Equestrian Darkness

It was day two of the Heatwave in Ponyville, and even though it was an intentional Heatwave, Some ponies were already tired of the sun and the lake and decided to try their hooves at staying indoors. Applejack and Rarity were trying the same efforts of the previous day with Applejacks Apple stand and Rarity's Parasols. Most of the Ponies still managed to have a fun and enjoyable time, while a few stayed at the lake only for the sake of the cool water. Twilight, Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie all arrived at about the same time as the day before, but Rainbow dash Didn't arrive until a few hours later than the day previous. When Twilight asked if she was okay, Rainbow Dash Said that she was fine, but she Knew that was a Lie.

In reality, Rainbow Dash Wasn't sure if she was Fine. The Last Couple Nights She had Begun Having Nightmares. The First wasn't That Bad, just a little Annoying, but now only 2 days later they were unsettling the Normally Stalwart and Brave Pony. But of Course, She couldn't let her friends know that She was Scared. She was Too Cool for that, or rather that's how her tired and weary mind rationalized keeping the nightmares a secret. But if She was to be totally honest, it wasn't the Previous Nightmares that Frightened Her the Most, it was instead 2 other things. Firstly that the Nightmares had escalated and Become Drastically Worse Between the First and Second Nightmare, and Even Moreso Between the Second and Third of the Night Before. Secondly was that the Nightmares seemed etched into her mind, flashing themselves accross her Mind Even while she was awake, Making her Nervous and on Edge. What she feared the most was what, if it happened again, the Next Nightmare would Contain to Scare her, and the fact that She might not be able to escape it.

Yet despite these Fears, she Kept quiet about them and the Nightmares, instead Putting on her cool face and Focusing on being Percievably Awesome. For Now she just wanted to try and relax with her friends. It seemed to help the day before, so why not Today? Soon enough her mind seemed to clear as she relaxed in the lake and ran along the shore. As the Sun began to set, Rainbow didn't think much of the nightmares. Pinkie pies antics and spending time with her friends seemed to have helped ease her nerves, so she thought nothing of just going home and getting ready for bed.

Little Did she know, that somepony had been watching her all Day. In fact, had been for a couple days. Nor did she suspect that this Somepony, or rather, Something Was watching her even now. As rainbow dash Prepared for bed she Decided to Read a Daring Do Book. Twilight had lent her one of the few Rainbow dash hadn't read yet, Daring Do and the Trek to the Terrifying Tower. "G'Night Tank." she said to her Tortoise, now making his way to his small home in the corner of the front room, a tired smile on his face.

Just as Rainbow Dash Was about to go to her room there was a knock at her door, which seemed very bizarre, especially considering that her house was a couple hundred feet in the air and that she wasn't expecting anyone. Upon opening her door, she was met by No-pony. There was however a small Box wrapped in Blue Paper with a note. Looking around she couldn't see anypony, and wasn't sure how they got up to her house or how they managed to get awasy so quickly.

Taking the box inside she read the note, which said simply,

"Dear Rainbow Dash, I heard that you weren't sleeping very well, so i got you a present. Just mix it into a drink of water, I hope it helps. Sweet Dreams! Sincerely, A Friend."

Why would one of her friends leave her an anonymous Gift? How did they get up to her house? Was it that Obvious that she was Having trouble sleeping? Rainbow Dash decided she was thinking to hard about this, and Just shrugged with the thought, 'Whoever it was, it sure was nice of them.' Opening the box she found a Small Glass Vial, filled with a Deep Blue Powder. Well at this point rainbow dash was willing to try just about anything. She got a glass of water and Popped the cork out of the Vial. Putting it near her Nose, she was met with the pleasant Scent of Blueberries. 'I Hope it tastes as good as it smells' she thought as she poured it into the water. Almost immediately it diffused and she now held a glass of the deep blue drink. "Well, Bottoms Up" she said out loud, just before drinking the whole thing in almost one go. It wouldn't be long before she would Deeply and woefully regret that decision.

"Wow. It Tastes just like Blueberries Too. Weird Flavor for a drink i guess but it's tasty. Hope it works" She made her way to her bedroom, and just as she was at the door she began to feel very tired. "Wow this stuff works quick" she thought. Then She realized that She wasn't tired, just weak. The Feeling began to build as she made her way to the bed, but by the time she got there, the Weakness had not only built but now she had a huge headache, in fact now she was far more awake than that afternoon at the lake. As she sat on her bed, almost all at once a terrible Fear Gripped Rainbow, Paranoia set in and She Felt like she was hallucinating. Her Voice cracking with emotion, she curled into a ball and almost cried the words "What was that stuff!?" The Nightmares were now coming to her recollection relentlessly and all at once and she began to shake, unsure of what to do.

She suddenly Noticed there was a Faint Glow coming from under her door, just as the door slowly began to creek open, and a green light began to fill the room. As the door opened wider and wider, she could see the silhouette of somepony standing in the doorway, their Horn Glowing from under their cloak. Rainbow Dash Virtually Choked on her Words as she struggled to ask "Who are You" while her mind seemed to be slipping away. "Why rainbow dash, Don't you know?" said the stranger in a broken hoarse voice, a twisted grin appearing on their face. The Began to step into the room as the words left their mouth almost in a sadistic whisper, "I am the Worst Nightmare of All." With that Rainbow dash Let out what would have been the loudest scream she had ever managed to make,and if only somepony had been close enough to hear it, her scream would not have been in vain.

Green Lights Began to flow from within the room, and could have been seen outside the windows. Rainbow Dash's Screams Were Not Of Pain, but of terror and Emotional Torture. After 5 or 10 minutes, the Dark Guest Stopped their Wicked Magic, and took a moment to observe their prey. Rainbow Dash was curled up into a ball and was shaking uncontrollably in the corner of her bedroom. Tears Streamed down her face, her eyes looked as if she hadn't slept in weeks, and her choked wimpers reflected the absolute terror she just had, and still was enduring. The Guest whispered in her ear, "Don't Worry, I'll be back soon" with an evil chuckle, before slowly leaving the room, just as Tank managed to get to the top of the stairs. The Guest Kicked Tank into the wall, sending him Spinning towards rainbow's room, as they desceneded the stairs and left the home, spreading their wings and flying into the darkness.

And so started a chain of events, whose end could mean the end of all things. And poor rainbow dash, was merely the first victim.