Nightrise

Chapter 6: Return of the Nightmare

Ponyville, Present Day...

Over the past few months, Ponyville had been plagued by horrible nightmares, and nopony had gotten a good night's rest in weeks. Repairs on the Castle of the Pony Sisters had ground to a halt, and Twilight had been focused on figuring out the cause of these nightmares instead of working on how to open the box that had been revealed when she and the girls had returned the Elements of Harmony to the Tree of Harmony. After weeks of reading and testing spells, Twilight had finally come up with something the night before, and had decided to pursue it in the morning.

"Spike, I'm going to be out for awhile," said Twilight as she slipped her saddlebags on.

"Okay, Twilight," said Spike groggily. It still amazed him how Twilight could be so energetic when she hadn't slept in days. Pinkie Pie he could understand, but Twilight? Whatever spell she was using, he wanted to know it.

"Don't be so down, Spike," Twilight said, "Why don't you visit Rarity later, or Princess Rarity, or Ella? "

"I'll think about it," said Spike. He decided then that he'd visit all of them. Trixie was supposed to be visiting Princess Raity today, and her shows had become quite the entertaining spectacle since those two had met. "See you later Twilight!"

Twilight nodded as she made her way out the door. "See you later, Spike!"

~~~~~~~~~~

"...five steps to the left and I'm here," Twilight said, lifting her head from the map levitating in front of her. She had traveled deep into an uncharted region of the Everfree Forest, and now stood at the mouth of a cave that appeared to have been carved from the rock and soil around it. A worn sign nearby read 'Everfree Changeling Hive. Enter at own risk'.

Twilight swallowed hard. "Well, here I go," she said as she cautiously entered the abandoned hive. Ancient Changeling carapaces lined the halls, some half-buried in the dust and dirt that had built up over the ages. If she remembered her history correctly, Celestia had raided this hive, which is where she first met Crystalia, who now shared the Sun Throne with her. It still confused Twilight to think of Crystalia as her mentor and not Celestia, though they both did an equal amount of teaching now. Lost in though, Twilight didn't realize she couldn't see where she was going, and almost tripped over one of the ancient carapaces. She immediately lit up her horn so she could see her surroundings.

She was in the crumbling remains of the once grand throne room. A throne of obsidian stood on the far end of the hall, but the passage of time had worn it away, and one of the armrests had broken off. Twilight shuddered before moving deeper into the seemingly endless tunnels. Eventually, a light appeared at the end of one of the tunnels, and she made sure of this by disolving her own light spell.

Twilight crept slowly down the tunnel towards the strange light, careful not to make any noise. As she got closer she heard mumbling, with became more and more distinguishable as she approached. The voice sounded familiar, but she just couldn't place it. All her doubts were remedied, though, as she turned the corner to face what or whoever was in these tunnels.

~~~~~~~~~~

Four months ago...

Nightmare Moon opened her eyes and gasped for breath. She quickly jumped to her hooves, having no idea what had just happened. She remembered the spear, feeling her life leave her body, and then...then there were the lands that she just couldn't adequately describe in anyway other than true utopia.

She felt so very weak, and could not see at all. Whether it was because of a spell or something else, she didn't know. What she did know was that she needed nourishment, at least enough to keep her alive until help arrived. A thought stuck her. She had the ability to create nightmares and use the fear of others as energy. She fired a life-pulse, an invisible wave of magic that detects living things. Sure enough, there were ponies nearby...

~~~~~~~~~~

Everfree Hive, Present Day...

Nightmare Moon saw Twilight and immediately froze. Twilight had a spell charged and waiting, and she was still too weak to even defend herself, let alone move, which took a massive effort on her part. Nightmare Moon pushed herself off the wall and tried to stand, but quickly fell over and lay sprawled across the cavern floor.

"Twilight, please help me," Nightmare Moon said before passing out.

~~~~~~~~~~

Nightmare Moon slowly climbed back from the embrace of unconsciousness, waking to find she was in a soft bed, though one small for a pony of her immense size. She slowly turned her head to find a little purple dragon looking straight at her.

"Twilight," Spike called, "She's awake."

"I'm coming Spike," Twilight said as hoofbeats were heard coming up the stairs. Twilight came bursting in seconds later and quickly went over to Nightmare Moon. "I thought we destroyed you."

"Please, food," Nightmare Moon said in a raspy voice.

"I beg your pardon," Twilight said.

"I...I need to eat, please," rasped Nightmare Moon.

Twilight pulled Spike back for a second and quietly talked to him. A moment later, they turned back to Nightmare Moon.

"If we feed you, will you tell us whatever we ask of you," asked Twilight.

"Yes, anything, I'll tell you anything," said Nightmare Moon.

A short while later Nightmare Moon had finished eating. She hadn't felt this good since, well, since before she'd died, or whatever had happened to her. She would've left, but a deal's a deal, and she said she'd answer any questions they asked.

She just hoped she wouldn't regret that choice.