really sucks being so big and massive.

I slowly turned my head to the floor, and saw that I wasn’t stepping someone’s hand. That brought me no comfortable, however. There were only a few things around the immediate area that I could step on, and none of them made me jump for joy. With a slow outtake of breath, I removed my foot from the item in question, and frown angrily when I saw what I had stepped on.

“Damn it, not again,” I muttered angrily as I lean down and picked up the shattered remains of my glasses.

The right lens remained on the ground as I lifted my glasses up from the floor and looked them over. The right side of the frame was broken, and the earpiece was bent upwards. It wouldn’t take much for it to be snap completely off. The left side wasn’t much to write home about, either. The frame wasn’t in as terrible shape as the other side, it was the lens that was in poor shape. There are large cracks on it, making it impossible to see out of it. Finally, the wire connecting the frame has been inwards, and looks ready to break.

I sigh as I let my arms dropped to side. Well, there’s goes the rest of my week. Not only would I be blind as a bat without my glasses, but I would need to dip into my saving funds if I hoped to get them repaired before I go back to work on Monday. Oh, and now I have to bug one of my friends to stay here so they could help me out.

“So much for plastic lens being the answer to all my troubles,” I muttered bitterly, looking at the lens that was still on the floor.

I gasp as I realized something, and looked around. I could see things perfectly. No, I could see better then perfect, if that was even possible. My warning bells were going off again, and I decided not to wait any longer. I walked to my bathroom in a near fast walk, and flip on the lights.

I gasped as I looked at my own reflection. My hair was indeed longer, the back now reaching down to the base of my skull, and the front reaching down to the top of my left eye. It wasn’t my suddenly hair growth that was surprising, however. No, what got me were the strips of indigo that had appeared. It was light and skittered about, but it was still visible. And the longer I stared at it, the more I saw the indigo coloring spread, like a wild fire.

Still…it wasn’t my growing hair or it sudden change in color that had me gawking. It was my eyes that have me jumping in my skin. They had chance completely. They were now a turquoise blue. It wasn’t a bad color, if not a little unnatural. Once again, it wasn’t the suddenly change that got me so nervous. No, what truly had me in stitches was my left eye. It had a slanted pupil, giving it a dragon-like look.

I stared at my own reflection for an untold amount of time, trying to figure things out. Sadly, my brain was completely caught on the fact that my left eye now looks like it belonged on a dragon. It was unnatural in so many ways; I did the only thing that came to mind.

“…By Celestia’s sun, what’s happening to me?