A Nightmare's Reign: A quest for Harmony

Eternal Night of Dreams

It was a dark night the moon shined bright in the sky lighting the darkness that covered the lands allowing those who traveled upon it to move with ease. But not all those who traveled these realms were those with noble goals and ambitions, for on this peaceful night galloping down the muddy dirt roads, the tips of there spears, torches, and black flags scene from afar, came the black armored Stallions of the Equestrian Royal Guard. Emerging from the roads that led to Cantelot they arrived at a small Equestrian town simply known as Ponyville the sound of their armor clanking as they approached the small town. Swarming in by the dozens they entered the village and began to ransack and burn every singe home or shop that was near them causing mayhem and destruction wherever they went creating a great panic among the local pony populace as they tried to escape from their wrath running in every direction that was possible.

As the chaos began to spread and more homes and shops began to burn,  one guard remained stationary throughout most of this raid observing the whole thing with a evil smirk on his face. He was the oldest of them, he was a dark blue Unicorn with yellow cat like eyes his mane was grey and dull as well as he beard. However what stood out the most about him was a long jagged scar that ran straight through his left eye that was blinded by it. After a few more moments of letting the other guards rampage and cause destruction through the town the elderly guard held up his hoof and shouted in a cold  authoritative voice. "Alright men round them up!"

As he commanded the legion of guards suddenly stopped there raid and began to round up several of the citizens as they could find gathering them around their commander who was on the steps of the towns city hall allowing him to view the citizens from above as he  he glared at them causing them to shiver in fear.

Smiling sadistically, the guard began to make his speech as he paced back and forth like predator observing his prey. "Alright you little runts, as you know, I Captain Scarred Eye, head of the Royal Guard, am here by orders of her majesty herself Queen Nightmare Moon, because it is rumored your town has a traitor in it's midst's.'

Suddenly the gathering crowed started to whisper to one another shocked to here about such rumors about treason in their town their faces filled with fear and mistrust.

One of Captain Scarred Eyes men headed to him and pulled a piece of parchment showing it the crowds. "This....is the traitor. On the parchment a image of orange Earth Pony with a yellow mane wearing a cowboy hat was on it above her head the word Wanted was over it.

"The traitor Applejack has been spotted near your town, she along with five others ponies are fugitives and must be captured at once." Captain Scarred Eyed explained as he continued to observe the crowds searching for any suspicious looking ponies in the area his eyes shifting from left to right in a flash. "In exchange for her whereabouts you will receive the reward of one million bits!"

There was silence in the crowds no one seemed to want to answer either out of defiance or just out of petrifying fear, either way it Scarred Eye was becoming displeased with this defiance his anger showing on his face. "So none of you want treasures and riches beyond your imagination.". The crowds continued to remain silence this time seeming more defiant .Turing around Scarred Eye nodded to one of his guards and had him grab a young orange Pegasus with a purple mane from crowds and had him point a sword to her neck.

Looking at the crowds who started huddling together in fear of being taken the guards as sacrifice Scarred Eye shouted. "Are you sure you don't have any information!"

"Hey let me go you big bully!" The young filly spoke trying in vain to wrestle her wait out of the guards tights grip.

Hitting her in the flank the guard shouted back, "Silence you runt!" he placed the sword a little closer to her next.

"If you don't give us her or any of their whereabouts, this young filly will die." Scarred Eye shouted making sure to emphasize that this was his last warning to the crowds.

The crowds continued to whisper this time with more urgency. It seemed as if they were almost ready to break Scarred Eye could see it in their eyes, he was soon about to have the information his Queen wanted so desperately. Suddenly in a dash of speed the guard carrying the filly was flung into the air hitting the nearby knocking unconscious by the impact. At once all of guards drew their spears and swords wondering what had attacked him, Scarred Eye in particular looking intense.

Then all of a sudden a few of the rocks lying around the ground began to levitate surround by a magical  purple energy and hit two of the guards knocking them out from behind.

"WHO'S THEIR!" Shouted Scarred Eye as he and the rest of his men looked around for the mysteries attackers their fear slowly getting the better of them as all they could hear was the sound of their own hooves crushing the grass beneath them.  Turning towards his men Captain Scarred Eye ordered them to move out and search the surrounding area.

Two of the guards headed into alley ways between two small apartment houses in the village for those were places criminals would hide first.

"Anything." The first guard whispered to his companion as he moved his torch around the dark corners in order to illuminate them.

"Nothing on my end."  Whispered the other guard as he started searching the trash can for any rebels.

Both of them continued searching the alley way only to find the place completely empty. Taking a deep breath the guards began to head out. "Well that was..." Suddenly a heavy pressure was felt behind the guards causing them to fall face flat on the ground. Scarred Eye heard that crack and quickly turned around and saw his prize.

"There's the fugitive, Applejack." Then from the shadows the orange earth pony emerged looking defiant. Scarred Eye growled and shouted, "GET HER!" Forcing his men to attack.

"Come on boys get her down." Applejacked shouted back as the guards started to charge on her. Before their spears could pierce her coat they guards were repelled by purple bolts of energies coming from a purple unicorn.

"It's the fugitive Twilight Sparkle."  said one of the guards as he and two of his comrade's headed  towards her direction only to be knocked flung into the air by a blue pegasus with a Rainbow mane.

"Thanks Rainbowdash." Twilight said sounding relived.

"No problem, Twi, Fluttershy! You and Rarity ready." Rainbowdash shouted to two ponies standing on top of a roof with a bunch of wooden critters.

"Um....okay." The yellow Pegasus with a pink mane named Fluttershy whispered

sounding  extremely nervous. .Her white Unicorn friend pattered her on the back trying to build up her confidence.

"It's okay Fluttershy, Twilight and the other will make sure they'll be safe." Rarity said.

Looking at her animals Fluttershy gave the word and had her small woodland animals taking a deep breath in order to calm her nerves.

"Ugh, gets this thing off me." Shouted one of the guards who had a highly aggressive white bunny on him pushing his helmet below his eyes blinding him from the rest of the battle.

Realizing this battle was becoming a losing one, Scarred Eye ordered the retreat of the guards. Rallying toward their leader they began to head out of town and return back to the palace in Canterlot, but before they could from out of knower a Pink pony with a fluffy pink mane appeared just smiling and staring at them.

"Hi! I'm Pinkie Pie what's your name." she said sounding excited as all the guards just starred at her giving confused and bewildered looks.

"Is she serious." One of the guards pointed out.

Suddenly Pinkie Pie jumped. "Oh, are you having a party, I love parties."

"This is getting ridiculous." Scarred Eye shouted as he pulled out his sword ready to strike.

Pinkie Pie continued rambling on about parties. "You know what helps making parties even more fun." Suddenly Pinkie Pie pulled out a large Pink cannon. "PARTY CANNON!" She fired causing the guards in front of it except for Scarred Eye to fling high into the air and enter the Everfree forest."

Realizing the game was up Scarred Eye used his magic to teleport himself out of the town but not before he could hear the cheers of the crowds. Nightmare Moon's thugs have been defeated!

"Well girls we did for now." Twilight said taking a deep sigh of relief as her and the rest of her friends gathered around her.

Then a grayed hared mare wearing glasses approached them. "As mayor of Ponyville, I thank you for protecting our village, but I'm afraid I can't ask you to stay for long, or we risk another attack."

"We understand Mayor Mare." Twilight nodded. "We don't want to get anypony here in get in trouble or worse."

"Thank you." Mayor Mare said sounding guilty of having to ask the very ponies who had stopped the Royal Guards from rampaging through their homes but she new it had to be done.

As the girls headed back into the Everfree forest which was the only place safe from Nightmare Moon and her forces, they were unaware that the very mare who they were fighting was watching them from afar.

******

"IDIOTS!" Nightmare Moon shouted as she watched them from a magical vortex her guards being defeated by the six ponies who tried to thwart her takeover of Equestria As the vortex vanished  the dark mare began to pace around in her chambers inside Canterlot castle her blue metal horseshoes clanking on the marble floors and her soulless cyan eyes narrowing her faced filled with rage. "That was a perfect opportunity to capture them!" Nightmare Moon let out a huge huff of exacerbation as she tried to calm herself. "The Elements of Harmony will not allude me for long."

Nightmare Moon's chambers weren't very large but they were extremely elegant. The curtains were swooned by the finest silk, the walls were covered with elegant paintings pained by the greatest artist in Equestria and in end of the room extremely large comfy bed lied painting in black and blue just as there owner was. The only light that shinned in the room was the light of the candles glowing on their long iron mantles.

During her time at the castle Nightmare Moon had made many changes to this once elegant place of light. Most of the walls were pained over in black or blue much like Nightmare Moon's mane. The throne room had been refreshed and a new stone iron throne was installed so that all those who approached it would know the power of the mare who sat on it. Finally, the dungeons that lied beneath the castle which in long past were once completely empty now were full, full with the poor innocent ponies who only crimes in life were disagreeing with Nightmare Moon's reign over Equestria.

Stepping outside on the balcony Nightmare Moon looked up at the sky extremely pleased with her night that she had created her mind starting to become at ease. "It is beautiful, Eternal Night, for so long these ponies were tricked into loving my sisters sun but now, they can appreciate true perfection."

Her thoughts were soon disturbed however when the doors to her room opened and Captain Scarred Eye arrived looking tired taking heavy breaths to regain his lost strength. Remaining emotionless she turned around to face him hoping that her captains unexpected arrival had a good excuse.

"What is it. Captain Scarred Eye!" Nightmare Moon asked.

Scarred Eye tried to catch his breath having difficulty to talk, finally he managed to regain some of his energy and bowed before his queen. "Your highness I wish to report to you that fugitives have...

"I know that!" Nightmare Moon shouted angrily much to the surprise of her loyal captain.

"My apologies then your highness." Scarred Eye bowed in a sign of respect and fear. "I promise you we shall redouble our efforts to find them. We will not fail."

"For you sake you better not." Nightmare Moon turned around and once again continued to gaze upon her moon with awe. Suddenly she growled gritting her teeth. "If only those accursed Elements of Harmony hadn't used what was left of their magic to allow those six accursed ponies to escape my grip". Listing to Nightmare Moon ramble Scarred Eye remained presence still looking puzzled and trying to say something. Nightmare Moon must have noticed for she spoke. "I assume you are still here to gaze at my glorious moon."

Scarred Eye jumped. "No...I mean yes, I mean your moon is glorious but..."

"Get on with it." She interrupted.

Scarred Eye knowing that continuing to dilly dally would lead to his immediate execution. "Your highness why are we concentrating all our efforts on these six fugitives?"

Nightmare Moon snickered. "For they tried to stop  me from achieving my birthright."

"Yes, but you stopped them you destroyed the elements of harmony...didn't you?" Scarred Eye was answered by silence, Nightmare Moon continuing to have her back on him. Slowly she began to speak sounding as if she was gritting her teeth.

"Just....find them and bring them to me." Knowing that his moment was up Scarred Eye bowed and headed out of her chambers leaving her to continue to glance at her moon wondering why she seemed so anxious to find these six fugitives. But her knew it was better not to question her much longer or suffer his mistresses wrath. However before he headed out Nightmare Moon stopped him one last time.

"Wait!" She commanded.

"Yes my queen." Scarred Eye replied bowing before her.

Nightmare Moon seemed hesitant her face looked as it it was struggling to determine the right words to use, finally she began to speak. "Do the citizens of Ponyville love me?"

Scarred Eye looked both surprised and fearful knowing that the wrong answer would lead to his immediate execution, fearful his voiced shacked as he began to blurt out his answer. "Of course they do your majesty your subjects adore you with...all their hears, it's just those six fugitives who are causing trouble.

Nightmare Moon smiled as she continued to look up at her moon. "Thank you, you may go attend your duties now."

With that Scarred Eye left the room leaving his queen in a very good mood.

******

In a dark and twisted woods far off from most civilization and the prying eyes of Nightmare Moon and his forces, the six ponies fugitives began to set off camp for the night, although now a days it was hard to tell whether it was truly night since night was now eternal.

Setting up the campfire Applejack was rubbing to sticks of woods together while Twilight used her levitation spell to place a few logs around the campfire for them to sit on for the night

"Ugh...More camping, I miss my old bed back in Ponyville." Rarity said looking at her hooves which were now muddy and wet.

"We all miss our beds Rarity." Rainbowdash said sounding annoyed by her friends whining. "Boy do I miss my old comfy bed back in my home in the clouds." She looks up at the clear sky. "Darn Nightmare Moon she never puts any clouds up, what she thinks it going to ruin her night!"

"I just wish there was something we could do." Twilight said a hint of depression sinking in. "I feel like all we've been doing is knocking out a few guards here and there. Ever since we lost the Elements how can we stop her."

"Because that's all we have been doing." Applejack remarked still struggling to get the campfire started, this time switching from sticks to rocks.

"Hey you still have that old book of yours right." Rainbowdash asked. Twilight headed to her saddle bag and pulled out a book simply called "The Elements of Harmony.

"Yes." Twilight replied.

"Well maybe that book has something their that can help us." Rainbowdash commented.

Twilight merely rolled her eyes. "I've been looking at this book for weeks, ever since we got teleported out of the old castle I've been looking for  like ... a fail safe or something, but so far nothing."

"Well I'm sure you'll find something in time, if Celestia made you her number one student I'm sure you'll think of something." Rarity said trying to boost Twilight's confidence.

"Yeah, I'm sure you'll find something faster then I'll start this darn campfire." Applejack responded her voice becoming annoyed and she continued in vain to start the campfire."

"Oh here." Rarity walked up the campfire grabbed the two rocks from Applejack's hand and clicked them together starting the fire on the first try.

"Wow! How'd you do that?" Applejack said looking amazed.

Rarity smiled. "It was easy really you were just hitting the rocks in the wrong places. I know how to tell these sorts of thing, trust me, when I make my dresses if I get one string out of place the whole dress is ruined. "

Twilight chuckled watching the whole thing while continuing to read her book. Suddenly Pinkie Pie jumped up from behind Twilight trying to cheer her up. "Hey Twilight, still looking."

"Yes" Twilight responded.

"Oh...Found anything yet." Pinkie Pie asked smiling.

"Nope." Twilight Responded.

Their was silence.

"Anything yet." Pinkie Pie asked again.

"No." Twilight answered again.

"How about now?"

"No!" Twilight started becoming annoyed again.

"What about..."

"No Pinkie Pie I haven't found anything yet" Twilight shouted getting annoyed.

"Okie Dokie Loki." Pinkie Pie smiled deciding to stop bothering Twilight and leave her alone.

Feeling tired she took a deep yawn and began to lie down on the grassy tundra of the forest using her saddle bag as a pillow to rest her head on. "Well I'm hitting the hay, good night."

"Good night!" all her friends replied as they to decided it was time to rest of the night wondering were they'll next location would be now that they were on the run from Nightmare Moon and her forces.

Bright lights, that all there was,  nothing but bright white light as far as they eye could see from ever corner of Twilight eyes.

"Were... were am I." Twilight asked herself as she looked around at the nothingness that surrounded her.

"Hello" she shouted hoping to find someone 'Anyone their. Applejack, Fluttershy, Rainbowdash, Pinkie Pie, Rarity! Hello!

"Twilight said a familiar sounding voice coming from the distance, Twilight quickly looked around trying to conform on who it was. "Twilight" The voice said again this time much louder. Then from the light a image began to emerge a familiar looking image, although it was hard to see the shape of a large unicorn with wings began to appear and slowly it began to emerge.

"Celestia!" Twilight shouted as she quickly woke up returning to the realm of reality once more.

All of sudden, Fluttershy woke up as well wondering what had just happened noticing Twiight wide awake sweating. "Are you okay Twilight, did you have a bad dream"

Twilight slowly began to regain her thoughts. "I...I'm sure but I think....I think I just saw Celestia."