Eternal Night

”Let’s see what’s in your mind, shall we?”

”Huh?” I called out while I looked around a pitch black room. I could see myself perfectly fine, which was a bit odd, but everything else was just… well, black. “Who said that?”

“Why, I did.” A dark blue alicorn stepped into my vision. Her mane swirled violently, instead of the calm wave Celestia’s had. Her eyes were similar to mine, but instead of being red, they were a bright green.

Nightmare Moon.

“What do you mean?” I stepped forward, my feathers bristling.

Nightmare studied me with narrow eyes. “You’ll see.”

I stepped forward again, when suddenly the floor vanished beneath me and I tumbled through the darkness.

"Ruby? Ruby, are you okay?” A familiar voice echoed through my head. I sat up, looking around wildly. Something happened. I had to get back.

Back to where?

I relaxed seeing the familiar face of my friend, Shooting Star. We were sitting on the edge of a lake, letting its water wash over our hooves. Fireflies danced all around us, lighting up the young colt’s pale orange face.

“Yeah, I’m fine.” I leaned back into the soft sand and gazed up at the stars. A small cloud of dust floated over us as Star crashed into the sand next to me. I giggled and poked him with my hoof.

Star studied the sky with his pale green eyes, eyebrows furrowed. “It’s so…”

“Nice?”

Star glanced at me. “Pretty. Kinda like you, but you’re prettier!”

I bit my lip with a blush as he leaned over and placed a tiny kiss on my cheek. Was it me or was the air getting warmer?

“Happy birthday, Ruby.” He whispered pointing at his watch. I couldn’t see the tiny numbers from here, but I know what he meant. It was twelve o’ clock.

My tenth birthday.

I stood up. It wasn’t me that was getting warmer. I could smell the smoke and I noticed an orange glow over in the direction where I lived. Star stood up too, seeing exactly what I did.

“Fire,” I whispered. “Fire!” I took off, rushing across the beach.

“Ruby!” I could hear Star galloping after me. “Ruby, don’t!”

I ignored him, which was the stupidest thing I did. I pressed forward, getting closer to the large mass of smoke just a quarter of a mile away. Closer, closer…

A few minutes later, I stood in front of my home, blazing with dark orange flames. ‘No…’ I thought numbly. I leaped through the door, determined to find my parents. Second stupidest thing I did.

“Mom?” I coughed, leaning against a piece of wood that had been blackened by the smoke. “D-dad?” I stood up and ran towards their room, panic speeding up my heart. I burst through the door and choked back a sob. They were there on the bed, the flames flickering on their coats and whatever was left of their manes. My mother’s eyes were still open, they were once a beautiful shade of green, but now they were a dull shadow of their original color.

I didn’t see the ceiling begin to crumble or the large chunk of flaming plaster hurtling towards me.

And then Star came.

He shoved me out of the way just in time, and before I could register what was going on, I saw him covered in the flaming plaster, and I heard a sickening crunch. The rest seemed to go by slowly, as I tore at the plaster, ignoring the pain in my hooves while I attempted to dig him out.

I must’ve blacked out because the next thing I knew, I was laying in a soft bed, staring up at a white ceiling, and feeling a searing pain in my head.

“That was quite the ordeal.” My ears flicked up in surprise as Nightmare approached my bed. “No wonder you cling to every last pony that can bear to be around you. No wonder you’re so cautious, no wonder you hide your fears from everypony else.”

She leaned forward, sharp teeth glinting. “Now, Ruby Night, I know your deepest secret. That, after all, is crucial. I will break you down slowly, Ruby. I will make you replay that over and over again until you beg me to stop. Until you finally snap.” She planted a hoof firmly on my chest, and I fought to not cry out. “You are a threat to me, Ruby. You and all of your little friends.

I will find you Ruby. I will hunt you down. You cannot be allowed to live.”

I sat up, still feeling her hoof on my chest. I buried my face in the sheets and sobbed.