The Shadow of Everfree Forest

Nightmare Darkness looked around the emptiness that surrounded him with a disdain he had never felt before. Discords information didn’t make his solitude any easier. He thought back to what discord whispered into his ear.

“Your mother is Princess Luna.” He shook his head. It was impossible, no improbable. He didn't have a mother. and she was locked away within the moon. Discords visit did place desire more than ever to escape under him. He now looked at his restraints with a new resolve and encroaching his will on the seemingly solid objects.Shouting the command within his mind. ‘Open!’, the chains shook and turned to water. He rotated his forehoof and stretched out his sore muscles. Was it really that easy? He was no longer trapped by his own fears.

He knew he couldn't take back his body by himself he would need help but how could he get ahold of anypony? He looked up as the feeling of dread began to overcome him, his oppressors influence was creeping closer towards him, no doubt planning on restraining him in a way he could never escape. He needed to run and hide.

Closing his eyes, ‘this is your mind, make it harder for him to find.’ he thought then opened opened his eyes again and found himself under the dark trees of the everfree forest. He smiled despite himself. A feeling of nostalgia overcame him. The smells and feeling of the forest felt so natural to him but it was short lived as several timber wolves stepped out from behind the trees who had a shroud of darkness about them.

“So, you managed to escape.” a voice said slyly stepping out from behind a tree as a shadow took form.

“I’ll lock you away where you will never escape.” he said raising his hoof. The timberwolves charged after him. Nightmare Darkness didn't hesitate and quickly opened his wings and took to the sky. The air screamed past his ears drowning out any other sound. Looking over his shoulder the timberwolves had sprouted wings and were in hot pursuit. Banking to the left and diving at a steep angle he made his way into the forest.

Weaving left and right around the tree trunks and fallen foliage putting distance between his pursuers. He couldn't run forever, he needed to escape. He wanted to see his new found friends, Zecora  or anypony. Then a spot of light caught his eye to the left. He quickly banked left and headed towards the light. The trees began to warp around him with wooden arms reaching for him. He pushed himself harder to get to the light. His eyes watered from the strain against the wind, breaking through a bundle of overlapping branches into a small clearing he raced towards the portal. He could see the a happy ponyville bustling on the other side. Flying through the portal, it closed behind him instantly. The specter of Nightmare materialized as the timberwolves landed in the clearing.

“When did he learn that trick?”  he asked visibly angry.

Nightmare Darkness eyes refocused to the brightness of the sun. Confused he stood up and looked around. He was in ponyville beside Rarity’s boutique.

“How can this be? This is not inside of me.” he spoke to himself. He approached Rarity’s boutique and looked into the window and saw Sweety Belle. She was sewing and using all of Rarity’s things creating several dresses and different pieces of clothing. Rarity was there smiling and helping Sweety Belle with her choices of cloth and letting her little sister run the show as she took the back seat. This was odd Nightmare thought Rarity would never allow anyone to meddle with her things even Sweety Belle. Sweety Belle was simply beaming with happiness.

“Oh Sweety Belle I do so enjoy Making dresses together.”  Rarity said, Sweety Belle looked at her and smiled up at her.

“Well your fashion show is tomorrow i’m glad you want to use my designs.” Sweety Belle said. Nightmare eyebrow shot up, now he was sure this was wrong. He looked at the scene again then realized. This is Sweety Belles dream...but how? How did he escape his own mind and get into Sweety Belles?

Before he could begin to contemplate an answer the images around him became warped and elongated as the landscape became a barren white surface with no trees or anything. He looked around fearful that his captor had caught up with him.

“Who dares invade the dreams of the innocent! They are my subjects and I will destroy any who will harm them.” A loud feminine voice boomed making him freeze in place. He gathered up his courage and turned around and standing behind him was Luna Princess of the moon. Lunas mane waved in the motionless air  as storm clouds began to surround her emphasizing her displeasure.

As he turned around Luna saw his face, recognizing him as the stallion who had threatened her in her own dreams.

“You dare show your face to me here Shadow! This will be the last mistake you ever make!” she said opening her wings. Summoning lightning to attack him.

“You stand in the realms of dreams, I hold all the power here!” she proclaimed. Nightmare was staying at his end and thought desperately.

“I escaped from my mind from the shadow you speak! I found myself here without any reason so to speak…” he said raising his hooves over his face to protect himself.

“You are not shadow you say? But you just jumped into a dream. How can that be none may do that beside dark evil creatures and me.” she said scowling. Nightmare Darkness didn't know but had a hunch but he didn't wish to say.

“I am a child born from darkness and a pony...I am the child of the shadow you speak and he has taken over my body and is…” he stopped explaining as the look on Luna’s face was in complete shock. She didn't know what to do this was a shocking development to be sure.The shadow had control of a body making her nightmare moon, and it had a child. How? When? She didn't know but she had to deal with this threat. The clouds and thunder subsided making Nightmare breathe easier.  Luna’s horn glowed again and chains wrapped around him rooting him in place then a cage exploded from the ground surrounding him.

He looked around and his ears drooped down and his head hung low. ‘I’ve traded one cage for another.’ he thought.

“You will remain here shadow stallion.” she said

“My name is Nightmare Darkness.” He said quietly but loud enough for her to hear. Luna opened a portal and left Nightmare to his thoughts once more.

Zecora had waited for the longest time then finally after coming to the train station the mane six walked off looking tired and shaken. Maybe it was not the time for her to ask them for assistance in finding Nightmare. Before she could walk away.

“Hey its Zecora!.” Rainbow Dash said.  Too late she thought.

“Hello to you all, I take the trip was quite a tale tall.” she said greeting them. Drawing mixed looks.

“Yes it was one visit we won't forget.” Twilight said. Zecora nodded then looked serious.

“I hate to bring bad news but Nightmare has not been seen for many a moon.” Zecora explained.

“Nightmare? What’s wrong then doesn't he disappear all the time?” Apple Jack said looking perplexed.

“This is true that Nightmare leaves for a few moons but never had he missed his favoured stew brew.” she said worried. Twilight placed a reassuring hoof on Zecoras shoulder.

“Ill send a letter to Celestia and ask for assistance.” she said. Zecora smiled.

“Thank you twilight sparkle, for you i will make a special brew.” she smiled.