It had been three days since the incident. There had of course been the reprimands and the apologies. After that Aurora had found sanctuary in her room. There she had read the book cover to cover. In it was the history of the first cursed one on to the last one. Each one had fought the curse until the bitter end. None of them defeated it. What was worse was the more the host fought, the worse the curse became and the more destruction done. This didn't bode well for Aurora. Silently Aurora cried herself to sleep the night she had read it. Her once bright spark of hope was now a mere ember.

Twilight looked at her student that day concerned. She had heard Aurora cry herself to sleep and knew that something was wrong. Upon inquiry though, Aurora simple said that she was fine. Twilight simply knew that something had happened in the forest that had hurt Aurora more than any wound. Twilight sat wondering how to cheer her up when she was struck by brilliancy.

"You want me to organize preparations for Nightmare Night? I thought you were the most organized?"

Twilight smiled at Aurora and explained that it was a teaching experience. The ability to organize both your time and priorities is important in friendship. Aurora agreed doubtfully. What did organization have to do with friendship. She thought it had to do with loyalty, generosity, kindness, laughter, honesty, and magic. However, she was the student and therefor would do what the teacher requested of her. Plus, Luna would be there. that thought filled Aurora with excitement. She would finally be able to see her mentor. Twilight smiled as Aurora raced off. She knew that this would at least take her mind of her worrying. Maybe Twilight would be a good teacher after all. Sending Aurora away wouldn't be necessary. She seemed to be doing just fine, and the forest had seemed to calm down. It looked like the storm was over. Unfortunately, the storm was only beginning.

Aurora stopped at Applejack's farm. It always amazed her how beautiful the farm was. She raced the rest of the way to find the Apples in the middle of their chores. Applejack was delighted to see her and even more pleased when Aurora explained her need for caramel apples and other goodies for Nightmare Night. Soon Aurora had sampled every spooky treat that the Apples could make and was as full as a barrel as she went to go see Rainbow Dash about the weather for the event. It needed to be as cloudy as possible without covering the moon. That itself took the least amount of time. Rainbow Dash was the fastest pony in Ponyville, although Applejack begged to differ. Plus, Aurora got to see her new air stunts to impress the Wonder Bolts. Ahead of schedule, Aurora went to see Pinkie Pie about the party and games and found things well on their way. Fluttershy would be hiding in her hut during Nightmare Night so Aurora went strait to Rarity's to see how the decorations were coming along. Rarity was putting up banners with beautiful silver moons and of course, Nightmare Moon. It was hard to believe that Aurora's beloved teacher could have been such a monster. Then again, who was she to judge who was a monster. Aurora's day was once again reminded of the cloud that hung over her head, and she speedily finished the rest of her tasks.

The dark figures gathered around their master. They had just reported the events they had seen from the town the ponies called, Ponnyville. It was hard to gauge his mood. Their master smiled slyly. Tomorrow they would attack the town and take the pony they had seen. The one with the golden hair and the beautiful black eye. Their mark.

One of the group separated in secret. He discarded his dark robe that would keep him invisible at the edge of the forest. He had to warn the golden pony before it was too late. Her darkness couldn't be awoken. She was too pure. Unlike him, who had been among the shadowed ones for more time than anypony could remember. He had to warn her because he had also once been pure and knew what the shadowed ones could do to even the purest pony.

The master smiled as he stared down at the running figure of his supposedly "loyal" subject. It didn't matter though. The traitor would have to go through some rehabilitation when he was caught again. The master was very confident that he could turn even the purest of hearts. What confused him was how the young colt had undone his work. He frowned in annoyance when he realized the answer. It was the white mare with the mark. She must have had some affect on his dark magic that had shrouded his subjects conscious. No matter. Soon he would be seeing one of his oldest puppets. Princess Luna, or as she was known throughout the shadowed ones, Nightmare Moon. What better time to bring back his best student then on her own holiday. The puzzle pieces were falling into place at long last. Finally, the prophesy which he had spoken of thousands of moons ago was beginning again on it's endless cycle. Only his mistress could have done anything more evil than Millennium, Discords protégé, and servant to the bringer of the end, Eclipse.

Author's Note

I know this one's shorter than the others. Sorry.