"Who dares to disturb Nightmare Moon!?!" A thunderous voice bellowed out of the misty darkness. While sounding monstrously dangerous, yet it still carried a regal feminine charm.

"Tis naught but fools." The Nightmarish voice taunted while tendrils of shadow spill forth from within the dark. Each one making its' way over to everyone in their path. Ardent and Gilda froze instantly as their own shadows met with these tendrils. Gilda bowled over into a ball while incoherently screaming about something traumatic. The former started to apologize repeatedly for something he seemed to deeply regret.

When the tendrils reached the Dark One, He did not have the same reaction the others had. Instead, he ignited a green ball of flame and threw it into the cell. Upon its explosion it was revealed that nothing was in the once sealed prison. Afterwards a part of his shadow twisted itself in the shape of a large pony while still on the ground. The Dark One looked down and met its gaze while it moved about the room.

"Yes. Thou will do nicely." The shadow commented as it pulled all other tendrils within itself. The others gasped in relief as their terrors had ceased.

"What the cluck was that!!" Gilda yelled with frustration.

"Don't you listen? Obviously, it was Nightmare Moon. However, I agree it certainly the most horrific thing I have ever experienced." Slickwick replied.

"Silence Knaves! I have no use for your useless prattle! Nightmare bellowed and then turned her attention to the Overlord. "We must move quickly. Tis most assuredly that our escape has not gone unnoticed. If thou shalt assist us in our escape then thee shall receive our boon."

"I strongly advise against this. Nightmare Moon isn't somepony you'd like to mess with. Coming from me, that's really saying something." Chrysalis warned through the hive mind.

"For once I actually agree with the former Queen. However, it would be best not to make an enemy of her. Make your way back to the hive before you are swarmed by guards." Emerald Wing spoke.

The Dark One did not respond and started to make his way towards the exit. Many of the other prisoners started to follow on the way out. Breaking a few doors along the way, soon the group reached the entryway of the dungeons. The guards there were nowhere to be found and a tower bell could be heard ringing in the distance.

DING! DONG! DING! DONG!

"Alright fellow guardsponies! Smoke em out!" A voice shouted from outside the entrance. Then little balls of iron burst through windows and open doorways. Noxious smoke spewing forth from each one. Many of the escapees started to cough violently. Unable to breathe they unwittingly made their way outside.

Several armored earth pony guards awaited outside, armed with shields and billy clubs. Upon exiting the building, the prisoners were set upon by the guards. Attempting to bludgeon them into submission.

A shield wall of guards met the incarcerated with clubs raised. They did not stand much of a chance from the smoke rendering them breathless. Soon after, a large hulking form burst forth from the smoke and smashed into the guards.

The Overlord had managed to toppel many enemies with his mighty charge. After he broke their line, he picked a shield off of the ground. While of decent size, it still was diminutive compared to the Dark One's form. He grasped both handles in one hand and started bashing helmets with it.

The guards lost focus on the Prisoners, which allowed them to regain their composure. Instead of joining the charge they tried to escape to the side. Before they could get far, a volley of small darts rained down on them from above. A bunch of Pegasai fired upon them using small crossbows. Any who were hit started to get drowsy before hitting the ground.

The Overlord took notice of the winged assailants and threw a fireball at them. Partway there it was intercepted by a blast of energy. Exploding it prematurely. The Dark One looked back down and saw a contingency of Unicorns in the back. It was clear to him which side was more effective. However, he was not going to let that deter him from escaping.

The Overlord threw his shield like a Frisbee towards the Unicorns, arcing it through the air. They panicked and quickly raised multiple magic shields. A metallic clang sounded as it bounced off and clattered to the ground. The Dark One then hoisted two of the earth pony guards right off their hooves. Then He charged at the unicorns with both of them in tow.

Pegasai took notice and started firing upon the Overlord. The two guards started shouting for them to cease fire but it was already to late. The Dark One placed both ponies in-between himself and the oncoming darts. Howls of pain resonated through the courtyard as both guards were turned into pin cushions. They both quickly passed out from the large amounts of tranquilizer in their systems.

Amongst the Pegasai reloading, Nightmare Moon spoke to the Overlord. "We will offer our assistance, fierce one." Dark tendrils sprouted from the Dark One's shadow. Stretching out towards the others. The full moon above made the Pegasai cast shadows on the ground and surrounding buildings.

With such large shadows, it was easy for Nightmare Moon to catch them in her net of tendrils. Soon the squadron of Pegasai began to panic or flee in terror. A few crashed into each other or buildings. Some outright froze and plummeted straight down.

With the Pegasai demoralized, the Overlord turned his attention back towards the Unicorns. He dropped the unconscious guards he was carrying and charged once again. A few quickly teleported out of the way. The one in front kept his magic shield raised and dug in his hooves. Metal met the ward and a clang echoed outward.

The Unicorn struggled to stop the Dark One's charge. Before coming to a complete stop, he wrapped his arms around the shield itself. It's size smaller than the one Chrysalis had produced before. With a mighty heave the Overlord threw the unicorn, shield and all towards the earth pony guards. Upon collision they were knocked over like bowling pins.

"Retreat!" An officer yelled as they were being overwhelmed. Whatever guards were still conscious, turned tail and ran. The others were relieved of weapons and valuables by the prisoners. Which in turn took this opportunity to flee.

Gilda had just managed to make outside and out of the smoke. It took a few moments for her to stop coughing. Once composed, she surveyed her surroundings.

Multiple guards and prisoners lay motionless on the ground. The rest were running for their lives as a single figure towered over the carnage. Slowly, this armored creature turned his gaze towards Gilda. The orange pupils staring back at her, while multiple shadow tendrils retracted into his own.

DING! DONG! DING! DONG!

The creature looked up to the bell tower and unclenched his hand. Green flame gathered in the palm of his gauntlet. When the fireball doubled twice in size, the creature lobbed it upwards. It sailed through the air with great speed and collided with the bell tower. It exploded, sending debris flying everywhere. The top of the bell tower had been completely blown off and only distant bells could be heard now. A feeling of complete terror washed over Gilda. This wasn't just any creature. He was a monster.

Gilda began to back away slowly until she hit something behind her. It was that sleazy slickwick pony from before. He had a look of utter shock and fear. Ears flat upon his head. Eyes the size of pin pricks. Gilda was just about to slap him until he violently shook his head. Afterwards, Ardent spoke to Gilda. "We have to get out of here now."

"There is no clucking way I'm going with you!" Gilda shouted while unfurling her wings.

"Are you mad!? You'll be spotted by aerial patrols! They'll restrain you faster than you could possibly fly!" Ardent shouted back while trying to keep her from taking off.

It was at this time Gilda noticed many figures in the sky. A group of pegasai being spearheaded by the Princesses themselves. They were flying towards the courtyard at breakneck speeds, weapons at the ready. Princess Luna was dive bombing directly down in front of the creature. Princess Celestia was giving orders while remaining airborne. "Fan out and create a perimeter! I want no prisoners to escape!"

A chorus of 'Yes ma'am' resounded through the night and they did as ordered. Before Gilda could think about how royally screwed she was, a hoof started pulling her claw. "If we move now then we should be able to evade them." Not wanting to end up back in the dungeon, Gilda reluctantly followed Ardent.

Princess Luna landed in front of the Dark One, brandishing her old warhammer with magic. He had indeed broken out of the dungeon and left such a mess. Luna began vowing to bring the hammer down on him, both literally and figuratively. "We will give you one chance to surrender peacefully. There needn't be anymore bloodshed."

The Overlord shook his head no. "Fine. Have at thee!" Luna bellowed as she charged, warhammer raised. The Dark One rolled to the side just as the her overhead swing came down. He tried to follow up by attacking her exposed flank. As soon as he got close, a few gold magic projectiles flew down and collided with him. Celestia was providing ranged support from above.

Luna smiled wide as she swung her weapon with ferocity. It had been too long since she felt thrill of a true battle. Even longer since Celestia had joined her. It was like old times, when such conflicts were common. Before the Overlord could recover, they continued their attacks.

The Dark One could not escape and was forced back on the defensive. Luna made sure to keep on the offensive, never giving an inch. Her sister's volleys of magic made his movements much more predictable. As he dodged a group of projectiles, Luna struck fiercely at his side. Metal bent from sheer force of the impact, staggering her foe.

Trying to follow up her attack, Luna swung her hammer again. The Overlord threw a green fireball towards her. In order to dodge she had to cut her attack short. The Dark One tried to counterattack but was stopped by the other Princess. Celestia fired a beam of raw magical energy down at the Overlord. He in turn, fired a green one back up at the white Alcorn.

Both magics collided midair with a violent crash. Spraying sparks of gold and green. For a time they both were evenly matched, until Celestia unleashed more power. The Dark One could not match her output and was pushed back. All of the green crystals on his arm shattered, except the one slotted in his gauntlet. Celestia's magic knocked the Overlord off his feet and several meters into a building. Stone and brick cracked upon impact.

Princess Luna looked up to her sister with admiration. Celestia had not lost her warrior's spirit after all. Both sisters shared a nod before returning to the battle. The Princess of the night readied her weapon, then charged forth once more. When she reached the Dark One, she swung her hammer at his head. Moments before impact, Luna lost all momentum, dropping her weapon.

Paralyzed and confused, Luna watched as the Overlord picked up her fallen weapon for himself. She was only able to move her head and looked down. Her shadow had twisted itself into a sinister version of its form. Suddenly a dawning realization came to Luna. "No! This is impossible, it surely cannot be!"

"Rejoice Luna. We are reunited once more." The sinister shadow spoke.

"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO MY SISTER!" Celestia screamed with utter rage and she dove down towards them. The Overlord ran to do battle with her while Luna continued to suffer.

The tips of Luna's hooves began to change before her eyes. Dark blue coat darkening to a midnight black. All while the shadow danced around with glee. The night Princess could only look on in horror as her nightmares were coming true. "This cannot be. The elements destroyed you for good."

"Nay. The elements merely separated us. Since that fated night we have been imprisoned once more by our treacherous sister. Now that we are together again, we can finish what we started. "

"Please, stop. We spent 1000 years in isolation as our penance. Please don't destroy the progress I have achieved since returning."

"All the progress, 'you' have achieved? Don't be such a fool. All that you have accomplished, is demonstrating your subservience to Celestia."

"We were wrong about her. She is not the monster we made her out to be and our actions made us into one. If we had only talked to sister, then things would've been different."

"It would have been for nought. Such social battlegrounds is our sister's specialty. The fields of battle is ours. Celestia would have misdirected and manipulate as she always does. Especially when it concerned 'our' ponies."

Luna found herself unable to retort. The transformation had reached the bottom of her barrel, continuing its path upwards. Moments after, Luna still struggled to intelligently reply. "Thats...not true."

"Then tell us. Why does our written story tell differently?" The shadow quiered Luna. Nothing but the sound of a raging battle could be heard in response. After no reply the shadow continued. "It is because history was written by the victor. Celestia got to hide the atrocities committed against 'our' kin. While painting us as the unjustified villain who tried to usurp the throne."

"You're.....lying." Luna gasped between breathes. The transformation started to make Luna grow taller. Her wings began to metamorphosis into a leathery membrane. Coat darkening even further.

"You cannot lie to yourself Luna. No matter how much you wish it weren't true, it still happened. 'Our' thestrals suffered because other ponies thought they were superior and Celestia enabled them. So tell us that we are speaking falsehoods. Tell us it isn't true. Tell 'ME' it isn't true."

Luna couldn't answer. So she wept while sorrow overtook her. The transformation progressing, hope dimishing. Her shadow glared at her with anger. "TELL ME!!"

Tears fell upon the ground, numerous and without end. Thunder rumbled while the moon turned blood red. The wind shuttered from a monster's return.

"YOU WILL NOT KEEP ME FROM LUNA!" Princess Celestia shouted while firing a beam of magic. It directly hit the Overlord, sending him flying into another building, collapsing it on top of him. Celestia quickly rushed over to check on her sister. "Luna talk to me. Are you alright?"

'Luna' turned to face her sister, slit eyes staring with absolute hatred. "We are not Luna. WE ARE NIGHTMARE MOON!!!"

Author's Note

Hey everyone/everypony. I have returned after 6 long years. I will definitely be continuing this story. It wasn't worth the wait but i hope you enjoy.