She never saw it coming. Nopony saw it coming. Screams and shrieks of pure terror assaulted her ears. She was running as fast as her legs could move. Another boom rang out through the night sky, and a building nearby exploded, leaving only a husk of the former structure. She needed to get to the castle. It was the only safe place in the whole city. Then she heard something that made her blood turn to ice and her heart stop. Above the burning destruction and the cries of the dying, a cackle echoed throughout the burning city. It was the cackle of the most feared pony in all of Equestria. Nightmare Moon was here to bring Canterlot to its knees.

Everypony in Equestria knew about the stories of the terrible pirate captain known as Nightmare Moon. Twilight Sparkle knew the stories just like everypony else, and her fears become real when she is taken as a prisoner to the pirate. Will she be able to escape? Will she ever return home? Most importantly, what secret is Nightmare Moon hiding?
Pirate AU/ Nightlight
Cover image: "nightmare-moon-water-colour" by artist-apprentice587
Go check out some of their artwork at artist-apprentice587.deviantart.com/