„What are you doing here, this late at night?“ asked Luna her sister.
„I had a nightmare.“
„About what?“
„I saw some scary pony, with dark grey skin, dark blue and black mane and the worst of all – pale emotionless eyes. Weird thing is, that I can recall him so good, even thought it was just a nightmare. All he did was looking, but his stare alone creeped me out.“ then she looked on her sister and saw her frightened face.
„Luna, what happened?“
„That pony...I know him.“
„Who is it?“
Princess of the night lowered her head with sadness.
„It is my former student. The only one I´ve ever had, from times when Discord ruled Equestria.“
„Your student? I didn´t know that you had one.“
„It was our secret, but that isn´t important. If it was really him, then Equestria and all the ponies are in mortal danger. We have tell about him Twilight and her friends.“
XXXXXXX
„You look tired Twilight. You didn´t sleep well?“ Spike asked when Twilight came to the main room of library.
„I really didn´t. I had terrible nightmares, with some scary pony.“
„You too? When I went shopping I heard lots of ponies complain about nightmares.“
„Really? That is strange.“
Spike fired out a scroll.
„A letter from Princess?“
„Ehm, ehm. My dearest Twilight. I need you and your friends to come in Canterlot as soon as possible. Seems like Equestria might be in danger. I will explain details, when you arrive. Princess Celestia.“
„Wow! That was quick. I have to find girls and go there!“
„Be careful Twilight!“
„Don´t worry.“
Friends traveled by train and slept over most of the trip, so they could gain some stamina, because none of them had a good night.
XXXXXXX
„We came as quickly as we could Princess. What is the deal?“ Twilight worried .
„That is on Luna to explain.“
Everypony went on one of many balconies, where they all could comfortably listen Luna´s story.
„Long time ago, before me and my sister started to rule Equestria, there was Era of Chaos, when Discord himself throwed land into disorder. Back then I met group of friends, that wanted to defeat Discord – they were first owners of Elements of Harmony.“
Luna took a deep breathe.
„Serpent, honest pegasus loving snakes. Fallen Star, loyal unicorn. Jade, generous earth pony. Only girl in the group, I can´t remember her name, she was element of kindness. Storyteller, cheerful pegasus. And the last one, Midnight Chill, the
element of magic.“
Pause.
„These friends were very similar to you. They trusted that with friendship they can overcome anything. Now let´s get back to presence: we called you, because of strange nightmares, did you have them?“
Everypony comfirmed.
„The pony you saw was Midnight Chill.“
„But Princess Luna, he lived thousands years ago, he can´t be possibly alive!“ spoke Twilight.
„And he was element of magic.“ added Rainbow Dash.
Luna nodded.
„These nightmares are Midnight´s magic. My theory is that he came back and wants us to know that.“
„But how?
„You asked how can he be still alive and why is he dangerous. If there is fear in hearts of ponies, then there is Midnight too.
It´s part of his magic and about second question, we will get there.“
Now Luna looked really sad.
„As I said, they wanted to defeat Discord, but something went wrong. Betrayal. I don´t know much more but Midnight came to me badly hurt with tears and hatred. He said that his friends betrayed him and left him to die. I didn´t believe that, but after some time, I found out that it was truth. Fear destroyed their friendship and sended Midnight into dephts of insanity. At first, he was angry, but after a while he became cold, like his name.
Since that, all he wanted was being alone, he didn´t trust nopony and declared that friendship is nothing more than ilusion. I tried to convice him, but it was no use. After my rebelion I completly forgotten about him, until now.“
All ponies were silence for a while.
„So what does he want?“ asked Rainbow Dash.
„I don´t know and propably he doesn´t know either. This is very difficult task, Midnight is not like other enemies that you fought against. He does understand friendship very well and he will use his knowlage to hurt you. Plus he can summon your deepest fears, so you have to be really careful.“
„But how can we find him?“
„You have to go asleep and find him in your dreams. I will help you as much as I can, but he controls nightmares, not me.“
„You can count on us, our friendship is eternal.“
„He said this too.“ Luna whispered. „I trust you girls, you have to find a way to convince him, that friendship is real. Now I will send you into a dream. You will have to realize that it´s just a dream, only then you can go find Midnight.“
„Will it be nightmare?“ Fluttershy asked.
„Yes, and with Midnight controling it, it will be the worst of all. His power can drive you insane with sadness so don´t trust them.“
Then all six girls felt asleep.
XXXXXXXX
„This day is simply beatiful.“ said Twilight, walking in forest. „Maybe we could go with girls on picnic, so let´s go to Applejack and ask her.“
Farm wasn´t too far away, so it didn´t took too long. But for some reason, the whole Sweet Apple Acres were silent, not even birds made a sound.
„Applejack?!“
Nopony answered.
„Applejack?“ repeated and walked inside the barn.
„No...No!“
Not just Applejack, but all her friends were hanging inside the barn on sharp hooks. Blood still didn´t dry so the only sound were drops of blood falling on the floor.
“This...can´t be...” cried Twilight and her tears mixed with blood.
“You can end it.” spoke unknown voice and from shadow came grey pony with black and dark blue mane and cold eyes.
Newcomer holded a dagger.
“You have no friends, all you can do is either end it, or live alone. What do you prefer?” he whispered and placed the dagger in front of crying Twilight.
She picked it up.
Don´t do this! This is just a nightmare made by Midnight Chill, your friends are alive and you have to save them!
Midnight retreated.
“Alive? They are right in front...” Suddenly Twilight remebered, why she came here. All her memories needed just little push to awake.
When she fully realized what is happening, barn, Midnight and her dead friends dissolve and Twilight noticed that she is near the Everfree.
Everfree Forest and all trees around Ponyville were on fire, and purple unicorn heard a cry.
